This multi-faceted venue elevates rooftop entertaining to a higher notch in the City of Angels. By Xinyi Liang-Pholsena
Bangkok has no lack of rooftop bars in the downtown districts of Sathorn and Ratchaprasong, but Octave – perched on the topmost 45th to 49th floors of Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit – brings a fresh perspective with its slightly off-centre location in Thonglor, a buzzing lifestyle haven popular among Bangkokians and expats.
The venue features a restaurant, a private dining room, a bar and a rooftop lounge. With a contemporary design inspired by swanky New York apartment terraces, the décor veers towards modern industrial chic with liberal use of wooden furniture and timber-decked floor, and only a piece of reinforced glass separating visitors from the impressive vistas on each floor.
MICE application
Guests arrive at Octave via dedicated elevators to the 45th floor, a 76-seat elongated lounge with proper dining tables and high sofas; the indoor attic (47th floor) accommodates 50 pax and the balcony bar (48th floor) can host another 46 pax. A flight of stairs leads to the rooftop bar on the 49th floor bar, undeniably the pièce de résistance of the multi-level venue.
With a maximum capacity of 150 pax for cocktail receptions, the rooftop bar is also the most requested venue for private functions, according to Grace Hoang, the hotel’s spokesperson. The hotel is flexible when it comes to corporate events. Upon special request, Octave’s bartenders can perform for guests to jazz up the party.
For cocktail receptions, groups are encouraged to start welcome drinks at between 17.00 to 17.30, in order to catch the ‘magical hour’ as the sprawling metropolis is set aglow by a dipping sun (good weather permitting) before turning into a twinkling destination crisscrossed with lines of bumper-to-bumper traffic and BTS skytrains plying along Sukhumvit Road, and ships and cranes docked along the Chao Phraya River in the not-too-far distance.
F&B concept
Marriott’s director of beverage Asia-Pacific, Blake Walker, is the brain behind creative Thai-inflected cocktails like Taeng-mo Haze, which fuses agave tequila with water melon, lime juice, sweet vermouth and rosé wine; and Land of Smiles, Ketel One vodka stirred with junmai sake, lime, lychee, passion fruit and coconut syrup. The compact food menu focuses on fresh seafood as well as Asian-influenced dishes such as Wagyu beef udon noodles and meat yakitori – these tapas-style dishes come in platter sizes too, ideal for sharing.
Service and ambience
For me, the signature rooftop bar on the topmost floor is the real highlight as the space offers unbridled 360-degree views of Bangkok, further accentuated by a neon-blue circular open bar that makes an iconic statement in the middle of wooden-decked deck.
Bearing a low-key, mature yet edgy vibe, Octave does not have the pretentious air of other grander rooftop venues in town.
Contacts
Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit,
2 Sukhumvit Road Soi 57
Email: anchalee.m@marriott.com
Website: www.bangkokmarriott.com
Opening hours
17.00-02.00
