A Bar with a Swimming Pool?
Here’s something new: a bar with a swimming pool — and not just any bar with just any pool.
The infinity Skypool, 52 floors above ground level in the Gong bar at the Shangri-La Hotel At The Shard, in London, England, is the highest pool in Western Europe.
By day, it’s a hotel pool. As the sun sets, separation screens are drawn back and it becomes part of London’s highest bar, G?ng.
Facing west across the city, the 36- by 13-foot heated pool features views of St Paul’s Cathedral, the London Eye and Westminster.
Nothing like that poolside glamour as one sips on the Bermondsey Bubbles – Jensen’s Dry Bermondsey Gin, Rose liqueur, Creole Bitters and champagne; or the Black and Blue Swizzle – Talisker, honey, lime, PX sherry and blue cheese.
Hungry? There are bar snacks such as Cornish crab, foie gras, and a selection of caviar.
Designed by Andre Fu of AFSO, Gong is inspired by the mythical aspect of ‘dou-gong’ – a series of interlocking brackets that are used extensively in historical Chinese architecture. Combining traditional Eastern design with modern Western touches, an oversized “paint scroll” measuring 50 feet in length floats above the Skypool.
The Skypool is open exclusively to hotel guests between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.; non-hotel guests can enjoy the Skypool as part of Gong from 8:30 p.m.
(Photo courtesy of Shangri-La Hotel at the Shard)
