Ten of the world’s highest bars

We love a good cocktail here at The Spirits Business, and if our drink comes with a view, the better. But be warned, the world’s 10 highest bars are not for those with an altitude fear.

The world’s highest bars offer oustanding cocktails and views to boot

Architects are continuously fighting over themselves to design and build the world’s highest tower, the accolade for which currently belongs to the Burj Khalifa in Dubai but may be overtaken by the surreal 3,281ft tall space station-esque structure Phoenix Towers in Wuhan, China in a few years’ time.

But with tall structures comes the opportunity for destination bars and restaurants, the highest of which is 442 metres above ground level.

But imbibers seeking a thrill needn’t go the all the way to the United Arab Emirates; the world’s highest bars can be found in Canada, London, Chicago, Shanghai and New York.

While the view is ultimately the reason to travel high up into the sky, paying equally high prices to boot, most of these venues also serve some damn good drinks as well.

Quality aside, these are the world’s 10 highest bars in ascending order.

Gong, London

52^nd floor
Opened as part of the Shangri-La hotel at The Shard, Gong is the highest bar in the UK, towering some 20 floors above its nearest rival, Aqua, on the 35^th floor of The Shard. Cocktails take centre-stage at the dedicated destination bar, which offers sweeping views across east, west and north London. Try the Honey Bee Old Fashioned, featuring a honey of your choice.

Bar 54, New York

54th floor

Among the abundance of skyscrapers towering over New York City sits the Hyatt Hotel in Times Square, and within it Bar 54 – an exciting addition to the tourist hot spot’s bar scene. With sweeping views across Manhattan from the Hudson River to the East River, Bar 54 is worth a visit whether you’re looking to unwind from a long day of sight seeing, or getting ready to explore the bustling nightlife of NYC. When it comes to the bitter winters known in NYC, guests can still enjoy the speciality cocktails and gourmet dishes on offer huddled around crackling fireplaces, indoors and out.

Marini’s 57, Kuala Lumpur

57th floor

If you’re looking for the best views of Kuala Lumpur, rooftop bar Marini’s 57 is the place to go. Its futuristic design of floor to ceiling glass windows makes sunset the optimum time of day to visit, between 5-9pm, with Wednesday nights reserved solely for female clientele.

Sky Bar, Bangkok

63^rd floor
Suspended 820 feet in the air at the Lebua Hotel, Sky Bar Bangkok is billed as the highest open-air bar in the world. One of the bar’s specialisties is the Hangovertini, a blend of green tea liqueur, apple juice, Martini Rosso and rosemary honey created to commemorate the use of the bar for The Hangover Part II.

Cloud 9, Shanghai

64th floor

There are numerous bars to be tried and tested at the Grand Hyatt, situated within the Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai, but none higher than Cloud 9, which towers above the rest on the 87^th floor. In keeping with its apt sky-high theme, the cocktail menu is named after difference stars. This is combined with an extensive collection of Champagnes and sparkling wines, tapas, dessert and table side entertainment to create an “intimate and mysterious” ambience.

New Asia, Singapore

71st floor

Against a panoramic backdrop of Singapore, New Asia at the Equinox Centre provides a party-style bar with “sensuous cocktails” and monthly guest DJs from 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. With room to accommodate for up to 300 people, revellers can party the night away 71 floors in the air to the backdrop of Singapore’s sparkling city lights.

Signature Lounge at the 95^th, Chicago

95^th floor
Offering panoramic views of Lake Michigan with visibility spanning up to a reported four states on a clear day, the Signature Lounge at the 95^th in Chicago’s John Hancock Centre. Opened in 1993 as the Sybaris Lounge, the Signature Lounge offers a small menu of appetizers and sandwiches alongside a more detailed cocktail menu.

360 Restaurant, Toronto

115 storeys high
The 360 Restaurant in Toronto’s CN Tower is not only one of the highest in the world, it features the world’s highest wine cellar, suspended 351 metres above ground level.

Ozone Bar, Hong Kong

118th floor

Perched on the 118^th floor of the located in the International Commerce Centre in Hong Kong, inside luxury five-star hotel the Rotz-Carlton, Ozone Bar peaks at a stomach turning 118 floors high. And until At.mosphere in the Burj Khalifa, Dubai, came along, Ozone was the titleholder of the world’s highest bar. With a title like that to hold, it’s no wonder Ozone built itself a reputation for attentive service and delicious drinks, such as the Blackberry Mojito and Lychee Martini. Outside seating gives stunning views of Hong Kong’s scintillating skyline that just seems to span infinitely into the distance.

At.mosphere, Dubai

122^nd floor
Of course the world’s highest bar has to be inside the world’s tallest building. The Burj Khalifa, which officially opened in Dubai in 2010, holds an astounding 17 records, including world’s second-highest swimming pool (76^th floor), building with most floors (163) and of course, the world’s highest bar, restaurant and nightclub.