We love few things more than a good cocktail in a bar with a decent view here at db – but this collection of sky-high saloons is quite literally a whole other level.
While we all in the drinks industry sometimes like to think of ourselves as mature and dignified types, the childlike fascination with standing at dizzying heights can still make us gurn with excitement – and architects and bar designers know it.
That’s why you’ll find in nearly all of the world’s tallest buildings at least one floor, usually near the high-up end, dedicated to high-class drinks.
With views like these, it almost doesn’t matter what you’re drinking… almost.
So click through and see the top 10 world’s highest bars…
10 – Gong at the Shangri-La, The Shard, London
Nestled near the top of what is the tallest building in Western Europe – The Shard – the Gong bar belongs to the Shangri-La, the building’s luxury oriental-style hotel.
Situated on the 52nd floor, the views of London are unbeatable, and the drinks are just as breathtaking. Take, for example, their award winning concoction the Black and Blue Swizzle – a mix of Talisker, honey, lime, PX Sherry and blue cheese.
9 – Bar 54, Hyatt Times Square, New York
As the name gives away, this bar straddles the 54th floor within the Hyatt Times Square hotel, giving a sight of nearly every landmark in the world’s most famous metropolis. It also gives guests the chance to stand in the open air to really take in the view with their tipple of choice.
When it comes to the bitter winters known in NYC, guests can still enjoy the cocktails and dishes on offer huddled around crackling fireplaces, both indoors and out.
8 – Marini’s on 57, Patronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Continuing the habit of giving away the height in the name, Marini’s on 57 sits on the 57th floor and as such offers commanding views of the sprawling conurbation of Kuala Lumpur.
Serving up a triad of luxury in the form of top-class Italian food, signature cocktails and crafted cigars, the bar’s futuristic architectural design encompasses floor to ceiling glass windows, allowing the best views of the city.
7 – Sky Bar, Lebua Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand
Suspended on a precipice over the city 820 feet in the air, Sky Bar is the highest open-air bar in the world.
This glittering island bar on the 63rd floor, the colour of which changes every 90 seconds, attracted mixologist Ron Ramirez to lead the drinks team. He is now famous for his “Hangovertinis” – a cocktail created for the cast of The Hangover Part II while they were filming at Lebua.
6 – Cloud 9, Grand-Hyatt Shanghai, China
Another Hyatt entry, located on the 87th floor in the apex of the Jin Mao Tower, guests at Grand Hyatt Shanghai’s hotel bar can enjoy a 360-degree view of Shanghai.
In keeping with its sky-high theme, the cocktail menu is named after stars, and with tapas and fine wines on offer in the “warm and cool” decor, guests are treated to the lap of luxury.
5 – New Asia bar, The Stamford Hotel, Singapore
The star-gazing Singapore bar New Asia, perched 71 floors above the city skyline, provides a party-style bar with “sensuous cocktails” and monthly guest DJs form all around the world.
Its extensive cocktail menu offers both bespoke and classic cocktails, such as the Gin Tea, a combination of Gordon gin, Tiffin liquor, lychee liquor, green tea syrup, lime and tonic.
4 – Signature Lounge at the 95th, John Hancock Centre, Chicago
The first US entry which offers panoramic views of Lake Michigan, with the ability to see across to four different states on a clear day, the Signature Lounge at the 95th in Chicago’s John Hancock Centre opened in 1993 as the Sybaris Lounge.
The Signature Lounge, of course situated on the 95th floor, offers a small menu of appetisers and sandwiches alongside a detailed cocktail menu.
3 – 360 Restaurant, CN Tower, Toronto, Canada
The 360 Restaurant in Toronto’s CN Tower is not only one of the highest in the world, it also features the world’s highest wine cellar, suspended 351 metres, or 1,151ft, above ground level.
2 – Ozone Bar, The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong
An eye-watering 118 floors above the ground, the Ozone bar isn’t far off stratospheric levels of drinking bliss. Illuminated in deep blue, Ozone is designed to feel like an extension of the night sky.
The bar even boasts an outside seating area for those who want to take in the glittering lights of the sky above and the sprawling metropolis below.
1 – At.mosphere, Burj Khalifa, Dubai
It makes sense for the world’s highest bar to be in the world’s tallest building. Equally, it makes sense for the world’s tallest building to be in Dubai.
At.mosphere spreads over 1,000 square feet on the 122nd floor of the breathtaking super-scraper, and no expense is spared when it comes to making this sky-high space one of upmost luxury and decadence.
