THC Rooftop Bar
THC Rooftop Bar runs from the 5th floor of the Tha Phae Loft building near Tha Phae Gate, with a reggae-and-hippie-leaning aesthetic and panoramic views over the Old City moat and the eastern wall. The space is open-air across the entire rooftop, with low timber seating, hammocks scattered across the deck, Persian-style rugs on the floor, and string lights overhead. The crowd is heavy on the long-stay backpacker contingent and hippie-leaning travelers. Drinks pricing sits at moderate Old City levels: beer 130-180 THB, cocktails 220-300 THB, simple food 120-220 THB. Music runs reggae, dub, and lo-fi at low volume. No cover, no dress code, closing at midnight under residential noise rules.
Where to stay near THC Rooftop Bar
Hotels and rentals within walking distance.
What to Expect
A 5th-floor open-air rooftop with hammocks, low timber seating, Persian rugs on the floor, and panoramic views of the Old City moat and the eastern wall. Reggae-and-hippie aesthetic, low-volume music, and a backpacker crowd.
Open-air, hippie-bohemian, with hammocks and rugs and great views. The most relaxed rooftop in Chiang Mai.
Reggae, dub, lo-fi, occasional acoustic and ambient
Whatever. Backpacker casual dominates.
Sunset drinks, slow evenings, hippie-leaning travelers, anyone wanting panoramic views without the price of MAI The Sky Bar.
Cash and cards accepted
Price Range
Beer 130-180 THB, cocktails 220-300 THB, simple food 120-220 THB
Beer ~$3.60-5/€3.30-4.50, cocktails ~$6-8.50/€5.50-7.50
Hours
17:30 to midnight daily
Insider Tip
Arrive at sunset (around 6 PM) for the best light and to claim hammock space. The cocktails are decent but the views are the reason to come; manage expectations on the drinks. Cash payments process faster than cards.
Full Review
THC sits on top of the Tha Phae Loft hostel building near Tha Phae Gate, accessed via an interior staircase from the ground-floor lobby. The rooftop opens onto an entirely open-air space with low timber bar and seating built around the perimeter, hammocks slung between posts, Persian-style rugs on the floor, and ambient string lighting overhead. Capacity sits around 60 to 80 when fully filled.
The sunset crowd is the main draw. Tha Phae Gate sits directly below, with the Old City moat reflecting the setting light to the west and the eastern wall stretching south. On a clear evening the views are among the best in the Old City. The hippie aesthetic carries through the music programming (low-volume reggae and dub), the drinks menu (heavy on tropical and rum-based cocktails), and the crowd's clothing (loose linen, hippie pants, sarongs).
Compared to the Moat House rooftop along the east moat, THC is more committed to the hippie aesthetic and has the better views, with the trade-off being smaller capacity and slower service during peak. Compared to Thapae Grill nearby, THC is more bar-and-views-focused, less food-focused. Compared to MAI The Sky Bar across town, THC is far cheaper and more casual, but with notably less polished cocktails and lower-floor views.
Drink quality is uneven; the cocktails are decent but inconsistent depending on which bartender is on shift. Beer and simple mixed drinks are the safer order. The kitchen runs basic snacks and bar food that pair fine with the relaxed evening. Closing is firm at midnight under residential noise rules.
The Neighborhood
THC sits on top of the Tha Phae Loft building near Tha Phae Gate at the east wall of the Old City. The Tha Phae Gate plaza is one minute south. The Loi Kroh strip is 10 minutes south on foot.
Getting There
From Tha Phae Gate, one minute walk to the Tha Phae Loft building, then up the interior staircase. From the Night Bazaar, 10 minutes west. From Nimman, 12 minutes by Bolt at around 100 THB.
Address
291 Tha Phae Road, Tambon Chang Moi, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
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Browse Thailand eSIM plansOther Venues in Old City
Zoe in Yellow
The city's main backpacker bar and club, on Ratvithi Road near Chang Phueak Gate. Two facing outdoor bars, big seating area, electronic and hip-hop programming, no cover. Hub for traveler social-meeting under 30.
North Gate Jazz Co-Op
Bare-bones two-floor jazz bar just outside Chang Phueak Gate (north gate) with live jazz, reggae, soul, and blues every night. Shows start around 9 PM. Crowded standing room only on Tuesday open-mic nights, one of the city's most beloved venues.
Roots Rock Reggae
Reggae and rock bar on Ratvithi Road next to the Zoe in Yellow complex. Live bands nightly playing ska, roots reggae, dub, and rock covers. Long-running local institution with a chill outdoor seating area.
The Moat House
Two-level sports bar and rooftop venue along the moat between Tha Phae and Chang Phueak. Ground-floor TVs for Premier League and rugby; rooftop with cocktail menu and sunset views over the historic city wall. Long-running British-expat hangout.
Thapae Grill
Multi-level restaurant and rooftop bar at Tha Phae Gate. Casual food on the lower floors, open-air rooftop with views of the gate plaza and street performers. Remodeled in 2023, friendly mid-range pricing.
Tha Phae Gate Plaza
Open square in front of the eastern Old City gate, with food vendors, buskers, street performers, fire-show dancers, and informal beer drinking on weekend evenings. Hub of the Sunday Walking Street and most Old City evening foot traffic.