It stands to reason that if you want to see London at its best this summer, you should go to the place with the best views of London. Did you know that, alongside the viewing gallery, The Shard has three different restaurants, five bars and a world-class hotel within it?
From sunrise to sunset (and beyond), and for business or pleasure, The Shard has the perfect venues for you. Below is a rundown on where to eat, drink and sleep this summer…
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Things to do at The Shard: for the best view
1. The View from The Shard
Why you need to go: Simply put, for one of the best views of the City, plus the opportunity to experience it from one of London's most iconic landmarks. At 309.6 metres high, The View from The Shard is officially the highest viewpoint in the UK and the perfect starting point for those wanting to explore the city as it provides a stunning birds-eye overview of the streets and landmarks below, allowing guests to map out various options to be explored on their trip.
What you need to know: The View from The Shard comprises two viewing galleries on Level 69 and an open-air Skydeck on Level 72 – each with bars serving a range of hot and cold beverages including Moët & Chandon Champagne and themed cocktails. Tickets start at £25 for adults and £20 for children.
The offer: Shard Sessions – featuring live performances and DJ sets with a complimentary glass of Moët & Chandon Champagne.
Details: Create your perfect Moët moment on selected Friday and Saturday nights throughout the year as a selection of handpicked guests perform at the top of the city's most iconic structure. Catch performances and DJ sets from the likes of Colin Francis, DJ Luck & MC Neat, Mark Wright, Rickie and Melvin and many more whilst enjoying a complimentary glass of ice cold Moët & Chandon Champagne.
How to book: Book directly at theviewfromtheshard.com.
Things to do at The Shard: where to eat
2. TĪNG
Why you need to go: Shangri-La’s 35th-floor restaurant, TĪNG, specialises in creative cooking that leans heavily on locally sourced produce, with a smart but relaxed atmosphere that’s as suitable for a business lunch as it is for a romantic dinner.
What you need to know: From Shangri-La's street-level lobby, a lift whisks you to the 35th-floor reception, from where it’s a short and picturesque walk to the elegantly casual surrounds of TĪNG. The design makes subtle stylistic nods to Chinoiserie, while the kitchen makes judicious use of the hotel’s proximity to Borough Market. Expect local, seasonal dishes that are as good to look at as they are sumptuous to eat.
The offer: Five course menu with guaranteed window table.
Details: Enjoy a five-course meal in the elegant TĪNG Restaurant at Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London, complete with five expertly paired wines for £140 per guest. From your guaranteed window seat, take in the stunning views overlooking the River Thames, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and Canary Wharf.
How to book: To make a reservation, contact 020 7234 8108 or email: ting.slln@shangri-la.com. Further details can be found at ting-shangri-la.com/experiences
3. aqua shard
Why you need to go: With its soaring open atrium and breathtaking views, aqua shard is just as special when flooded by daylight as it is with a backdrop of the city’s twinkling lights at night.
What you need to know: From breakfast to dinner – via a show-stopping Mary Poppins afternoon tea – aqua shard will bowl you over with its delicious modern-British cooking and wide-angle panoramas spanning across the city. The views of the Square Mile are simply breath-taking – wave at your office as you tuck into a bountiful breakfast or settle down for an evening meal.
The offer: The Floral Five tea blends from Camellia's Tea House.
Details: The wonderful team at Camellia’s Tea House have created five unique tea blends for aqua shard, each featuring a beautiful British flower – think fragrant lavender, sweet rosebud and unusual blue mallow. Also on the menu are fabulously floral cocktails and delicious new desserts, all showcasing the unique flavours of the teas. The offer is available until the end of August.
How to book: Go to aquashard.co.uk/reservation/booking
4. Oblix
Why you need to go: Smart, sleek and stylish, Oblix offers two distinct ways to enjoy bold, adventurous flavours in an intimate setting.
What you need to know: Split into Oblix East and Oblix West – named for the sides of London they look out on – this is a place where food lovers will feel right at home. Home, that is, with views stretching out over the capital, an open kitchen that’s bustling with activity, and super-slick interior design – not to mention a vast, glass-walled wine cellar. When can we move in? Look out, too, for live music at Oblix East on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
The offer: Free flowing lunch with Billecart Salmon champagne
Details: Celebrate the glorious British summer by adding free-flowing Billecart Salmon champagne to your lunch for £45 per guest.
How to book: Book your table at oblixrestaurant.com or contact the team on 020 7268 6700 for further information. Available with (Oblix West) Elevator Lunch, Monday to Friday; Sunday Roast, Afternoon Tea; (Oblix East) Friday Lunch; Saturday Seafood Brunch; or Sunday Brunch.
5. Hutong
Why you need to go: With a menu revolving around contemporary takes on authentic Northern Chinese, Hutong is renowned as one of the best restaurants in the capital for an unforgettable lunch or a special-occasion dinner.
What you need to know: Hutong’s signature lunch menu showcases staples of Chinese eating in London – from their delicious crispy Peking duck pancakes to house signatures, such as the spicy and fragrant aubergine tempura and the iconic crispy seabass fillet. There’s also a brilliant wine list, as well as beautiful cocktails and a presentation that’s as artful as it is appetising.
The offer: Signature lunch menu with a taste of dim sum
Details: A spectacularly tasty selection of dim sum and, Hutong’s Signature Peking duck for £55 per guest.
How to book: Book directly at hutong.co.uk/reservation/booking or call 020 3011 1257
Things to do at The Shard: where to drink
6. GŌNG
Why you need to go: Located on Level 52 of The Shard, GŌNG is the highest hotel bar in Western Europe. Enjoy a refreshing cocktail with a panorama of the capital that you won’t find matched anywhere else.
What you need to know: The bar has three distinct areas ripe for your alcoholic exploration: the cocktail bar, the Champagne bar and the Sky Pool. GŌNG’s creative cocktail menu (known as ‘A Miscellany of Inventions’) offers a selection of lip-smacking drinks inspired by the greatest inventions of all time. Ever wanted to know what a drink inspired by a hot air balloon would taste like? You’re in luck.
The offer: A three-course Dinner in the Clouds with masterfully-mixed cocktails in GŌNG Bar and a complimentary glass of Champagne in TĪNG.
Details: Sip on a creative cocktail crafted by the bar's mixologists at GŌNG Bar after enjoying a three-course meal in the elegant TĪNG Restaurant at Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London, for £90 per guest.
How to book: Prepayment of the experience is essential. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the time of the booking, or a 50% charge will be charged thereafter. To make a reservation, please contact 020 7234 8108, ting.slln@shangri-la.com or visit ting-shangri-la.com
7. Bar 31
Why you need to go: Aside from the fact they've just opened an all-new Tanqueray gin bar, Bar 31 is the perfect neighbourhood bar for locals and tourists alike. Listen to live music, enjoy locally crafted beer from Anspach & Hobday and feast on produce sourced from nearby Borough Market in the bustling heart of The Shard, you can't go wrong.
What you need to know: Located on the bottom floor of The Shard, Bar 31 is the most casual and laidback of their offerings, decorated with floor-to-ceiling blackboards citing the daily menu, large glass windows and flatscreen TVs for catching live sport. It's an upmarket gastropub and NY sports bar all in one.
The offer: Picnic box made for two, including two Royal Blush Tanqueray Gin No. TEN cocktails.
Details: To complement the new Tanqueray cocktail menu, the team at Bar 31 has also launched their very own picnic box. Featuring half a roast chicken, Cornish Yarg cheese from Neal’s Yard Dairy, freshly made sourdough bread from Bread Ahead, piccalilli, salad and a homemade hummus, the box is £38 and perfect for sharing.
How to book: Walks-in are welcome. For more details, please visit bar31.com or call 020 7234 8008.
Things to do at The Shard: where to stay
8. Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London
Why you need to go: With the only Infinity Sky Pool in London at cocktail bar, GŌNG, as well as rooms that beautifully blend traditional luxury with cutting-edge design, Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London, is a must for both out-of-towners looking for an unforgettable central London hotel experience and for Londoners looking for a new perspective on the city.
What you need to know: Designed around the sleek upper echelons of The Shard means that none of the Shangri-La Hotel’s 202 rooms are quite the same, but all of them give a simply majestic panorama of London that’s unmatched in the capital. Many rooms come with adjoining suites for unparalleled comfort and style, while the hotel’s facilities – among them a 24-hour gym and spa as well as the three bars and restaurants mean you won’t want to leave the comfort of the hotel.
The offer: Two-night stay plus afternoon tea, breakfast and two fast track tickets to The View from The Shard
Details: Enjoy a sky-high experience with this offer that includes fast track tickets to The View from The Shard. From 800 feet at the top of London’s tallest building, your gaze can stretch for up to 40 miles in every direction. Afterwards, unwind over a delicious champagne afternoon tea at TĪNG and depart on a high following a sumptuous breakfast at TĪNG.
How to book: Book rooms at shangri-la.com/london/shangrila or call 020 7234 8000.
