The 31 floors below Sky Lounge constitute 'the tallest student accommodation in Europe'; rent for a single room within begins at £280 per week. It's safe to say there's no one scraping by through their studies up there.
It's generally accepted that bar prices rise with building height: true here, but in this case quality remains at basement level.
Sky Lounge is kitted out in Ikea-style furniture and is unflatteringly lit. The drinks list is uninspiring; when we visited, food, which the website promises could be West Mersea oysters or a sushi selection, was limited to a wavy ceramic plate of standard nibbles. For £6.
The view, of course, is amazing, but there are far better places to drink at height in London (the nearby Vertigo 42, for instance). If you're looking for somewhere to hire out for a corporate event, you'll find Sky Lounge suited to your needs. Couples or groups of drinkers should look elsewhere.
After one drink, our bill was brought unbidden: the staff must have read our minds.
Not to be confused with the similarly-named Skylounge.