Best bars in the world: Grant Jones takes a look at what the new-look Opera Bar is up against

CHEF Matt Moran is opening the newly refurbished Opera Bar today after a no-expense-spared refit.

He hopes to make it the best bar in the world for breakfast, lunch and dinner, we take a look at just what he is up against.

Brad Clark and Alex Sommer enjoying the revamped Opera Bar and the views from here are pretty iconic as well.

Picture: Craig Greenhill

New York Bar at the Park Hyatt Tokyo

THE Park Hyatt Tokyo is perched on top of a skyscraper with the New York Bar sitting at the very top.

The Park Hyatt Tokyo towers over its surrounds.

The bar features views over Shinjuku district and on clear days Mount Fujiyama’s snow capped peaks can be seen.

It sits on the 52nd floor some 235m in the air and with it’s dark wood surrounds and ebony chairs and floor-to-ceiling windows is truly a spectacular venue.

New York Grill at Park Hyatt, Tokyo in Japan has spectacular views as far as the eye can see. Picture: Supplied

With great food like New York-style grilled sirloin and mash or wild mushroom, truffle brie and thyme pizza as well as one fo the finest selections of alcohol the New York Bar makes patrons feel special.

At night it becomes even more magical. Picture: Supplied

Sky Bar Metropolitan in Bangkok

PERCHED 63 floors up above the hustle and bustle of Bangkok the Sky Bar Rooftop at Lebua State Tower has become renowned.

Guests and drinkers take in the view from circular Dome's Skybar that juts out at Sirocco restaurant on 63rd floor of the Lebua State Tower building, overlooking Chao Phraya River in Thai capital Bangkok. Picture: Supplied

Offering views over the Chao Phraya river and having played host to the boys in during filming of the Hangover II it is a well-known and easy to find venue.

The popularity of the Sky Bar often means it gets crowded but the views are worth the effort.

View over Bangkok, Thailand from the Sky Bar atop the State Tower.

Marina Sands bar in Singapore

FANCY modern Asian cuisine to go with your breathtaking 360-degree views of the city and the Straits of Singapore?

The Marina Bay Sands bar in Singapore has magic views. Picture: Supplied

Ku De Ta at the top of the Marina Sands in Singapore may well be your next destination.

Food is created by a world-class team of international chefs while those wanting to just relax and take in the view can do so around the circular bar atop the public observation deck.

World Champion Christian Sprenger of Australia swims during a swimming clinic session for children with special needs on the rooftop pool of the Marina Bay Sands resort hotel in Singapore. Picture: AFP

Felix at The Peninsula, Hong Kong

AS with the other bars featured here it is the views that set the Felix apart from others in Hong Kong.

Looking out over Hong Kong’s skyline and taking in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong Island and Kowloon while dining on fantastic food or sipping a fine wine on the Balcony make a visit an event.

Felix Bar and Restaurant in the Peninsula hotel, Hong Kong.

The building itself is something to behold having been designed by Philippe Starck.

The Felix is known as one fo the swankiest bars in the world in one of the swankiest hotels (VIP guests have a fleets of Rolls Royce’s available to them).

The London in LA

The London in West Hollywood is everything you would expect from a hotel in this location.

An who else would you have to create culinary delights in such a locale? Only a celebrity chef of course!

The London Hotel in West Hollywood, Los Angeles. Picture: Supplied

Gordon Ramsay is responsible for what is on offer and from all reports he has managed very well indeed.

While this is one of the hotels on this list that does not boast of majestic views it more than makes up for it in quality of stay.

The London Hotel in West Hollywood, Los Angeles. Picture: Supplied

The Rock Bar, Ayana Resort, Bali

The new Rock Bar at the Ayana Resort on island of Bali, Indonesia.

IF you lust after seclusion and luxury then you could do a lot worse than The Rock Bar at Ayana Resort in Bali.

The resort is set on 77 hectares including 1.3km of coastline. It is on this coastline that The Rock Bar sits. And what a coastline it is.

Sunset at the Rock Bar at Ayana Resort and Spa in Bali.

With nothing between you and the horizon but the ocean this is the ideal place to sip a cocktail while watching the sun set.

This is the busiest time at the bar though and resort guests skip the queue.

You could also slip in a bit earlier during the low tide and watch as the sea laps over the reef not far from shore.

The Rock bar, suspended above the Ayana Resort and Spa in Bali, Indonesia.

The Standard, New York

The Standard Hotel in New York City.

While the top of The Standard offers spectacular views of the New York skyline by day it is at night that this venue really comes to life.

Live Jjazz music, a small-plate menu and specialty cocktails transform the room.

You could be rubbing shoulders with some of New York’s highest flyers while here.

The Standard hotel in New York.

Source : The Daily Telegraph    December 11th 2014