Bund Lounge, situated on the 28th floor of the London Hilton on Park Lane, offers skyline views, Shanghai-inspired cocktails and a refined Mayfair atmosphere.
London’s rooftop bar scene is about to get a significant new arrival. On 21st July, the doors opened to Bund Lounge, a 28th-floor cocktail spot at the London Hilton on Park Lane that brings old-school Shanghai glamour to one of the city’s most iconic addresses. The project comes from Fundamental Hospitality Group and marks their latest move in the capital’s high-end dining and nightlife space.
This isn’t just another addition to Mayfair’s nightlife circuit. Bund Lounge has been designed to capture the atmosphere of Shanghai’s golden age in the 1930s, when the city’s elite gathered in elegant lounges and smoky speakeasies along the Bund. The result is a bar that aims to evoke both the charm and exclusivity of that world, while fitting seamlessly into the modern London skyline.
High Above Hyde Park
The views are one of the big draws. From this height, guests can see the full sweep of the capital, Hyde Park, the City, and beyond. With 360-degree views and a smart balance of indoor seating and terrace space, the setting is designed for people who like their martinis with a skyline. There’s room for around 58 guests indoors and 30 outside, which means it stays comfortably intimate, avoiding the crowded feel that plagues so many rooftop venues.
A Cocktail Menu Written in the Stars
At the heart of Bund Lounge is its cocktail offering. The signature menu, Lunar Antipodes, takes inspiration from Chinese astrology. Each of the twelve drinks represents a zodiac sign and its opposing counterpart, with a shared base spirit linking the pair. It’s a concept that plays on contrast and balance, but the focus is firmly on flavour.
Standouts include the Monkey, a tropical-leaning mix of Cachaça, banana, cacao, coconut and blue foam, and the Goat, which layers Japanese gin, pandan, and cacao white liqueur under a splash of sparkling wine. They’re playful, detailed, and served with a good measure of theatre, expect floating spheres, foams and geometric garnishes that make a strong case for staying off the wine list.
Non-drinkers are also well catered for, with alcohol-free versions of all twelve zodiac cocktails on offer. It’s a thoughtful touch that ensures everyone gets to enjoy the full experience.
Classics with a Twist
Beyond the signature list, the wider cocktail menu nods to Shanghai’s own bar history. There are house takes on classics, bold one-shot creations, and a tight selection of regional spirits that bring lesser-known Asian flavours into play. The drinks team is clearly aiming for something more layered than just East-meets-West gimmickry. Instead, the focus is on smart execution and introducing guests to quality spirits they might not have encountered before.
Food from Shanghai Me
The food menu is powered by Shanghai Me, the much-lauded Asian restaurant with a loyal following in London. The lounge version of their offering keeps things elegant but relaxed, small plates built for sharing, all with a strong culinary backbone.
Expect dishes like Roast Duck with Foie Gras and Caviar, Yellowtail Carpaccio with Black Truffle, and Cantonese Style Roast Duck. Sushi, sashimi, oshizushi, and dim sum round out the menu, which is designed to keep pace with the cocktail list without overshadowing it. The portions and presentation are geared toward grazing, which fits the vibe of the space; no need to book a table just to have something decent to eat with your drink.
Designed for the Setting
The interior comes courtesy of First Within, a design studio known for creating high-end hospitality spaces that actually work. Here, they’ve taken cues from the golden age of travel, in particular the Orient Express, all rich textures, layered lighting, and Art Deco flourishes that stop short of being too on the nose.
The lighting, especially, plays a key role. At night, it softens the mood without fighting the view. There’s enough detail in the design to make it feel special, but the team has avoided the temptation to over-design. The result is a space that feels polished but not try-hard.
Music to Match
The lounge hosts a curated lineup of DJs, with a focus on setting the tone rather than dominating the space. Music here is seen as part of the social fabric, a backdrop that encourages conversation and creates atmosphere, rather than a centrepiece in its own right. The idea echoes the original Shanghai lounges that inspired the concept, where music was ever-present but never overpowering.
A Clear Vision
Fundamental Hospitality’s Chairman and Founder, Evgeny Kuzin, sees Bund Lounge as something very specific: “Bund Lounge will be an indulgent escape, hidden in London, offering a unique take on Southeast Asian cocktails. We are proud of the menu we have created and are honoured to be able to bring this to the city within the London Hilton on Park Lane. We hope our guests will feel like they have been transported to a rich era gone by as the music carries them into the night.”
That focus on escapism and detail runs through the entire concept. This isn’t a bar built for selfies and quick turnarounds. It’s aimed at people who are looking for something with more thought behind it, a space that offers both atmosphere and substance.
Positioning and Expectations
Bund Lounge has entered the scene at a time when rooftop bars are everywhere, but true standouts are rare. It offers an alternative to the loud, overcrowded venues that often dominate the skyline. Instead of chasing trends, it’s grounded in a specific cultural reference point, presented through a modern London lens.
Its position within the London Hilton on Park Lane offers the kind of infrastructure and service pedigree that gives it a strong foundation, but the project feels like a separate identity, not a corporate lounge, but a destination in its own right.
A Welcome Addition to London’s Scene
There’s no shortage of high-rise cocktail bars in the capital, but Bund Lounge appears to be going in a more refined direction. With its combination of strong design, thoughtful drinks, a quality food offering, and a point of view that avoids the obvious, it’s well placed to stand out in a competitive market.
Whether it becomes a regular haunt for London’s cocktail crowd or a one-off treat for out-of-town visitors, it brings something new to the table, a fresh take on luxury hospitality, with the substance to match the setting.
