Is there any better way to relax than to have ice tinkling in your glass as you lean back in a chair and watch the sun set across the city spread out below you?As cities continue to grow more vertical, there has been a proliferation of restaurants and bars that dangle from rooftops, rotate for a 360-degree view or feature breathtaking open air venues. Just within the past year, Tower Club at Lebua opened the world’s tallest alfresco Champagne bar, Flute A Perrier Jouet Bar, in Bangkok, while One World Observatory in New York City recently reclaimed its status of having the highest bar in the Western Hemisphere, One Mix.Some of these bars come attached to observatories and have entry fees you must pay before you buy the first drink, while those that are part of a hotel, however, typically offer free entry — reservations are recommended (where offered), especially if the bar is attached to a restaurant. Some of these high-flyers have understandably limited seating areas as well.A few notes on the list of 10 bars around the world that’ll give you amazing views to go with your cocktails: it’s ordered from the highest to the lowest — well, if you can call a bar on the 52nd floor low — and we’ve limited it to one bar per city for a more even spread. The CN Tower in Toronto was omitted from our list as it doesn’t have a bar that’s separate from its restaurant (even though it does have an amazing wine cellar that’s worth checking out if you’re in the neighborhood).1. At.mosphereLocation: Burj Khalifa, DubaiFloor: 122Average Price of a Cocktail: $25There may be plenty of desert landscapes and the Arabian Gulf in the distance to ogle, but the straight-down view of the city from the world’s tallest building, which you can see above, is jaw-dropping and knee-buckling — especially if you’re not fond of heights. If you prefer your drinking less-alcoholic, At.mosphere also hosts an elegant high tea in the afternoon.2. Ozone BarLocation: International Commerce Centre, Hong KongSign up for our daily newsletterEmail addressSign upI would like to subscribe to The Points Guy newsletters and special email promotions. The Points Guy will not share or sell your email. See privacy policy.Floor: 118Average Price of a Cocktail: $24Atop the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, Ozone is appropriately bathed in stunning deep blue decor to match the night sky. Seafood options like oysters and sushi are available at the bar, as are a selection of tapas and desserts. The Dom Pérignon Sunday Brunch is a real treat.Image courtesy of Ozone Bar.3. One MixLocation: One World Observatory, New York CityFloor: 102Average Price of a Cocktail: $14One Mix has just finished its first year of operation, and there have been complaints that the quality of the cocktails and snacks are not worth the view. Standard admission to the top is $34, and there are no reservations for the bar. The view at night is perhaps more stunning than the daytime one.Image courtesy of One Mix.4. Signature Lounge at the 96thLocation: The John Hancock Center, ChicagoFloor: 96Average Price of a Cocktail: $16In addition to signature cocktails, such as The Skyscraper, the lounge also has 700 wines on its menu and a restaurant one floor below. Reservations are recommended.Image courtesy of Signature at the 96th.5. Cloud 9Location: Grand Hyatt Shanghai at Jin Mao TowerFloor: 87Average Price of a Cocktail: $15The bar offers a non-revolving 360-degree view of the city, weather conditions permitting. Fancy snacks and cigars are also available. The bar attracts many return guests who prize its romantic intimacy.Image courtesy of Cloud 9.6. New AsiaLocation: Swissôtel: The Stamford in the Equinox Complex, SingaporeFloor: 67Average Price of a Cocktail: $12New Asia is a large bar and can hold up to 300 people, so there’s a always festive atmosphere as well as theme nights and dancing. Guests often comment that the elegant bar has a “club atmosphere.“Image courtesy of New Asia.7. DistilLocation: Tower Club at Lebua, BangkokFloor: 64Average Price of a Cocktail: $24Distil is a very elegant and innovative bar located just under Lebua’s landmark golden dome. Walk outside to order a glass of bubbly at Flute A Perrier Jouet, the world’s tallest open-air Champagne bar. The bar and the Dome were both featured in The Hangover: Part II.Image courtesy of Distil.8. Bar 203Location: Berlín Fernsehturm (Berlin TV Tower), GermanyFloor: About the 60th (as the bar is within a tower, there are not floors as such)Average Price of a Cocktail: $13The revolving bar is 203 meters (~666 feet) above ground level, hence its name. A $23 entrance fee gives you access to the bar and the observatory tower, while reservations will get you waived past the ticket line.Image courtesy of Bar 203.9. Marini’s on 57Location: Petronas Tower 3, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaFloor: 57Average Price of a Cocktail: $12The view is both up and down, as the other two towers of the Petronas complex soar above the bar itself. In the evening, there’s a DJ. Marini’s has an extensive malt whisky and cigar collection, although there is no smoking allowed in the open bar area or in the adjacent restaurant. Interesting factoid: bodyguards are not permitted to enter the bar, but there’s a separate waiting area just for them.Image courtesy of Marini’s on 57.10. GongLocation: The Shard, LondonFloor: 52Average Price of a Cocktail: $24The Shard is a multi-purpose building that soars 95 floors above London Bridge — you’ll find an observatory on the 72nd floor. Gong, which is perched atop the middle section that houses the 5-star Shangri-La Hotel, doesn’t take reservations, and there’s a minimum spending requirement of $40. Drink quickly, as you’ll have to give up your table after 90 minutes.Image courtesy of Gong.Have you visited any of these bars? Which ones are now on your travel bucket list? Sound off, below.
