The best rooftop bars in Asia

Two of my passions combined: Asia and rooftop bars! 🙂

Sky scrapers are the norm in Asia, be it hotels, business towers or even commercial centres, many will have a bar or a restaurant on the top floor, offering amazing views over the city.
I have been lucky enough to experience  many of them so I created here a list with some of my favourite ones in a random order ( only grouped by city).

Sevva (Hong Kong)

Sevva is not the highest but it’s my favourite rooftop bar in HK…so far 😉 . What I like most about this place is actually the fact that is not so high and therefore you feel somehow closer to this amazing city. Sevva is located in a prime location in the heart of the financial district in Central HK from where you  can easily feel the pulse of the  city enjoying 360 degrees breathtaking views.

Aqua (Hong Kong)

On the 30th floor at one Peking Plaza in the chic Tsim Sha Tsui, Aqua Spirit rooftop bar is part of Aqua group which includes amongst other, Armani/Aqua and Armani/Prive,  as well as restaurants such as Aqua Roma and Aqua Tokyo (not necessary to specify the type of cuisine here 😉 ). With a modern sophisticated interior design,  Aqua Spirit boasts spectacular views over the harbour and it is a favourite of local and international DJs hosting almost nightly live representations. Did I mention the food was amazing too?

Ozone (Hong Kong)

Initially the highest bar in the world (but recently dethroned by the bar at Burj Khalifa) it still remains the highest bar in Asia (and the highest bar I have been to….to date) situated on top of Ritz Carlton hotel 118 floors above the city! At Ozone you are literally on  top of the world, head in the clouds. It has a very sleek, cool and futuristic design completed by an omnipresent blue/neon light. It is definitely an experience not to miss in HK.

1 Altitude (Singapore)

Located on the 63rd floor (282m) of 1 Raffles Place, it is the highest bar in Singapore and the highest al-fresco bar in the world (as they say themselves).  It occupies the whole rooftop of the building and it offers a stunning 360 degrees view over the city.

Skybar (Bangkok)

On the rooftop of Lebua hotel, it is probably the most famous of all the rooftop bars in the Bangkok and in my opinion is a must try.  If 1 Altitude in Singapore is the highest al fresco bar in the world, the Sirocco restaurant (attached to Sky bar) is the highest al fresco restaurant in the world.  No need to even mention that the views are stunning especially over the Chao Praya river. Yes of course they come with a price and with a dress code (smart casual) but I find it very normal for such a place. The only issue I have with it is that there is no sitting and it gets quite packed later in the evening.

Moon Bar & Vertigo restaurant (Bangkok)

Situated on top of the Banyan Tree hotel, the bar and the restaurant are build in the shape of a ship.  At the 61st floor, it is just 2 levels below Lebua’s Sky bar and although it lacks the view to the river, the 360 degrees views over the city are still exceptional. It also offers plenty of sitting around or at the bar and it feels a bit more intimate and cosier than it’s direct rival: Sky bar

Three Sixty at the  Millennium Hilton Bangkok

Situated “only” at 31 floor of the Millennium Hilton hotel, 360 is one of the cosiest  and most laid back rooftop bars I have been to.

Chill skybar (Ho Chi Minh City)

My favourite bar in HCMC. It has a very cool and funky vibe but in the same time relaxed and cozy. Not to mention the beautiful view over Saigon. The bar has both outdoor and indoor space and sitting and it is the perfect place for sunset, evening and late night. The dress code is smart casual.

Alto Heli Bar at Bitexco Financial Tower (HCMC)

Bitexco Tower is the tallest skyscraper in HCMC making the Alto Heli the highest rooftop bar in the city and in Vietnam in fact. From the 52nd floor the views over the city are really impressive. The  only downside is that it is not an open air place, however, the huge floor to ceiling windows make up for that. As usual with this kind of places, dress code is smart casual.

Skye Bar (Jakarta)

One of the best rooftop bars in Jakarta, it is sitting on the 53rd floor of Menarca tower and lets you feel the pulse of the city. Very airy and spacious with large outdoor and indoor seating. The pool at the edge only adds to the charm of the place. What I didn’t like though was the very strict dress code, I which I found a bit too pretentious.

Cloud Lounge (Jakarta)

Together with Skye bar, they are the top 2 most popular bars in Jakarta and for a good reason.  Cloud seems to be a bit more relaxed in terms of dress code, nevertheless smart casual is understandably the norm. It is smaller than Skye and therefore it gives a more intimate feeling. The fire show at the bar probably helps too 🙂 . It is situated on the 49th floor of the Plaza tower and just below, should the hunger kick in, you can choose from 3 different hip restaurants gathered together in Altitude plaza: Salt Grills (Australian), Gaia(Italian) or Enmaru (Japanese).

Vue Bar (Shanghai)

At the 32nd floor of the Hyatt on the Bund hotel. Vue Bar has a prime location in this city of skyscrapers. There are no words to describe the views so I will let the pictures do that

Bar Rouge (Shanghai)

Although not a rooftop bar per se,  Bar Rouge is one of my favourite bars in Shanghai. The atmosphere is eclectic and fun and the superb views of the Bund are just the cherry on top.

New York Bar (Tokyo)

The bar made famous by Lost in Translation movie is situated inside the Park Hyatt Hotel in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district. It hosts daily live jazz performances which combined with the magnificent view over this immense city create a unique atmosphere.

North Bar (Tokyo)

It is situated on top of Shinagawa Prince hotel near Shinagawa station and it offers really magnificent views over  some of the most impressive landmarks: Tokyo tower, the Skytree, Roppongi Hills.

Tokyo Skytree bar

As the name says, the bar is part of the popular  Tokyo Skytree  landmark and offers the most expansive views over this immense city. Skip the observation deck and go straight for the bar.

I am always doing a lot of research for my travel destinations and restaurants and bars are an important part of it. I am always interested to know about the best/most interesting places in every location so any addition/comment to the list is welcome in the comment box below.

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