On the 63rd floor of Lebua State Tower is Sky Bar, known as the world’s highest outdoor rooftop bar. If you’ve watched The Hangover Part II, you’ll probably recognize the setting. Now it was my turn to get better acquainted with the Wolf Pack’s Bangkok habitat, so dressed in my last clean dress, I passed the dress code inspectors in the lobby and made it into the elevator that would take me to the top.
As I stepped out of the elevator, I was completely overwhelmed by how beautiful it was and by the view. First reaction? You want to take a picture. But you can’t. “No ma’am, no stopping, no pictures, please go to the bar.” So you follow the rest of the crowd toward the strictly confined space called Sky Bar.
One of the disadvantages of traveling alone is that there’s no one to take your photo. After a while, all those shaky iPhone selfies get a little tedious. Luckily, I teamed up with a young Thai couple who were happy to photograph me and the Bangkok skyline, as long as I returned the favor.
The view from Sky Bar was absolutely fantastic, but the bar itself didn’t impress me. I think 99% of the guests that night were tourists, armed with cameras and ready to fight for the best spot to capture their Kodak moment. The vibe felt more like sightseeing than partying, and you’re guided every step of the way in a manner that makes you feel more like part of a tour group than a guest at a bar.
There’s no cover charge, but the drinks are very expensive, and there aren’t any proper seating areas. Despite the beautiful view, I wouldn’t recommend Sky Bar for a full night out. Instead, go after dinner on a weekday. Go for the view, not for the drinks.
Sky Bar, Lebua State Tower, Silom, Bangkok
