Chiang Mai Rooftop Bars Guide: Nimman, Old City and Sky Bar Views
This guide lists eight Chiang Mai rooftop bars and sky bars, sorted by area: Nimman, Chang Klan by the Night Bazaar, the Old City and the river. Each one has a short note on the view, the best time to go and how to get there.
A rooftop night in Chiang Mai is about the view. You see the city lights, the moat and the dark line of Doi Suthep on the hill. Plan to arrive before sunset. Check opening hours on the day, because they change on holidays and in the rain.
Top 5 Chiang Mai Rooftop Bars
These five are the easy picks for a first night. Tap a name to jump to its write up.
| Place | Area | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Mai The Sky Bar | Night Bazaar and Chang Klan | A hotel sky bar with a big terrace |
| Myst MAYA | Nimman | An easy stop after the MAYA mall |
| Rise Rooftop Bar | Nimman | The Nimman skyline |
| HONG's Sky Bar | Chang Klan | A high floor sunset |
| Thapae Grill | Old City | A walk from Thapae Gate |
Nimman Rooftop Bars
Nimman is the trendy side of town, so it has the most rooftop bars close together. A ride between them is short, and our therapists reach Nimman in 15-25 min.
Myst MAYA
Myst MAYA is the rooftop bar on the top floor of the MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Center. It is the easiest rooftop to add to a day in Nimman. Go in the late afternoon, shop first and stay for the sunset. It suits anyone who wants a view without a long trip. The drawback is the traffic around the mall at the end of the day.
Rise Rooftop Bar
Rise Rooftop Bar sits on the roof of Akyra Manor hotel in Nimman. It looks out over the Nimman skyline and the hills behind it. Go at golden hour for the best light. It suits couples and small groups who want a calm evening. Check opening hours on the day.
Aqua Rooftop Bar
Aqua Rooftop Bar is on the 8th floor of the Stay with Nimman hotel. It is not the tallest bar in town, but the height is enough to look across the Nimman rooftops. It is a good plan B when the bigger bars are full. Walk in, look around and see if a seat is free.
Sky Bars in Chang Klan
Chang Klan Road runs past the Night Bazaar, and two big hotels there have sky bars. These are the tallest views on this list.
Mai The Sky Bar
Mai The Sky Bar is at the top of the Meliá Chiang Mai hotel, near the Night Bazaar. It has an open terrace with tapas and cocktails, and it is one of the best known sky bars in the city. Go just before sunset, then stay for the lights. It suits hotel guests and anyone who wants a classic sky bar view. The drawback is that the terrace fills up at sunset, so arrive early.
HONG's Sky Bar
HONG's Sky Bar is on the 16th floor of the InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping hotel. It is the highest bar on this list, with a wide view over the city. Sunset is the main show, so book ahead if you can. It suits a special evening, like an anniversary. The drawback is the hotel setting, which is quieter and more formal than a street bar.
Old City and North Rooftop Bars
The Old City is the walled square in the middle of Chiang Mai. Rooftops here are lower, but the view of tiled roofs, the moat and temple spires has its own charm. Yayee sits just north of the walls.
Thapae Grill
Thapae Grill is a rooftop restaurant and bar next to Thapae Gate. You can walk there from many Old City guesthouses. Go in the late afternoon and watch the gate area light up. It suits a relaxed first night and solo travellers.
Yayee Rooftop Bar
Yayee Rooftop Bar is on the roof of Hotel Yayee in the Santitham area, just north of the Old City and close to Nimman. It is a local feeling bar with a city view and a coffee shop on the same roof. Go at golden hour. It suits anyone who wants a quieter spot away from the tourist streets.
Riverside Rooftop Bar
The Ping River has a calmer side of Chiang Mai. This is a bar for a slow evening, not a late night.
Bubbles
Bubbles is the rooftop bar at the Anantara Chiang Mai Resort, on the Ping River. It serves champagne and cocktails with a view of the river and the city. Go at dusk, when the light on the water is soft. It suits couples and a quiet celebration. Check opening hours on the day.
Which Rooftop Bar Suits You
- Hotel view. Mai The Sky Bar and HONG's Sky Bar. Both are on high hotel floors.
- Near a mall. Myst MAYA. Combine it with a Nimman shopping afternoon.
- Sunset. HONG's Sky Bar, Rise Rooftop Bar and Bubbles. Arrive early to get a seat.
- Walkable from the Old City. Thapae Grill, next to Thapae Gate.
- Quiet evening. Bubbles by the river, or Yayee north of the walls.
- Plan B in Nimman. Aqua Rooftop Bar, on the 8th floor of Stay with Nimman.
- Staying safe. Go back to your hotel with Grab, not with a stranger. Keep your phone and wallet close at the rail.
Sunset and Evening Plan
- Late afternoon. Rest at your hotel, then get ready. A short massage at your room is a good start.
- One hour before sunset. Head to the bar and pick a seat facing the hills.
- Sunset. Stay for the colour. Most of the view is gone ten minutes later.
- After dark. Enjoy the city lights, then eat. The Night Bazaar and the walking streets are close to Chang Klan.
- Late night. Take Grab back to your hotel and rest.
Massage After a Rooftop Night
A rooftop night means stairs, lifts, crowds and late hours. A therapist can come to your hotel, condo or villa when you are back. See outcall massage in Chiang Mai. If you stay in Nimman, we cover that area on outcall massage in Nimman, and Nimman and Old City have their own location pages. For a late night session, see late night massage in Chiang Mai. Near the river, see outcall massage by the river. We are open 24/7. Our therapists arrive in 20-30 min in most of the city, and 15-25 min in Nimman. Pay cash or PromptPay on arrival.
Plan Your Rooftop Night
- Best time. Arrive one hour before sunset. Seats with a view go first.
- Rain. A rooftop bar can close in heavy rain. Have a plan B, like the night markets or a cafe.
- Getting there. Use Grab. Short rides in the city are cheap, and songthaews cost less. Agree the songthaew price before you get in.