On our last visit to Bangkok, we decided to spend our first evening at the Nobu Rooftop Bar after hearing so many good things about it. We knew we'd be jet-lagged, but starting a Bangkok trip with a rooftop bar is always an exciting experience. We ordered a taxi an hour before our reservation, and what should have been a 30-minute ride turned into an ordeal: we were stuck in traffic for almost 90 minutes!

We called Nobu to let them know we'd be late. They informed us of their 15-minute grace period, but time was so tight that Cam had to jump out of the taxi in the middle of traffic and rush up to the 60th floor to secure our table. The staff were very understanding and held our reservation a little longer. Cam settled in, ordered some drinks, and waited for Kat to arrive in the elevator.

Cam caught the sunset just in time and was overwhelmed by the view over the city, while Kat (unfortunately) missed the moment the orange sun disappeared behind the horizon. After recovering from our chaotic and frustrating taxi ride, we slowly began to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of the Nobu Rooftop Bar. We ordered cocktails and some food and admired the 360-degree panoramic view of the Bangkok skyline.

Around 7:00 PM, the tables filled up and the atmosphere became more lively. We were there on a Wednesday evening, so it was relatively quiet, but we could easily imagine how much more lively it would be on the weekend. Nobu has a two-hour limit during peak hours, which meant we had to pay and head back downstairs at 8:00 PM. From there, we took Grab motorbikes. Fueled by a few cocktails, we weaved through the traffic, zipped through the streets, and rode into the old city. It was great fun and reminded us once again why we love Bangkok so much!

Read more: How to get around Bangkok: 15 tips to avoid the traffic

Sunset at the Nobu Rooftop Bar

Nobu, Bangkok: 10 things you should know before your visit

1. Book online & observe the grace period

You can easily make your reservation online via the official Nobu Bangkok website and the SevenRooms booking platform. You will receive a confirmation email with all the details, information on the minimum spend and dress code, and the option to manage your booking if you wish to change or cancel the time. You have a 15-minute grace period; after this time, your reservation can no longer be guaranteed. If you are more than 15 minutes late, please call. Experience has shown that Nobu staff are very accommodating, for example, in the case of traffic delays.

2. Arrive before 5:30 pm to take the best sunset photos.

The Nobu Rooftop Bar opens daily at 5:30 pm. So, if you want to take those classic sunset photos, we recommend arriving at 5:15 pm – this gives you 15 minutes to go up to the 57th floor and be ready for opening time. However, Bangkok's roads are extremely busy at this time. Therefore, we recommend taking the BTS to Chong Nonsi station (Silom Line). If you do decide to take a taxi, be prepared for extremely heavy traffic heading towards Sathorn.

3. Access via the Empire Tower on Sathorn Road

If, like most tech-savvy travelers these days, you're using Google Maps for navigation, be sure to enter "Nobu Empire Tower" when planning your trip. Check the marker to make sure "The Empire" is displayed right next to "Nobu Bangkok"—you don't want to accidentally end up at another building called "Empire" or a sky bar with a similar name!

4. The Nobu Rooftop Bar is located on the 60th floor.

It's important to know the Nobu layout so you don't get completely lost upon arrival. As mentioned, Nobu is located on the top floor of the Empire Tower. The restaurant and lounge are on the 57th and 58th floors, and the rooftop bar is on the 60th floor. To get up there, take the EA Rooftop Elevator to the 57th floor, go to the Nobu reception on the 58th floor, and then squeeze into a small internal elevator that will take you to the 60th floor. A definite highlight of a Nobu visit is the elevator ride up – it's cozy and small and offers breathtaking views of the Bangkok skyline.

Internal elevator up to the 60th floor.

5. Adhere to the smart-casual dress code.

As in most rooftop bars in Bangkok, the dress code at Nobu is "smart casual." This essentially means that flip-flops, swimwear, and sportswear are not permitted, and men should avoid sleeveless shirts or vests. Due to the heat, the most frequent question men ask is, "Can I wear shorts at Nobu?" The answer is yes, as long as they are smartly cut and paired with closed shoes.

6. A minimum expenditure amount of 2,000 THB applies.

Perhaps the most controversial aspect of making a reservation at the Nobu Rooftop Bar is the minimum spend of 2,000 THB per person. We hadn't expected to reach that amount so quickly. The two of us only ordered four cocktails and three small dishes to share, and yet the bill still came to 5,000 THB. Quite expensive, but in our opinion, it's worth it if you only want to spend one expensive evening in Bangkok – the view is priceless!

7. The food is Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine.

Nobu's cuisine is a Japanese-Peruvian fusion, and the small samples we tried at the rooftop bar were quite tasty. We ordered lobster tacos, seafood ceviche, and tuna and yellowtail sushi, but the portions weren't exactly generous. What we particularly enjoyed, however, was the traditional Japanese welcome we received upon arrival. The bartenders and waitresses all called out "Irasshaimase!", which means something like "Welcome, please come in!"

8. Age and access restrictions apply.

The rooftop bar at Nobu is only accessible to those aged 12 and over, but there is no age restriction in the restaurant below. Children who enjoy Japanese food are therefore welcome to join. However, the terrace is not wheelchair accessible, as it can only be reached via stairs.

Japanese main restaurant, open to all age groups.

9. The atmosphere is more sociable on weekends.

During our visit on Wednesday evening, the atmosphere was very relaxed and elegant. Several couples and groups of friends were engaged in lively conversation at the tables. Those who prefer a more sociable and vibrant atmosphere should come on the weekend when DJs and live music are featured. It's not a party bar like Tichuca, but rather offers the sophisticated charm of a luxurious lounge where you can chat over cocktails in a relaxed setting.

10. Nobu offers the best rooftop views in Bangkok.

We've visited quite a few rooftop bars over the years, but none have blown us away like Nobu. The view is simply incredible. You get a 360-degree panoramic view of the city skyline, the iconic King Power Mahanakhon building towers high above you, and in the distance you can see the golden dome of Lebua and the bright lights of IconSiam on the river. It's the best view we've ever seen in Bangkok, and for that reason alone you absolutely have to go!

Read more: The 10 best rooftop bars in Bangkok: From Nobu to Lebua

Incredible view from the Nobu Rooftop Bar