Shanghai Rooftop Bars: Which one is the absolute best?
Shanghai does two things better than almost any city on earth: skylines and cocktails. Put them together on a rooftop terrace, fifty floors above the Huangpu River, and you get the single most iconic night-out experience in China.
But with dozens of sky bars competing for your sunset hours — and several famous names that have quietly closed — which rooftop bar in Shanghai is actually the best? We drank our way across both banks of the river to answer that question definitively.
Quick Answer: Flair, on the 58th floor of The Ritz-Carlton Pudong, is the best rooftop bar in Shanghai for most visitors — it’s the highest open-air rooftop in the city, with the Oriental Pearl Tower practically within touching distance and the entire Bund lit up across the river. For atmosphere over altitude, choose Sir Elly’s Terrace at The Peninsula; for a younger, garden-party vibe, The Roof at The Shanghai EDITION.
Table of Contents
- Bund vs. Pudong: Which Side Should You Drink On?
- The Complete Ranking: Shanghai’s Best Rooftop Bars
- Our Verdict: The Absolute Best Rooftop Bar in Shanghai
- Best Rooftop Bars for Sunset
- Budget Options: Great Views Without the ¥200 Cocktails
- Practical Tips: Dress Codes, Reservations & Seasons
- FAQs
- Turn It Into a Night: Your Private Rooftop Tour
Bund vs. Pudong: Which Side Should You Drink On?
Almost every great rooftop sells one of two views, and understanding the difference will save you from booking the wrong bank:
- From the Bund (Puxi side): You sit among the 1920s stone facades and gaze across the river at Pudong’s futuristic trio — the Oriental Pearl Tower, the bottle-opener-topped World Financial Center, and the twisting Shanghai Tower. This is the more romantic, classic view.
- From Pudong (Lujiazui side): You look back at the floodlit Bund facade — arguably even more photogenic — with the Pearl Tower glowing right beside your terrace. This side wins on pure altitude.
One practical note: the famous rooftops are close together on a map but split by the river, and crossing takes longer than it looks. If you plan to bar-hop between two or three venues in one evening, stay on the same bank.
The Complete Ranking: Shanghai’s Best Rooftop Bars
| Bar | Location | Floor | Cocktails (RMB) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flair | Ritz-Carlton Pudong | 58F | 150–220 | The big night, highest terrace |
| Sir Elly’s Terrace | The Peninsula | 14F | 140–200 | Atmosphere, couples |
| The Roof | The Shanghai EDITION | 7F | 130–180 | Garden vibe, younger crowd |
| VUE Bar | Hyatt on the Bund | 32–33F | 110–180 | Sunset, terrace pool |
| Char | Hotel Indigo on the Bund | 29–30F | 100–150 | Dinner-and-drinks dates |
| Roosevelt Sky Bar | Bund 27 | 8F | 100–160 | Quiet, historic 1920s building |
| TALES | Banyan Tree on the Bund | Rooftop | 110–170 | 360° view, afternoon-into-evening |
| La Terrazza | Bulgari Hotel | 48F | 140–220 | Luxury lounging, Suzhou Creek |
| The Captain | The Bund | Rooftop | 60–110 | Budget, casual |
| Cloud 9 | Grand Hyatt, Jin Mao Tower | 87F | 130–200 | Pure altitude |
| Highline | Xintiandi | 6F | 90–150 | Downtown cityscape, brunch |
1. Flair — The Icon (Ritz-Carlton Pudong, 58F)
Flair is the default answer to “which Shanghai rooftop bar is the best?” — and has been for years. It sits atop The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong, and it’s the highest open-air rooftop bar in the city. The terrace juts out so you’re 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 village.
The drinks: Signature cocktails run ¥150–220, alongside classics, champagne, and a strong Asian whisky and sake list. Not cheap — but you’re paying for the most famous view in China.
Good to know: Smart-casual dress code (collared shirts and closed shoes for men; no sportswear). Reservations are essential for terrace seating on weekends, and the bar is 18+ in the evening. Flair also serves afternoon tea from 2–5pm if you want the view at a lower price point. Hours: 5:30 PM – 1:00 AM.
2. Sir Elly’s Terrace — The Romantic (The Peninsula, 14F)
Lower in altitude but higher in intimacy, the Peninsula’s terrace delivers a 270-degree panorama sweeping from the Bund around Suzhou Creek to Hongkou. Come here for date night, not for height. Open 5pm–midnight, with a DJ from 7pm.
3. The Roof — The Trendsetter (The Shanghai EDITION, 7F)
Only seven floors up, but the garden-style terrace with Lujiazui directly across the river makes it Shanghai’s favorite “scene” rooftop — younger crowd, lusher planting, and a more relaxed door policy than the hotel sky bars.
4. VUE Bar — The Sunset Specialist (Hyatt on the Bund, 32–33F)
Spread across two floors at the top bend of the Huangpu River, VUE is one of the few venues offering stunning views of both banks simultaneously. The glowing centerpiece bar and terrace pool deck make it a strong sunset pick. Signature: the VUE Martini. Reservations recommended on weekends.
5. Char — The Local’s Date Night (Hotel Indigo on the Bund, 29–30F)
A wide river-facing terrace with a 270-degree Huangpu view and noticeably friendlier prices than the big hotel names. Excellent for dinner-and-drinks rather than just cocktails.
6. Roosevelt Sky Bar — The History Buff (Bund 27, 8F)
Inside a gorgeous 1920s building, with terraces on both sides — half covered by a glasshouse, so it works in shoulder-season weather. Modern European food and ongoing happy-hour deals.
7. TALES — The Panorama (Banyan Tree on the Bund)
The entire rooftop of the Banyan Tree, delivering a genuine 360-degree sweep of the Bund, Lujiazui, and the river. Better known for afternoon tea than late-night drinks, but the view is arguably the best in the city.
8. La Terrazza — The Luxury Lounger (Bulgari Hotel, 48F)
Teak decks, plush cabanas, resort-style opulence on the 48th floor above Suzhou Creek, gazing at the Pudong towers. Food served 6–11pm.
9. The Captain — The Budget Hero (The Bund)
Proof that not every Shanghai rooftop needs a ¥200 cocktail. Nautical-themed, L-shaped terrace with the Bund as a backdrop, free-flow weekend brunch, and weekday buy-one-get-one drinks from 2–5pm. A pizza-and-two-beers deal runs ¥98. Popular with residents, not just tourists.
10. Cloud 9 — The Altitude Record (Jin Mao Tower, 87F)
The highest bar in Shanghai (Flair is the highest rooftop). An indoor classic hotel bar at 87 floors — worth it if raw altitude is your thing.
Our Verdict: The Absolute Best Rooftop Bar in Shanghai
Flair wins — for one reason above all: the view it sells cannot be replicated. Every other bar looks at the Oriental Pearl Tower; Flair sits beside it. Being inside Lujiazui means its terrace stares back across the entire historic Bund, with the tower rising practically within touching distance. Ask long-term residents for the rooftop and the answer is near-unanimous.
But “best” depends on what you’re chasing:
- Impressing first-time visitors: Flair, booked 30 minutes before sunset. No substitutes.
- Date night: The Roof at the EDITION.
- The pure view: TALES (360°) or VUE Bar (both banks).
- Value on the Bund: Roosevelt happy hour or The Captain.
- Brunch outdoors: Highline.
Best Rooftop Bars for Sunset
Sunset is the single best time to be on a Shanghai rooftop — roughly 5:30–7:30 PM depending on season. Arrive at least 30 minutes early to claim a terrace table before the light turns, and check the forecast: a clear evening is the difference between a good photo and a great one. Happy hour overlaps this window at several venues, so the best light can come with the cheapest drinks.
Budget Options: Great Views Without the ¥200 Cocktails
Marquee hotel rooftops run ¥130–220 per cocktail, so two rounds for two people lands around ¥500+. The cheaper path:
- The Captain — cocktails from ¥60–110, daily deals
- Roosevelt Sky Bar — happy-hour promotions most evenings
- Kartel used to be the classic value pick, but it has closed — as have legendary names Bar Rouge (the space now operates as nightclub KEV) and M on the Bund. Always check recent reviews before planning around an old guidebook.
Practical Tips for a Rooftop Night Out
- Dress codes are real — hotel rooftops enforce collared shirts and closed-toe shoes for men; terraces are stricter than lobbies.
- Book sunset slots days ahead — Friday and Saturday terrace tables sell out fast.
- Terraces close in rain and deep winter — call ahead in bad weather.
- Rooftop season is April–June and September–November — July cooks, January bites, but October’s clear evenings are the best the city offers.
- The metro dies around 11 PM — after that, walk a few blocks inland from the Bund before summoning a Didi to escape the taxi scrum.
FAQs
What is the best rooftop bar in Shanghai?
For most visitors, Flair at the Ritz-Carlton Pudong — the highest open-air rooftop in the city with the most complete Bund-and-Lujiazui panorama. For atmosphere, Sir Elly’s Terrace; for trend, The Roof at the EDITION.
Which is the highest rooftop bar in Shanghai?
Flair on the 58th floor of the Ritz-Carlton Pudong is the highest open-air rooftop. The highest bar overall is Cloud 9 on the 87th floor of the Jin Mao Tower (indoor).
Are Shanghai rooftop bars expensive?
At marquee hotel bars, cocktails run ¥130–220 each. Cheaper options include The Captain (¥60–110) and happy hours that knock 30–40% off at several venues.
Do I need a reservation?
For Flair, VUE Bar, and Sir Elly’s on weekends — yes, days in advance for terrace seating. Midweek walk-ins are usually fine at mid-tier venues.
Is there a dress code?
Smart casual is the minimum at hotel sky bars: no flip-flops, sportswear, or beachwear; men should wear collared shirts and closed shoes.
Turn It Into a Night: Your Private Shanghai Rooftop Tour
Here’s the catch with Shanghai’s rooftop scene: the two best sides of the river are separated by a tunnel crossing that eats 30+ minutes, reservations need to be made days ahead in Chinese apps, and dress-code refusals at the door are genuinely common for unprepared visitors.
Want the perfect rooftop night without the logistics? Contact us and we’ll plan your evening end-to-end — sunset timing calculated for your dates, tables reserved at Flair or VUE Bar, a private car for the Bund crossing, and a local guide who knows which door to walk into. Whether it’s a romantic date night or a group celebration, tell us your style and budget, and we’ll build the night.
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