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Rooftop Bars In Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai doesn't have many tall buildings so the rooftops bars there are nothing like what they are in Bangkok. The rooftop bars in Chiang Mai all seem to have crazy stair cases somehow letting you know there is a bar on top. The creepy and crickety staircases don't lead to an oasis at all but rather some very down to earth laid back backpacker vibes. The lack of opulence and lack of chairs at some places is what adds to the charm of Chiang Mai if you come up north and want to try something different cheap and affordable for a quick drink or something to eat then there is a rooftop bar available. I didn't list all of the rooftop bars that there are in Chiang Mai only the 3 that I think are worth going if you want to check them out.

Xanadu Rooftop Bar

If your looking for a place to impress in Chiang Mai then the Xanadu pub and restaurant on top of the Faruma Hotel is one of those places. On top the 14th floor of the hotel which has awesome views of Doi Suthep. The Xanadu pub opens at 6pm and closes at midnight. Be sure to get there when it opens as the view of the mountain is spectactular. At night the city glows in lights. This is one of the better rooftop bars in Chiang Mai.
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THC Rooftop Bar

If your looking for a total new experience and don't mind Reggae bars that play trance music then you might just enjoy this place. It's the most popular bar in town for the passing tourist a 50/50 ration of foreign men and women sitting around drinking beers on the floor. They may call it the THC bar but it's lacking any nor any substance other than alcohol. This is a rooftop bar for the under 30's and is right next to Thapae Gate it's the most unusual bar in all of Chiang Mai. I might go now and then but it's kind of a one off wonder. The great thing about this bar though is if your living here and want to meet some fellow travellers it's got to be the best place in Chiang Mai, somehow people from all over the world end up chasing a few beers here. This is right next to McDonald's and the Imm Hotel.
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Blue Bat Bar

If you have ever been to Hot Shot or Bubbles disco then you've been right underneath the highest rooftop bar in Chiang Mai. On the 21st floor of the Pornping hotel sits the Blue Bat Bar with live music and a view that is amazing close to sunset. There is live acoustic and relaxed live music playing every night and the Blue Bat Bar has a great BBQ perfect for dinner and a few beers.
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Johns Place

If you've heard of Johns place before then it's probably been something negative about the food they serve there. Personally I wouldn't eat there if you paid me to but it does have some charm and the atmosphere is nice so for a few drinks if your in the area wouldn't hurt. There isn't much room upstairs so you may have to sit at the bar which isn't so bad the stools are comfy.
[scrollGallery id=35]Map of Rooftop Bars In Chiang Mai
If your staying in the Chiang Mai downtown area you can walk to all of these rooftop bars.


View Rooftop Bars In Chiang Mai in a larger map


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About Chris

Chris founded LivingThai.org in 2011 and has received over 3 million visitors. He has lived here for over 10 years and speaks reads and writes very good Thai.

12 Responses to Rooftop Bars In Chiang Mai

  1. Foxy January 13, 2012 at 9:17 am #

    Advice for THC – the owner has a pet poodle which I’ve witnessed peeing and/or crapping on the floor pillows every single time I’ve been there. The owner discretely wipes up the mess once a customer points it out, but that’s the extent of the cleanup as far as I can tell, the pillow gets put right back on the floor somewhere else, and they’re probably never cleaned.

    • Chris January 13, 2012 at 9:34 am #

      I’ve seen that before so gross, I figure if I don’t touch too much and get my beer in the bottle i’ll be ok.

    • Steve November 16, 2013 at 5:49 pm #

      I went up there once and the place smelled horribly of urine. I wasn’t aware of the dog, but now it makes sense. We stayed for 5 minutes and left.

  2. bacardiboy January 13, 2012 at 11:40 am #

    I would avoid this place after reading the post and seeing the pics

  3. Snowmash January 16, 2012 at 1:22 pm #

    Sorry to say, but all of the above are pretty crappy. The best rooftop bar / restaurant by far is Xanadu on top of Furama Hotel. Basically opposite Wat Yed Yod. Little upmarket and perfect for bringing a serious date. Be there before 6pm so you don’t miss the sunset over Doi Suthep.

    • Chris January 16, 2012 at 1:28 pm #

      Your right, still most people coming here are going to stay around the city center at night and Xanadu isn’t a place you can walk to. Still a good place.

  4. Banjo January 17, 2012 at 5:58 am #

    Anyone been to Borpinyang in Vientiane?
    I wonder how many drunks have plummeted down THOSE stairs?

  5. Chris January 21, 2012 at 9:44 am #

    I added Xanadu any others worth mentioning?

    • Kevin Moore April 17, 2012 at 6:34 am #

      B2 on the canal road towards the ‘Flower Garden’ nice views of the sunset and Doi Suthep !

      • Chris April 17, 2012 at 10:08 am #

        I know the place, never been up there, does it get busy at all?

        • Kevin Moore April 18, 2012 at 4:15 am #

          never that busy, but have a few parties up there, i know because i live next door.
          Great views though !

      • Steve November 16, 2013 at 5:49 pm #

        That is at the entrance of the soi that goes back to Mountain View Condos, right?

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