The 5 best rooftop bars in Chiang Mai

Officially Chiang Mai’s highest rooftop bar, MAI The Sky Bar sits as the crown atop Meliá Chiang Mai with a 360-degree, double-decker dose of sophistication and uninterrupted views. Split across two levels, this rooftop retreat offers a rare taste of Bangkok-style elegance upcountry – executed with just the right balance of northern Thai charm and Spanish flair belonging to the hotel’s parent brand. The bar itself closes for a few weeks every rainy season to undergo a stylish revamp, ensuring things stay fresh alongside a rotating menu of cocktails, beers and a very decent selection of Spanish wine. 

Drawing on Meliá’s Spanish roots, the bar menu plates up a variety of tapas and pinchos, grazing boards and desserts. Local sustainable and organic farming underscore a variety of dishes. Open to all, it’s widely considered one of Chiang Mai’s best rooftop bars, with a vibe that shifts effortlessly between laidback sundowners and DJ and live band parties on the weekends. And with beautiful sunsets behind Doi Suthep almost guaranteed, it makes for an ideal spot for dates and larger celebrations.

Rooftop of Meliá Chiang Mai. Upcoming events here. 6pm-midnight.

One of Nimman’s classics, Hotel Yayee has been quietly welcoming patrons for decades as the go-to rooftop for laid back cocktails. More cosy than luxurious, it balances a fine line between classic Chiang Mai vibes and a boutique hotel culture – it sits on top of the Yayee hotel, owned by Thailand’s celebrity heartthrob, Ananda Everingham. Peeking over the top of Nimman’s skyline, the Doi Suthep sunsets help set the tone for easygoing evenings with a menu of craft cocktails, bar bites and a few wines, but – by design – the offering isn't overly complicated. 

Rooftop of Hotel Yayee. Details here. 5pm-midnight.

Part rooftop bar, part underground secret, HIDELAND is a stylish rooftop hangout found atop a lowrise in the Chiang Moi area. The entrance to the bar is easily missed, through the back of a townhouse building just off the main road, but once inside you’ll find a spot that makes for a great low-budget date. Sultry lighting, picture-perfect views of the city’s winding roads (best photographed during golden hour) and a menu of ‘confusion food’ and Japanese izakaya nibbles, cocktails and typical Thai drinks make for a fun place to start your night on the town. 

159-199 Chiang Moi Road. More details here. 5pm-11.30pm.

Another Chiang Moi rooftop, this time framed by trendy concrete decor and a bar that lives up to its name. Packed almost every night, people rightly come here to mingle under elegant lighting and panoramic views that stretch over Chiang Mai’s eastside moat. The drinks are more classic than others – beers, whisky and the odd contemporary surprises of smashed gin and tea-infused rum mixers. Stylish but not too flashy, it’s a great starting point for any weekend out in the Old City, suitable for both pre-drinks and post-dinner hangs. A reliable favourite among many in the area. 

301-305 Chiang Moi Road. More details here. 5pm-midnight.

A backpacker classic that’s been around for decades, THC Rooftop Bar is all about relaxed reggae beats, floor and bean bag seating, beers served by the bottle and a mess of UV paint graffiti on the walls. Historically it used to overlook Thapae Gate but has since moved just down the road on the inside of the mat, although still offering the same unpretentious service to a steady stream of budget travellers, hippie nomads and general chill-seakers. It may not be high-end, but THC captures a vibe that’s getting harder to find in our increasingly stylish city, and for that it deserves a spot of recognition as an original gangster in the rooftop bar scene. 

9 Mun Mueang Road. 5pm-midnight.