Last Updated on April 16, 2023
Chilling at the Highest Bar in Western Europe – Gong at Shangri-La The Shard
There’s something so special about cocktails with a view and Gong, the chic bar on the top floor of Shangri-La The Shard, is the perfect example of where to go for a special evening out. On the 52nd floor of the Shard, the bar itself opens out onto the stunning sky pool. Most significantly this is somewhere you’ll almost certainly get the perfect view. It’s so high up that, with the bar and kitchen in the centre of the space, most of the tables are right by a window. You can sit and watch the sunset or, just enjoy the twinkling lights of London by night. Gong bar is river-facing, so, depending on your table, you’ll be able to look down on Tower Bridge, St Pauls, HMS Belfast and more.
This summer Gong at the Shangri-La has teamed up with Canaima Gin and Diplomatico and the whole area has been styled as a kind of tropical jungle bar. Up in the sky, you can indulge in wine, beer and spirits or treat yourself to cocktails from one of three cocktail menus. We started off with cocktails – one from the new Tropical Oasis menu and one from the Voyager Zheng menu.
I picked the Amazzonia, a delicious Canaima Gin based long cocktail with Mezcal and Cocchi. It had a real kick despite being a long drink and exactly the right balance of bitter-sweetness for me. My companion opted for the altogether more delicate Kota Singa Sling from the Voyager Zheng menu.
In the meanwhile, our food order started to arrive. Don’t for one minute think you are limited to bar snacks. We may just have over-ordered a bit, but no one should skip the Gong truffle fries with parmesan shavings and Edamame beans are just one of my five a day…
Then there was the Chef’s choice platter which is a mix of chef’s choice sashimi (ours was yellowfin tuna), maki rolls, Inari sushi, chicken Karaange and vegetarian Gyoza. In all honesty, this would have been an ample snacking supper for the pair of us without the chips and beans but temptation is a stern master.
More cocktails followed. I was particularly taken by the rather beautiful Sueno de Coco – a stunning presentation of a delicate and distinctive mixture with Diplomatico Planas Rum
And, the Don Juancho, with Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva Rum, banana peel syrup, Oloroso sherry, Carpano Antica Formula, Angostura and Tonka Beans is definitely one not to miss.
In fact one of the challenges, if you like rum and gin, is deciding which cocktails to indulge in.
I’m not sure there’s anywhere better in London for this kind of evening out. The view is superb, whether you sit by the bar or around the infinity Sky pool
The cocktails are genuinely excellent, creative and delicious. And the bar staff are charming and friendly
The food completely surpassed my expectations. In this type of venue, bar food can be something of an afterthought. Not here. New chef Soe-san has joined the Gong bar from George Club and Nobu Hotel to bring a more authentic menu and sushi experience to the bar. I’m already planning my return visit and I know my companion, a guest staying with me from Ukraine, was truly overwhelmed by the experience.
Gong Bar is on level 52 of The Shard
Gong at Shangri-La The Shard
9 St Thomas Street
London SE1 9RY
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