Unculture Silom Rooftop Bar

Our take

Bangkok's most honest special effect: every few minutes the BTS slides past at eye level, lights streaking across your table. Around that party trick sits a thoroughly local hangout — cheap beer, Thai pub food that beats expectations, live music and barely a tourist in sight. For street photographers this is the good stuff; for everyone else, it's the cheapest front-row seat in Silom.

Insider tip

Claim the lower balcony at the five-o'clock opening if you want the train-level seats — they're popular and go quickly. Then move up a floor once you've got the shot; the upper deck is where the actual evening happens.