Situated at the top of the towering Tower 42 building in the heart of the Square Mile, Vertigo 42 takes after work drinks to a whole new level. Literally.

The Venue
A stone’s throw away from Liverpool Street, the imposing office building is somewhat hard to miss at 183 metres tall. It’s an impossibly shiny and glass-laden landmark nestled right in the heart of the financial hub of the capital. The bar is open to the general public but you have to pass through numerous airport type security checks before you’re allowed access. After a thorough once over, a slightly rattly lift swoops you 42 floors up to the bar itself. The doors glide open and you are ushered into the sparklingly clean bar area and shown to your seats - which you need to reserve in advance.

With panoramic views and a combination of low level leather seating and unusually comfortable bespoke bar stools - which are situated by the floor to ceiling windows looking out onto the streets below - the effect is breathtaking. The bar itself spans 360 degrees. Giving views across the entire city below, it is perfect for sight-seeing while sipping a signature glass of champagne.

The Atmosphere
This is no cork-popping venue as it has a quiet, almost hushed atmosphere. This is definitely not the place to let your hair down after a long day at the office, and it is better suited to intimate tête a têtes with a sophisticated companion. Mostly a mixture of couples lost in the look of love and business associates fill the room. A limited number of tables ensure you have enough privacy to conduct your conversations, although it appears that most visitors are distracted by the outstanding views rather than the company they are keeping. The attentive staff are impeccably presented, which adds to the overall upmarket ambience of the bar.

The Food
Vertigo 42 is not a restaurant although a bar menu is offered from Monday-Friday and a cold food menu on Saturday. As the drinks take centre stage, do not expect gourmet cuisine. Think elegant nibbles and delicate canapés, such as steamed trout, which are designed to complement the champagne that you are inevitably drinking.

The Drink
The order of the day is champagne in every variation possible. Luxury names of the sparkling world sit alongside signature Vertigo 42 concoctions, such as the delicious peach bellini (around £10 per glass). Bottles of bubbles start at £55.00 for a De Nauroy NV Brut and go up to the late hundreds for a vintage Krug. This is a place where you pay premium prices for the view. There is also a small selection of wines (£8 a glass) and a limited selection of non-alcoholic options.

The Last Word
The exquisite panoramic views make it impossible to fault Vertigo 42 as an upmarket bar, one that is great for impressing a first date or for relaxing after a long day. If you don’t mind a bill that is as lofty as the venue itself then it is well worth a visit.

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