Bangkok Lebua Sky Bar & Chinatown Street Eats: A Review

Bangkok, that city which seemingly never sleeps, offers up a dazzling mix of fancy rooftop bars and seriously tempting street food. A tour that tries to squeeze in both the elegance of the Lebua Sky Bar and the chaotic food stalls of Chinatown? That idea sounds like a pretty awesome experience. I recently gave a “Bangkok Lebua Sky Bar Chinatown Street Food By Tuk Tuk” tour a go, and wow, there’s a lot to tell about it, really.

The Allure of Lebua Sky Bar

The Lebua Sky Bar, famously featured in “The Hangover Part II,” has become this must-see spot in Bangkok, known too for its amazing views and expensive drinks. Perched way up high on top of the Lebua hotel, the Sky Bar seemingly offers views of the cityscape which are absolutely incredible. Sipping a cocktail up there just feels like such a luxurious treat, very high above all the madness of the streets. The appeal? Well, it’s partly the view, which is pretty hard to beat. Partly, though, that appeal comes from being able to brag about having visited one of Bangkok’s, seemingly most famous rooftops.

Going there is sort of magical. I remember getting out of the elevator, that just opens up to this spectacular panorama, basically. The Chao Phraya River sort of snaked its way through the buildings, glistening down below. I will say, though, prepare yourself, that the drinks can seriously dent your wallet. But, hey, you are paying for that view, alright? So, my tip? Maybe stick to just one fancy drink to soak it all in, and that you can then maybe appreciate your trip without crying over your bank balance.

And the vibe? Quite fancy, to be honest. Most folks were dressed to impress, too, which is not really surprising given the prices, really. There was that buzz of excitement in the air, too. Everyone seemed excited to be there. Snapping photos and acting just generally impressed. Which I suppose I was too.

Chinatown’s Culinary Delights

Okay, so, Chinatown is the total opposite of the Sky Bar in, like, pretty much every possible way. Yaowarat Road, Chinatown’s main street, it is that seriously lively place. Just full to bursting with all sorts of food stalls. The smells of all of these spices and sizzling ingredients kind of fill the air, a bit. You will see vendors grilling, frying, and generally whipping up treats right in front of you. Be ready for crowds, too, because it gets busy, is that right?

The beauty here? Well, it’s that wide mix of food choices. From dim sum to fresh seafood, that everything just tasted so amazing. I tasted some seriously delicious Pad See Ew from one vendor, then some roasted chestnuts from another. Chinatown is a seriously cool experience for your taste buds, that offers something totally different to the Sky Bar’s posh snacks. It’s not fancy, but it has a real buzz to it, right? A truly vibrant street food kind of vibe. Be ready to haggle, also, since prices are often negotiable, actually.

And, there’s this historical feel in Chinatown, kind of mixed in with the tasty treats. Little temples tucked away, very gold shops glittering, and this general sense that this place has so much history going on. Trying the food, there is one way to connect with that spirit and culture of the place. Every bite tells a story, somehow, in a way. Which I realize is quite poetic, in a way, very when you are stood on a fairly ordinary street corner in Bangkok.

Tuk Tuk Adventures: Zipping Through Bangkok

Now, so, traveling between the Lebua Sky Bar and Chinatown by Tuk Tuk? Actually, that’s quite an adventure. If you are not familiar with these vehicles, then they are basically these small, three-wheeled motorized taxis, typically. They’re pretty fun, but also quite loud. Hanging on tight while you are dodging traffic can make getting about a bit stressful, sure, that it adds an extra level of thrill, that too, to the whole trip.

My driver was a chatty character, actually. He kind of zipped through the streets with what felt like very practiced ease, really. He pointed out this cool building and then, too, a hidden market. He even shared a couple of bits about Bangkok’s past. The Tuk Tuk is a cool method to get about, sure, but be sure that you negotiate the price ahead of time. Some drivers maybe tend to, really, inflate the fares for visitors. But, still, it’s quite a unique method to get a feeling of that speed and noise of Bangkok, isn’t it?

Also, hold on tight, really. Those Bangkok streets get busy, really busy. That feeling of the breeze on your face, combined with the noise of the traffic and seeing all the sights flash past? Well, that’s quite an experience that you won’t find in a normal taxi, so it’s worth bearing in mind.

The Good, the Bad, and the Tasty

Okay, so, let’s be practical. The “Bangkok Lebua Sky Bar Chinatown Street Food By Tuk Tuk” trip. Does it hit the mark? Well, more or less, it’s an enjoyable method to see these completely separate sides of Bangkok in one night, that’s a yes. But, there are things that you want to consider.

The pros? Easy enough to list. That experience of seeing both that luxury of the Sky Bar and then, too, the craziness of Chinatown’s food stalls is really fun. It gives you kind of two separate but completely genuine feels for what Bangkok’s all about, is that not right? The Tuk Tuk trip in the middle? That’s, for certain, quite exciting and fun. Being taken care of from door to door, it does take away some pressure when getting around. So, if you appreciate simplicity and excitement, I guess this tour is something you would value.

The drawbacks? It may be expensive, honestly. Those drinks up at the Sky Bar don’t come low priced. A pre-arranged trip might take away the delight of going it by yourself and checking out places on your own. In other words, you get that well-trodden and safe experience, as well. For other folks, the Tuk Tuk thing can seem somewhat stressful instead of thrilling. Is that a trade off you may be interested in. In either case, these issues did affect my overall travel experience.

Is This Tour Worth Your Time and Money?

The answer? It depends. Is that Bangkok Lebua Sky Bar Chinatown Street Food By Tuk Tuk trip worth the dough and your time? Maybe.

If you appreciate easy access, a sample of that high life with a dash of crazy local flavor, or even don’t have heaps of time to arrange everything on your own, for sure, you may enjoy it. On the other hand, those backpackers on a seriously tight budget who want more genuine experiences might wish to consider their options a bit. Perhaps that means getting some street food on your own or taking that local ferry along the river, instead.

But for something a bit flashy and somewhat amazing that is still totally worth trying? Okay, so go for this Bangkok trip, honestly. Do your homework and get those costs straight, basically. Get ready to appreciate the contrasting sides of Bangkok in one evening, even.