Chapman Taylor Reimagines Bar.Yard at Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok

Chapman Taylor has delivered the interior design for the transformation of Bar.Yard, the award-winning rooftop destination perched on the 40th floor of Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok. The renovation re-energises the venue with a bold new identity, refreshed spatial layout and vibrant design language that reflects Bangkok’s heat, nightlife and cultural dynamism.

Working closely with the client and in line with IHG brand direction, our design approach focused on amplifying the bar’s personality while improving flexibility and comfort. The reimagined interior introduces a fluid layout that supports everything from intimate social moments to high-energy evenings, allowing the space to evolve seamlessly throughout the night.

The refreshed visual identity brings Thai pride to the forefront, with a vivid colour palette and expressive motifs — including the Hornbill, Bird of Paradise, Serpent and Sun, woven through the interior environment. These elements create a striking visual universe that is instantly recognisable while reinforcing the venue’s connection to local culture and climate.

Lighting, furniture and spatial zoning were carefully considered to support both atmosphere and performance, ensuring the rooftop remains cool, inviting and adaptable even during Bangkok’s warm evenings. The result is a space that balances theatrical energy with comfort, positioning Bar.Yard as a defining social destination within the city’s skyline.

High above the skyline of Bangkok, on the 40th floor of Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok, Bar.Yard has become one of the city’s most celebrated nightlife destinations. Officially named Best Rooftop Bar in Bangkok by the BK B.A.D Awards for three consecutive years (2023, 2024 and 2025), the venue is renowned for its electric atmosphere, bold flavours and immersive design.

Chapman Taylor was appointed to renovate the bar, delivering a comprehensive interior design concept aligned with IHG brand standards and the client’s refreshed vision. Our design approach focused on amplifying Bar.Yard’s identity, vibrant, tropical and unapologetically expressive, while elevating the spatial experience to match its award-winning reputation.

Inspired by Bangkok’s heat and high-energy nightlife, the interiors radiate colour, texture and movement. Vivid tones and statement lighting create a dynamic backdrop for evenings that shift seamlessly from sunset cocktails to late-night DJ sets. Signature motifs, including the Hornbill, Bird of Paradise, Serpent and Sun, are woven throughout the space, reinforcing a strong visual identity while celebrating Southeast Asian symbolism and tropical exuberance.

Flexible seating arrangements allow the venue to transform throughout the day and night. Intimate lounge pockets encourage relaxed socialising, while open areas accommodate larger gatherings and live entertainment. The integration of icy-cool air-conditioning ensures year-round comfort, making the rooftop as enjoyable under Bangkok’s tropical sun as beneath its illuminated skyline.

Bar.Yard’s culinary direction, blending Thai, Southeast Asian and Pan-Latin influences under the leadership of Peruvian chef Julio César Concha Muñoz, is echoed in the design language. Just as the menu fuses Nikkei inspiration with Thai spice, the interiors combine global flair with local character, creating a space that feels both internationally sophisticated and distinctly Bangkok.

Set within the landmark Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok on Langsuan Road beside Lumphini Park, the rooftop bar forms a vibrant extension of the hotel’s broader design narrative: a sophisticated fusion of local culture, contemporary design and international hospitality. Through this renovation, Chapman Taylor has reinforced Bar.Yard’s status not just as a rooftop bar, but as a defining social destination, a place where architecture, interiors, music and flavour come together above the city lights.

Through this interior transformation, Chapman Taylor has helped elevate Bar.Yard from a popular rooftop venue into a bold, immersive destination that captures the spirit of Bangkok after dark.