One of the best things you can do in this city for the price of a single cocktail is watch the entire Huangpu River light up from forty floors above it. The best rooftop bars in Shanghai are not a side attraction — for many visitors they become the night they remember most, where a skyline they had only seen on postcards is suddenly close enough to throw a coaster at. Shanghai has more high-altitude drinking than almost any city on earth, and the competition has pushed the cocktails, service, and terraces to a level that holds its own against Hong Kong, Singapore, or New York.
It is built around how people actually use these places: which terrace is worth booking a week ahead for, where clean jeans are fine, what a round really costs, and which famous names have quietly closed. The venues cluster on the Bund (west bank) and in Pudong’s Lujiazui towers (east), with a few inland in Jing’an and Xintiandi. Hours and prices shift constantly here, so treat the specifics below as a starting point and confirm before a special occasion.
Table of Contents
- The Shanghai Rooftop Scene: Bund vs Pudong
- Quick Comparison Table
- Flair — Ritz-Carlton Pudong (the highest)
- Sir Elly’s Terrace — The Peninsula
- The Roof — The Shanghai EDITION
- VUE Bar — Hyatt on the Bund
- Char — Hotel Indigo on the Bund
- Roosevelt Sky Bar — Bund 27
- TALES — Banyan Tree on the Bund
- La Terrazza — Bulgari Hotel
- The Captain — the budget Bund option
- Cloud 9 — Grand Hyatt at Jin Mao
- Highline — a downtown alternative
- Closed or Changed: Bar Rouge and M on the Bund
- Best Rooftop Bars for Sunset
- By Area: Where to Drink and Why
- Tips for a Rooftop Bar Night Out
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Plan Your Rooftop Evening
The Shanghai Rooftop Scene: Bund vs Pudong
Almost every great rooftop sells one of two views, and knowing the difference saves you booking the wrong bank. From the Bund — the strip of 1920s stone buildings on the Puxi (west) bank — you look across at Pudong’s skyscrapers: the bottle-opener-topped World Financial Center, the corkscrew Shanghai Tower, the spherical Oriental Pearl. From Pudong itself you look back at the floodlit Bund facade. The Bund view is the more romantic; the Pudong towers win on altitude.
It also helps to sort venues into three types: hotel sky bars like Flair, Sir Elly’s, VUE, and Cloud 9 (polished, photographed, with real cocktail programs and dress codes); open-air terraces on mid-rise Bund buildings like Char, Roosevelt, and The Captain (a little less height, more atmosphere, friendlier pricing); and a few downtown rooftops in Xintiandi and the former French Concession that skip the river view for a leafier evening.
One practical note: the famous rooftops are close together but split by the river, and crossing takes longer than it looks. To hop between two or three in an evening, stay on the same bank. Our guide to the Bund maps out the waterfront and the buildings these rooftops sit on.
The Best Rooftop Bars in Shanghai at a Glance
A snapshot to narrow things down. Cocktail prices are typical ranges per drink in RMB (Chinese yuan) and move around with menus and seasons; floors and views are the venue’s headline feature.
| Bar | Area | Floor | View | Cocktails (RMB) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flair | Pudong / Lujiazui | 58F | Bund & Lujiazui panorama | 150–220 | The big-night, highest open terrace |
| Sir Elly’s | North Bund | 14F | 270° Bund, Suzhou Creek | 140–200 | Atmosphere, couples |
| The Roof | Behind the Bund | 7F | Lujiazui across the river | 130–180 | Garden vibe, younger crowd |
| VUE Bar | North Bund | 32–33F | Bund & Pudong, terrace pool | 110–180 | Relaxed-upscale, sunset |
| Char | Bund (south) | 29–30F | 270° Huangpu River | 100–150 | Dinner-and-drinks dates |
| Roosevelt Sky Bar | Bund 27 | 8F | Bund & Lujiazui | 100–160 | Quiet, historic building |
| TALES | Bund (north) | Rooftop | 360° Bund & river | 110–170 | Calm, afternoon-into-evening |
| La Terrazza | Suzhou Creek / Bulgari | 48F | Pudong towers from Hongkou | 140–220 | Luxury lounging |
| The Captain | The Bund | Rooftop | Bund backdrop | 60–110 | Budget, casual, residents |
| Cloud 9 | Pudong / Jin Mao | 87F | Sky-high Lujiazui | 130–200 | Altitude, classic hotel bar |
| Highline | Xintiandi | 6F | Downtown cityscape | 90–150 | No river view, relaxed brunch crowd |
Flair — Ritz-Carlton Pudong (the Highest)
If you only have one rooftop night in Shanghai, Flair is the default answer and has been for years. It sits on the 58th floor of the Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong — the highest open-air rooftop bar in the city and one of the highest in the world. The terrace juts out over the tower, so you are nearly eye-level with the neighboring giants, the Oriental Pearl glowing off to one side and the Bund laid out across the river like a lit-up model. The food leans Pan-Asian, from bar snacks to a full dinner.
Vibe: Glamorous and a little cinematic, with a DJ on most evenings once it gets late. This is the one where people dress up.
Drinks: Signature cocktails land around RMB 150–220, with classics, champagne, wines by the glass, and a strong Asian whisky and sake list. Not cheap, but you are paying for the most famous view in the city.
Reservations: Essential for terrace seating, especially Friday and Saturday — book through the hotel or a booking app rather than chancing a walk-in.
Dress code: Smart casual at a minimum; collared shirts and closed shoes for men, no sportswear or beachwear. Note the bar is generally 18-plus in the evening.
When to go: Sunset — roughly 6:30 PM in summer, closer to 5:00 PM in winter — for the changeover from daylight to a fully lit skyline. That transition is the whole point.
Sir Elly’s Terrace — The Peninsula
Sir Elly’s is the grown-up’s choice. The terrace sits on the 14th floor of The Peninsula Shanghai at the quieter northern end of the Bund, where the waterfront meets Suzhou Creek, with a roughly 270-degree sweep of the Bund’s historic row, the creek, Hongkou, and Pudong across the water. Being lower than the Pudong towers makes the view more intimate — you are among the buildings, not above them. Access is up a staircase by the French restaurant on the same floor.
Vibe: Understated, slightly 1920s, hotel-luxury polish. Calmer than Flair, and a strong pick for a date or a quieter celebration.
Drinks: Cocktails roughly RMB 140–200, off a tight menu of well-made classics, with a serious champagne and wine list and bistro-style bites if you linger.
Reservations: Recommended for the terrace; the indoor bar is more forgiving for a walk-in.
Dress code: Smart casual.
When to go: Late afternoon for the Bund-facing light, staying as the terrace lamps come on. It has closed seasonally in deep winter before, so check ahead in cold weather.
The Roof — The Shanghai EDITION
The Roof, on the 7th floor of The Shanghai EDITION just behind the Bund, feels least like a hotel bar. An ivy-covered trellis runs over the long open-air terrace, dotted with daybeds and lounge seating around a central bar — more private garden party than sky lounge. The view looks straight across the river at the Lujiazui towers, and it opens through the day for afternoon tea and cocktails.
The crowd is younger than Flair or Sir Elly’s, with DJs most evenings and the occasional guest-bartender night — garden party crossed with a contemporary lifestyle bar. Cocktails run about RMB 130–180 off a creative seasonal menu. Reservations are essential on weekends (the daybeds go fast), and the terrace runs from sunset until around midnight.
VUE Bar — Hyatt on the Bund
VUE occupies the 32nd and 33rd floors of the western tower at the Hyatt on the Bund, at the northern end of the waterfront, with one of the better two-for-one panoramas in the city: historic Bund buildings on one side, the Pudong skyline on the other. Its signature flourish is a small open-air pool on the upper level ringed by daybeds, giving a resort-at-altitude feel few Bund bars match.
Vibe: Upscale but relaxed, popular with hotel guests and Shanghai residents alike. Easier-going than the marquee fine-dining rooftops.
Drinks: Cocktails roughly RMB 110–180, champagne by the glass, and a respectable wine list.
Reservations: Recommended for terrace seating, particularly at sunset.
When to go: Sunset for the sky over Pudong; later for a slower, lamp-lit pace by the pool.
Char — Hotel Indigo on the Bund
Char sits on the 29th and 30th floors of Hotel Indigo on the southern Bund, a little outside the busiest cluster — which is why it works as a date spot. The terrace faces along the Huangpu both ways for a roughly 270-degree river view, and since Char is a steakhouse first, you can pair drinks with dinner at the grill on the same floor.
Vibe: Modern and a touch business-like, but the terrace at night is genuinely romantic. A reliable choice when you want to make an impression.
Drinks: Cocktails around RMB 100–150, with a spirits list built to go with steak.
Reservations: Recommended for terrace seating, and worth it if you are also eating.
When to go: Combine drinks with dinner at the grill, timing the terrace for dusk.
Roosevelt Sky Bar — Bund 27
The Roosevelt Sky Bar tops The House of Roosevelt at Bund 27, a 1920s building with real history — a rarity among the glassy newer rooftops. The 8th-floor terrace has an unobstructed line on the Bund and Lujiazui, split into a glasshouse half for cool weather and an open half with lounge seats and daybeds. The kitchen does modern European, and the bar runs happy-hour promotions.
Vibe: Quiet, grown-up luxury. Less crowded than the trend-driven rooftops, and one of the few with a genuine sense of period.
Drinks: Cocktails roughly RMB 100–160, plus ongoing happy-hour deals worth timing your arrival around.
Reservations: Recommended on weekends.
When to go: Sunset for the cleanest light; the glasshouse side works even when the weather is iffy.
TALES — Banyan Tree on the Bund
TALES (still called TOPS by some residents) is the rooftop at the Banyan Tree on the northern Bund — essentially the whole roof turned into a terrace, with a near-360-degree look at the Bund, Lujiazui, and the river. Less famous than the marquee names, so crowds are thinner and tables easier. The catch: it draws more of an afternoon-tea crowd than a late-night one, so the energy is calm.
The vibe is serene Asian-influenced luxury — a good antidote if the busier rooftops feel like a scrum. Cocktails run roughly RMB 110–170, including tea-infused signatures. Walk-ins are usually fine outside peak times; book ahead for a sunset spot, and come late afternoon into early evening when the calm pace suits the light.
La Terrazza — Bulgari Hotel
La Terrazza is the Bulgari Hotel’s rooftop, on the 48th floor above Suzhou Creek where it meets the Huangpu — a different angle than the usual Bund-or-Pudong choice. The terrace is resort-style, with teak decking, armchairs, and cabanas, and the view runs from Hongkou across to the Pudong towers. There is a full evening food menu, from pasta to steak.
The vibe is polished and moneyed, made for slow lounging rather than a quick drink. Cocktails run around RMB 140–220, in line with the address. Reserve ahead, especially for a cabana, and come in the evening when the Pudong towers are lit and the creek-side angle comes into its own.
The Captain — the Budget Bund Option
The Captain proves you do not need a luxury markup to drink with the Bund as your backdrop. This nautical-themed rooftop has an L-shaped terrace opening onto a big seating area facing the waterfront, and it is markedly cheaper than the five-star options nearby — popular with residents, not just tourists. Alongside cocktails there is a globally-influenced food menu, weekend free-flow brunch, and rotating specials like weekday buy-one-get-one drinks.
The vibe is casual, lively, and unpretentious — the anti-fine-dining rooftop, and proud of it. Cocktails run roughly RMB 60–110, a bargain by Bund standards, with weekday drink deals worth timing. Book on weekends (the private rooms suit groups), and come early evening for the view without the premium, or for weekend brunch.
Cloud 9 — Grand Hyatt at Jin Mao
Cloud 9 is not strictly a rooftop — it is an indoor sky bar on the 87th floor of the Jin Mao Tower in Lujiazui — but it lands on every “best Shanghai bar with a view” list anyway. Inside one of the city’s landmark towers, it puts you higher than almost any open terrace, with window tables over the surrounding Lujiazui skyscrapers and the river. It has a slightly old-school hotel-bar feel, sometimes with live jazz, which is part of the charm.
The vibe is a classic high-altitude hotel bar — comfortable rather than trendy, with a 21st-century skyline outside the glass. Cocktails run around RMB 130–200, often with a cover charge that may include a drink, so ask when you book a window table (recommended).
When to go: Sunset and after; the daytime view is excellent too if you would rather visit outside the evening rush. For an even higher daytime vantage, pair it with the Shanghai Tower observation deck nearby.
Highline — a Downtown Alternative
Not every good rooftop chases the river. For a downtown cityscape, Highline sits on the 6th floor of the Ascott in Xintiandi — a modern American restaurant and brunch spot whose terrace draws residents. It leans into seasonal themes, from spring cherry blossoms to a full winter setup. A softer, greener, lower evening than the Bund towers, and handy if you are staying or eating in Xintiandi.
The vibe is relaxed and neighborhood-favorite — brunch-and-cocktails rather than dress-to-impress. Cocktails run roughly RMB 90–150. Reserve at weekends and for brunch, and come at sunset or for a long weekend brunch when the terrace is at its best.
Closed or Changed: Bar Rouge and M on the Bund
Older guides still send people to names that no longer exist as they were, so to be clear: Bar Rouge, the Bund 18 rooftop that ran the party scene for nearly two decades, has closed. The space is now a club called KEV doing broadly the same thing — a bar inside, a terrace of booths looking at the river — though regulars say the glamour has faded. M on the Bund at Bund 5, whose Glamour Bar was an old-Shanghai fixture, has also closed, and a few other once-famous names like Kartel are gone too.
Shanghai nightlife turns over fast — a rooftop that was the talk of the town three years ago may be a different brand today, so check before you head out. Our Shanghai nightlife guide tracks what is open now across clubs, live music, and late-night districts.
Best Rooftop Bars for Sunset
Sunset is the single best time to be on a Shanghai rooftop. The 30 to 90 minutes around it — roughly 5:30 to 7:30 PM by season — is when the sky changes color and the towers light up one by one. It also overlaps with happy hour at several venues, so the best light can come with the cheapest drinks.
If your priority is the sunset itself, aim for venues that face the right way and open early enough to catch it:
- Flair — the altitude means the light show plays out across the widest stretch of sky and city.
- VUE Bar — the west-tower terrace catches the changeover over Pudong, with the pool deck as a bonus.
- Sir Elly’s — lower down, but the Bund-and-creek angle is lovely as the lamps come on.
- Char — the wide river-facing terrace makes the dusk-to-dark transition feel close.
Two sunset rules: arrive at least 30 minutes early to claim a terrace table before the light turns, and check the sunset time and forecast — a clear evening is the difference between a good photo and a great one.
By Area: Where to Drink and Why
On the Bund (Puxi / west bank)
The Bund is the classic choice and easiest to bar-hop, since the venues line one walkable waterfront sharing the Pudong-towers view. Char anchors the south; Roosevelt, The Captain, and the old Bund 18 building (now KEV) sit in the middle; Sir Elly’s, VUE, TALES, and the Bulgari cluster at the northern end by Suzhou Creek. Our guide to hotels near the Bund covers the best bases for keeping it all within a short walk.
In Pudong (Lujiazui / east bank)
Pudong is the altitude play. Flair (58th floor, Ritz-Carlton) and Cloud 9 (87th floor, Jin Mao) put you higher than anything on the Bund. The catch: the towers are spread out and the area is corporate at street level, so it suits one spectacular stop rather than a crawl.
Downtown: Xintiandi and the French Concession
Inland, you give up the river for a more relaxed, leafy evening. Highline in Xintiandi is the standout rooftop here. This is also speakeasy country, where the best hidden cocktail bars sit at street level rather than on roofs — our guide to cocktail bars and speakeasies maps this part of town, and music lovers can add one of the city’s jazz and live-music venues.
Tips for a Rooftop Bar Night Out
Book ahead for terraces. The good outdoor tables fill days in advance for weekend nights. Reserve through the venue’s WeChat mini-program, a booking app, or by phone.
Dress for the venue. Smart casual is the floor at most upscale rooftops; closed-toe shoes for men are a safe bet, and sportswear, gym clothes, and beachwear get turned away at the strictest doors. Lujiazui hotel bars tend to expect a bit more effort than the casual Bund terraces.
Bring a layer. Even in summer the upper terraces are breezy, and spring and autumn evenings get cool up high; a light jacket is often welcome.
Plan the trip home. The metro stops around 11 PM while rooftops run until 1 or 2 AM, so line up a Didi (the local ride-hailing app) or stay within walking distance.
Tipping is not expected. Tipping is not customary in mainland China, including at rooftop bars. A service charge may already sit on the bill at hotel venues; beyond that, you are not expected to add anything.
Mind the weather. Terraces can close in heavy rain or on poor air-quality days, so check the forecast first.
Photos are fine; drones are not. Casual photography is welcome everywhere; tripods may need staff sign-off, and drones are banned.
Build a mini crawl, on one bank. Two or three rooftops in an evening is doable if you start early and keep to the same side of the river — for example Sir Elly’s, then VUE, then a nightcap nearby on the north Bund.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best rooftop bar in Shanghai?
For most visitors, Flair at the Ritz-Carlton Pudong is the answer — it has the highest open-air terrace in the city and the most complete Bund-and-Lujiazui view. If you want atmosphere over altitude, Sir Elly’s at the Peninsula is the more intimate pick, and The Roof at the Shanghai EDITION is the trendier, garden-style choice. “Best” really depends on if you are chasing the view, the vibe, or the value.
Which is the highest rooftop bar in Shanghai?
Flair, on the 58th floor of the Ritz-Carlton Pudong, is the highest open-air rooftop. Indoor sky bars go higher — Cloud 9 on the 87th floor of Jin Mao, and bars higher still in the World Financial Center. For a pure viewpoint above any bar, the Shanghai Tower observation deck is the highest publicly accessible spot in the city.
Are Shanghai rooftop bars expensive?
At marquee hotel rooftops, cocktails run RMB 130–220 each, so a couple having two apiece can expect roughly RMB 300–500 before any cover. Cheaper options exist: The Captain pours closer to RMB 60–110, and happy hour knocks 30 to 40 percent off at several venues. Prices move with menus and seasons.
Do I need a reservation for rooftop bars in Shanghai?
For terrace seating on Friday and Saturday nights, yes — book a few days out for the popular venues. Indoor bars are more forgiving and often take walk-ins. Daybeds and prime river-facing tables fill first, so reserve those specifically if they matter.
What is the dress code at Shanghai rooftop bars?
Smart casual is the standard at upscale rooftops: no sportswear, gym clothes, flip-flops, or beachwear; clean trousers or jeans, a collared shirt or nice top, and closed shoes get you in almost everywhere. Lujiazui hotel bars expect a dressier look than the casual Bund terraces, and party venues like KEV lean dressier on weekends.
When is the best time to visit a Shanghai rooftop bar?
Arrive around sunset — roughly 5:30 to 7:30 PM by season — to catch the sky changing color and the skyline lighting up. Come 30 minutes early for a table, since that window is busiest and often coincides with happy hour. Spring and autumn evenings are the most comfortable on open terraces.
Are rooftop bars in Shanghai open in winter?
Most have indoor or glass-enclosed sections that run year-round, and several heat their terraces. Open-air decks can close in heavy rain or hard cold — Sir Elly’s has shut its terrace seasonally in deep winter before. Spring and autumn are ideal, but you can still drink with a view in winter at a venue with an indoor option.
Is Bar Rouge still open in Shanghai?
No. Bar Rouge, the long-running rooftop club at Bund 18, has closed; the space is now a club called KEV, doing broadly the same thing in the same room with the same river view, though regulars say the glamour has faded. M on the Bund and its Glamour Bar have also closed. Shanghai nightlife changes fast, so confirm a venue is open before you go.
Plan Your Rooftop Evening
The best rooftop bars in Shanghai reward a little planning. Decide what you want the night to be — a once-in-a-trip view from up high, a romantic terrace at dusk, or a cheap drink with the free skyline thrown in — then book the right venue, aim for the sunset hour, dress smart, and put the phone down for at least part of the night to actually take in the view. Confirm hours and prices before a big occasion, since the scene shifts fast.
To build out the rest of the night, our Shanghai nightlife guide covers clubs, bars, and late-night districts; the cocktail bars and speakeasies guide is the move when you want a serious drink indoors; and the jazz and live-music guide points to where the music is. To make a full evening of the waterfront, read up on the Bund itself, and if you are choosing a base, see hotels near the Bund so the best rooftops are a short walk from your room.
On a clear evening, with the skyline lit and a good cocktail in front of you, a Shanghai rooftop makes the case for the whole trip without saying a word.
For background on the city, see Shanghai on Wikipedia.
