Bars with a View in Shanghai

Views, views, views! Sci-fi Shanghai boasts jaw-dropping outlooks in spades and come dusk, there’s no better way to drink in the megawatt cityscape than via one cocktail at a time. Here’s our hitlist of Shanghai’s bars with a view.

The Nest

Add a lick of vodka to your pew-with-a-view at lavish Grey Goose-sponsored The Nest, boasting a floor-to-ceiling skyline panorama of the city and a jamboree of inventive vodka-based cocktails. Although somewhat clubby in appearance, a weeknight at this laid-back bar-lounger offers grown-up tunes, fresh-shucked raw-counter treats, primo steaks, and a chilled crowd.

KEV

Fresh from an extensive nip/tuck, Shanghai’s most iconic hi-so nightclub has reemerged into the limelight – or, should we say, rouge-light – replete with catwalk-style entrance, hi-tech dance floor, central island bar, plush leather and lattice-lined walls and of course, its characteristic red lighting. But the bar’s biggest draw is still undoubtedly the alfresco terrace with showstopper outlook and VIP area. Shakes till late; gussy up glam.

Sir Elly's Terrace

Still not had enough of that billion-dollar Bund view? Well, lucky guests at The Peninsula needn’t stray far from the sweet embrace of their Egyptian Cotton sheets: atop the hotel awaits hands-down the sparkliest view in town from Sir Elly's Terrace. Top off an unobstructed outlook across the Huangpu river with a cracking selection of signature cocktails, chilled wines and rare whiskeys. Cin, cin!

The Nest / 6/F / Zhongshi Mansion / 130 Beijing Dong Lu / +86 21 6308 7669 / 5pm-1am Sun-Thu, 5.30pm-3am Fri-Sat

KEV / 7/F / 18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu / +86 21 5383 3699 / 8pm-late daily 

Sir Elly's Terrace / 14/F / The Peninsula / +86 21 2327 6756 / 5pm-midnight Sun-Thu, 5pm-1am Fri-Sat / book well ahead / peninsula.com