London’s Skyline, Served: The Shard’s Essential Restaurants & Bars

Wondering where to eat and drink above the clouds? Welcome to The Shard’s most dazzling spots.

Published: May 27, 2026
The Shard

Imagine dining with your head in the clouds—quite literally. The Shard, London’s shimmering glass monolith, isn’t just about views; it’s home to some of the capital’s most sought-after tables and cocktail bars. Whether you’re looking to clink champagne while gazing across the Thames or tuck into memorable meals above the skyline, The Shard delivers. We’re about to guide you through the restaurants and bars that truly shine—each with breathtaking ambience, inventive menus, and views that make every bite (and sip) taste like a celebration. Let’s head up! 

Our go-to restaurants and bars at The Shard include: 

  • Aqua Shard 
  • Oblix 
  • Hutong 
  • TING Restaurant and Lounge 
  • GŎNG Bar 
  • Sky Lounge 
  • Bar 31 
  • TING Shangri-La Afternoon Tea 

Aqua Shard: Modern British Magic 

On level 31, Aqua Shard sets the stage for modern British dining surrounded by some of London’s grandest views. Daylight reveals famous landmarks while sunset transforms the city into a sea of sparkling lights. The ambiance is relaxed but glamorous, with a buzz that makes every meal feel like a special occasion, whether you’re in for a leisurely brunch or a romantic dinner. 

The menu champions seasonal British ingredients—think Dorset crab, Cumbrian beef or foraged vegetables, beautifully plated to match the setting. Don’t miss their signature cocktails, themed around London history with clever twists (the ‘Shard-inis’ are especially fun). If you’re the brunching type, their weekend menu includes showstoppers like caramelized banana pancakes. Come for the food, stay for the jaw-dropping perspectives. 

Oblix: Urban Vibes, Sky-High Flavors 

Oblix splits its chic space into two personalities: Oblix West focuses on an upscale grill restaurant, while Oblix East is all about relaxed cocktail bar vibes. The setting—think moody lighting, leather accents, and open kitchens—oozes urban cool from the 32nd floor. Even better? Every table scores those headline views of London, from St Paul’s to Canary Wharf. 

The grill brings bold flavors: aged steaks, Cornish seafood, wood-fired flatbreads, and decadent sides. Oblix’s cocktail list is a highlight too, drawing inspiration from London’s vibrant boroughs. At Oblix East, settle into the lively bar scene with classic drinks reinvigorated (try a seasonal gin concoction or their cult espresso martini) as live DJs complete the mood on weekends. Perfect for date night—with or without the steak. 

Hutong: Northern Chinese Drama

Chinese Lanterns

Tower up to level 33 and step into the red-glow of Hutong, where Northern Chinese cuisine meets panoramic drama. The décor is captivating: dark wood, carved screens, and flickering lanterns, with the city sprawled out beneath you. That romantic, after-dark feel makes Hutong popular with both foodies and those seeking a special occasion spot.  

On the plate, expect bold, flavor-packed dishes: signature roasted Peking duck (carved tableside and as crisp as dreams), fiery Sichuan lamb, and pots of handmade dim sum. Their tiered chili cocktails—especially the smoky ‘Shanghai Barbecue’—pack just as much punch. Hutong nails the balance of spectacle and substance, offering impressive, shareable plates with flavors strong enough to hold their own against the skyline. 

TING Restaurant and Lounge: East Meets West Elegance 

TING, perched within the Shangri-La Hotel on level 35, pulls off seamless elegance with Asian-inflected cuisine and classic European touches. Interiors are tranquil and stylish—think marble, warm lighting, and stunning vistas through the endless glass. The vibe is quietly luxurious yet distinctly welcoming, making it as fitting for a date night as it is for a lazy afternoon tea. 

Menus are a delightful duet: umami-packed beef tataki, miso black cod, butternut squash risotto, or even Cornish crab linguine. TING’s afternoon tea is a must-try: inventive takes on classics, with everything from passionfruit battenberg to zingy yuzu eclairs served on tiers that rival the height of The Shard itself. We always leave feeling equal parts wowed and well-fed. 

GŎNG Bar: Cocktails on Cloud Nine 

If impressing someone—or just yourself—is on the agenda, GŎNG Bar is the move. This sky-high perch on level 52 is the tallest hotel bar in Western Europe, serving up a sweeping London canvas from sunrise to after midnight. It’s split into stylish nooks: a cocktail bar, champagne bar, dramatic infinity Sky Pool, and intimate private areas, each with its own killer view. 

GŎNG’s creative cocktails often come themed around exploration and adventure, blending rare spirits, playful garnishes, and a dash of spectacle (more than one is set smoking or burning at the table). The ‘Orbit’—a gin, shiso, and plum umeshu blend—makes us feel instantly chic. Pair with Asian-inspired nibbles, and you’ve got an unbeatable sunset-to-starshine experience. 

Sky Lounge: Sunset Cocktails and Social Vibes

Women Chatting at Sky Lounge

Elevate your evening at Sky Lounge, located on level 34 and designed for mingling, sipping, and soaking up the sunset. Interiors are plush without being fussy—think velvet, statement lighting, and plenty of cozy corners. The views sweep from the Thames towards the City and beyond, making every evening glow, no matter the weather. 

Sky Lounge’s bar menu features creative cocktails (the rhubarb and ginger fizz is a hit), sharing platters, impressive cheese boards, and clever small plates—perfect for groups. There’s always an upbeat buzz here, whether you’re unwinding after a day of exploring or starting your Saturday night out. It’s a great meeting point if your crew is torn between drinks and dinner—Sky Lounge does both, with style. 

Bar 31: Laid-back Hangouts at Ground Level 

Before you even step in the lifts, Bar 31 puts forward a refreshingly casual take on The Shard’s usually rarefied world. This ground-level bar blends local pub energy with creative cocktails, a solid beer selection, and seasonal sharing plates—think charcuterie, artisan pizzas, and moreish truffle fries. Heated outdoor seating is ideal for a London al fresco moment too. 

Bar 31’s buzzing atmosphere is especially infectious during happy hour or when live music liven up the weekend. Expect a friendly welcome, plenty of people-watching, and no need to dress to impress. If you want a memorable drink without the sky-high prices, this is your new favorite pre-dinner (or late night) spot. 

TING Shangri-La Afternoon Tea: London’s Highest Treat 

Afternoon tea at TING is a feast for every sense. Their high tea puts a modern spin on British tradition—finger sandwiches, airy scones with homemade jam, pâtisserie that looks almost too pretty to eat—all served with a backdrop of London landmarks through wraparound glass. Try the Shangri-La or Jasmine blends to pair perfectly with citrusy yuzu tarts or the signature rose macaron. 

The setting—refined but relaxed—adds an extra layer of luxury to your visit. Whether you’re marking a special occasion or just plotting an indulgent pause between sightseeing, you can expect warm service and plenty of that up-in-the-clouds feeling. Yes, you’ll absolutely want to take a photo before you tuck in. 

 

Planning Your Perfect Visit to The Shard 

Whether you’re seeking gourmet feasts, afternoon treats, or sky-high cocktails, The Shard’s restaurants and bars have something for every mood and occasion. Each venue serves up not just delicious dishes and dazzling drinks, but a slice of London you won’t find anywhere else. From romantic dinners with jaw-dropping views to buzzing bars perfect for celebrations, this glass tower truly elevates your dining game. So go ahead—settle in, savor every bite, and don’t forget to peek out the windows. London never looked so good. 

Enjoyed this? Check out Where to Stay in London or A Complete Guide to Visiting London Zoo 

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Pub Crawl London
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The Best Pub Crawls in London

These are the best London pub crawls and bar crawls London has to offer, whether you’re on a historical hunt or looking for something louder. The pub scene is bustling with excitement and creativity, giving rise to some innovative ideas and pub crawl themes that will make your night unforgettable. Visiting your local pub is a rite of passage for many Brits. And that’s certainly the case for Londoners. But once in a while, when the weather is fine (or not fine), you’re feeling in the mood (or really not in the mood), you’ve got money in your pocket (or barely any money in your pocket) and you’re in good company (or completely alone), you want to go out for a pub crawl. We reckon this is particularly true for day-trippers and other holidaymakers, just in London for a bit. Because why see one pub on your visit to London when you could see 30? So here’s our guide to some of the most popular pub crawls in London and ideas to inspire your adventure. Featured in this guide: Monopoly Pub Crawl The Historical Crawl London Literary Pub Crawl The Shoreditch Pub Crawl And more... Monopoly pub crawl Named after the beloved board game, the goal of the Monopoly Pub Crawl is to make it to 26 different pubs located close to 26 different London tube stations. It’s so popular that it’s garnered its own website and internet following, with a monopoly board detailing every single location from the Lord Nelson on Old Kent Road through to the Spread Eagle on Oxford Street. Remember kids: drinking, unlike Monopoly, is not a game. But both the game and the crawl can take up an entire day. And ruin the next one. Pubs on the crawl include: Ye Grapes in Mayfair, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street, and 24 other pubs that may or may not have Ye in their name Attractions along the way: Trafalgar Square, Eros Statue, King’s Cross Station, London Transport Museum The Historical pub crawl Hailed by The Telegraph as a crawl taking in ‘London’s most fascinating historical nuggets,' this route starts off in Blackfriars and takes you through to Holborn. It’s a much more manageable trek with just six spots on the list, but each one is steeped in British history from the Grade II listed Blackfriar with its stained glass details, through to the rich timber wood of the Cittie of Yorke, tucked away in a cellar. If you’re on the lookout for more historic watering holes, check out our guide to the Oldest Pubs in London. Pubs on the crawl include: Cittie of Yorke in Holborn, Blackfriar in Blackfriars Attractions along the way: London Transport Museum The Circle Line pub crawl No surprises here: this pub crawl is a relatively straightforward one that follows the Circle Line around the heart of London. It one-ups the Monopoly Pub Crawl, both literally and metaphorically, as you’ll have to hit 27 bars to fully complete the crawl. Starting and ending in Embankment (with a suggested celebratory tipple in Leicester Square, because you’ll probably need a drink after you’ve completed it), it follows the Circle Line – which, funnily enough, doesn’t resemble a circle, but a beer bottle. They suggest you do it in 12 hours, having half pints in each pub. Pubs on the crawl include: The crawl website gives you multiple options for each station, so take your pick. Or choose a pub local to a station to suit your tastes. Attractions along the way: Tower Bridge, King’s Cross Station, Barbican Theatre, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben Wimbledon Eight pub crawl Along with the tennis whites and Wombles, Wimbledon’s also home to a pretty amazing pub crawl route. The crawl was popularised by actor Oliver Reed, who allegedly took Steve McQueen on a night out to his favourite Wimbledon pubs.  After a 15 minute pint in each, they started the crawl again, though now the common route goes around the board just once. It starts in the Hand in Hand and finishes at the Swan (a replacement for the now-closed Finch’s).  Pubs on the crawl include: The Fox and Grapes, The Fire Stables  Attractions along the way: Wimbledon Tennis Stadium 💰 >> See how you can save up to 50% with a London attraction pass! Shoreditch pub crawl  Shoreditch: home of the hipsters, craft beer hangouts and street art. The neighbourhood has plenty of bars which put a twist on the usual melon man and there's a dedicated Shoreditch Pub Crawl company that'll take you to the quirkiest spots in the area. The kind of places that give Shoreditch its reputation for being...very Shoreditch.  It starts off at Sink Pong Bar, a bar filled with ping pong tables. Better bring your A-Game and gym shorts: this is one for shots and dancing and playing around, rather than quiet pubbing.  Attractions along the way: Brick Lane, Old Spitalfield Market  Because sometimes it’s good to have some culture with your crawl. This special guided crawl lasts 3 hours, involves about a mile of walking. You don’t stop in every pub...so you can still take in all the info. This pub crawl takes you to the favourite boozy haunts of London’s writers and creatives, from Shakespeare to Charles Dickens and Virginia Woolf.  You’ll be accompanied by actors playing some of the deceased literary figures and reading famous extracts from their works. It’s a lot of fun and you might find you have something in common with one of the country’s most popular writers...you both like drinking.  Pubs on the crawl include: Shhh...it’s a secret  Attractions along the way: Pollock's Toy Museum The Sam Smiths pub crawl  Okay, so this is officially more of a challenge than a crawl. It’d be impossible to do all of these on one crawl. So please don’t try. Samuel Smith’s Brewery is located in Yorkshire, but they’ve got a number of very popular (and cheap) pubs across London, mainly in the very centre.  These guys came up with the Sam Smiths Challenge, where they looked to visit every Sam Smiths pub across the capital. But you can make your own route between these charming, welcoming, and affordable pubs using their map of London Sam Smiths pubs, located on their website.  Pubs on the crawl include: every Sam Smiths pub in London  London pub crawl themes and ideas Pub crawl themes can add an extra layer of fun to the experience. Some themes could include a costume theme, like dressing up as characters from British history or a favorite movie, or a foodie pub crawl where each stop includes a small bite to mix perfectly your pint experience.  Looking for more unique pub crawl ideas? Why not create your own crawl based on your interests? Perhaps a crawl that only stops at pubs with live music, or one that explores London's haunted pub scene? Join the Historic Pub Tour of London with The London Pass® Discover London’s legendary pub culture on this guided tour of four historic ale houses in the heart of the city. Follow in the footsteps of great stalwarts of London’s pubs from centuries gone by: Cromwell, Dickens, Conan Doyle, and more! Planning your London trip? With The London Pass®, you can explore big-name landmarks, local hotspots and epic tours, all on one pass, all for one price. Not only that, but you'll enjoy savings of up to 50% on loads of London attractions, compared to buying individual attraction tickets. ✈️ Buy The London Pass® ✈️
Megan Hills
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London's Oldest Pubs: Sipping History

The great British tradition of sipping a pint in an old, old pub is one every tourist should try. And there's no better place to commune with one's pint than in London's oldest pubs. Pubs are deeply intertwined with British culture. For centuries, they've been popular places for social gatherings and central to neighbourhood life. So it's no surprise then that some pubs are among the oldest buildings in the city. They are still points in fast-moving London endless spin. From famous literary hangouts to more notorious gathering places, here's a list of London's oldest pubs. Featuring: The George Inn Spaniards Inn The Angel The George Inn This old stalwart has been a favourite watering hole for some of London's most famous faces for centuries. Charles Dickens used to relax here after a day of writing. It's no surprise then that it's popular with literary sorts. Rebuilt after the Fire of London in 1676, it continues to be a local favourite and has plenty of outdoor seating for those long summer nights. Address: The George Inn, London Bridge, SE1 1NH The Lamb and Flag Set up in 1772 and located in the heart of Covent Garden, The Lamb and Flag is one of the newer pubs on this list. But it has an equally as fascinating history. Back in the day, this pub was well known for its rowdy customers and was the site of many bare-knuckled prize fights. It has cleaned up its act in recent years and its historical detailing makes it a popular place with tourists. It used to be nicknamed 'The Bucket of Blood'. Whisper that fact in someone's ear and - hey presto! - a free seat. Address: 33 Rose St, London WC2E 9EB Cittie of Yorke This Grade II-listed historical building has been a favourite with locals and travelers since 1420. It was initially an inn, but transformed into a pub in 1645. With multiple bars and grand decor, it's an atmospheric spot for drinks on High Holborn. It's also a Sam Smiths pub. And if you know what that means, you know to keep it to yourself (it's cheap. Sorry, Secret Society of Central Sam Smiths Pubs members, it's my job). Address: 22 High Holborn, London WC1V 6BN Ye Old Mitre Tales tell that Queen Elizabeth I once danced around this pub's cherry tree, which survives at its entrance to this day. While it can be a little tricky to find, it's a great example of a traditional English pub and dates back to 1772, though another pub had stood on the same location from 1546. Perfect for a quiet drink in the colder months, their coal fires and impressive Tudor details will keep you warm as you slip into a deep reverie. Address: 1 Ely Pl, London EC1N 6SJ Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese This sprawling Fleet Street pub features frequently in London tourist guides. And it's with good reason. Built in 1538 and then later rebuilt in 1667 following the Fire of London, it's one of London's oldest pubs. It has a number of rooms with distinctive characters, from the Victorian entranceway to the cellar room that's thought to have been part of a monastery which once stood here. Another Dickens favourite, other former patrons include Mark Twain, Alfred Tennyson and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Address: 145 Fleet St, London EC4A 2BU Spaniards Inn Shrouded in mystery and intrigue, some of London's most important literary figures have passed through the Spaniards Inn's front door, along with a number of notorious characters. Established in 1585, it has been both a place of great beauty and great darkness - John Keats is said to have written his poem Ode to a Nightingale here, while famous highwayman Dick Turpin seen drinking at the bar. Nowadays, they do a lovely Sunday lunch. Address: Spaniards Rd, Hampstead, London NW3 7JJ The Angel First built by 15th-century Benedictine monks, this historical pub had a facelift in the 19th century and has a diverse mix of patrons ranging from locals to Thames pub journeymen and journeywomen. Its picturesque Thames setting and Sam Smiths Brewery add to its charms. Oh, and it's got some very pleasing British pub grub too. Address: 101 Bermondsey Wall E, London SE16 4NB Know of another golden oldie to add to the list? Let us know in the comments below. Now you've done the historical ones, how about a pint outside?
Megan Hills
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