Complete guide

Rooftop Bars Shanghai

2024 update
China Flag
Country China
Currency Chinese Yuan
Best time to visit April - November
Rooftop grade 8/10
Rooftop Bar Shanghai
Courtesy of ROOF at The Shanghai EDITION

Shanghai Rooftop Guide

Updated:September 2, 2023

The best way to enjoy Shanghai and its iconic skyline is, of course, by heading up to one of the many fantastic Shanghai rooftop bars. With this up-to-date guide you get all information you need about each roof terrace worth a visit: opening hours, dress code, pictures, maps and much more.

The biggest city in China has some of the very best rooftop bars in the world, perfect to enjoy during the warm and long summer. Most of the Shanghai rooftops are located in the Hangpu District, offering breathtaking views over the modern Pudong skyline and the impressive river. So, which is the best rooftop bar Shanghai? Just scroll down and find the Shanghai rooftop bar best suited for you.

The list

10 best rooftop bars in Shanghai

Rooftop bar Shanghai ROOF at The Shanghai EDITION in Shanghai
1

ROOF at The Shanghai EDITION

$$$$ | 29th floor | Waitan
  • Highlights
  • Exclusive
  • Spectacular views
  • Intimate

Perched on top of the trendy The Shanghai EDITION, ROOF is a beautiful and exclusive spot to enjoy Shanghai from above. Surrounded by a stunning ivy-covered trellis, but even more so by spectacular panoramic views of Pudong skyline and Huangpu River, the intimate and open-air terrace comes with comfy loungers and a stylish bar. From the rooftop bar you can order a range of classic and innovative libations prepared by EDITION’s expert mixologist, usually complemented with elevated bar bites.

Rooftop bar Shanghai Flair at The Ritz-Carlton in Shanghai
2

Flair at The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong

$$$$ | 58th floor | Pudong
  • Highlights
  • Signature cocktails
  • Breathtaking views
  • Highest

The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong holds several different restaurants and bars, but it is the 58th floor Flair Rooftop Restaurant & Bar that is the real flagship. The highest rooftop bar in China, offering a fantastic view of Shanghai. Both a cool close up of the Pearl Tower, and being one of few rooftops on the Pudong side, some rare views of the Huangpu district. Get comfortable in one of the lounge sofas, enjoy a large set of creative and well made signature cocktails along with tapas-style dishes from all of Asia and front row seats to what feels like all of Shanghai.

Rooftop bar Shanghai TOPS at Banyan Tree in Shanghai
3

TOPS at Banyan Tree

$$$$ | 13th floor | The Bund
  • Highlights
  • Crafted cocktails
  • Unobstructed views
  • Sophisticated

While many places claim to have the very best view of the river and Pudong skyline, we would argue that TOPS at Banyan Tree is the winner of the bunch. From this large and airy terrace you get unobstructed views of the complete skyline and over the river. Apart from fantastic views, TOPS also offers a stylish and sophisticated terrace with a gorgeous vibe. Sit down in one of the lounge sofas or park yorself in the large round bar and enjoy the contemporary drink menu, selection of nouveau tapas and some chill music. The perfect rooftop bar for a romantic drink.

Rooftop bar Shanghai The Fellas in Shanghai
4

The Fellas

$$$ | 7th floor | The Bund
  • Highlights
  • Italian-inspired
  • Fantastic views
  • Laid-back yet vibrant

Located at the 7th floor of the Qianchen building, right in front to The Bund, The Fellas is an Italian-inspired restaurant and rooftop bar, offering an elevated but unpretentious Shanghai experience. Part chic and classy interior space, The Fellas also holds an intimate wraparound terrace, with fantastic views of the Bund and Pudong skyline. Here you can indulge in pizza and other authentic dishes, complemented with a great selection of wine, beer and original cocktails, served in a laid-back yet vibrant atmosphere.

Rooftop bar Shanghai Char Bar at Hotel Indigo in Shanghai
5

CHAR Bar at Hotel Indigo

$$$$ | 30th floor | Waitan
  • Highlights
  • Steakhouse
  • Amazing river views
  • Great ambience

The CHAR Bar & Grill holds the top three floors of the Hotel Indigo, located riverside at Shanghai on the Bund. The rooftop bar is on the 30th floor and up here you get unobstructed and amazing 270 degree views of the Huangpu river and the Pudong skyline. While the indoor restaurant is known for their excellent steaks, the rooftop bar serves a wide selection of creative cocktails along with a distinctive wine list. Vibrant and popular, so be in good time to catch a view spot right at the edge.

Rooftop bar Shanghai Ruiku in Shanghai
6

Ruiku

$$$$ | 21st floor | The Bund
  • Highlights
  • Upscale
  • Stunning views
  • World-famous DJs

Located in the heart of Shanghai, Wanda Reign on the Bund offers a luxurious and stylish 21st floor rooftop experience, thanks to highly chic and upscale Ruiku rooftop lounge. Surrounded with stunning views of the Bund’s historic waterfront and Pudong’s futuristic skyline, here you can indulge in fine-casual dining, as well as an elevated selection of champagne, wine and enticing cocktails. Visit for a more relaxing afternoon tea with a view, a romantic dinner, or vibrant lounge vibes with beats from world-famous DJs.

Rooftop bar Shanghai La Terrazza at Bulgari Hotel Shanghai in Shanghai
7

La Terrazza at Bulgari Hotel Shanghai

$$$$$ | 48th floor | Jing'an
  • Highlights
  • Amazing skyline views
  • Riviera inspired
  • Luxurious

An elegant and luxurious rooftop bar, set 48 floors up on the equally luxurious Bulgari Hotel Shanghai. Taking inspiration from the resorts of the Riviera, the terrace comes with ivory-cushioned armchairs, curtained cabanas and an amazing and unobstructed view over the Shanghai skyline. Enjoy comfy lounge vibes, a glass of champagne, some Italian wine or maybe go for the 'Bulgaria' signature cocktail.

Rooftop bar Shanghai The Captain in Shanghai
8

The Captain

$$$ | 6th floor | Waitan
  • Highlights
  • Crafted beers & cocktails
  • Great river views
  • Affordable

Newly renovated The Captain sits on top of Captain Hostel, with a premium location on the Bund. And while it is quite affordable compared to other spots with the same location, that is about the only hostel connotation you will find. Up here there is a Michelin chef preparing the food and a mixologist creating cocktails, all to some fantastic views of the river and the Pudong skyline. Enjoyed dinner and drinks both inside and outside, among a versatile crowd and a good vibe. Popular place, so be on time to catch a spot on the terrace.

Rooftop bar Shanghai Sir Elly's Restaurant at The Peninsula in Shanghai
9

Sir Elly's Terrace at The Peninsula

$$$$ | 14th floor | Waitan
  • Highlights
  • Signature cocktails
  • Panoramic views
  • Great service

The luxurious hotel Peninsula in Shanghai offers both fine dining and drinks with a fantastic view. On the 13th floor you find Sir Elly's Restaurant and one floor up is the appurtenant Sir Elly's Terrace, with a prime location right on the major bend in the Huangpu River, giving a spectacular view of the Pudong skyline and all the boats gliding by in the water outside. The terrace is stylish decorated with a very open and airy feel and here you can enjoy well mixed signature cocktails, chilled wines, rare whiskeys and a selection of light dishes. Perfect venue for some fancy and relaxing sunset drinks.

Rooftop bar Shanghai Vue Bar at The Hyatt on the Bund Shanghai
10

Vue Bar at The Hyatt on the Bund

$$$$ | 32-33rd floor | The Bund
  • Highlights
  • Rooftop jacuzzi
  • Amazing views
  • Resident DJ

An elegant and stylish Shanghai rooftop bar with a location giving unique and amazing views of both the modern Pudong skyline as well as the historic buildings on the Bund side. VUE Bar is large on the inside, with a rustic main bar and floor-to-ceiling windows. And while the open rooftop terrace is not that big, the decor with comfy daybeds and a rooftop marble jacuzzi is really grand. The rooftop bar offers a wide selection of wines, champagnes, beers, and they are also known for making some real mean cocktails. The atmosphere is usually sophisticated and on top, with live DJs spining records and a mix of local and foreign visitors.

Hans Ebenman
Hans Ebenman

Hans has visited over 500 rooftop bars, 200 rooftop pools and 300 rooftop restaurants since 2015. This vast experience has made Hans a true rooftop expert, and one of the most knowledgeable in the field. Today, numerous of travel magazines, bloggers and media websites contact Hans to get his expertise on rooftops.

Shanghai Rooftop Map
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City info

Rooftop bar Shanghai

Rooftop-grade: 8/10

Prime season: April-Nov

Residents: 18.5 millions

Climate: subtropical humid

Which are the best rooftops in Shanghai? This complete guide will help you find the best rooftop bars in Shanghai. Like many other major cities in Asia, Shanghai has a very large city center with numerous skyscrapers stretching high into the sky. This means that the rooftop bars in Shanghai often have an absolutely magical view of the city and its skyline.

The warm climate means the roof terraces can be visited all year round. The décor on the terraces are usually grand and luxurious. So expect higher prices than in other "normal" bars.

Most rooftop bars in Shanghai lies next to the Huangpu River. Almost all located on the western side of the river near the skyline of the towering skyscrapers.

There are a lot of Shanghai rooftop bars. Considering the size of the city, it may take a little while to get between the different view spots - even though all are located in the central parts. A good way to move between the rooftops is by taxi It is very cheap to take a taxi in China and Shanghai.

The views from some of the world’s best rooftop bars here are really impressive, and the only thing that can stop an ultimate rooftop experience in Shanghai, is the smog that can fill the air some days.

The typical Shanghai sky bar is located at high altitude and with a lovely view over the city skyline.

Search on our map for the best sky bars in Shanghai, and you can find the ones closest to your location.

About Shanghai

Shanghai is China's largest city. It is also Asia's most important financial center after Tokyo. Residents of the city have a very high standard of living compared to the rest of the population in the country. It also has China's largest and most important port area.

Food, drink and party on rooftop bars in Shanghai

Shanghai is a city with absolutely fantastic Asian food. Mainly considering Chinese food, but also regarding other food from the continent. This also applies on the rooftop bars in Shanghai. From the many roof terraces here you can eat superb food. Often in a very modern and luxurious twist. For those who are only looking to drinks at the rooftops, there is a good selection of classic cocktails at most rooftop bars in Shanghai. Shanghai is one of the world's largest cities. Which is something that is shown when it comes to the city’s party scene. The party life has also embraced the rooftop bars in Shanghai, and in many of the terraces in Shanghai you can party and have fun until the wee hours..

Alltitude and views from the rooftop bars in Shanghai

When you're talking about height on the rooftop bars, Asia always tends to be at the forefront. And Shanghai is no exception. Here you can find some of the coolest and highest rooftop bars in the world. Or how about Flair at the Ritz Carlton on the 58th floor or the Vue Bar at the Hyatt, which both have a fantastic 360-degree view of the entire Shanghai and its skyline at a very high altitude. The outlook from the rooftop bars in Shanghai are usually of the city skyline and the mighty river Huangpu River. The views are really impressive just after darkness falls in and the city lights up in powerful colors from all the skyscrapers. For those who like to take nice pictures, this is a magical place.

Other attractions in Shanghai

For a tourist, there are plenty of attractions in Shanghai. Here you can find a large number of towering skyscrapers as the Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai Tower and Jin Mao Tower. For those who like temples and museums, there is also a very good selection. For those who want to have awesome views without having to visit a rooftop bar, you can go up the tower Oriental Pearl Tower which is one of the tallest buildings in the city. On the street, the Bund can go and stroll and look in the shops. But beware, there’s a lot of people here every day. Service among people in Shanghai can be quite poor and most cannot speak English. So be sure to know where you are going before you set out on a journey of discovery.

Flights and hotels in Shanghai

Shanghai Pudong International Airport is the largest airport in Shanghai and lies on the coast a short distance from the city heart. However, it is both inexpensive and easy to get around by taxi here, which makes it easy to go back and forth from the airport. In the newer Pudong district - where most of the newly built skyscrapers are – you can find some really luxurious hotels with absolutely magical rooftop bars. Despite the luxury found at many hotels here, the prices are very good regards to accommodations. If you want to get away even a little cheaper, there are a lot of options here that have good standard. On our site you can easily book your hotel with a rooftop bar and take part of the best prices available on the market.