Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok waited a long time for its very own rooftop bar, and then finally one came along and showed the rest of them how it should really be done. Octave Rooftop and Lounge is more than a place for watching the sunset or having a romantic meal.
No rooftop bar in the city has a 360 degree view of Bangkok that matches this, and the top floor of this three level venue is the highest spot in the city for a party. Starting on the 45th floor of the Marriot Hotel Sukhumvit, a three minute walk from Thong Lor Skytrain Station, Octave Rooftop Bar and Lounge opens at 17:00. Although the location is handy, it is slightly off the main tourist trail meaning that it is usually easy to grab a seat at one of Octave’s tables with a view.
Unlike many rooftop bars in Bangkok, which often have standing room only, Octave has made sure that there is an impressive selection of seating with uninterrupted views of the city. In fact, on every floor there is nothing but a reinforced sheet of glass between you and the vista. The overall effect is pretty impressive. The first level has a definite lounge feel to it, laidback and ideal for dinner and groups.
There is a mix of nature and industry in the decor, with some antique Thai pottery on the shelf behind the bar, but somehow it all works well together: plant covered walls, chunky wooden tables, modern bucket chairs and neon blue lighting. If you never get beyond this floor, you could still have a great night out; a DJ plays chillout tunes and the staff are attentive and friendly
Head upstairs and you will find a balcony bar, which lacks both the glamour of the floor below it and the party vibe of the floor above, but on a crowded night it is the perfect spot for a bit of contemplation and admiring the view. This is a different view from many other Bangkok rooftops and is skyscraper heavy, stretching all the way to the cranes that line the dock area of the Chao Praya River and straight along Sukhumvit, with the colourful lights of Baiyoke Tower twinkling in the distance.
Up another floor and you will find the pièce de resistance: a 360 degree rooftop with a circular bar, where staff mix the cocktails Tom Cruise style and the eclectic music ranges from Oasis/Green Day mash ups to current chart toppers. Octave Rooftop Bar and Lounge may be the new kid on the block, but by offering a different atmosphere and a view unlike any other, you can guarantee it will soon be top of many people’s to-do lists when they visit Bangkok.
Opening Hours: 17:00 – 02:00
BTS: Thong Lor
Address: 45th – 49th floor Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit, 2 Sukhumvit Soi 57, Bangkok
Tel: +66 (0)2 797 0000