Neil Aronson Explore the best rooftop bars Chiang Mai has to offer, featuring stunning views, exquisite food and drinks, and local vibes.
One of my favorite evening activities is having a few on one of the rooftop bars around the city. Because they are on the roof, you can get great views of the city, Doi Suthep, and the sunset over the mountains surrounding the valley. And they are not just for tourists, locals love to enjoy them as well.
Many of your more local, smaller, more casual rooftop bars are situated in or around the moat and the Old City. Nimmanheiman has some more higher end ones on top of hotels. While over by the Ping River you will find the fancier few on the high rise hotels such as the Melia. Since I like the local casual vibe, I stick the the Old City.
Thapae Grill Rooftop – Heart of the city
One of our favorites is on the roof of the Thaphae Grill, right by the Tha Phae gate on Rachadamnoen Rd. They just recently remodeled in November of 2023. There are several floors to the bar, but of course the roof top is the place to be. Because if this I think it might be the best place to watch the sunset. But get there early, as there is not much space.
Another big advantage is on Sundays, it is located right on the Sunday Walking Street. So get there early, watch the sunset and then do some shopping and get some great street food. Because of the location, prices are a little high, but you pay for the view.
The Moat House – Casual on the Moat
Located in the Old City, just a short walk from Thapae Grill, and as you would think, by the moat. The Moat House is a local favourite where many Thais, tourists and expats hang out and mingle. The bar features an impressive mural painting of traditional Thai art and is open aired with live music or DJs playing most nights.
With its affordable prices, this destination is casual, friendly and the perfect place to go for some winding down after a long day of exploring Chiang Mai’s wonders with a cold beer. This is a good place to go to meet new people or enjoy a relaxing night out with friends.
There are several floors, and usually the live music is on the street level floor, which is open to the street, making it also fun for people watching. From the rooftop, you can catch glimpses of glittering temples and sturdy pagodas while observing the bustling streets below. They also have live comedy and a good place to watch sports.
Drink Rooftop Bar – Small and Local Old City Vibes
Also in the old city, Drink Rooftop Bar is another one just down the street from Thaphae Grill on Rachadamnoen Rd. Located on the second floor of the U-Hotel, this open air bar is above from Eat Restaurant. Not high up like other ones on this list, so its a good spot to watch the streets below. There are not sweeping views of the mountains.
Mai The Sky Bar – Your High End Experience
One of the more fancier rooftop bars would have to be Mai The Sky Bar at the Melia Hotel. I prefer the cheap local bars. But if you want to impress a first date at sunset, this would be a good spot. Located by the Ping river and close to the night bazaar. A very nice place to book for your hotel as well.
Arguably offering the best views from any bar in the city, Mai The Sky Bar is a 22nd-floor rooftop bar with a 360-degree vista of Chiang Mai. With various zones, it’s the perfect place for visitors to enjoy the city’s spectacular skyline, watch the sunset over the mountains, or indulge in a romantic evening under the stars.
Mai, The Sky Bar, features an upscale design, incorporating sleek lines, glass elements, and mood lighting to create a luxurious and contemporary atmosphere.
The menu at Mai The Sky Bar is extensive, with a focus on creative and delicious cocktails made from premium ingredients. The bar serves a variety of mouthwatering appetisers and small plates, showcasing Thai and international cuisine. A selection of fine wines, beers, and spirits is also available, catering to various tastes.
Hong’s Sky Bar – Intercontinental Hotel
HONG’s Sky Bar is the rooftop bar of InterContinental Chiang Mai Ping River, perched on the 16th floor with sweeping views of Doi Suthep and the city below. The ambiance is both elegant and relaxed, with soft lighting and a magical atmosphere as the sun sets over Chiang Mai.
Guests can savor a delicious mix of Sichuan, Cantonese, and Taiwanese flavors, along with Chinese tapas and expertly crafted cocktails by the bar’s talented mixologists. In addition to the food, they focus on Specialty Cocktails, that at last check were 420 baht, which is not cheap. But I nice place to impress a date.
Rise Bar – Views of Nimman
Overlooking the bustling Nimmanhaemin area and the mountains of Doi Suthep is Rise Bar at the Akyra Hotel (Amanor). It is one of the premier rooftop bars Chiang Mai is proud to showcase. With its chill-lounge music, this bar offers a great happy hour and a comprehensive cocktail and wine menu, which is quite affordable, considering this is a hotel. Sit back with your feet up on sumptuous lounges and watch the people swimming in the pool through the glass right next to you.
When in Nimman, the location was a little bit of a walk to get to. Then you go through the hotel lobby to take the elevator up. The one issue I have is that is is very small, and while the pool is cool, it takes up half the space. So getting a good spot can be a challange.
Yayee Rooftop Bar – Style in Nimman
Yayee Rooftop Bar is located on the 5th floor of Hotel Yayee. A laid-back and chilled out place, the bar has a warm and cozy vibe that goes well for sunset cocktails while admiring the views. The focus on simple decoration and interior design is complimented by their custom wooden furniture that bring a sense of style to proceedings.
It is truly a stylish place to grab a drink and enjoy the city in style. There are a wide range of drinks to choose from, such as cocktails, wines, beers and more. Their cocktails utilise northern Thai ingredients too, so expect some quirky flavours from their resident mixologist.
