Starlight Rooftop Bar in Bangkok

Starlight Rooftop Bar: the stars above Surawong

A low-key rooftop in old Bang Rak

The Mercure Bangkok Surawong occupies a former office building on Surawong Road, a stone's throw from Silom, in a district long devoted to trade and the gemstone business. Its roof is home to Starlight Rooftop Bar, open to hotel guests and passing visitors alike.

You can sit either on the open-air terrace, edged by a glass balustrade, or in the air-conditioned indoor lounge, beneath a ceiling of illuminated waves and facing large windows. The panorama sweeps across the towers of Silom and Bang Rak, as far as the golden dome of the State Tower, and sunsets here are pleasant.

Cocktails with Thai flavours

The menu draws on local ingredients: Mekhong whisky, galangal, lemongrass, makrut lime leaves or krachai root find their way into creations named after the planets, from Mercury to Neptune, alongside signatures such as the Siam Sour, smoked with applewood. Expect to pay 430 to 450 baht for a signature cocktail, service and tax included. To eat, there's a menu of small sharing plates and a few mains, from beef fillet to salmon.

Every day from 5pm to 8pm, happy hour offers buy-one-get-one-free on a selection of drinks. A DJ often livens up the evenings, and the venue can be hired for parties or corporate events.

Practical information

Open daily from 5pm to 1am. Entry is through the hotel lobby, at 222 Surawong Road, then the lift takes you up to the roof. Walk-ins are welcome subject to availability; booking online or on +66 2 352 4999 is still recommended at weekends. Smart casual dress, no flip-flops. Accompanied children are welcome and parking is available. Nearest BTS stations: Chong Nonsi and Surasak. From May to October, during the rainy season, the air-conditioned lounge is a fallback when the sky clouds over.