Top 5 Rooftop Bars in Shanghai: Best Views & Cocktails 2026

Shanghai has one of the most recognizable skylines in the world, and some of the best places to experience it are from above.

From close-up views of the Oriental Pearl Tower in Lujiazui to sunset overlooking the historic architecture of the Bund, Shanghai’s rooftop bars offer very different perspectives of the city.

Whether you are looking for sophisticated cocktails, a romantic sunset, relaxed rooftop dining or a lively poolside party, there is a rooftop for every kind of evening.

Our top 5 rooftop bars in Shanghai are Flair, TALES, The Berry, TOR and WET Bar. Each offers a distinctive combination of skyline views, atmosphere and location.

Best Rooftop Bars in Shanghai at a Glance

#1 Flair Rooftop Restaurant & Bar — Best for the Iconic Oriental Pearl View

Best for: First-time visitors, luxury travelers and special occasions

Located at The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong, Flair is one of Shanghai’s most iconic rooftop bars.

Sitting high above Lujiazui, its outdoor terrace delivers one of the city's most dramatic perspectives. The biggest attraction is its unusually close view of the Oriental Pearl Tower, making it feel less like you are looking at the Shanghai skyline and more like you are inside it.

At around 258 metres above the city, the terrace also opens onto views across the Huangpu River and towards the historic Bund on the opposite bank.

Flair works particularly well for travelers visiting Shanghai for the first time because many of the landmarks people associate with the city can be seen from one location. Come before sunset to watch the city transition from daylight into the illuminated skyline Shanghai is famous for.

The Ritz-Carlton currently describes Flair, on its 58th floor, as its iconic rooftop venue overlooking the Oriental Pearl Tower.

Why go:258-metre-high terrace · Front-row Oriental Pearl Tower view · Luxury atmosphere

Best time: Sunset to early evening

#2 TALES Shanghai — Best for Cocktails with a Tropical Rooftop Atmosphere

Best for: Couples, cocktail lovers and relaxed evenings

Perched on top of Banyan Tree Shanghai On The Bund, TALES combines a luxury hotel rooftop setting with a much more relaxed, tropical feel.

Instead of the high-rise atmosphere of Lujiazui, TALES sits beside the Huangpu River, opening onto broad views across Shanghai’s waterfront and skyline.

Its concept draws inspiration from the Mekong and Huangpu rivers, bringing Southeast Asian influences into its drinks, food and overall atmosphere. Expect cocktails, tapas-style dishes, greenery and a rooftop that feels especially appealing around sunset.

It is a strong choice when the drinks matter just as much as the view. TALES also received the Best Hotel Bar title at the 2025 Travel Queen Awards.

Compared with some of Shanghai’s more formal luxury rooftops, TALES has an easier, holiday-like energy, making it suitable for both date nights and casual drinks with friends.

Why go:Banyan Tree rooftop · Tropical atmosphere · Creative cocktails · Huangpu River views

Best time: Late afternoon into evening

#3 The Berry — Best Rooftop Bar in Shanghai for Sunset

Best for: Sunset, dates and photography

For a completely different view of Shanghai, head to The Berry in Lujiazui.

While many Bund rooftop bars look east towards Pudong’s futuristic skyline, The Berry reverses the perspective. From its elevated terrace, you look across the Huangpu River towards the historic buildings of the Bund.

That makes it particularly impressive at sunset.

The expansive terrace offers approximately 270-degree views, with the early-20th-century Bund architecture stretching along the opposite side of the river. As daylight fades, the heritage façades begin to illuminate while the sky changes behind them.

Located at the top of Super Brand Mall, the venue is positioned directly in Lujiazui and overlooks the Bund from the Pudong side.

If your priority is finding a Shanghai rooftop bar for sunset, rather than simply the highest possible viewpoint, The Berry deserves a place near the top of the list.

Why go:270° rooftop views · Sunset over the Bund · Excellent photo opportunities

Best time: Arrive 30–45 minutes before sunset

#4 TOR — Best for Shanghai History, Architecture & Rooftop Dining

Best for: Culture lovers, business dinners and a more relaxed rooftop experience

TOR — Top One Roof — offers something the city’s skyscraper rooftops cannot: a direct connection with Shanghai’s architectural history.

The venue sits on top of the Asia Building at Bund No.1, a historic building completed in 1916 and one of the landmarks marking the southern end of the Bund.

Rather than one large rooftop, TOR features three different terrace spaces, giving the venue several distinct moods. Its main terrace provides approximately 270-degree views towards Lujiazui, while other sections offer more intimate or social settings. Shanghai’s municipal tourism authority highlights the venue for its combination of the historic building, panoramic skyline and multiple terrace areas.

Another advantage is that TOR works beyond late-night drinks. Its all-day dining approach makes it suitable for a long lunch, afternoon drinks, sunset dinner or evening cocktails.

For international visitors, this is also one of the most interesting places to see Shanghai’s signature contrast between historic Bund architecture and futuristic Pudong towers in a single experience.

Why go: Bund No.1 heritage building · Three terraces · 270° skyline views · All-day dining

Best time: Afternoon through sunset

#5 WET Bar — Best for a Vibrant Rooftop Party

Best for: Groups, celebrations and summer nightlife

Not every rooftop night needs to be quiet and romantic.

Located at W Shanghai – The Bund, WET Bar brings a much more playful energy to Shanghai’s rooftop scene.

The outdoor venue is connected to W Shanghai’s WET pool and deck, with views across the Huangpu River towards the iconic Pudong skyline. Marriott describes the space as a rooftop setting for cocktails and light bites, while the wider WET Deck faces Shanghai’s skyline.

The atmosphere is bold, social and particularly lively during Shanghai’s warmer months.

Poolside seating, music and W Hotel’s contemporary design make it well suited to birthday celebrations, groups of friends and private parties.

Why go: Poolside rooftop · Pudong skyline view · Vibrant social atmosphere · Great for groups

Best time: Summer evenings and weekends

Which Shanghai Rooftop Bar Should You Choose?

The best rooftop bar in Shanghai depends on the experience you want.

Choose Flair for the most iconic close-up view of the Oriental Pearl Tower. Go to TALES for cocktails and a more tropical, relaxed rooftop setting. Pick The Berry if sunset and views of the historic Bund are the priority.

For architecture and history, TOR combines Bund heritage with contemporary rooftop dining. And when the evening calls for music, drinks and a more energetic atmosphere, WET Bar at W Shanghai is the strongest fit.

Shanghai’s rooftop scene is ultimately about perspective: one side of the Huangpu looks towards the future, while the other looks back at the city’s history.

That contrast is exactly what makes rooftop drinking in Shanghai so memorable.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rooftop Bars in Shanghai

What is the best rooftop bar in Shanghai for views?

Flair at The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong is one of the best choices for a classic Shanghai skyline view, especially because of its unusually close perspective of the Oriental Pearl Tower.

Which Shanghai rooftop bar is best for sunset?

The Berry is particularly good for sunset because its Lujiazui location looks west across the Huangpu River towards the historic Bund buildings.

What is the best rooftop bar on the Bund?

For different experiences, TALES, TOR and WET Bar are all strong options around the Bund waterfront. TALES is best for relaxed cocktails, TOR for heritage and dining, and WET Bar for a livelier atmosphere.

Which Shanghai rooftop bar is best for a date?

TALES and The Berry are particularly suitable for date nights thanks to their sunset views and more relaxed atmosphere.

Which Shanghai rooftop is best for groups and events?

WET Bar works particularly well for social groups and celebrations, while TOR can suit more refined dinners and corporate gatherings.

When is the best time to visit a rooftop bar in Shanghai?

For the full experience, arrive 30–60 minutes before sunset. This allows you to see the city in daylight, during golden hour and again after Shanghai’s skyline lights come on.

Planning a Luxury or MICE Program in Shanghai?

A rooftop evening can be incorporated into a wider Shanghai itinerary, from welcome cocktails and executive dinners to incentive travel and private celebrations.

New Imagination DMC China designs tailor-made Shanghai programs for international travel agencies, corporate groups and MICE planners, combining destination expertise with carefully selected venues and local experiences.

Explore more Shanghai and China travel insights: www.newimaginationdmc.com/insights-stories