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GONG by Shangri La The Shard

Bars·
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Silver Award
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SquareMeal Review of GONG by Shangri La The Shard

Silver Award

Squeezed in at the sharper end of The Shard, Gong is London’s loftiest bar. It resembles a Bond baddie’s penthouse in the sky – complete with separate Champagne bar and a swimming pool open for punters to lounge by (but not to dip into) from 8pm. From this high altitude, the city below forms a magical tapestry, and with a couple of drinks here costing much the same as the ticket to the touristy viewing platform above, we rate Gong as the more civilised sightseeing option. Blue-sky thinking has gone into the bar’s multiple cocktail lists. But while the drinks may be worthwhile, we’re not entirely persuaded by the overblown presentation that veers between kooky and kitsch (drinks served in Kinder Eggs or gilded birdcages, for instance). Such sophisticated mixes as Szechuan Rose (Cocchi Rosa, Manzanilla sherry, Isake classic rose, Sichuan pepper tincture, Peychaud’s bitters and Champagne) have no need of flummery.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £30 - £49
Cuisines
Bars
Ambience
Cool, Dark and moody, Glamorous, Lively, Luxury, Romantic, Unique
Alfresco And Views
Great views
Perfect for
Birthdays, Celebrations, Dates, Romantic, Special occasions

About

Perched high in the sky on the 52nd floor of the Shard, GONG by Shangri La remains the highest bar in Western Europe. As a result it boasts absolutely jaw-dropping views of London - you can see the River Thames winding its way through London from up here, as well as making out iconic landmarks like Tower Bridge, St Paul's Cathedral, and the shimmering lights of Canary Wharf in the east. 

London's dramatic skyline makes the perfect backdrop for GONG by Shangri La's extensive cocktail menu, which includes bright and breezy lunchtime highballs as well as intense sundowners to enjoy against a London sunset, spread across multiple themed cocktail menus. The Voyager Zheng menu takes influence from Asia and the Far East, offering cocktails such as the Japan-inspired Onibasu Martini (vodka, shochu, sake, mirin, wine, soy and red spruce), and the Sri Lankan Dry Tai (Seedlip Grove 42, Bax botanics, lemon verbena, Orgeat, Gong citrus, pineapple and Aecorn Aromatic). The Deluxe list features Gong twists on classic cocktails, then there's the Tropical Oasis menu - devised in conjunction with Diplomatico Rum - where guest can sip on refreshing rum cocktails, and take a seat next to GONG's stunning sky pool. Naturally, this is also the highest pool bar in Western Europe too.

The interiors are suitably glamorous - this is certainly a place to impress a guest or a date. The sleek marble bar provides a focus for the room, whilst bar stools and lounge chairs are upholstered in striking scarlet fabrics, and mood lights shimmer off the smooth surfaces. 

There's always plenty going on at the bar, including regular DJ sessions where the beats continue late into the night. GONG also offers a Liquid Afternoon Tea, where tea-inspired miniature cocktails are pared up with sweet and savoury snacks.

This venue also offers

Videos and 360 tours

GONG Bar

Location

31 St Thomas Street, London Bridge, London, SE1 90U

020 7234 8208 020 7234 8208

Website

Opening Times

Bar
Mon 16:00-00:30
Tue 16:00-00:30
Wed 16:00-00:30
Thu 12:00-01:00
Fri 12:00-01:00
Sat 12:00-01:00
Sun 12:00-01:00

Reviews

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2 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Kamran E

08 January 2023   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 3
Service 3
Atmosphere 3
Value 3

Salty food, uncomfortable sits, extraordinary expensive, to little time to eat! All to commercialized all about money money money 

Anon

03 July 2021   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Fabulous cocktails amazing views great service

Definitely a must while in London very nice ambiance stunning views and great cocktails 

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