Vertigo 42

Forget the London Eye, Britain’s highest bar is perched in an eagle’s nest on the 42nd floor of Tower 42 (formerly the NatWest Tower). From this vantage point you can see the urban landscape sprawl away to the horizon, and, sure enough, the views are spectacular. Most exclusive are the south-facing tables with vistas of the Thames, Tower Bridge and St Paul’s. Tables on the other side aren’t half bad either. Forget yourself and your bank balance as you take in the panorama, nothing comes cheap and you’ll be surrounded by fat-cat bankers with corporate cards. The bar serves nothing but champagne and cocktails. And don’t try and order a bag of dry-roasted peanuts either, the bar snacks available are of the smoked salmon and foie gras variety. With a capacity of only 70, reservations are obligatory. Expensive, exclusive and ostentatious, Vertigo 42 is the place to see what the wealthy really get up to (and enjoy the views).

Over 18s only
Smart dress