Swanky skybar definitely has its mojo workin’
Stepping out of the elevator into Mojjo Lounge Bar, the elegantly appointed, Latin-flavoured cocktail joint on the 32nd floor of Phrom 
Phong’s Compass Skyview Hotel, is a novelty even for seasoned veterans of Bangkok’s bar scene. Here, the familiar gloss and sparkle found in many of the city’s upscale skybars, is eschewed in favour of a subtle, more classic décor.
Anchored by reassuring leather, dark wood, and a marble bar, Mojjo expresses itself with liberal splashes of colour—striking green, blue, and red walls are finished with gold trim. Artfully placed mirrors provide a salubrious twinkle and inviting charm more likely to be found in the drawing room of a bohemian European aristocrat than in a 5-star hotel.
My first drink is the Guatemalan Old Fashioned (B440), where Head Mixologist Pil Lee has replaced the traditional whisky element of the 200-year-old classic with the rather tasty and slightly-sweet premium rum, Ron Zacapa 23. It’s an inspired 
swap and even diehard whisky fans will be seduced by the potent meeting of muddled lime, sugar, and angostura bitters. But what makes the drink really sing is the caramelized orange garnish with rose syrup, which boosts the citrus notes of the drink’s already heady aroma. My guest went for the refreshing Duchess of Bangkok (B320). Tanqueray gin, Aperol, fresh raspberries, and cucumber, all topped with egg white foam, creates a drink that plays like a lighter, fruitier Negroni with similar moreish qualities to the classic gin/Campari combo.
Next, I plumped for the Mojjo Margarita (B380). This mix of Don Julio Reposado, triple sec, lime and Tabasco sets itself apart with a flavoured rim of paprika, cinnamon, and salt, ramping up the flavoursome cocktail with a warm spicy punch. My guest opted for the Bandito (B390), another fruity number containing Ron Zacapa 23, lime, sour cherry syrup, cherry juice, bitters, topped with egg-white foam and a sour cherry garnish—and it proved to be her favourite drink of the night. Mixologist Pil noted that it’s also her own signature tipple and a clever nod toward a whisky sour.
My guest sat out the final round of drinks, choosing instead to concentrate on the exquisite Black and Blue Tuna (B295), Spiced Calamari (B225), and delightfully cheesy Shrimp Quesadilla (B295), all ideal accompaniments for late evening drinks and essential to maintaining a fair and balanced POV at this stage in the proceedings.
I capped the evening with The Sweet Smoke (B380), a masterful combination of Ardbeg 10 year single malt, lime juice, caramel and blueberry syrups, citrus bitters, and a puff of cigar smoke to enhance the peaty notes of the scotch. It’s the perfect introduction to the sophisticated flavours of Islay whisky, and a suitably grand way to finish an evening at Mojjo.
By Alastair Newport
Mojjo Lounge Bar
32F, Compass SkyView Hotel
12, Sukhumvit Soi 24
Open daily: 5pm-2am
Tel: 02 011 1111
