CRU Champagne — Restaurant in Pathum Wan Subdistrict

Disclosure: Self-initiated review. No benefits were obtained in exchange for this unbiased review.

October 2022

Came here on a Sunday night date. Not a bad rooftop bar to have a relaxing drink. Nice atmosphere although the view wasn't as stunning as one might have hoped or expected.

To get there, you've got to enter the exhibition centre located behind CentralWorld and get up to the 26th floor for the Hotel. From there, you've got to walk to a different lift lobby to get up to the 55th floor to access the Restaurant.

Here, my date's carrier bag (containing a slice of cake) was confiscated to be returned when we left because "no outside food was allowed". The suggestion that we would be consuming the cake on the premises is mildly offensive. Can you imagine any other posh hotel restaurant/bar confiscating your packaged food/drink? This ain't some second rate bar/restaurant being frequented by cash-strapped students trying to take the mickey. Besides, when we were leaving, it was difficult to get hold of someone for the return of property.

Anyway, at the restaurant, you then step out onto the outdoor terrace, and walk up a flight of stairs to get to the outdoor bar area. All along the way, every staff member would greet you. I must have gotten 6 sawadeeka's by the time I've sat down.

The wine selection (by the glass) was not large, possibly about 10 options, out of which I had a fairly average rosé. They were out of sauvignon blanc. My date had a cocktail which by all accounts was fairly mediocre. Paid about 800 baht for the two drinks.

The whole experience was just a bit of a faff for me to frequent this bar, and the drinks and views just weren't amazing enough. I don't regret coming though, and would still recommend it if you're...

If I could give a 0 star review, I would.

CRU treated us like a transaction rather than valued guests. Weeks ago we booked (and paid a lofty deposit) for a sunset dinner to celebrate a very special occasion on our last day in Bangkok. We received notice a mere 1 day in advance that they opted to book a private event at the same time as our dinner and our reservation was no longer good, however we could come a few hours later, after the private event, if we'd like. There was no apology for the inconvenience and there was no offer to discount/refund our deposit for the trouble. I requested I be refunded as soon as possible since the alternative time they proposed was long after the normal dinner hour and interfered with our travel plans. CRU informed us to expect our refund in 45 days. For such a highly regarded, respected restaurant, I expected more. For any restaurant, I expect more.

I would not recommend CRU to anyone who wants a nice dinner/drink experience as unfortunately your reservation is only safe til someone better...

It’s definitely worth booking this bar if you want to be at one of the highest levels possible for city viewing & sunset. For Thailand prices it is an extremely expensive bar. The small tables on the edge are comfortable but most of them are right in front of their speakers which isn’t ideal. And the seats are quite low so your vision of the city is impaired by the bushes they have running on the edge. If the bar is busy then you do have the best seats to stand up and take photos. If the bar is quiet, then paying for a cheaper seat one row behind is recommended because the cost is cheaper and it’s high stalls so the view is better. If you book the expensive tables on the edge be prepared to spend minimum 6000 baht (but as a couple, 3 rounds of [expensive!] drinks you easily spend it) Music played is decent, the cocktails are fun, and staff are lovely (Lukman mostly served us and he was very friendly and helpful). The free snacks served are crisp which I think were an odd blue cheese flavour (!),...