Jin Bo Law — Restaurant in London

Came back after being a visitor since 2019 and each year onwards. Each visit prior to my last was amazing, but I left so profoundly disappointed yesterday realising the changes. I had booked in advance for post-meal drinks as I was coming in with the presumption it would be like past years... I have a feeling the way it is being run (possibly ownership?) has totally changed. We used to be able to just pop into the hotel, yet we were left queuing outside and also got into our booking late. The atmosphere once we got up was dreadful, you can't speak to the person you're with anymore as the music is so loud - I wondered if it was a new Saturday thing so I asked (because fair enough if they do it occasionally for customer variety, right?) and apparently its now most of the time even weekdays. You also don't get table service well anymore, it honestly feels like your standard chain bar... What on EARTH have they done?!

This used to be a peaceful sophisticated bar with excellent quality cocktails and a nice view, now it just feels like a cheap club crammed into a nicer bar space. Service has gone profoundly downhill, rapport with staff is gone, the quality of the cocktails has been sadly destroyed beyond belief (!!) and is nothing close to the expectation I had from our last few years as consistent customers. I remember being so impressed before, and yet the cocktail I first ordered was a watery over-iced mess. Safe to say we left early...

I was so upset leaving yesterday after my first birthday weekend, but mainly frustrated because this place was special to me and my partner. The true Jin Bo experience has gone. It's now cheap tat with a view, sold off on the idea of what was the PAST experience of the bar. Such a shame :(

Please if you've been in the past expecting the same quality, go elsewhere. I honestly just want to save anyone from going through the level of disappointment from what...

Now, I'm not typically one for ultra-stylish bars. I prefer a place with a bit more grit, a bit more history embedded in the walls. But let me tell you, Jin Bo Law in Aldgate has completely won me over.

First, let’s talk about the view. Bars perched atop buildings are a new phenomenon for us English. It’s a bit of an epiphany when you think about it, but we’ve been rather late to the party. Suddenly, every office block, hotel, and high-rise has caught on to the trend. Yet, what they often forget is that it's not just about how high you are; it's about what you're looking at. And here’s where Jin Bo Law nails it. The view is simply stunning—the City of London laid out before you in all its glory. You’re not just looking out; you’re looking at something spectacular.

But enough about the view, because there's more to a bar than its vantage point. When the British weather inevitably does its thing, you're going to want somewhere equally inviting inside. And Jin Bo Law delivers here too. The interior is sleek and modern, but not in that sterile, soul-sucking way. It’s stylish but cozy, a place you genuinely want to linger, cocktail in hand.

Speaking of cocktails, they serve some rather jolly nice ones here. You won’t find a more delightful array of drinks, all prepared with the kind of flair that makes you appreciate the skill involved.

And then, there’s the staff. This is where Jin Bo Law truly excels. Friendly, attentive, and engaging—they're the sort of people you’d actually want to join you for a drink. They add a personal touch that makes your visit more than just a stop for a quick drink.

So, in conclusion, Jin Bo Law in Aldgate is a top spot in London. It's got everything: the view, the vibe, the drinks, and the staff. You should absolutely go. Even if you’re like me and typically shy away from the ultra-stylish, you’ll find yourself surprisingly at home here....

This place has been on my list for a good few years and I finally went. Save your time and money and go to another rooftop, London has plenty and much better value too with views and service.

...Upon arrival there was a very long queue, and we were told by the doorman managing it to stand in it. I re-confirmed with him that we had a reservation as the queue looked horrendous but we were told to wait with no reason given. So we stood for 25 minutes in the queue along with others. The queue management was awful, we were ushered in towards the lift, then told to go back outside into the same queue. Only then did they say there was an issue with the lifts and I asked why didn't they say that earlier and he decided to argue and say he did. The issue I figured out, was because the bar uses the hotel lifts, of which have priority to the guests of the hotel. At the time we arrived only one lift was working and getting to the rooftop took an exceptionally long time. This arrival experience gave such a bad impression of the bar from the get go.

When we finally went up, the lifts aren't air conditioned and so were uncomfortable. The bar felt cramped for the number of people they had (every table was full, with many standing), the only upside was we had a table for 4, for 2 people, providing lots of space for us, and prevented others coming too close. But right behind our chairs were the weights for the canopy umbrellas so getting in and out of our seats was extremely awkward. The music was okay, lots of house, mostly background music. The cheapest cocktail will set you back £20, and I dont think it's worth it. We left after our one drink....