You might not be in the open-air here, but this means you'll never have to worry about the weather, and those superlative city views still stretch on for miles, with large windows and plush cushioned sofa bed-lounger-tables lining both sides of the bistro from which to take in all the scenery. In the center of things, tables here are set around a VIP section with swank leather seats and also a stage, where different bands perform nightly. You can also sit upstairs in the intimate curved mezzanine sections overlooking the entire bar, and you'll still get to be under the stars here, as Vertigo TOO features a ceiling lit up with lights mimicking a starry galaxy, more than making up for not being out in the open like its counterparts upstairs.
Vertigo TOO is neither a standalone bar nor a full fledge restaurant, but a perfect combination of both. As the menu states, "One should not drink on an empty stomach," and a range of shared tapas dishes compliment the outstanding selection of mixologist concoctions and other fine pours that highlight the bar.
Starting with the food, there are numerous standouts. Connoisseurs of fine lamb will love the grilled lamb loin plate, served with potato gnocchi, carrot puree, and black truffle pepper sauce. Seafood lovers will want to indulge in the "Salmon Three Ways," which takes salmon loin, belly, and salmon skin and marinates them with sesame soy sauce.
Best of all are the Thai-influenced tapas. The Soft Shelled Crab Kiew Waan showcases succulent and ever so easy to bite soft shelled crab served up with Thai eggplants, green curry, and coconut foam, a dish which is as photogenic as it is delicious. Other winning choices include the Prawn Tom Yum Rolls, where Vietnamese-style spring rolls use fresh prawns and are accompanied by a piquant tom yum sauce, and the Thai Fried Squid Legs, which use a Sriracha mayonnaise and larb meat salad spice combination to make a mouthwatering sauce for dipping in.
For those still hungry, a few of the favourites from Vertigo upstairs are also available, ranging from the knockout king prawns, blue swimmer crab, and chorizo linguine, to a Japanese Kobe striploin platter plus more. There are also small bites served after 10.30, such as prawn gyoza or nachos with artichoke and spinach cheese dip if you still need drink snacks. Additionally, there are a range of homemade dessert selections to choose from each evening, with the Chocolate Tart 9, accompanied with marmalade and cheddar espuma, being especially tantalising.
Bites aside, you're coming here with your friends and dates to drink. Start off the evening with one of Vertigo TOO's unique signature "Legacy" cocktails. Perhaps the most interesting is the "Loved Up," which combines Japanese Umeshu plum wine with crème de mûre blackberry liqueur, along with rose wine, cranberry and watermelon juice, yuzu puree, and fresh lime juice, and is served as a smoked cocktail in theatrical presentation to your table. Another favourite is the Hitchcock, made with Tanqueray gin, La Quintinye Blanc vermouth, elderflower honey, cucumber, lemon, and soda, which is a real thirst-quencher.
Gin is the real highlight of Vertigo TOO, and you can choose from an array of the best premium gins from around the globe (Hendricks from Scotland, Roku from Japan, Iron Ball from Thailand, Star of Bombay from the UK) which are paired with premium tonics also sourced from different countries to make the perfect gin and tonic.
This festive season, Vertigo TOO is featuring Gin Mare, a premium Mediterranean Spanish gin that is made at a distillery in a thirteenth century chapel, and uses Arbequina olives, rosemary, basil, thyme, oranges, lemon, coriander, and cardamom sourced from around the entire Mediterranean region. From December 3-23, Vertigo TOO takes part in Asia's first edition of Gin Mare's "Gastromixology Sessions," bringing you "Dream Catcher," a cocktail that pays tribute to the Mediterranean roots of Gin Mare, served in a martini glass and complemented with Campari, olive water, Giffard pink grapefruit syrup, mint, pineapple juice, lime juice, and Vertigo TOO's Chef Jo's tuna beetroot orange scent.
While the early evening Vertigo TOO features soft jazz and mellow tunes, things pick up as the night goes on. There are five different bands that perform throughout the week, covering a range of popular songs, and there are a few tables right in front of the band for those who want to focus on the music.
In addition to their nightlife offerings, Vertigo TOO also does an afternoon High Tea serving on Saturday and Sunday starting at 1pm, with scones, savouries, and sweets getting served up alongside of fine teas and even glasses of Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial for those who want to end the week in style.
For a regal New Year's Eve celebration, Vertigo TOO will be hosting a 6-course set dinner that will include foie gras terrine, duck confit, wagyu strip loin, and king crab risotto to go a glass of bubbly or Moon Bar beverage packages for the festivities that will go on after midnight. The price is B8,900 for the dinner package, and B11,900 with the Moon Bar beverage package.
For a cosmopolitan sky-high drinking and dining experience, it's hard to top Vertigo TOO. The stylish creative drinks, delectable array of gourmet tapas, and live music to accompany the staggering views all make for one fine night out in one of Bangkok's most sophisticated venues. And hey, with the galactic-themed setup, you'll be having a wonderful evening under the stars to boot.
Operating hours
Afternoon Tea (Sat & Sun) 13–17pm
Dinner 18–22.30pm.
VERTIGO TOO
Banyan Tree, 60th Floor.
21/100 South Sathorn Road.
Tel. 02 679 1200.
https://www.banyantree.com/en/thailand/bangkok/dining/vertigo-too.
