Bangkok’s most established climbing gym is also one of its most approachable. Tucked inside The Racquet Club (no club membership needed to climb), Urban Playground is Bangkok’s OG rope gym – and it shows in the best ways. The 7,000-sq.-ft. space packs a solid range: bouldering cave, auto-belay zones, top rope, and lead walls, with climbs from beginner-friendly 5a routes to beastly 7s and 8s. While the bouldering section is compact, the rope walls more than make up for it, especially the long autobelay (climbing without someone on the ground to belay you). routes that are great for building endurance.
First-timers can walk in and start bouldering or climbing on the auto-belays – no lessons or certification needed. But if you’re keen to learn the ropes (literally), book the one-hour Intro to Climbing class (B600) offered hourly from 2pm on weekdays and 11am on weekends. It’s small-group and super accessible.
The vibe? Chill, clean, and not too crowded, especially on weekdays. Climbers tend to know what they’re doing, and the check-in process is refreshingly fast. Plus, the day pass gets you access to other Racquet Club facilities – handy if you want to squeeze in a gym session, sauna, or swim too.
Why we love it: Solid route variety, relaxed atmosphere, really good AC. Perfect for all levels – from total beginners to seasoned climbers looking for a solid rope session in Bangkok.
B495 on weekdays, B595 on weekends (B150+ for gear rental). 6 8, Sukhumvit 49/9, Watthana, The Racquet Club, 02-119-7200. Open Mon-Fri 12-10pm & Sat-Sun 9am-9pm.