Bars in the Shard

[ed_pete]

Has anyone experience of the bars in the Shard ? I was thinking about taking my wife there for her birthday but don't know how difficult it would be to get in. I'd be going mid-week.

[Alan Medic]

Seems noone has gone there Pete. A colleague at work went there to eat. Quite expensive and that's without a drink. But money is relative.

[ed_pete]

Yeah. I emailed the Gong bar and they said tables has to be booked and minimum charge was ?30 a head. Might try the Aqua bar which is walk in and can't be booked.

[Blueskies]

I've eaten at Aqua shard and although it was pricey the views and atmosphere was good. Enjoy!

[bonniebird]

My neice treated my mum and dad to a meal in the Shard, can't remember which restaurent, it was expensive but they LOVED it, they were looked after by the staff and had a table right by the window, the food was superb too :)

[KrackersMaracas]

I've been for drinks in Hutong for a special occasion. We went on a Friday at about 5pm. We didn't eat, and didn't book a table - just rocked up at the bar and say down at a table. Stayed for a couple at about ?10-12 a pop for a cocktail, plus 12.5% service. The toilets were pretty special, and we lived pointing out all the landmarks from up top. Afterwards we walked along the river to the horniman - a very nice evening out.

[MrBen]

Ed Pete - a side option for you would be to book a table (request south or West facing if you can) at the champagne bar at the top of Tower 42. Long thought of as naff 1980s kitsch, it now has the best view of all the new skyscrapers that have since risen around it. This includes the Cheesgrater, part of the gherkin, heron tower and south to the shard itself. I actually think you get a better perspective than being up the shard at the highest point. And plenty eating options around there in city or Shoreditch farringdon for after.

[Alan Medic]

Regarding the service charge,my colleague refused to pay it so I take it that it's optional.

[uncleglen]

I am surprised there are any bars there at all with alcohol since it is jointly owned by the State of Qatar- Central Hall Westminster- owned by the Methodist Church certainly does not allow alcohol on its premises!

[LadyNorwood]

Really must read properly - thought it said "Bears In The Shed"....

[Henry_17]

Alan,

Why did your colleague refuse to pay the service charge?

Henry

[ed_pete]

Mr Ben - The Champagne Bar is outside the budget @ ?33 each. Nice idea though. BTW I already have a meal booked elsewhere.

[Alan Medic]

Henry_17 Wrote:

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> Alan,

>

> Why did your colleague refuse to pay the service

> charge?

>

> Henry

The waitress had to walk a few yards to the table to deliver the drinks. She didn't think given the price of the drinks an additional charge should be paid.

[LuLu Too]

I've been to both Aquashard and Hutong bars at The Shard several times, on a Friday or Saturday evening. Never had an issue with getting in and have always managed to get a seat and table in Aquashard bar. The service charge thing can be annoying... They charged it even when I ordered at the bar. I refused to pay it on that occasion but happy to pay it when having table service. The cocktails are nice. A bottle of Veuve Cliquot will set you back around ?70 (excl. service).

[Jeremy]

KrackersMaracas Wrote:

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> Afterwards we walked along the river to the horniman

??

[Ron70]

I've been to the Aqua Shard a couple of times, generally with friends from out of town for the views.. It's a bit touristy and you need to do a bit of hovering for good seats, however, the views are awesome. Won't let you in with trainers on (as I found out the first time I tried to go)

Ron 70

[Henry_17]

Alan,

Ah, so the refusal to pay was not due to the service here being poor, just that under these circumstances your colleague's view is that a service charge is not warranted in any case. That is useful to clarify.

Henry

[KrackersMaracas]

The Nicholsons pub!

http://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/thehornimanathayslondonbridge/findus/

[Jeremy]

Aha! I was actually wondering whether you'd walked along the Ravensbourne River...

[El Pibe]

"You'd be hard pushed to find a finer real ale pub in London Bridge."

For all Nicholson's sins they do do good beer selection, but with the Market Porter round the corner you're not really hard pushed!!!

[StraferJack]

The Rose is pretty good on the beer front

http://therosepublichouse.co.uk/menus/4578150465

[KrackersMaracas]

Both of these look like they warrant some further investigation!! Thanks.

[Parkdrive]

http://www.wheatsheafborough.co.uk/

This a pub I've had a few in, and as El Pibe says the Market Porter is ok

[maxxi]

I used to use the Wheatsheaf a little - sort of 94-98, didn't know it had reopened (not been up that way for a good while), good to hear. Market Porter too - always has interesting guest beers on.

[DaveR]

"You'd be hard pushed to find a finer real ale pub in London Bridge."

http://www.utobeer.co.uk/the-rake/