Perched atop skyscrapers and historic towers, these rooftop bars give travelers a rare vantage of their cities. Each venue combines a panoramic outlook with cocktails, atmosphere, and a sense of place. From Bangkok to Los Angeles, we examine what makes each spot special – the height, history, signature drinks, and local setting.
Bangkok’s famous Sky Bar occupies the 63rd/64th floors of Lebua State Tower (Helix structure with a golden dome). It soars roughly 820 feet above the city, among the highest open-air bars in the world. The 360° view includes the Chao Phraya River and a glittering Bangkok skyline. (In the evening, temple spires and skyscraper lights shimmer across the horizon.) The bar gained international fame after featuring in The Hangover Part II. Today it remains a magnet for well-heeled crowds seeking both cocktails and the film’s legacy.
The atmosphere is luxe and busy: live piano, crowds in designer wear, and dramatic sunsets. The menu includes Thai-influenced cocktails (the “Hangovertini” nods to its movie past). Prices are high, reflecting the view and service level. As one local guide notes, “Sky Bar sits on the 64th floor… the same rooftop made famous in The Hangover Part II”. Don’t expect hidden gem vibes; Sky Bar is a global landmark. Instead, visitors praise the polished service and opening-night thrill of seeing Bangkok from above.
Marina Bay Sands’ SkyPark crowns three hotel towers at 57 floors high. The SkyPark Observation Deck on the 56th floor offers one of Singapore’s most commanding views. From here you can see Marina Bay’s entire panorama: the Supertree Grove of Gardens by the Bay, the ArtScience Museum, and the Merlion across the water. By day the tropical greenery contrasts with city skyscrapers; by night the city glitters into the harbor.
This public deck is not just for hotel guests. For about S$35–39 (as of 2025) you can enter at sunset or later. A dedicated “Sunset in the Sky” package adds a Champagne toast at dusk. (Note: the famous infinity pool is reserved for hotel guests only.) The official site promises “scenic views of Singapore’s world-class cityscape”. Indeed, it calls the vista “uniquely breathtaking” and highlights the gardens and durian-shaped Esplanade.
Within SkyPark are bars and restaurants. The rooftop club/lounge CÉ LA VI (next section) sits on the 57th floor, while the 56th-floor deck has a casual bar and snack kiosk. On clear nights you can spot the Singapore Flyer, Padang field, and even raindistorted views of neighboring Malaysia on the horizon. Visibility improves during the cooler months (December–February).
On Manhattan’s Upper East Side, The Peninsula New York’s roof is an intimate perch at 23rd floor (just above 5th Ave shopping). Formerly named Salon de Ning (with a 1930s Shanghai vibe), it relaunched as Pen Top after a 2022 redesign. The space is smaller and more plush than Asia’s mega-rooftops, but it feels like a private terrace above the crowds.
Conde Nast Traveler describes the view as “above 5th Avenue”, an “open terrace with a modern lounge vibe”. Inside, faux-marble trim and cushioned nooks create a quiet contrast to the city bustle below. Signature cocktails blend Asian ingredients (lychee, Sake, Matcha) with global classics. The dress code is chic city-casual.
Because of its age‑old luxury hotel clientele, Pen Top skews toward well-dressed adults and hotel guests. Weekends feature DJ sets and a party atmosphere; evenings draw an international crowd. By around 10pm the energy drops, reflecting its Midtown Manhattan quietude.
Lebua at State Tower is the overall complex housing Sky Bar. It includes several sky-high venues. Most prominent is Sirocco, a Mediterranean restaurant on the 63rd floor, billed as the “world’s highest alfresco restaurant”. Its outdoor dining room (with Lebua’s golden dome overhead) offers one of Bangkok’s “most exhilarating views”, spanning river, city, and temple spires below. The adjacent Flûte Champagne Bar (also 63rd) and the Flair Rooftop on 64/65 provide more cocktails with the same vista.
Together, Lebua’s venues frame the Chao Phraya River basin. From here you see Wat Arun’s spire and cargo boats cruising at sunset. The complex was engineered with 100 tons of steel to lift the dining floor, “ultimately creating one of Bangkok’s finest views”. Nightly live jazz and gentle breeze earn frequent “wow”s from new arrivals.
Unlike some tourist spots, Lebua at State Tower has a refined feel. Evenings feel almost balmy; the air up top stays comfortable (local staff say “none of the hot stickiness you might find 64 floors below”). Dress elegantly here (no shorts). If Sky Bar is the crowd-puller, Sirocco is the romantic dining choice – many couples celebrate anniversaries under the stars and city lights.
Hong Kong’s Ozone Bar on the 118th floor of The Ritz-Carlton (ICC Tower, 490 m) claims the title of the world’s highest bar. At about 480 meters up, its floor-to-ceiling windows hug one side, affording a sweeping panorama of Kowloon’s urban grid, Victoria Harbour, and Hong Kong Island’s skyline. By night, endless tower lights reflect off the harbor – a “futuristic, cyber‑punk vibe” according to reviews.
The décor underscores its height: neon-blue LED panels arch overhead (dubbed a “braindance sanctuary” by one magazine). Over the DJ’s turntable, patrons sip inventive cocktails like the Water (a clarified grapefruit concoction). Even the furniture is playful – sky-blue rugs mimic clouds. Despite the high-tech feel, the bar allows families (children under 12 are admitted until 9pm) and enforces a moderately upscale dress code (no flip-flops).
Though pricey, visitors say the view alone justifies the trip. On a hot summer evening, the air-conditioning below deck is tempered by the view’s expanse. As one commenter put it, “You’ll find it hard to focus on conversation when that view is calling!”.
CÉ LA VI sits at the very top of Marina Bay Sands (57th floor), replacing the former Ku Dê Ta. Its open-air SkyBar and seated Restaurant share a 360° lookout over Singapore’s central skyline. Here the focus is cosmopolitan nightlife: think club beats, upscale Asian fusion menu, and well-dressed crowds on a rooftop dance floor.
From CÉ LA VI’s terraces you see Singapore’s landmarks—Marina Bay’s glowing domes, the SG Flyer, and the Lion City extending toward Malaysia. The official site boasts: “Overlook Singapore’s iconic skyline from our open air bar atop the 57th floor of Marina Bay Sands”. Indeed, glass railings make the vista unbroken, and live DJs ensure the scene stays energetic. Cocktails blend local flavors (Singapore Sling reinventions, Thai basil gin drinks) and the bartenders craft drinks on sight.
For views, sunset hours are popular but note the sun sets behind the city core (you won’t see the sun dip over water here). After dark the skyline’s lights come alive, and the tables by the railing light up in buddha-light tones. It’s a younger, trendier crowd than on SkyPark’s family deck, drawn by the combination of panoramic vistas and pulsing energy.
Located on Level 31 of The Shard (Western Europe’s tallest building, 309 m), Aqua Shard offers contemporary British dining behind floor-to-ceiling glass. Its vantage is arguably London’s most sweeping: to the north the Thames snakes by City Hall; to the west the Tower of London and St. Paul’s Dome; to the east the Docklands cranes and Canary Wharf. By day the sky’s clouds cast shadows on the river; by night a glittering city reflection unfolds.
The space is sleek yet warm – upholstered banquettes, pale woods, and glowing panel lights. The cocktail list is inspired but never gimmicky. Standout drinks use English botanicals: for example, a gin cocktail with fresh elderflower and apple. A pair of chef-taught bartenders mix each concoction. A cappuccino from the adjoining café is touted as “carefully crafted”, and the afternoon tea service is popular for another perspective of the glass panorama.
According to The Shard’s official site, Aqua Shard’s “spectacular space has floor-to-ceiling glass windows offering 360-degree views of London”. This vantage is true: you’re high enough that even commonly flat London now looks miniature. At night, river barges and bridge lights are clearly visible far below. The overall tone is sophisticated but lively – often there’s low jazz music at brunch, crescendoing to conversation buzz at dinner.
La Terraza (“The Terrace”) sits atop the historic Torre Latinoamericana in Centro Histórico. On the 40–41st floors (Miralto Restaurant and Level 40 SkyBar), it affords a true 360° sweep of Mexico City’s valley. Day or night, you can spot the grand square (Zócalo) below, the distant Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes on the southern horizon, and the mountain ring surrounding the valley.
During clear weather (often in the dry season, Nov–Mar), the volcano peaks become silhouettes against golden skies. An official “Viewpoint” attraction on the 44th floor confirms it: “From the 44th floor, enjoy panoramic views stretching from the Zócalo to the majestic Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes”. Le Centro life (colorful street vendors, passing buses) continues below. By night, the scene glitters with multihued city lights, and fireworks on holidays can be seen from high above.
The venue itself is a blend of modern dining and open-air bar. The menu mixes Mexican flavors with global techniques (e.g., scallops with chipotle sauce). The bar emphasizes Mexican liquors: añejo tequila cocktails and craft mezcals. Because Miralto’s windows are enclosed, a rooftop breeze is modest (unlike truly open-air elsewhere). Still, the feeling is above-it-all – even on a smoggy day, you feel detached from the bustle below. Staff note that the wind on high floors is gentle year-round, unlike the heat at street level.
Berlin’s Hotel de Rome (a Rocco Forte property) is housed in an 1889 Dresdner Bank building on historic Bebelplatz. Its 5th-floor rooftop terrace and adjacent “Hedwig” lounge offer a 360° panorama of old Berlin. Over cocktails you see Unter den Linden boulevard, the Brandenburg Gate aligned in the distance, and the dome of St. Hedwig’s Cathedral just below.
History is palpable here. The hotel stands on a square where Nazi book burnings occurred. Inside, remnants of that bank past remain (museum-pieces embedded in walls). On the terrace, modern furniture sits on stone preserved from the original bank. Together they create a contrast: a “contemporary vibe” in the heart of Mitte. Patrons include financial professionals and tourists seeking a chic, quiet nightcap.
According to the hotel’s site, the terrace “provides an impressive setting and view across [Berlin’s] historical center”. It does: on a clear day you can pick out the Victory Column and the TV Tower in the far east. In winter the terrace closes to the public, but guests can enjoy the nearby heated “Hedwig” bar with similarly framed outlooks.
The Rooftop at The Standard (Downtown LA) sits 13 stories above Flower St., overlooking the skyline and distant foothills. Its draw is the casual poolside lounge setting. As one guide notes, it offers a “360° over downtown LA, with the mountains as a mighty backdrop.” Daytime brings sunbathing on chaise lounges and waterbed pods; night brings DJs, firepits, and a party crowd.
The view from The Standard’s rooftop is indeed panoramic. On clear days you can spot the Hollywood Sign to the north and the Pacific in the far west silhouette. Sunset turns the hills golden, then LA’s glittering grid takes over. Unlike formal rooftops, The Standard emphasizes a laid-back vibe: bikini-clad lounges, cocktails served poolside, and even a 1950s-era fireplace lounge for cooler nights. Fire pits are often lit in winter, and the staff notes that evening chill can creep in after 10pm (especially with the breeze from the canyons).
The decor is whimsically hip – think red couches, waterbeds, and a long lap pool. DJs spin deep house and EDM after dark, and dancing sometimes spreads around the pool. But even on party nights, most people still circle the perimeter to soak in the view. As the rooftop guide cheerily advises, “come here during day or early evening and enjoy… classic cocktails or bar bites, and most importantly: the view”.
Q: Which rooftop bar in this list sits at the highest elevation? Ozone Bar in Hong Kong holds the height record among these venues. It is on the 118th floor (about 480 m above sea level) of the International Commerce Centre, making it one of the world’s highest bars.
Q: Do these rooftop bars charge an entry fee? Policies vary. In general, standalone bars (Ozone, Sky Bar, AquA Shard, Hotel de Rome, The Standard) do not charge admission – you pay only for food/drink. Observation decks like Marina Bay Sands (SkyPark) do charge a ticket (about S$35) to enter. Specialty packages (like SkyPark’s “Sunset in the Sky” with Champagne) are extra.
Q: What is the best time of day to visit a rooftop bar for views? Sunset hours are prime for daytime skylines. For example, Bangkok’s Sky Bar fills up before twilight; catching the sun behind Bangkok’s temples makes a great photo. In London or Berlin, late afternoon soft light can highlight landmarks. Evening (just after dark) offers city lights but can bring more crowds. Weeknights often see fewer tourists. Check each bar’s “Last Call” time: some (Aqua Shard, The Standard) close by midnight, others (Peninsula NY, Miralto) earlier.
Q: Are children allowed at these rooftop bars? Most urban rooftop bars are 21+ after hours, but exceptions exist. Ozone Bar (Hong Kong) explicitly allows kids under 12 until 9pm. Some hotel rooftops may permit families during daytime (Miralto in Mexico City, SkyPark in Singapore) – always call ahead. Safety is key: children at high altitudes should stay away from ledges and always be supervised near open railings.
Q: How should I dress for a rooftop bar? Each bar has its dress guidelines. Elegance is usually encouraged. For instance, Bangkok’s Sky Bar and Lebua venues expect smart attire (no shorts or flip-flops). The Standard LA tolerates swimsuits by the pool (covered up at night). Singapore’s CÉ LA VI and The Shard’s Aqua prefer smart casual (collared shirts, dresses; jackets appreciated). When in doubt, check the bar’s website or call – many enforce color-coded policies (no neon, no ripped jeans, etc.).
Q: What makes Lebua’s rooftop unique? Aside from height and The Hangover fame, Lebua’s design legend is famous: engineers raised the restaurant floor with 100 tons of steel to craft an outdoor deck with “one of Bangkok’s finest views”. Diners sit under the hotel’s gilded dome, feeling suspended above Bangkok’s older districts and river.
Q: Can I see famous landmarks from these rooftops? Yes. For example, from Miralto in Mexico City you can see the Zócalo flag and even distant volcano peaks. From Aqua Shard, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London are in clear sight. SkyBar in Bangkok looks over both the Chao Phraya River and historic temples. Ozone gives a panorama of Victoria Harbour. Each bar’s local viewpoint is noted in its section above.
Q: Do rooftop bars often have special lighting or events? Many do. The Marina Bay Sands deck runs a nightly light show (Spectra) visible from above. The Standard LA is known for its pool parties and weekend DJs. In Singapore, national celebrations are sometimes visible from MBS’s sky venues. Check the calendar: holiday fireworks and cultural parades can often be viewed from these heights.
