Tourists keep this orange-and-red-neon–lit, geodesic-inspired nightclub jumping, but just enough fashionable locals drop by to give the circular bar an exotic buzz. Regulars know to snag one of the cushioned alcoves where gilded curtains confer added privacy and the funky hanging lamps resemble ice cubes. The lack of a DJ means often incoherent musical choices but as the evening progresses and the fruity cocktails flow, no one seems to mind. Conveniently located on Sukhumvit Road with direct access to the Skytrain, Bar Su is optimally situated for night revelers staying in one of the many nearby business hotels as well as slightly seedier options for which Bangkok is well known. Still, the dress code is enforced here so leave backpacks, flip-flops, and bikini tops where they belong.

Open daily 6 pm to 2 am.

Originally a London import, this low-lit lounge is known for distinctly indigenous delights like the tom yumtini (an alcoholic take on the popular Thai soup with lemongrass, chile, and Kaffir lime vodka) as well as a generous menu of quickly addictive Thai tapas. The official door policy of members only rarely gets enforced, especially on Fridays, a.k.a Eighties Night, when locals and expatriates of a certain age dust off their vintage frocks and get down to the likes of Duran Duran. Other evenings are less raging, and the vibe markedly more fashion forward.

Open daily 4 pm to 2 am.

Perched atop an otherwise unmemorable boutique hotel, Bangkoks newest evening indulgence makes a lasting impression from late morning to well past the sexy sunsets. Palm trees surround the swank outdoor lounge and guests are encouraged to sink bare feet into the freshly cut grass. Mist sprays will keep midday visitors from overheating nine stories closer to the equatorial sun. Behind the bar, drinks and tapas selections get projected onto one of two soaring white sails that add to the weekend-chic look while offering reliable protection during Bangkoks notorious monsoons. Plenty of cushioned pods, daybeds, and even hammocks create a playground vibe for the sophisticated clientele.

Open Sundays through Thursdays 4 pm to 2 am, Fridays and Saturdays 4 pm to 3 am.

The venerable institution on the Bangkok scene and sister to the Saigon original boasts a somewhat notorious reputation—"working ladies" have, on occasion, gone to work here—but somehow manages to lure an eye-catching crowd of international night owls. Resident and visiting celebrity DJs spin house, hip-hop, and chill-out lounge until the 2 am curfew while the crowd sips Q-tinis and an extensive selection of Long Island iced tea variations, including the Thai twist, with a generous jolt of Red Bull. Keeping the vibe alive, the second-floor lounge's expansive outdoor deck has recently been recast as a semiprivate supersexy lounge with deep, invitingly plush couches and ornate chandeliers.

Open daily 8 pm to 2 am.

Perched atop Bangkok's second highest tower, the open-air, neon-lit Sky Bar juts out 64 floors above this urban sprawl, making it the ideal watering hole for those who like to live on the edge. Vertiginous vacationers should keep to street level but even those who ascend to the top of the State Tower building located along the Chao Phraya River may be shocked by the low, transparent railing. Designers play off this element of surprise, so that the talented jazz singer seems perched barely a breath away from an untimely finale when in fact that sheer drop behind the stage hides a sexy glass staircase. The wind has been known to blow over the signature Blue Sky cocktails, made with quadruple-distilled New Zealand vodka, so hold onto purses and perhaps even loved ones. The gusts may make things awkward, but the view makes it a definite have-to-see-once place.

Open daily 6 pm to 1 am.