Yangon’s Best Brews and Views
By Lwin Mar Htun 8 May 2019
YANGON—Yangon is always busy. The city has the most active nightlife in the country, and the number of restaurants, bars and clubs that you can have a fun night out with your friends at while sipping your favorite drinks is growing day by day. But the best way to release your evening stress while soaking up that beautiful Yangon sunset is to enjoy yourself at a rooftop bar, where you can get fresh air and good vibes.
‘The Irrawaddy’ has picked the best selection of Yangon’s rooftop bars, whether you’re hanging out with friends or that special someone.
Vista Rooftop Bar
Vista Bar is on Shwegondaing Road, offering a beautiful view of the sunset over glistening Shwedagon Pagoda. When night comes it can quickly become a full house, so if you want to avoid the crowd, sunset is the perfect time. The bar has acoustic music every Wednesday and Sunday evening, and there is also an indoor area with its own special view. Vista has a wide-ranging menu for both drinks and foods, but it can be pricey. They also offer ‘shisha,’ and some go just for that. The bar is open until 1 a.m.
Yankin Heights Rooftop Bar
Yankin Heights Rooftop Bar, located at the center of Yankin Township, is a new-comer to Yangon’s rooftop bar scene. The view from the bar is not very special—all you see at night is the Golden City Tower building—but all you need to do is just chill: chill with your friends and create a good vibe. The bar is affordable, with a big dink-and-food menu. It’s also open for breakfast, and the bar closes at 10 p.m. They offer a daily happy hour with its own menu, too.
Atlas Rooftop Bar
Atlas Rooftop bar is popular with both locals and foreigners alike. Named the “Best Nightlife Experience” in Yangon by Myanmore in 2017, this rooftop bar offers the best views at night, and there’s a live band on Wednesdays and weekends. It’s located on the 12th floor of the Uniteam Marine Building in Sanchaung Township. Hours are from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Cocoon Bar and Café
While the nighttime view from Cocoon is stellar, the bar vibe retains the casual charm of a typical Myanmar beer station. They have good beers and a wide range of cocktails to choose from. When the football season comes, so do the fans—for matches viewed on large screens. So if you are a football lover, enjoy the match with a like-minded crowd. The prices are reasonable and the location is easy to access, at the corner of Shin Saw Pu and Baho Roads. The bar has happy hours and special promotions—just check their Facebook page before you go. They’re open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
369 Dine & Bar
369 Dine & Bar is located on the top floor of the Ibis Styles Yangon Hotel, on Laydaungkan Road in Thingangyun Township. This bar is pricey but their food is top-notch and they have a wide variety of drinks to choose from. 369 also hosts an acoustic music night every Wednesday, plus screenings of football matches and other sports. The bar is open from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The Penthouse
The Penthouse is a popular, high-end rooftop bar and a foreigner favorite. It’s located on the eighth floor of the Park Side One building in Sanchaung. The view from the bar is nothing special but their food and drinks are outstanding. They host frequent DJ events, which they always announce on their Facebook page. The Penthouse is open in the daytime as well, and you can visit for lunch or coffee. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Yangon Yangon Rooftop Bar
Yangon Yangon Rooftop Bar is located on the top of the Sakura Tower in downtown Yangon, and it offers the most beautiful Yangon sunset scene and the best skyline views in the city. The bar can get windy but it provides a fantastic vibe. They also host acoustic music nights and DJ events, which you can find on their Facebook page. Warning: this bar is expensive. The cocktail and beer menu is broad, but they don’t have much of a food selection. So: go for a drink and a view. There is a 5,000 Kyat entrance fee but it comes with a free drink. It’s open from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Mr. Tony Rooftop Bar
Mr. Tony is located on the top of the Hotel Vista Yangon in Sanchaung Township. This is the new bar in town, so both locals and foreigners are currently visiting often. The bar has acoustic and other music events every day. Prices are reasonable and the menu is big, but the food is nothing special. Try traditional Kachin liquor at the bar. Happy hour is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. everyday.
