On our most recent visit to Bangkok, we decided to book our first night out at Nobu Rooftop Bar, after hearing amazing things about it through the grapevine. We knew we would be jet-lagged but kicking off our Bangkok trip with a rooftop bar is always a thrilling experience. We organised a taxi an hour before our reservation and what was meant to be a 30-minute ride turned into an ordeal: we were stuck in traffic for close to 90-minutes!

We called Nobu to tell them we were running late, and they informed us about the 15-minute grace period, but time was so tight that Cam had to jump out of the taxi (mid-traffic) and rush up to the 60th-floor to make sure we didn’t lose our table. In the end, the staff were very understanding and kept our booking open a little while longer. Cam settled into his seat, ordered a few drinks and waited for Kat to make her way up the elevators.

Cam caught the sunset in the nick of time, and was blown away by the views across the city, while Kat (unfortunately) just missed the moment when the orange sun dipped below the horizon. After “recovering” from our chaotic and frustrating taxi journey, we slowly started to relax and soak up the vibe of Nobu Rooftop Bar. We ordered some cocktails and food, and admired the 360-degree views of the Bangkok skyline around us.

By 7:00 PM the tables started to fill up and the atmosphere became more vibrant. We went on a Wednesday night, so it was relatively quiet, but we could see how the energy would lift on the weekend. There’s a two hour seating limit during peak times at Nobu, which meant by 8:00 PM we had to pay the bill and return to ground level. From here, we jumped on the back of Grab motorbikes. Buzzing from a couple of cocktails, we weaved in and out of the traffic, hooned down the streets, and headed to the Old Town. It was a lot of fun and reminded us why we love Bangkok so much!

Nobu Bangkok - Japanese Restaurant — *Nobu, Bangkok*

Nobu Bangkok - Rooftop Dining — *Nobu, Bangkok*

Nobu Bangkok - Sunset from Rooftop Bar — *Sunset at Nobu Rooftop Bar*

Nobu Bangkok - Grab Motorbike Ride — *Grab motorbike rides*

Nobu Bangkok - Grab Motorbike — *Grab motorbike rides*

Nobu, Bangkok: 10 Things To Know Before Visiting

1. Book Online & Be Mindful of the Grace Period

Booking your reservation online is easy through Nobu Bangkok’s official website and booking platform SevenRooms. You’ll receive a confirmation email with all the details, tips on minimum spend and dress code, and the ability to manage your booking if you want to change times or cancel altogether. They give you a 15-minute grace period, after which there’s no guarantees they’ll hold your reservation. If you’re going to be more than 15-minutes late, be sure to give them a call. From our experience, the staff at Nobu are very reasonable when it comes to things like traffic delays.

2. Arrive by 5:30 PM for the Best Sunset Photos

Nobu Rooftop Bar opens at 5:30 PM everyday, so if you want those classic sunset photos we suggest arriving at 5:15 PM - giving yourself 15-minutes to head up to the 57th-floor and be ready for when the doors open. However, this is peak rush hour on the Bangkok roads. So we recommend taking the BTS to Chong Nonsi Station, on the Silom Line. If you do decide to take a taxi, be prepared for crazy gridlock as you enter the Sathorn district.

Nobu Bangkok - Best Rooftop Bar in Bangkok — *Sunset at Nobu Rooftop Bar*

Nobu Bangkok - Sunset Views — *Sunset at Nobu Rooftop Bar*

Nobu Bangkok - Rooftop Bar - 60th Floor — *Sunset at Nobu Rooftop Bar*

3. Enter Via Empire Tower on Sathorn Road

If you’re relying on Google Maps to get around, like most tech-savvy travelers do these days, make sure you enter “Nobu Empire Tower” when planning your journey. Double check the pin to ensure you can see “The Empire” right beside “Nobu Bangkok” - the last thing you want is to end up at another “Empire” related building or a sky bar with a similar name!

4. Nobu Rooftop Bar is on the 60th-Floor

It’s important to understand the basic layout of Nobu, so you’re not completely confused when you arrive. As just mentioned, Nobu is located at the top of the Empire Tower, with a restaurant and lounge on the 57th/58th-floor and a rooftop bar on the 60th-floor. To reach the top, you’ll need to take the EA Rooftop Elevator to the 57th-floor, head to the Nobu Reception on the 58th-floor and then squeeze into a tiny internal lift up to the 60th-floor. One of the coolest aspects about visiting Nobu is the final lift up - it’s so cozy and small, with jaw-dropping views of Bangkok’s skyline.

Nobu Bangkok - Rooftop Floor Elevator — *Internal lift up to the 60th-floor*

Nobu Bangkok - Rooftop Bar Elevator - 60th Floor — *Internal lift up to the 60th-floor*

5. Follow the Smart Casual Dress Code

Like most Bangkok rooftop bars, the dress code at Nobu is smart casual, which basically means avoiding flip-flops, swimwear, sportswear and for men no sleeveless shirts or vests. Due to the heat, the most frequently asked question for men is “can you wear shorts at Nobu”? And the answer is yes, as long as they’re tailored/smart and paired with closed-toed shoes.

Nobu Bangkok - Cocktails — *Kat at Nobu Rooftop Bar*

Nobu Bangkok - Cam — *Cam at Nobu Rooftop Bar*

6. There’s a 2,000 THB Minimum Spend

Perhaps the most controversial part of making a booking at Nobu Rooftop Bar is their 2,000 THB per person minimum spend. We didn’t expect to reach the minimum so quickly. Between the two of us, we only ordered four cocktails and three small dishes to share, and the bill racked up to 5,000 THB. It’s pretty pricey but, in our opinion, worth it if you’re only going to have one expensive night out in Bangkok - the views are priceless!

Nobu Bangkok - City Skyline Views at Night — *City skyline views*

7. The Food is Japanese-Peruvian Fusion

Nobu’s cuisine is Japanese-Peruvian fusion, and the small samplings we had on the rooftop bar were tasty enough. We ordered lobster tacos, seafood ceviche, and tuna and yellowtail sushi, but the portion sizes didn’t exactly impress us. One thing we did love though was the traditional Japanese greeting when we arrived. The bartenders and waitresses all shouted “Irasshaimase!” which translates to “Welcome, please come in”.

Nobu Bangkok - Sushi and Food — *Food at Nobu Rooftop Bar*

8. Age & Accessibility Limits Apply

The rooftop bar at Nobu has a strict age limit of 12 years and above but there’s no age limit for the restaurant below, so you could always bring your children here if they like Japanese food. There’s also no wheelchair accessibility, as all the outdoor terrace areas are only accessible via stairs.

Nobu Bangkok - Japanese Food — *Main Japanese restaurant open to all ages*

9. The Vibe is More Social on the Weekends

On our Wednesday night visit, the vibe was very chilled and sophisticated, with a handful of other couples and friend groups conversing together on tables. If you’re looking for a more social and energetic atmosphere, try coming on the weekend when there’s DJs and live music playing. It’s not meant to be a party bar like Tichuca, but it does offer that “grown up” glamor of a luxury lounge where you can socialise over cocktails.

10. Nobu has the Best Rooftop View in Bangkok

We’ve been to a few rooftop bars over the years but nothing quite took our breath away like Nobu. The views are incredible. You can see 360-degrees around the city skyline, the iconic King Power Mahanakhon building towers above you, and in the distance you can make out the golden dome of Lebua and the bright lights of IconSiam by the river. It’s the best view we’ve ever seen in Bangkok, and for that reason alone you should visit!

Nobu Bangkok - King Power Mahanakhon — *King Power Mahanakhon*

Nobu Bangkok - Sunset Rooftop Bar — *Incredible views from Nobu Rooftop Bar*

Nobu Bangkok - Rooftop Bar Views at Night — *Views at night*

Nobu Rooftop Bar, Bangkok: 10 Things To Know Before Visiting