Cooling Tower Rooftop Bar, Bangkok

Cooling Tower Rooftop Bar: An evening with great skyline, snacks and sips!

By now we’ve visited more than thirty rooftop bars in Bangkok — and the end of our wish list is nowhere in sight. We’re going until we’ve experienced them all and have them on Thailand Magazine. One name that was still missing was Cooling Tower Rooftop Bar, part of Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit, right in the heart of the buzzing Asok area.

The vibe is wonderfully relaxed, the cocktails are original and delicious, the food pleasantly surprises and the service is excellent. In short: a great addition to Bangkok’s rooftop scene.

Where in Bangkok is Cooling Tower Rooftop Bar located?

Cooling Tower Rooftop Bar is located on the 34th floor of Carlton Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit, directly on Sukhumvit Road in the lively Asok district. The bar sits practically between BTS stations Asok (Exit 6) and Phrom Phong (Exit 5) and MRT station Sukhumvit (Exit 2) is also nearby. From any of these stations it’s about a ten-minute walk.

We took the skytrain from Phra Khanong station and after just five stops and ten minutes of walking we were already in the elevator of the Carlton. That takes you to the 33rd floor, after which you take a short staircase up to the rooftop on the 34th.

Architecture and (interior) design

Cooling Tower is designed to maximize the views over Bangkok. The building is sleek and modern, with a spacious semi-open restaurant and bar area and a narrow terrace. A glass balustrade ensures an unobstructed view of the glittering metropolis below.

Thanks to large open windows, the indoor bar flows seamlessly into the outdoor terrace. The design has a slightly industrial edge that fits the name Cooling Tower perfectly: think dark tones, metal accents and comfortable lounge furniture. Come evening, the rooftop comes alive with warm lighting and subtle LED strips accentuating the architecture as the sun disappears behind the skyline.

Hospitality & service

From the moment we stepped out of the elevator, we were welcomed warmly. Within a few minutes we were guided to a table with a perfect view of the city. The service is smooth and professional, but without the stiffness you sometimes encounter at high-end hotels — hospitality exactly the way we like it.

What we particularly appreciated: we were given time to take photos of the beautiful view before anyone asked if we’d like to order. Throughout the evening the team regularly came by to check if everything was to our liking — attentive, but never intrusive. The bartenders mix visibly at the bar and love to think along with you. During our visit we came across someone with such passion that we immediately thought: this is a true mixologist in the making.

Atmosphere & crowd

We arrived around 5:15 PM and the terrace was still wonderfully quiet — a few couples, a small group of friends and a Dutch family. Not much later, around 6:00 PM, it got considerably busier. Not surprising, since happy hour at Cooling Tower runs from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.

On Thursday there was live singing with guitar accompaniment. The entertainment schedule otherwise looks like this: live music on Wednesday and Thursday, a DJ on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday — all from 7:00 PM until 11:00 PM.

The crowd is a mix of hotel guests, expats and Bangkokians who know where to be for a fun rooftop evening in Asok. Cooling Tower feels like a social rooftop — not just a place to look at the skyline, but to sit right in the middle of it.

Constellation Cocktails and other drinks

The drinks menu is broad and well-organized, with plenty of attention for cocktails alongside beer, wine and mocktails. These are divided into classics, signature drinks and the standout Constellation Cocktails — based on star signs, a playful concept that immediately gives the menu personality.

You’ll find familiar names like Aperol Spritz, Margarita and Whiskey Sour, but also house creations like A CT Shade of Blue, Day to Day and Star Chaser, alongside zodiac drinks such as Capricorn, Leo and Sagittarius. Accessible for those who simply want something tasty, but with enough originality for those who feel like discovering new flavors.

Happy Hour (5:00 PM–7:00 PM)

Buy one, get one free on a selection of classics: Aperol Spritz, Aperol Negroni, Margarita, Whiskey Sour, Gin Fizz, Cosmopolitan, Daiquiri, red/white/rosé sangria and a refreshing Thai Sabai. Mocktails, beer and wine are also included in the happy hour offering.

Food

The menu revolves primarily around bites & sharing, with a nice mix of bar classics and Thai-inspired flavors. Think Corn Ribs with Parmesan and BBQ mayo, Devil Wings with tom yum glaze and Chicken Satay with peanut sauce. Those with a bigger appetite can go further with pizza, pasta or one of the signature burgers, like the Cooling Tower Cheeseburger with bacon and smoked cheese. No fine dining, but exactly the kind of comfort food that works at a rooftop bar with a great view.

Our experience in January 2026

We started outside on the terrace with two Constellation Cocktails. I went for the Capricorn — bourbon, coffee, cinnamon and honey — rich and smoky, delicious. Ilonka ordered the Leo, mixed with aged rum, herbs and bitters. As a welcome snack all guests received a portion of lightly seasoned popcorn, a nice touch.

We then moved inside for an extensive round of snacks: Truffle Fries with real truffle and truffle mayonnaise, the crispy Corn Ribs — my personal favorite of the evening — and a Mixed Thai Snacks board featuring spicy pork balls and an Isaan sausage among other things. Exactly the kind of street food flavors you might skip at a market, but that work brilliantly here with a cocktail in hand.

For the second cocktail round we chose the Day to Day — sweet and approachable in a blue tiki glass — and the Star Chaser, a fresh and fruity mango margarita XL (our name for it) poured from a separate bottle. A real recommendation for lovers of fruity cocktails with a spicy bite.

Having worked up a serious appetite, we decided to go all in. We shared a 160-gram Charolais Striploin with Belgian fries and béarnaise sauce, the juicy Cooling Tower Cheeseburger and the Spaghetti Tom Yum Goong — pasta with shrimp in a spiced, tangy tom yum sauce. Western comfort food with a clear Thai twist, and it works surprisingly well.

As the evening progressed we tasted four more cocktails, partly together with the Dutch family we’d met earlier: the fresh and citrusy A Shade of Blue with citrus vodka, blue curaçao and yuzu; the Aperol Negroni, a more approachable take on the classic; the Blossom Fairy, a floral-fruity gin cocktail; and the Go Ahead, a warmer whisky-amaretto-lime-ginger ale combination with a subtle sweet undertone.

Our conclusion

Cooling Tower Rooftop Bar is a stylish and relaxed spot to enjoy a stunning view over Bangkok. With a central location in Asok, warm service, creative cocktails — including the unique Constellation Cocktails — and a tasty selection of bites and sharing dishes, this bar is perfect for a fun evening with friends, a date night or a drink after work.

The daily happy hour makes it an attractive choice for budget-conscious visitors too. Whether you want to enjoy the sunset, watch the city light up at night or simply feel like a relaxed evening with great drinks: Cooling Tower delivers on all fronts.

Why you should visit Cooling Tower Rooftop Bar in Bangkok?

• Elevated rooftop bar on the 34th floor with sweeping views over Bangkok’s skyline.
• Exceptionally friendly and attentive staff.
• Great value compared to other luxury sky bars.
• Daily happy hour with excellent cocktails and other drinks.
• Central location in Sukhumvit, easily accessible by BTS.
• Great food menu!

Some handy tips and fun facts

• Arrive around 5:30–6:00 PM to catch the sunset and then watch the city light up.
• Dress code: smart casual. Avoid flip-flops or sportswear.
• Photo tip: sit on the southwest side of the terrace — full skyline views.
• Share a few snacks or dishes between you.
• The name “Cooling Tower” originally refers to industrial cooling installations — the idea here is to “cool down above the city.” Carlton Hotel, where the bar is located, is known for its modern, Singaporean design and efficiency.
• Named best rooftop happy hour of 2025.

General information Cooling Tower Rooftop Bar in Bangkok

Location: 34th Floor, Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit, 491 Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok
Nearest BTS: Asok | Nearest MRT: Sukhumvit
Opening Hours: Daily 5:00 PM–Midnight
Last food order: 10:30 PM | Last drinks: 11:30 PM
Happy Hour: 5:00 PM–7:00 PM (buy one, get one free) Entertainment: DJ on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday | Live music on Wednesday and Thursday (7:00 PM–11:00 PM)
Dress Code: Smart casual (no flip-flops, no sportswear)
Reserve via KLOOK