diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index b37bf69c3cb78..d906cf297ee81 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -11,6 +11,11 @@
 - [core] registering toolbar items for commands that explicitly target a `ViewContainer` rather than a child widget may not behave as expected. Such registrations should be made in the `ViewContainer` by overriding the `updateToolbarItems` method and using the `registerToolbarItem` utility. See the modifications to the `scm` and `vsx-registry` packages in the PR for examples. [#9798](https://github.com/eclipse-theia/theia/pull/9798)
 - [vsx-registry] `VSXExtensionsContribution` no longer implements `TabBarToolbarContribution` and is not bound as such. Extensions of the class that expect such behavior should reimplement it with caution. See caveats in PR. [#9798](https://github.com/eclipse-theia/theia/pull/9798)
 - [core] `handleExpansionToggleDblClickEvent` in `TreeWidget` can no longer be overridden. Instead, `doHandleExpansionToggleDblClickEvent` can be overridden. [#9877](https://github.com/eclipse-theia/theia/pull/9877)
+- [core] `SidePanelHandler.addMenu` and `SidePanelHandler.removeMenu` no longer exists, instead added `addBottomMenu` and `addTopMenu` for adding menu, `removeTopMenu` and `removeBottomMenu` for removing menu. 
+  - `SidebarBottomMenu` interface is renamed `SidebarMenu` and handles not only bottom menu's. 
+  - Changed style class name from `theia-sidebar-bottom-menu` to `theia-sidebar-menu`
+- [preferences] `TheiaDockPanel` constructor takes a new parameter `preferences`. 
+[#9830](https://github.com/eclipse-theia/theia/pull/9830)
 
 ## v1.16.0 - 7/29/2021
 
@@ -71,7 +76,6 @@
 - [debug] `DebugSession` and `PluginDebugSession` constructors accept a `parentSession` of type `DebugSession | undefined` as their 3rd parameter, offsetting every subsequent parameter by one [#9613](https://github.com/eclipse-theia/theia/pull/9613)
 - [monaco] upgraded to monaco 0.23.0 including replacement of `quickOpen` API (0.20.x) with `quickInput` API (0.23.x) [#9154](https://github.com/eclipse-theia/theia/pull/9154)
 - [workspace] `WorkspaceCommandContribution.addFolderToWorkspace` no longer accepts `undefined`. `WorkspaceService.addRoot` now accepts a `URI` or a `URI[]` [#9684](https://github.com/eclipse-theia/theia/pull/9684)
-
 ## v1.15.0 - 6/30/2021
 
 [1.15.0 Milestone](https://github.com/eclipse-theia/theia/milestone/21)
diff --git a/examples/api-samples/src/electron-browser/updater/sample-updater-frontend-contribution.ts b/examples/api-samples/src/electron-browser/updater/sample-updater-frontend-contribution.ts
index 9c9bff21aa780..ed4baca3c1231 100644
--- a/examples/api-samples/src/electron-browser/updater/sample-updater-frontend-contribution.ts
+++ b/examples/api-samples/src/electron-browser/updater/sample-updater-frontend-contribution.ts
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ export class ElectronMenuUpdater {
         this.setMenu();
     }
 
-    private setMenu(menu: Menu = this.factory.createMenuBar(), electronWindow: BrowserWindow = remote.getCurrentWindow()): void {
+    private setMenu(menu: Menu | null = this.factory.createMenuBar(), electronWindow: BrowserWindow = remote.getCurrentWindow()): void {
         if (isOSX) {
             remote.Menu.setApplicationMenu(menu);
         } else {
diff --git a/packages/core/src/browser/common-frontend-contribution.ts b/packages/core/src/browser/common-frontend-contribution.ts
index a800bb0b202a6..065fde1041a85 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/browser/common-frontend-contribution.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/browser/common-frontend-contribution.ts
@@ -43,9 +43,9 @@ import { environment } from '@theia/application-package/lib/environment';
 import { IconThemeService } from './icon-theme-service';
 import { ColorContribution } from './color-application-contribution';
 import { ColorRegistry, Color } from './color-registry';
-import { CorePreferences } from './core-preferences';
+import { CoreConfiguration, CorePreferences } from './core-preferences';
 import { ThemeService } from './theming';
-import { PreferenceService, PreferenceScope } from './preferences';
+import { PreferenceService, PreferenceScope, PreferenceChangeEvent } from './preferences';
 import { ClipboardService } from './clipboard-service';
 import { EncodingRegistry } from './encoding-registry';
 import { UTF8 } from '../common/encodings';
@@ -350,17 +350,11 @@ export class CommonFrontendContribution implements FrontendApplicationContributi
         this.updateStyles();
         this.updateThemeFromPreference('workbench.colorTheme');
         this.updateThemeFromPreference('workbench.iconTheme');
-        this.preferences.onPreferenceChanged(e => {
-            if (e.preferenceName === 'workbench.editor.highlightModifiedTabs') {
-                this.updateStyles();
-            } else if (e.preferenceName === 'workbench.colorTheme' || e.preferenceName === 'workbench.iconTheme') {
-                this.updateThemeFromPreference(e.preferenceName);
-            }
-        });
+        this.preferences.onPreferenceChanged(e => this.handlePreferenceChange(e, app));
         this.themeService.onDidColorThemeChange(() => this.updateThemePreference('workbench.colorTheme'));
         this.iconThemes.onDidChangeCurrent(() => this.updateThemePreference('workbench.iconTheme'));
 
-        app.shell.leftPanelHandler.addMenu({
+        app.shell.leftPanelHandler.addBottomMenu({
             id: 'settings-menu',
             iconClass: 'codicon codicon-settings-gear',
             title: 'Settings',
@@ -375,11 +369,11 @@ export class CommonFrontendContribution implements FrontendApplicationContributi
             order: 1,
         };
         this.authenticationService.onDidRegisterAuthenticationProvider(() => {
-            app.shell.leftPanelHandler.addMenu(accountsMenu);
+            app.shell.leftPanelHandler.addBottomMenu(accountsMenu);
         });
         this.authenticationService.onDidUnregisterAuthenticationProvider(() => {
             if (this.authenticationService.getProviderIds().length === 0) {
-                app.shell.leftPanelHandler.removeMenu(accountsMenu.id);
+                app.shell.leftPanelHandler.removeBottomMenu(accountsMenu.id);
             }
         });
     }
@@ -417,6 +411,36 @@ export class CommonFrontendContribution implements FrontendApplicationContributi
         }
     }
 
+    protected handlePreferenceChange(e: PreferenceChangeEvent<CoreConfiguration>, app: FrontendApplication): void {
+        switch (e.preferenceName) {
+            case 'workbench.editor.highlightModifiedTabs': {
+                this.updateStyles();
+                break;
+            }
+            case 'workbench.colorTheme':
+            case 'workbench.iconTheme': {
+                this.updateThemeFromPreference(e.preferenceName);
+                break;
+            }
+            case 'window.menuBarVisibility': {
+                const { newValue } = e;
+                const mainMenuId = 'main-menu';
+                if (newValue === 'compact') {
+                    this.shell.leftPanelHandler.addTopMenu({
+                        id: mainMenuId,
+                        iconClass: 'codicon codicon-menu',
+                        title: 'Application Menu',
+                        menuPath: ['menubar'],
+                        order: 0,
+                    });
+                } else {
+                    app.shell.leftPanelHandler.removeTopMenu(mainMenuId);
+                }
+                break;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     onStart(): void {
         this.storageService.getData<{ recent: Command[] }>(RECENT_COMMANDS_STORAGE_KEY, { recent: [] })
             .then(tasks => this.commandRegistry.recent = tasks.recent);
diff --git a/packages/core/src/browser/core-preferences.ts b/packages/core/src/browser/core-preferences.ts
index 1888d91d0438d..ebc148caa8df7 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/browser/core-preferences.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/browser/core-preferences.ts
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import { interfaces } from 'inversify';
 import { createPreferenceProxy, PreferenceProxy, PreferenceService, PreferenceContribution, PreferenceSchema } from './preferences';
 import { SUPPORTED_ENCODINGS } from './supported-encodings';
 import { FrontendApplicationConfigProvider } from './frontend-application-config-provider';
+import { isOSX } from '../common/os';
 
 export const corePreferenceSchema: PreferenceSchema = {
     'type': 'object',
@@ -97,6 +98,21 @@ export const corePreferenceSchema: PreferenceSchema = {
             default: 'code',
             description: 'Whether to interpret keypresses by the `code` of the physical key, or by the `keyCode` provided by the OS.'
         },
+        'window.menuBarVisibility': {
+            type: 'string',
+            enum: ['classic', 'visible', 'hidden', 'compact'],
+            markdownEnumDescriptions: [
+                'Menu is displayed at the top of the window and only hidden in full screen mode.',
+                'Menu is always visible at the top of the window even in full screen mode.',
+                'Menu is always hidden.',
+                'Menu is displayed as a compact button in the sidebar.'
+            ],
+            default: 'classic',
+            scope: 'application',
+            markdownDescription: `Control the visibility of the menu bar. 
+            A setting of 'compact' will move the menu into the sidebar.`,
+            included: !isOSX
+        },
     }
 };
 
@@ -112,6 +128,7 @@ export interface CoreConfiguration {
     'workbench.silentNotifications': boolean;
     'files.encoding': string
     'workbench.tree.renderIndentGuides': 'onHover' | 'none' | 'always';
+    'window.menuBarVisibility': 'classic' | 'visible' | 'hidden' | 'compact';
 }
 
 export const CorePreferences = Symbol('CorePreferences');
diff --git a/packages/core/src/browser/frontend-application-module.ts b/packages/core/src/browser/frontend-application-module.ts
index b868bbacc4791..aa0cbc50e3af6 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/browser/frontend-application-module.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/browser/frontend-application-module.ts
@@ -43,8 +43,8 @@ import {
     ApplicationShell, ApplicationShellOptions, DockPanelRenderer, TabBarRenderer,
     TabBarRendererFactory, ShellLayoutRestorer,
     SidePanelHandler, SidePanelHandlerFactory,
-    SidebarBottomMenuWidget, SidebarBottomMenuWidgetFactory,
-    SplitPositionHandler, DockPanelRendererFactory, ApplicationShellLayoutMigration, ApplicationShellLayoutMigrationError
+    SidebarMenuWidget, SidebarTopMenuWidgetFactory,
+    SplitPositionHandler, DockPanelRendererFactory, ApplicationShellLayoutMigration, ApplicationShellLayoutMigrationError, SidebarBottomMenuWidgetFactory
 } from './shell';
 import { StatusBar, StatusBarImpl } from './status-bar/status-bar';
 import { LabelParser } from './label-parser';
@@ -104,6 +104,7 @@ import {
 } from './quick-input';
 import { QuickAccessContribution } from './quick-input/quick-access';
 import { QuickCommandService } from './quick-input/quick-command-service';
+import { SidebarBottomMenuWidget } from './shell/sidebar-bottom-menu-widget';
 
 export { bindResourceProvider, bindMessageService, bindPreferenceService };
 
@@ -133,8 +134,10 @@ export const frontendApplicationModule = new ContainerModule((bind, unbind, isBo
     bind(ApplicationShell).toSelf().inSingletonScope();
     bind(SidePanelHandlerFactory).toAutoFactory(SidePanelHandler);
     bind(SidePanelHandler).toSelf();
-    bind(SidebarBottomMenuWidgetFactory).toAutoFactory(SidebarBottomMenuWidget);
+    bind(SidebarTopMenuWidgetFactory).toAutoFactory(SidebarMenuWidget);
+    bind(SidebarMenuWidget).toSelf();
     bind(SidebarBottomMenuWidget).toSelf();
+    bind(SidebarBottomMenuWidgetFactory).toAutoFactory(SidebarBottomMenuWidget);
     bind(SplitPositionHandler).toSelf().inSingletonScope();
 
     bindContributionProvider(bind, TabBarToolbarContribution);
diff --git a/packages/core/src/browser/menu/browser-menu-plugin.ts b/packages/core/src/browser/menu/browser-menu-plugin.ts
index 9187a01355430..3549ba9b66a5f 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/browser/menu/browser-menu-plugin.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/browser/menu/browser-menu-plugin.ts
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ import { ContextKeyService } from '../context-key-service';
 import { ContextMenuContext } from './context-menu-context';
 import { waitForRevealed } from '../widgets';
 import { ApplicationShell } from '../shell';
+import { CorePreferences } from '../core-preferences';
 
 export abstract class MenuBarWidget extends MenuBar {
     abstract activateMenu(label: string, ...labels: string[]): Promise<MenuWidget>;
@@ -45,6 +46,9 @@ export class BrowserMainMenuFactory implements MenuWidgetFactory {
     @inject(CommandRegistry)
     protected readonly commandRegistry: CommandRegistry;
 
+    @inject(CorePreferences)
+    protected readonly corePreferences: CorePreferences;
+
     @inject(KeybindingRegistry)
     protected readonly keybindingRegistry: KeybindingRegistry;
 
@@ -54,15 +58,31 @@ export class BrowserMainMenuFactory implements MenuWidgetFactory {
     createMenuBar(): MenuBarWidget {
         const menuBar = new DynamicMenuBarWidget();
         menuBar.id = 'theia:menubar';
-        this.fillMenuBar(menuBar);
-        const listener = this.keybindingRegistry.onKeybindingsChanged(() => {
-            menuBar.clearMenus();
-            this.fillMenuBar(menuBar);
+        const preferenceListener = this.corePreferences.onPreferenceChanged(preference => {
+            if (preference.preferenceName === 'window.menuBarVisibility') {
+                this.showMenuBar(menuBar, preference.newValue);
+            }
+        });
+        const keybindingListener = this.keybindingRegistry.onKeybindingsChanged(() => {
+            const preference = this.corePreferences['window.menuBarVisibility'];
+            this.showMenuBar(menuBar, preference);
+        });
+        menuBar.disposed.connect(() => {
+            preferenceListener.dispose();
+            keybindingListener.dispose();
         });
-        menuBar.disposed.connect(() => listener.dispose());
         return menuBar;
     }
 
+    protected showMenuBar(menuBar: DynamicMenuBarWidget, preference: string | undefined): void {
+        if (preference && ['classic', 'visible'].includes(preference)) {
+            menuBar.clearMenus();
+            this.fillMenuBar(menuBar);
+        } else {
+            menuBar.clearMenus();
+        }
+    }
+
     protected fillMenuBar(menuBar: MenuBarWidget): void {
         const menuModel = this.menuProvider.getMenu(MAIN_MENU_BAR);
         const menuCommandRegistry = this.createMenuCommandRegistry(menuModel);
diff --git a/packages/core/src/browser/shell/application-shell.ts b/packages/core/src/browser/shell/application-shell.ts
index 39f4455bd9e83..339ff5f936fa7 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/browser/shell/application-shell.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/browser/shell/application-shell.ts
@@ -36,6 +36,8 @@ import { TabBarToolbarRegistry, TabBarToolbarFactory, TabBarToolbar } from './ta
 import { ContextKeyService } from '../context-key-service';
 import { Emitter } from '../../common/event';
 import { waitForRevealed, waitForClosed } from '../widgets';
+import { CorePreferences } from '../core-preferences';
+import { environment } from '../../common';
 
 /** The class name added to ApplicationShell instances. */
 const APPLICATION_SHELL_CLASS = 'theia-ApplicationShell';
@@ -204,7 +206,8 @@ export class ApplicationShell extends Widget {
         @inject(SidePanelHandlerFactory) sidePanelHandlerFactory: () => SidePanelHandler,
         @inject(SplitPositionHandler) protected splitPositionHandler: SplitPositionHandler,
         @inject(FrontendApplicationStateService) protected readonly applicationStateService: FrontendApplicationStateService,
-        @inject(ApplicationShellOptions) @optional() options: RecursivePartial<ApplicationShell.Options> = {}
+        @inject(ApplicationShellOptions) @optional() options: RecursivePartial<ApplicationShell.Options> = {},
+        @inject(CorePreferences) protected readonly corePreferences: CorePreferences
     ) {
         super(options as Widget.IOptions);
         this.addClass(APPLICATION_SHELL_CLASS);
@@ -448,7 +451,7 @@ export class ApplicationShell extends Widget {
             mode: 'multiple-document',
             renderer,
             spacing: 0
-        });
+        }, this.corePreferences);
         dockPanel.id = MAIN_AREA_ID;
         dockPanel.widgetAdded.connect((_, widget) => this.fireDidAddWidget(widget));
         dockPanel.widgetRemoved.connect((_, widget) => this.fireDidRemoveWidget(widget));
@@ -466,7 +469,7 @@ export class ApplicationShell extends Widget {
             mode: 'multiple-document',
             renderer,
             spacing: 0
-        });
+        }, this.corePreferences);
         dockPanel.id = BOTTOM_AREA_ID;
         dockPanel.widgetAdded.connect((sender, widget) => {
             this.refreshBottomPanelToggleButton();
@@ -493,6 +496,21 @@ export class ApplicationShell extends Widget {
     protected createTopPanel(): Panel {
         const topPanel = new Panel();
         topPanel.id = 'theia-top-panel';
+
+        // hide top panel when `menuBarVisibility` preference changes
+        if (!environment.electron.is()) {
+            this.corePreferences.onPreferenceChanged(preference => {
+                if (preference.preferenceName === 'window.menuBarVisibility') {
+                    const hiddenPreferences = ['compact', 'hidden'];
+                    const hiddenNew = hiddenPreferences.includes(preference.newValue);
+                    const hiddenOld = preference.oldValue ? hiddenPreferences.includes(preference.oldValue) : true;
+
+                    if (preference.oldValue === undefined || (hiddenNew && !hiddenOld) || (!hiddenNew && hiddenOld)) {
+                        topPanel.setHidden(hiddenNew);
+                    }
+                }
+            });
+        }
         return topPanel;
     }
 
diff --git a/packages/core/src/browser/shell/index.ts b/packages/core/src/browser/shell/index.ts
index b376c3c672c70..c24c9f758e3b1 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/browser/shell/index.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/browser/shell/index.ts
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 export * from './application-shell';
 export * from './shell-layout-restorer';
 export * from './side-panel-handler';
-export * from './sidebar-bottom-menu-widget';
+export * from './sidebar-menu-widget';
 export * from './split-panels';
 export * from './tab-bars';
 export * from './view-contribution';
diff --git a/packages/core/src/browser/shell/side-panel-handler.ts b/packages/core/src/browser/shell/side-panel-handler.ts
index 66b8cf3f03d46..2d5a3ebacccce 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/browser/shell/side-panel-handler.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/browser/shell/side-panel-handler.ts
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ import { MimeData } from '@phosphor/coreutils';
 import { Drag } from '@phosphor/dragdrop';
 import { AttachedProperty } from '@phosphor/properties';
 import { TabBarRendererFactory, TabBarRenderer, SHELL_TABBAR_CONTEXT_MENU, SideTabBar } from './tab-bars';
-import { SidebarBottomMenuWidget, SidebarBottomMenuWidgetFactory, SidebarBottomMenu } from './sidebar-bottom-menu-widget';
+import { SidebarMenuWidget, SidebarMenu, SidebarBottomMenuWidgetFactory, SidebarTopMenuWidgetFactory } from './sidebar-menu-widget';
 import { SplitPositionHandler, SplitPositionOptions } from './split-panels';
 import { animationFrame } from '../browser';
 import { FrontendApplicationStateService } from '../frontend-application-state';
@@ -31,6 +31,8 @@ import { TabBarToolbarRegistry, TabBarToolbarFactory, TabBarToolbar } from './ta
 import { DisposableCollection, Disposable } from '../../common/disposable';
 import { ContextMenuRenderer } from '../context-menu-renderer';
 import { MenuPath } from '../../common/menu';
+import { SidebarBottomMenuWidget } from './sidebar-bottom-menu-widget';
+import { SidebarTopMenuWidget } from './sidebar-top-menu-widget';
 
 /** The class name added to the left and right area panels. */
 export const LEFT_RIGHT_AREA_CLASS = 'theia-app-sides';
@@ -65,12 +67,18 @@ export class SidePanelHandler {
      * tab bar itself remains visible as long as there is at least one widget.
      */
     tabBar: SideTabBar;
+    /**
+     * The menu placed on the sidebar top.
+     * Displayed as icons.
+     * Open menus when on clicks.
+     */
+    topMenu: SidebarMenuWidget;
     /**
      * The menu placed on the sidebar bottom.
      * Displayed as icons.
      * Open menus when on clicks.
      */
-    bottomMenu: SidebarBottomMenuWidget;
+    bottomMenu: SidebarMenuWidget;
     /**
      * A tool bar, which displays a title and widget specific command buttons.
      */
@@ -107,6 +115,7 @@ export class SidePanelHandler {
     @inject(TabBarToolbarRegistry) protected tabBarToolBarRegistry: TabBarToolbarRegistry;
     @inject(TabBarToolbarFactory) protected tabBarToolBarFactory: () => TabBarToolbar;
     @inject(TabBarRendererFactory) protected tabBarRendererFactory: () => TabBarRenderer;
+    @inject(SidebarTopMenuWidgetFactory) protected sidebarTopWidgetFactory: () => SidebarTopMenuWidget;
     @inject(SidebarBottomMenuWidgetFactory) protected sidebarBottomWidgetFactory: () => SidebarBottomMenuWidget;
     @inject(SplitPositionHandler) protected splitPositionHandler: SplitPositionHandler;
     @inject(FrontendApplicationStateService) protected readonly applicationStateService: FrontendApplicationStateService;
@@ -120,6 +129,7 @@ export class SidePanelHandler {
     create(side: 'left' | 'right', options: SidePanel.Options): void {
         this.side = side;
         this.options = options;
+        this.topMenu = this.createSidebarTopMenu();
         this.tabBar = this.createSideBar();
         this.bottomMenu = this.createSidebarBottomMenu();
         this.toolBar = this.createToolbar();
@@ -187,10 +197,18 @@ export class SidePanelHandler {
         return toolbar;
     }
 
+    protected createSidebarTopMenu(): SidebarTopMenuWidget {
+        return this.createSidebarMenu(this.sidebarTopWidgetFactory);
+    }
+
     protected createSidebarBottomMenu(): SidebarBottomMenuWidget {
-        const bottomMenu = this.sidebarBottomWidgetFactory();
-        bottomMenu.addClass('theia-sidebar-bottom-menu');
-        return bottomMenu;
+        return this.createSidebarMenu(this.sidebarBottomWidgetFactory);
+    }
+
+    protected createSidebarMenu<T extends SidebarMenuWidget>(factory: () => T): T {
+        const menu = factory();
+        menu.addClass('theia-sidebar-menu');
+        return menu;
     }
 
     protected showContextMenu(e: MouseEvent): void {
@@ -232,6 +250,7 @@ export class SidePanelHandler {
         const sidebarContainerLayout = new PanelLayout();
         const sidebarContainer = new Panel({ layout: sidebarContainerLayout });
         sidebarContainer.addClass('theia-app-sidebar-container');
+        sidebarContainerLayout.addWidget(this.topMenu);
         sidebarContainerLayout.addWidget(this.tabBar);
         sidebarContainerLayout.addWidget(this.bottomMenu);
 
@@ -385,12 +404,30 @@ export class SidePanelHandler {
         this.dockPanel.addWidget(widget);
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Add a menu to the sidebar top.
+     *
+     * If the menu is already added, it will be ignored.
+     */
+    addTopMenu(menu: SidebarMenu): void {
+        this.topMenu.addMenu(menu);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Remove a menu from the sidebar top.
+     *
+     * @param menuId id of the menu to remove
+     */
+    removeTopMenu(menuId: string): void {
+        this.topMenu.removeMenu(menuId);
+    }
+
     /**
      * Add a menu to the sidebar bottom.
      *
      * If the menu is already added, it will be ignored.
      */
-    addMenu(menu: SidebarBottomMenu): void {
+    addBottomMenu(menu: SidebarMenu): void {
         this.bottomMenu.addMenu(menu);
     }
 
@@ -399,7 +436,7 @@ export class SidePanelHandler {
      *
      * @param menuId id of the menu to remove
      */
-    removeMenu(menuId: string): void {
+    removeBottomMenu(menuId: string): void {
         this.bottomMenu.removeMenu(menuId);
     }
 
diff --git a/packages/core/src/browser/shell/sidebar-bottom-menu-widget.tsx b/packages/core/src/browser/shell/sidebar-bottom-menu-widget.tsx
index f85573635bb87..c8bb12dbf6e93 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/browser/shell/sidebar-bottom-menu-widget.tsx
+++ b/packages/core/src/browser/shell/sidebar-bottom-menu-widget.tsx
@@ -14,75 +14,25 @@
  * SPDX-License-Identifier: EPL-2.0 OR GPL-2.0 WITH Classpath-exception-2.0
  ********************************************************************************/
 
-import { injectable, inject } from 'inversify';
-import * as React from 'react';
-import { ReactWidget } from '../widgets';
-import { ContextMenuRenderer } from '../context-menu-renderer';
+import { SidebarMenuWidget } from './sidebar-menu-widget';
 import { MenuPath } from '../../common/menu';
-
-export const SidebarBottomMenuWidgetFactory = Symbol('SidebarBottomMenuWidgetFactory');
-
-export interface SidebarBottomMenu {
-  id: string;
-  iconClass: string;
-  title: string;
-  menuPath: MenuPath;
-  order: number; // smaller one place lower
-}
+import { injectable } from 'inversify';
 
 /**
  * The menu widget placed on the bottom of the sidebar.
  */
 @injectable()
-export class SidebarBottomMenuWidget extends ReactWidget {
-  protected readonly menus: SidebarBottomMenu[];
-
-  @inject(ContextMenuRenderer)
-  protected readonly contextMenuRenderer: ContextMenuRenderer;
-
-  constructor() {
-    super();
-    this.menus = [];
-  }
-
-  addMenu(menu: SidebarBottomMenu): void {
-    const exists = this.menus.find(m => m.id === menu.id);
-    if (exists) {
-      return;
+export class SidebarBottomMenuWidget extends SidebarMenuWidget {
+
+    protected onClick(e: React.MouseEvent<HTMLElement, MouseEvent>, menuPath: MenuPath): void {
+        const button = e.currentTarget.getBoundingClientRect();
+        this.contextMenuRenderer.render({
+            menuPath,
+            anchor: {
+                x: button.left + button.width,
+                y: button.top + button.height,
+            }
+        });
     }
-    this.menus.push(menu);
-    this.update();
-  }
-
-  removeMenu(menuId: string): void {
-      const menu = this.menus.find(m => m.id === menuId);
-      if (menu) {
-          const index = this.menus.indexOf(menu);
-          if (index !== -1) {
-              this.menus.splice(index, 1);
-              this.update();
-          }
-      }
-  }
-
-  protected onClick(e: React.MouseEvent<HTMLElement, MouseEvent>, menuPath: MenuPath): void {
-    this.contextMenuRenderer.render({
-      menuPath,
-      anchor: {
-        x: e.clientX,
-        y: e.clientY,
-      }
-    });
-  }
 
-  protected render(): React.ReactNode {
-    return <React.Fragment>
-      {this.menus.sort((a, b) => a.order - b.order).map(menu => <i
-        key={menu.id}
-        className={menu.iconClass}
-        title={menu.title}
-        onClick={e => this.onClick(e, menu.menuPath)}
-      />)}
-    </React.Fragment>;
-  }
 }
diff --git a/packages/core/src/browser/shell/sidebar-menu-widget.tsx b/packages/core/src/browser/shell/sidebar-menu-widget.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..f81dc59259c5d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core/src/browser/shell/sidebar-menu-widget.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+/********************************************************************************
+ * Copyright (C) 2020 Alibaba Inc. and others.
+ *
+ * This program and the accompanying materials are made available under the
+ * terms of the Eclipse Public License v. 2.0 which is available at
+ * http://www.eclipse.org/legal/epl-2.0.
+ *
+ * This Source Code may also be made available under the following Secondary
+ * Licenses when the conditions for such availability set forth in the Eclipse
+ * Public License v. 2.0 are satisfied: GNU General Public License, version 2
+ * with the GNU Classpath Exception which is available at
+ * https://www.gnu.org/software/classpath/license.html.
+ *
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: EPL-2.0 OR GPL-2.0 WITH Classpath-exception-2.0
+ ********************************************************************************/
+
+import { injectable, inject } from 'inversify';
+import * as React from 'react';
+import { ReactWidget } from '../widgets';
+import { ContextMenuRenderer } from '../context-menu-renderer';
+import { MenuPath } from '../../common/menu';
+
+export const SidebarTopMenuWidgetFactory = Symbol('SidebarTopMenuWidgetFactory');
+export const SidebarBottomMenuWidgetFactory = Symbol('SidebarBottomMenuWidgetFactory');
+
+export interface SidebarMenu {
+  id: string;
+  iconClass: string;
+  title: string;
+  menuPath: MenuPath;
+  order: number; // smaller one place lower
+}
+
+/**
+ * The menu widget placed on the sidebar.
+ */
+@injectable()
+export class SidebarMenuWidget extends ReactWidget {
+  protected readonly menus: SidebarMenu[];
+
+  @inject(ContextMenuRenderer)
+  protected readonly contextMenuRenderer: ContextMenuRenderer;
+
+  constructor() {
+    super();
+    this.menus = [];
+  }
+
+  addMenu(menu: SidebarMenu): void {
+    const exists = this.menus.find(m => m.id === menu.id);
+    if (exists) {
+      return;
+    }
+    this.menus.push(menu);
+    this.update();
+  }
+
+  removeMenu(menuId: string): void {
+    const menu = this.menus.find(m => m.id === menuId);
+    if (menu) {
+      const index = this.menus.indexOf(menu);
+      if (index !== -1) {
+        this.menus.splice(index, 1);
+        this.update();
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  protected onClick(e: React.MouseEvent<HTMLElement, MouseEvent>, menuPath: MenuPath): void {
+    const button = e.currentTarget.getBoundingClientRect();
+    this.contextMenuRenderer.render({
+      menuPath,
+      anchor: {
+        x: button.left + button.width,
+        y: button.top,
+      }
+    });
+  }
+
+  protected render(): React.ReactNode {
+    return <React.Fragment>
+      {this.menus.sort((a, b) => a.order - b.order).map(menu => <i
+        key={menu.id}
+        className={menu.iconClass}
+        title={menu.title}
+        onClick={e => this.onClick(e, menu.menuPath)}
+      />)}
+    </React.Fragment>;
+  }
+}
diff --git a/packages/core/src/browser/shell/sidebar-top-menu-widget.tsx b/packages/core/src/browser/shell/sidebar-top-menu-widget.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..31deb7d79cbdd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core/src/browser/shell/sidebar-top-menu-widget.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+/********************************************************************************
+ * Copyright (C) 2020 Alibaba Inc. and others.
+ *
+ * This program and the accompanying materials are made available under the
+ * terms of the Eclipse Public License v. 2.0 which is available at
+ * http://www.eclipse.org/legal/epl-2.0.
+ *
+ * This Source Code may also be made available under the following Secondary
+ * Licenses when the conditions for such availability set forth in the Eclipse
+ * Public License v. 2.0 are satisfied: GNU General Public License, version 2
+ * with the GNU Classpath Exception which is available at
+ * https://www.gnu.org/software/classpath/license.html.
+ *
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: EPL-2.0 OR GPL-2.0 WITH Classpath-exception-2.0
+ ********************************************************************************/
+
+import { SidebarMenuWidget } from './sidebar-menu-widget';
+import { injectable } from 'inversify';
+
+/**
+ * The menu widget placed on the top of the sidebar.
+ */
+@injectable()
+export class SidebarTopMenuWidget extends SidebarMenuWidget {
+
+}
diff --git a/packages/core/src/browser/shell/theia-dock-panel.ts b/packages/core/src/browser/shell/theia-dock-panel.ts
index efbef03ba8258..9bc4fc314f827 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/browser/shell/theia-dock-panel.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/browser/shell/theia-dock-panel.ts
@@ -19,8 +19,12 @@ import { TabBar, Widget, DockPanel, Title, DockLayout } from '@phosphor/widgets'
 import { Signal } from '@phosphor/signaling';
 import { Disposable, DisposableCollection } from '../../common/disposable';
 import { MessageLoop } from '../widgets';
+import { CorePreferences } from '../core-preferences';
+import { inject } from 'inversify';
+import { Emitter, environment } from '../../common';
 
-const MAXIMIZED_CLASS = 'theia-maximized';
+export const MAXIMIZED_CLASS = 'theia-maximized';
+const VISIBLE_MENU_MAXIMIZED_CLASS = 'theia-visible-menu-maximized';
 
 export const MAIN_AREA_ID = 'theia-main-content-panel';
 export const BOTTOM_AREA_ID = 'theia-bottom-content-panel';
@@ -44,7 +48,12 @@ export class TheiaDockPanel extends DockPanel {
      */
     readonly widgetRemoved = new Signal<this, Widget>(this);
 
-    constructor(options?: DockPanel.IOptions) {
+    protected readonly onDidToggleMaximizedEmitter = new Emitter<Widget>();
+    readonly onDidToggleMaximized = this.onDidToggleMaximizedEmitter.event;
+
+    constructor(options?: DockPanel.IOptions,
+        @inject(CorePreferences) protected readonly preferences?: CorePreferences
+    ) {
         super(options);
         this['_onCurrentChanged'] = (sender: TabBar<Widget>, args: TabBar.ICurrentChangedArgs<Widget>) => {
             this.markAsCurrent(args.currentTitle || undefined);
@@ -54,6 +63,30 @@ export class TheiaDockPanel extends DockPanel {
             this.markAsCurrent(args.title);
             super['_onTabActivateRequested'](sender, args);
         };
+        if (preferences) {
+            preferences.onPreferenceChanged(preference => {
+                if (!this.isElectron() && preference.preferenceName === 'window.menuBarVisibility' && (preference.newValue === 'visible' || preference.oldValue === 'visible')) {
+                    this.handleMenuBarVisibility(preference.newValue);
+                }
+            });
+        }
+    }
+
+    isElectron(): boolean {
+        return environment.electron.is();
+    }
+
+    protected handleMenuBarVisibility(newValue: string): void {
+        const areaContainer = this.node.parentElement;
+        const maximizedElement = this.getMaximizedElement();
+
+        if (areaContainer === maximizedElement) {
+            if (newValue === 'visible') {
+                this.addClass(VISIBLE_MENU_MAXIMIZED_CLASS);
+            } else {
+                this.removeClass(VISIBLE_MENU_MAXIMIZED_CLASS);
+            }
+        }
     }
 
     protected _currentTitle: Title<Widget> | undefined;
@@ -148,13 +181,22 @@ export class TheiaDockPanel extends DockPanel {
         }
         maximizedElement.style.display = 'block';
         this.addClass(MAXIMIZED_CLASS);
+        const preference = this.preferences?.get('window.menuBarVisibility');
+        if (!this.isElectron() && preference === 'visible') {
+            this.addClass(VISIBLE_MENU_MAXIMIZED_CLASS);
+        }
         MessageLoop.sendMessage(this, Widget.Msg.BeforeAttach);
         maximizedElement.appendChild(this.node);
         MessageLoop.sendMessage(this, Widget.Msg.AfterAttach);
         this.fit();
+        this.onDidToggleMaximizedEmitter.fire(this);
         this.toDisposeOnToggleMaximized.push(Disposable.create(() => {
             maximizedElement.style.display = 'none';
             this.removeClass(MAXIMIZED_CLASS);
+            this.onDidToggleMaximizedEmitter.fire(this);
+            if (!this.isElectron()) {
+                this.removeClass(VISIBLE_MENU_MAXIMIZED_CLASS);
+            }
             if (this.isAttached) {
                 MessageLoop.sendMessage(this, Widget.Msg.BeforeDetach);
                 this.node.remove();
diff --git a/packages/core/src/browser/style/index.css b/packages/core/src/browser/style/index.css
index 11eac0003e6d1..e4e8f65c61476 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/browser/style/index.css
+++ b/packages/core/src/browser/style/index.css
@@ -78,6 +78,10 @@ blockquote {
     background: var(--theia-editor-background);
 }
 
+.theia-visible-menu-maximized {
+  top: var(--theia-private-menubar-height) !important;
+}
+
 .theia-ApplicationShell {
   position: absolute;
   top: 0;
diff --git a/packages/core/src/browser/style/sidepanel.css b/packages/core/src/browser/style/sidepanel.css
index 77e34a6901c0a..9bf6061c0d406 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/browser/style/sidepanel.css
+++ b/packages/core/src/browser/style/sidepanel.css
@@ -186,17 +186,17 @@
   flex-grow: 1;
 }
 
-.theia-app-sidebar-container .theia-sidebar-bottom-menu {
+.theia-app-sidebar-container .theia-sidebar-menu {
   flex-shrink: 0;
 }
 
-.p-Widget.theia-sidebar-bottom-menu {
+.p-Widget.theia-sidebar-menu {
   background-color: var(--theia-activityBar-background);
   display: flex;
   flex-direction: column-reverse;
 }
 
-.p-Widget.theia-sidebar-bottom-menu i {
+.p-Widget.theia-sidebar-menu i {
   padding: var(--theia-private-sidebar-tab-padding-top-and-bottom) var(--theia-private-sidebar-tab-padding-left-and-right);
   display: flex;
   justify-content: center;
@@ -207,10 +207,14 @@
   font-size: var(--theia-private-sidebar-icon-size);
 }
 
-.theia-sidebar-bottom-menu i:hover {
+.theia-sidebar-menu i:hover {
   color: var(--theia-activityBar-foreground);
 }
 
+.theia-sidebar-menu > i.codicon-menu {
+  font-size: calc(var(--theia-private-sidebar-icon-size)*0.7);
+}
+
 /*-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 | Perfect scrollbar
 |----------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
diff --git a/packages/core/src/common/preferences/preference-schema.ts b/packages/core/src/common/preferences/preference-schema.ts
index 0737a5a6e3230..84587f075eb14 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/common/preferences/preference-schema.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/common/preferences/preference-schema.ts
@@ -88,6 +88,7 @@ export interface PreferenceDataProperty extends PreferenceItem {
     description?: string;
     markdownDescription?: string;
     scope?: PreferenceScope;
+    included?: boolean;
 }
 export namespace PreferenceDataProperty {
     export function fromPreferenceSchemaProperty(schemaProps: PreferenceSchemaProperty, defaultScope: PreferenceScope = PreferenceScope.Workspace): PreferenceDataProperty {
diff --git a/packages/core/src/electron-browser/menu/electron-main-menu-factory.ts b/packages/core/src/electron-browser/menu/electron-main-menu-factory.ts
index 6658e4470ffa4..207ddd090e082 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/electron-browser/menu/electron-main-menu-factory.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/electron-browser/menu/electron-main-menu-factory.ts
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ import { PreferenceService, KeybindingRegistry, CommonCommands } from '../../bro
 import { ContextKeyService } from '../../browser/context-key-service';
 import debounce = require('lodash.debounce');
 import { ContextMenuContext } from '../../browser/menu/context-menu-context';
+import { MAXIMIZED_CLASS } from '../../browser/shell/theia-dock-panel';
 
 /**
  * Representation of possible electron menu options.
@@ -71,33 +72,49 @@ export class ElectronMainMenuFactory {
         @inject(MenuModelRegistry) protected readonly menuProvider: MenuModelRegistry,
         @inject(KeybindingRegistry) protected readonly keybindingRegistry: KeybindingRegistry
     ) {
-        preferencesService.onPreferenceChanged(debounce(() => {
-            if (this._menu) {
-                for (const item of this._toggledCommands) {
-                    this._menu.getMenuItemById(item).checked = this.commandRegistry.isToggled(item);
+        preferencesService.onPreferenceChanged(
+            debounce(e => {
+                if (e.preferenceName === 'window.menuBarVisibility') {
+                    this.setMenuBar();
                 }
-                electron.remote.getCurrentWindow().setMenu(this._menu);
-            }
-        }, 10));
+                if (this._menu) {
+                    for (const item of this._toggledCommands) {
+                        this._menu.getMenuItemById(item).checked = this.commandRegistry.isToggled(item);
+                    }
+                    electron.remote.getCurrentWindow().setMenu(this._menu);
+                }
+            }, 10)
+        );
         keybindingRegistry.onKeybindingsChanged(() => {
-            const createdMenuBar = this.createMenuBar();
-            if (isOSX) {
-                electron.remote.Menu.setApplicationMenu(createdMenuBar);
-            } else {
-                electron.remote.getCurrentWindow().setMenu(createdMenuBar);
-            }
+            this.setMenuBar();
         });
     }
 
-    createMenuBar(): Electron.Menu {
-        const menuModel = this.menuProvider.getMenu(MAIN_MENU_BAR);
-        const template = this.fillMenuTemplate([], menuModel);
+    setMenuBar(): void {
+        const createdMenuBar = this.createMenuBar();
         if (isOSX) {
-            template.unshift(this.createOSXMenu());
+            electron.remote.Menu.setApplicationMenu(createdMenuBar);
+        } else {
+            electron.remote.getCurrentWindow().setMenu(createdMenuBar);
+        }
+    }
+
+    createMenuBar(): Electron.Menu | null {
+        const preference = this.preferencesService.get<string>('window.menuBarVisibility') || 'classic';
+        const maxWidget = document.getElementsByClassName(MAXIMIZED_CLASS);
+        if (preference === 'visible' || (preference === 'classic' && maxWidget.length === 0)) {
+            const menuModel = this.menuProvider.getMenu(MAIN_MENU_BAR);
+            const template = this.fillMenuTemplate([], menuModel);
+            if (isOSX) {
+                template.unshift(this.createOSXMenu());
+            }
+            const menu = electron.remote.Menu.buildFromTemplate(template);
+            this._menu = menu;
+            return this._menu;
         }
-        const menu = electron.remote.Menu.buildFromTemplate(template);
-        this._menu = menu;
-        return menu;
+        this._menu = undefined;
+        // eslint-disable-next-line no-null/no-null
+        return null;
     }
 
     createContextMenu(menuPath: MenuPath, args?: any[]): Electron.Menu {
diff --git a/packages/core/src/electron-browser/menu/electron-menu-contribution.ts b/packages/core/src/electron-browser/menu/electron-menu-contribution.ts
index da71787d08ad4..7fe78f75aaec5 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/electron-browser/menu/electron-menu-contribution.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/electron-browser/menu/electron-menu-contribution.ts
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ import {
     Command, CommandContribution, CommandRegistry,
     isOSX, isWindows, MenuModelRegistry, MenuContribution, Disposable
 } from '../../common';
-import { KeybindingContribution, KeybindingRegistry, PreferenceScope, PreferenceService } from '../../browser';
+import { ApplicationShell, KeybindingContribution, KeybindingRegistry, PreferenceScope, PreferenceService } from '../../browser';
 import { FrontendApplication, FrontendApplicationContribution, CommonMenus } from '../../browser';
 import { ElectronMainMenuFactory } from './electron-main-menu-factory';
 import { FrontendApplicationStateService, FrontendApplicationState } from '../../browser/frontend-application-state';
@@ -81,7 +81,8 @@ export class ElectronMenuContribution implements FrontendApplicationContribution
     protected readonly preferenceService: PreferenceService;
 
     constructor(
-        @inject(ElectronMainMenuFactory) protected readonly factory: ElectronMainMenuFactory
+        @inject(ElectronMainMenuFactory) protected readonly factory: ElectronMainMenuFactory,
+        @inject(ApplicationShell) protected shell: ApplicationShell
     ) { }
 
     onStart(app: FrontendApplication): void {
@@ -107,6 +108,19 @@ export class ElectronMenuContribution implements FrontendApplicationContribution
             }
         };
         onStateChange = this.stateService.onStateChanged(stateServiceListener);
+        this.shell.mainPanel.onDidToggleMaximized(() => {
+            this.handleToggleMaximized();
+        });
+        this.shell.bottomPanel.onDidToggleMaximized(() => {
+            this.handleToggleMaximized();
+        });
+    }
+
+    handleToggleMaximized(): void {
+        const preference = this.preferenceService.get('window.menuBarVisibility');
+        if (preference === 'classic') {
+            this.factory.setMenuBar();
+        }
     }
 
     /**
@@ -129,7 +143,7 @@ export class ElectronMenuContribution implements FrontendApplicationContribution
         }
     }
 
-    private setMenu(menu: electron.Menu = this.factory.createMenuBar(), electronWindow: electron.BrowserWindow = electron.remote.getCurrentWindow()): void {
+    private setMenu(menu: electron.Menu | null = this.factory.createMenuBar(), electronWindow: electron.BrowserWindow = electron.remote.getCurrentWindow()): void {
         if (isOSX) {
             electron.remote.Menu.setApplicationMenu(menu);
         } else {