Grand opening of The Ledger Room in Bangkok

Last weekend saw the grand opening of one of Bangkok’s most spectacular cigar lounges, or re-opening actually, since the 32^nd floor of the Skyview hotel in the Sukhumvit area, is where Character Whiskey & Cigar Bar used to be. With an amazing view of the city through floor-to-ceiling windows, The Ledger Room is a new and updated concept.

“The former cigar lounge was run by a third part, and they didn’t quite manage to get the concept right,” says Martin Löving, director of culinary and services. “Since cigars are a passion of the owner, he decided he wanted to build up something himself instead, and the first thing I brought up when I came aboard was quality cocktails which speak the cigar language. I was inspired by Japan, where I used to live. They love jazz, whiskey and cigars, and I’m now working on a suitable wine list as well, focusing on old world wines.”

The lounge is located on two floors. “Downstairs” there’s the main (non-smoking) bar with a walk-in humidor and a public cigar room with a few chairs. From that a spiral staircase leads up to the private rooms on the 33^rd floor. On this night the volume is high with not one, but two jazz bands playing inside the main bar and on the terrace. The atmosphere is truly that of a grand opening.

“It’s normally not as lively as this,” he says. “We do have a live band in the main bar area every night, but the smoking room is calmer. Our main goal is to obtain a feeling, instead of just walking into one of those regular lounges where you can sit down with a cigar and order non-descript beverages, none of which really speaks to you.”

Besides Japan, Löving has also been inspired by a more obvious part of the cigar world.

“We wanted to bring in Latin America as well,” he says. “After all, that’s where cigars come from. We focus on agave drinks and the music focuses on Miami and New Orleans style jazz, where the former is heavily inspired by Cuba, of course. We’ll also be doing pairings with beverages, but also food like empanadas and Cubanos.”

And if the view for some inexplicable reason isn’t to your satisfaction, you can always climb a few stairs up to the rooftop bar, Vanilla Sky, for a 360 view of Bangkok, and if you’re like me, a severe case of vertigo.