The Roof at Waterhouse

Roof’s organic farm harvests home-grown mint for its mojitos.

The kiwi mojito.

The eclectic Waterhouse hotel at Shiliupu on the South Bund waterfront is home to a bar with a fresh take on the classic Shanghai view. Shanghai-based architects Neri+Hu turned an abandoned 1930s army headquarters into a 19-room boutique hotel and topped it with the aptly named Roof bar. This is the spot to enjoy the modern Pudong skyline from a southerly vantage point, away from the main Bund bustle. The South Bund area is rapidly morphing from a quiet hinterland to a happening spot for nightlife and dining, and the Waterhouse was among the pioneers when it opened in 2010. While some view-blessed venues rest on their laurels and use their terraces as the main draw, Roof puts in the extra effort with a frequently refreshed menu of Spanish-inspired snacks, carefully chosen wine and craft beer, and creative cocktails. Try a mojito with mint sourced directly from the in-house herb garden nestled behind a row of tables. While the décor goes for slick and minimalist-modern, the designers have preserved something of the urban grit of the original building with exposed walls and original fixtures. Pair a meal at British dining-phenom Jason Atherton’s Table No.1 restaurant on the ground floor with a nightcap at Roof bar.

The Waterhouse at South Bund, 4/F, 1-3 Maojiayuan Lu; 86-21/6080-2918; The Roof at Waterhouse