We continue an extension of the Thailand series which will focus on some of our memorable dining out experiences. Other posts in this series include Som Tam Nua, and Taling Pling.
Imagine staring down on the gleaming, glittering lights of Bangkok from sixty-three stories high up.
And the only thing separating you from the world down below is a wall that’s less than four feet high.
This, my friends, is Sky Bar and Sirocco, the world’s highest open air bar and restaurant.
It’s really hard to describe how breathtaking it is to be up in this space. I mean, it’s one thing to be up on a high skyscraper, looking down at a cityscape through glass walls. It’s a completely different experience when there’s nothing in between.
I remember gasping when I first saw the view. It was just so . . . unreal.
Yes, it’s most certainly a touristy thing to do. And yes, the drink prices are ridiculously expensive, clearly aimed at the farang (foreigner). Considering that you can get an excellent Pad Thai for about $2 USD, or that a $10 bowl of noodles is considered outrageously expensive, it’s clear that these $20 USD cocktails are not aimed at the locals.
On top of all that, Hangover 2 was filmed here as well, making it even more famous and even more of a tourist favorite.
Yet I would still recommend going.
Even if you just have one drink and soak in the view, because that view is worth it.
Yes, you may have to fight the crowds. And it most certainly gets a little uncomfortably crowded up there sometimes. There were seriously times when I had trouble moving around or hearing others talk.
If you look in the distance of this photo, you can see the jam-packed bar in the distance. There’s just a short, glass wall separating all those folks from the city down below. I don’t know if they have similar types of fire codes like we do in the US. It looked awfully precarious to me, and I wondered to myself whether something like this would pass muster back home.
Supposedly a lot of people try to catch the sunset, so it gets ridiculously crowded right before sunset. We came after it was dark, probably soon after sunset, so it wasn’t crazy crowded when we initially arrived (though it quickly got worse!).
Lots of tourists come and go, just jostling to the edge in order to take a photo with the stunning view of the city lights. You’ll have to deal with all that while trying to find a spot to enjoy your cocktail.
Speaking of cocktails, the cocktails are pretty good, but definitely expensive. Bryan got a fun, spicy one that was filled with different sorts of chili peppers.
If you want a little less mayhem, you can consider dining at the high end restaurant, Sirocco. The restaurant serves Mediterranean food and includes live music every night. Like the bar, the prices are pretty high, and some think that the food isn’t worth the high prices you pay. Nevertheless, it’s a nice way to get a bit more privacy while taking in the panoramic views.
We stayed for less than an hour, chatting with some of Bryan’s coworkers who were in Thailand as well for the same conference.
It was nice being up there, but eventually the crowds got to me, and I was happy and relieved when we eventually decided to leave.
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Really beautiful views. I remember those scenes from The Hangover 2!
Whoa, that waiter looks fierce! Is it really okay to take photos there?
They let you take photos at the bar but not the pathway leading up to the bar. I took a couple and then they told me to stop. 😛
I still haven’t see the movie! I saw the first one, but not the second, so I didn’t appreciate that aspect as much.
I went to Sky Bar a couple of years ago and I agree with you that it’s totally worth a visit for the views. The drinks are expensive but I figured it was a tax for the views. =P