Shanghai Tourism Guide

Best Rooftop Bars Shanghai with Skyline Views (2026 Guide)

One of the great drinking experiences anywhere in Asia is a cocktail at a Shanghai rooftop bar with the Pudong skyline in front of you. The city has accumulated a rooftop bar scene that genuinely competes with Hong Kong, New York, and Singapore — partly because the architecture invites it, partly because Shanghai’s hospitality industry has matured into a serious cocktail culture, and partly because the views are simply too good to waste at street level. This guide walks through the best rooftop bars Shanghai has to offer, ranked by view, vibe, and value, with all the practical details you need to plan a memorable evening.

Most of the best rooftop bars cluster on the Bund or in Pudong’s Lujiazui financial district, where heights and skyline orientation align. A few notable exceptions exist in Jing’an, Xintiandi, and the former French Concession. Some are dressed-up affairs that warrant reservations and dress codes; others are more casual neighborhood rooftops with strong drinks and limited crowds. Both categories belong on this list.

Best rooftop bars Shanghai skyline panoramic night view
Shanghai’s rooftop bar scene rivals the best in Asia, with the Pudong skyline as the centerpiece of nearly every great view.

Table of Contents

The Shanghai Rooftop Scene at a Glance

Shanghai rooftop bars fall into three rough categories. Hotel sky bars on the Bund or in Pudong specialize in skyline views and are the most photographed; expect dress codes, polished service, and prices that match. Open-air rooftop bars in mid-rise buildings trade absolute height for atmosphere, often combining a terrace with energetic crowds and DJ programming. Casual neighborhood rooftops in the former French Concession or Xintiandi offer a more relaxed evening with strong drinks and limited or no skyline view.

The right pick depends on what you want from the night. View hunters should aim at Flair, Sir Elly’s, or Cloud 9. Atmosphere hunters should try Bar Rouge or The Roof. Budget-conscious drinkers can find decent rooftops in Jing’an and the FFC for cocktails under RMB 100.

Reservations are essential at all the famous Bund and Pudong rooftops on Friday and Saturday nights. Dress codes range from smart casual to formal; jeans and sneakers will be turned away at the most upscale venues. Most rooftop bars open at 5 or 6 PM and run until 1 or 2 AM.

Flair (Ritz-Carlton Pudong)

The single most famous rooftop bar in Shanghai. Flair occupies the 58th floor of the Ritz-Carlton Pudong, with a horseshoe-shaped open-air terrace that wraps around the side of the building facing the Bund and the Lujiazui skyline. The visual position is unmatched: you are eye-level with the upper floors of the Shanghai Tower and SWFC, and the Bund is laid out below you like an architectural model.

Best rooftop bars Shanghai bartender shaking cocktail at rooftop
Flair’s bartender team is widely considered among the best in Asia and creates cocktails worthy of the city view.

Vibe: Glamorous, cinematic, slightly formal. Live DJ from 9 PM most nights.

Drinks: Cocktails are RMB 130–220. The signature Flair Old Fashioned and the seasonal cocktail program are excellent. Strong sake and Asian whisky lists.

Reservations: Essential, particularly for terrace seating. Book through OpenRice or call directly.

Dress code: Smart casual minimum; collared shirts and closed shoes for men.

When to go: Sunset (around 6:30 PM in summer, 5:00 PM in winter) into early evening. The transition from daylight to lit skyline is the experience.

Sir Elly’s (The Peninsula)

An understated grande-dame option. Sir Elly’s occupies the fourteenth floor of The Peninsula Shanghai at the northern end of the Bund. The rooftop terrace looks directly south at the Bund’s full row of historic buildings and across to Pudong, giving you the city’s two iconic views in a single evening.

Vibe: 1920s-influenced, hotel-luxury, slightly more grown-up than Flair.

Drinks: Cocktails RMB 130–180. Excellent classic cocktails, focused short list. Champagne and wine programs are strong.

Reservations: Recommended for terrace seating, walk-in indoor bar generally available.

Dress code: Smart casual.

When to go: Late afternoon for the Bund-facing view, switch to the terrace at dusk.

The Roof (The Shanghai EDITION)

Garden-style rooftop on the seventh floor of the Shanghai EDITION, just behind the Bund. The Roof has a distinctive ivy-covered trellis framing the open-air terrace, with daybeds, lounge seating, and a long open bar. The view is straight at the upper floors of Pudong’s Lujiazui towers across the river.

Vibe: Garden party meets contemporary lifestyle bar. Younger crowd than Flair or Sir Elly’s, with DJ programming most evenings.

Drinks: Cocktails RMB 130–180. Creative seasonal menu.

Reservations: Essential on weekends.

Dress code: Smart casual. The Roof is more relaxed than the formal hotel bars.

When to go: Sunset into late evening. The terrace operates until midnight.

Bar Rouge (Bund 18)

The veteran of the Bund nightlife scene. Bar Rouge occupies the rooftop and seventh floor of Bund 18, a Beaux-Arts building that has been a Bund landmark for over a century. The rooftop terrace has been Shanghai’s unofficial party headquarters since 2004.

Vibe: Energetic, slightly dressier than typical clubs, midnight peaks. International DJ programming. Less polished than Flair, more atmosphere.

Drinks: Cocktails RMB 100–150. Drinks are competent but not the draw; the crowd and the view are.

Reservations: Required for table service on weekends; walk-in standing access usually available before 11 PM.

Dress code: Smart casual; weekends lean dressier.

When to go: Pre-dinner for early-evening drinks (no cover before 9 PM); for the full party experience, after 11 PM.

Vue Bar (Hyatt on the Bund)

Vue Bar’s rooftop on the 32nd and 33rd floors of the Hyatt on the Bund offers one of the best north-Bund and Pudong panoramic views in the city. A small open-air pool on the upper level adds to the cinematic feel.

Vibe: Upscale-relaxed, popular with hotel guests and locals alike.

Drinks: Cocktails RMB 110–160. Champagne by the glass.

Reservations: Recommended for terrace seating.

When to go: Sunset for the Pudong sky transitions; later in the evening for ambient lighting and slower pace.

M on the Bund Glamour Bar

The Glamour Bar, atop M on the Bund (Bund 5), is more of a sixth-floor lounge than a strict rooftop, but the open terrace is one of the most atmospheric spots on the Bund and the bar is famous for its old-Shanghai vibe.

Vibe: Salon-style, literary, jazz-friendly. Less photo-driven than the new luxury rooftops.

Drinks: Cocktails RMB 95–140. Excellent classic cocktails, deep wine list.

Reservations: Recommended for the terrace.

When to go: Late afternoon for an early evening drink; live music programming several nights per week.

Roosevelt Sky Bar

Atop the historic 1929 Roosevelt building at Bund 27, the Roosevelt Sky Bar offers a rooftop with unobstructed Bund and Pudong views and a more business-traveler atmosphere than the trendier rooftops.

Vibe: Quiet luxury, less crowded than the famous picks.

Drinks: Cocktails RMB 100–150. Solid cocktail program with strong house signatures.

Reservations: Recommended on weekends.

When to go: Sunset for the cleanest skyline view.

TALES at Banyan Tree

The rooftop at the Banyan Tree Shanghai on the Bund offers one of the more unobstructed views of the river and Pudong skyline. Less famous than the marquee venues, which means smaller crowds and easier reservations.

Vibe: Asian-influenced luxury, calm.

Drinks: Cocktails RMB 110–160. Tea-infused signature drinks.

Reservations: Walk-ins generally available except at peak times.

When to go: Late afternoon into early evening.

CHAR Bar (Hotel Indigo)

CHAR Bar on the 30th floor of Hotel Indigo on the Bund offers a rooftop terrace facing both north and south along the Huangpu River, giving you the rare double-direction skyline. Combined with CHAR Restaurant on the same floor, it makes for a strong dinner-and-drinks evening.

Vibe: Modern, slightly business-oriented.

Drinks: Cocktails RMB 90–140. Strong steakhouse-style spirits list.

Reservations: Recommended for terrace seating.

When to go: Combine with dinner at CHAR Restaurant.

Cloud 9 (Grand Hyatt at Jin Mao)

Cloud 9 is not strictly rooftop — it occupies the 87th floor of Jin Mao Tower in Lujiazui — but its position inside one of Shanghai’s iconic skyscrapers and its skyline-view bar tables put it on every “best Shanghai bar with views” list.

Best rooftop bars Shanghai rooftop view of city lights
Shanghai’s mid- and high-rise rooftop bars are best when timed with sunset and the lighting transition.

Vibe: 1990s upscale hotel bar with a 21st-century skyline. Live jazz some nights.

Drinks: Cocktails RMB 130–200. Cover charge typically RMB 200 (often includes one drink).

Reservations: Recommended.

When to go: Sunset and after; the daytime view from Cloud 9 is also excellent if you want a non-evening visit.

Hidden Gems and Newer Openings

Beyond the marquee picks, several smaller and newer rooftops are worth considering.

Speak Low (former French Concession). Speakeasy entered through a hidden door in a bar tools shop. Cocktail program is consistently rated among the best in Asia. Not strictly a rooftop but the upper-floor seating is roof-adjacent and atmospheric.

The Bar at Capella Shanghai. Newer luxury hotel, an immaculate small terrace facing the historic Old City. Best for quiet conversation.

The Bar at the Bvlgari Hotel. The terrace bar overlooks Suzhou Creek where it joins the Huangpu — a rare angle on the Bund.

Heyhey at the Park Hyatt. Sky bar on the 92nd floor of Shanghai World Financial Center. Three-sided views, high prices, and one of the highest accessible bars in the world.

Lulu Bar (Bund Riverside). Newer, less formal Bund-side bar with strong cocktails and an international crowd.

Tips for a Rooftop Bar Night Out

Make reservations. The best terrace tables fill up days in advance for weekend nights. Book through OpenRice, the venue’s WeChat mini-program, or by phone.

Dress for the venue. Most upscale rooftops have at minimum a smart-casual code. Closed-toe shoes are standard expectations for men. Some venues are stricter on weekends.

Bring a layer. Even in summer, the upper-floor terraces are breezy. Spring and autumn evenings are downright cool. A light jacket or wrap is often welcome.

Mind the cover charge. Some venues (Bar Rouge, Cloud 9) charge a cover after a certain time. The cover often includes one drink.

Check for happy hour. Several rooftops including The Roof and Vue Bar offer happy-hour pricing before 8 PM. Drinks at 30–40% off the regular price during this window.

Plan for transit. Last metro is around 11:00 PM; rooftop bars run until 1–2 AM. Plan a Didi ride home or stay near a hotel within walking distance.

Consider a bar crawl. Two or three rooftops in one evening is doable if you start early. Flair → Sir Elly’s → Bar Rouge is a popular Bund-and-Pudong combination.

Photo etiquette. Photography is welcome at all rooftops, but use of professional camera equipment, flash, or tripods may require permission. Drone use is prohibited.

Mind the AQI. On rare poor air-quality days, terrace operations may be limited or indoor seating prioritized. Check before going.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the highest rooftop bar in Shanghai?

Heyhey at Park Hyatt on the 92nd floor of the Shanghai World Financial Center is the highest accessible bar in mainland China. Cloud 9 at Jin Mao Tower (87th floor) is the runner-up. Flair at Ritz-Carlton (58th floor) has the highest open-air rooftop terrace.

Are Shanghai rooftop bars expensive?

Cocktails range from RMB 90 at neighborhood rooftops to RMB 200+ at the marquee venues. A typical evening with two drinks per person at a luxury rooftop costs RMB 300–500 (about $42–$70 USD).

Do I need a reservation for rooftop bars in Shanghai?

Strongly recommended for Friday and Saturday evenings, especially for terrace seating. Walk-ins are generally accepted at indoor seating sections at most venues.

What is the dress code at Shanghai rooftop bars?

Smart casual is the standard. Hotel sky bars often require closed shoes for men and forbid sportswear and swimwear. Beachwear is universally restricted.

What is the best rooftop bar for first-time Shanghai visitors?

Flair at the Ritz-Carlton Pudong is the most iconic. Sir Elly’s at the Peninsula is the most atmospheric. Bar Rouge is the most energetic. Pick based on your preferred vibe.

Are rooftop bars open in winter?

Most have indoor sections that operate year-round. Outdoor terraces close in heavy rain or below 5°C; many are heated for moderate winter use. Spring and autumn are the ideal seasons.

Can I take photos at Shanghai rooftop bars?

Yes, casual photography is welcome. Drone use is prohibited. Tripods may require staff permission.

What time do rooftop bars in Shanghai open and close?

Most open at 5 or 6 PM. Closing times vary: hotel bars typically close at 1 AM; Bar Rouge and similar party venues run until 2–3 AM on weekends.

Can I drink at a rooftop bar without dinner?

Yes. Most rooftop bars are drink-focused with optional small bites. Some (Sir Elly’s, Glamour Bar) have dinner programs but no obligation to order food.

What is the best rooftop bar for couples?

Sir Elly’s, The Roof, and TALES at Banyan Tree are the most romantic. Reserve a terrace table at sunset for the canonical Shanghai date.

Plan Your Rooftop Evening

The best rooftop bars Shanghai have to offer reward planning ahead. Choose your venue based on the kind of evening you want, reserve a terrace table for the magic hour around sunset, dress smart, and leave the camera on the table for at least part of the night to actually enjoy the view.

For broader nightlife guidance, see our pillar guide on Shanghai Nightlife Guide. For other things to do after dark, see Things to Do in Shanghai. For where to stay near the major rooftop hubs, see Where to Stay in Shanghai.

Shanghai’s rooftop scene is one of the few experiences in the city that genuinely competes with anywhere in the world. On a clear evening, with the skyline lit and a well-made cocktail in hand, the case for visiting Shanghai writes itself.

For more background, see Shanghai on Wikipedia.