The best rooftop bars in Soho and Covent Garden

What is it? The glorious adjunct to artsy Somerset House, this river-facing terrace relaunched last year as Setlist, with live music and DJ sessions.

Why we love it: We already know the views of the Thames and South Banks are great but the team are equally eye-opening. James Dye of Bambi, Frank’s and the Camberwell Arms and Clement Ogbonnaya of the Prince of Peckham are behind the custom soundsystem as well as a full-throttle events programme, with everything from poetry nights to funky house DJs and martini nights. 

Time Out tip: Margaritas are £6 every Saturday from 6-8pm, making for the perfect bargain sundowner. 

Address: Strand, WC2R 1LA.

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 12-11pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-1am, Sun 12-10pm.

Expect to pay: Drinks £6-16.

What is it? A camp-tasic bar bang in the middle of Soho. 

Why we love it: Up on the seventh floor of Broadwick Soho hotel, Flute pays tribute to a famous flute maker who resided on Broadwick Street in the 19th century. And wetting your whistle is just what you'll be doing here, at this outré, OTT terrace with views of the Soho skyline. There's also plenty of animal print, an onyx bar, cork walls and lots more seriously camp decor. Cocktails are inspired by movies shot in Soho – make ours a Peeping Tom, with rum, sherry and acai berries.

Time Out tip: Have your run of the Broadwick hotel without bothering to get a room - following your rooftop drinks, go for dinner at maximalist Italian resto Dear Jackie in the basement. 

Address: Broadwick Hotel, 20 Broadwick Street, Soho, W1F 9NE

Opening times: Sun-Thu 12pm-12am, Fri-Sat 12pm-12.30am.

Expect to pay: Signature cocktails are £21-24. Wine starts at £14 a glass.

What is it? A north Soho hotspot.

Why we love it: On the sixth floor of 1 Warwick members club – which also includes bistro Nessa on the ground floor – is the elegant Yasmin, a cosy spot that pops you among the rooftops of Soho. The summer terrance is open from April and offers a menu of Middle Eastern sharing plates, as well as a highly convincing cocktail menu. The signature list includes the likes of Golden Punch, made with house pisco, passionfruit, watermelon, pineapple and citrus, and they also offer bespoke concoctions on request. 

Time Out tip: Order some tasty za’atar spiced crisps to go alongside your drinks. 

Address: 1 Warwick Street, Soho, W1B 5LR.

Opening hours: Tue-Sat 12-11pm.

Expect to pay: Signature cocktails £14 each, wine from £9 a glass. 

What is it? A massive bar eight floors above Holborn Station. 

Why we love it: Launching last summer, this 200-capacity open-air bar has views of London icons like the Shard, the Walkie Talkie and the BT Tower. As for the vibes, La-Yam is going for a central London version of a beach bar, with wooden decking, white umbrellas and rattan furniture. For drinks, La-Yam serves up all the classic cocktails, with the menu including a margarita, mai tai, espresso martini, Aperol spritz, and strawberry daiquiri. The wine list is not huge, but comprises a selection of dependable bottles covering red, white, rosé and sparkles.

Time Out tip: On Sundays they host a BBQ roast, with a classic Sunday lunch cooked on an outdoor grill. At £40 per person, you can chow down on bottomless meats, and your first drink is on the house.

Address: Kingsbourne House, 229-231 High Holborn, WC1V 7DA.

Opening hours: Mon-Fri and Sun 3-10pm. 

Expect to pay: Signature cocktails from £15 each, wine from £7 a glass. 

What is it? A bar co-founded by Stormzy and modelled around an old-school house party, slap-bang in the middle of Soho.

Why we love it: Climb the seven-floor townhouse, past the teenager’s bedroom, the parents’ room, kitchen, and living room and find the rooftop bar - with the stage set for al fresco beer pong. It’s recommended you register for a party ‘invitation’ online for priority access, rather than risking not being let in on the night.

Time Out tip: Make sure you arrive before 10pm, so you don’t miss any surprise performances. 

Address: 61 Poland Street, Soho, W1F 7NU.

Opening hours: Thu-Sat 6pm-3am.

Expect to pay: Cocktails £10-15.

What is it? A fun, foliage-filled hangout. 

Why we love it: Up on the sixteenth floor and affording 360-degree views of the capital from its centre, The Nest Rooftop Bar is perched on top of the Treehouse, a hotel with a focus on sustainability. There’s an outdoor terrace that wraps around the building and is filled with loungers. The bar back inside produces what they‘re calling ‘forest-to-glass’ cocktails. It’s 21s and over from 5pm.

Time Out tip: Every Sunday between 12-3pm, The Nest hosts Drinks on The Woof, a bring-your-dog event with a special menu for pups. 

Address: 14-15 Langham Place, Fitzrovia, W1B 2QS.

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 12pm-1am, Sun 12-11pm. 

Expect to pay: Cocktails £16-17. Wine starts at £13 a glass.

What is it? A 10th floor bar for 200 people with a sweeping terrace.

Why we love it: Radio Rooftop has secured its status as one of central London’s prime rooftop drinking destinations. The terrace is much like a slick Ibiza sun lounge – although you probably won’t find such plush blankets and patio heaters in the Balearic Islands. It reopened last summer after a swanky refit, with a new bar menu stacked with sake and shochu.

Time Out tip: Every Monday to Wednesday from 12-7pm, there’s an extended happy hour with £8.50 cocktails. 

Address: ME London Hotel, 336-337 Strand, WC2R 1HA.

Opening hours: Sun-Wed 12pm-12am, Thu-Sat 12pm-1.30am.

Expect to pay: Cocktails £19-21, wine from £13 a glass.

What is it? A very central, but surprisingly chill rooftop spot.

Why we love it: On the top of a hotel just behind Covent Garden Piazza, come for one of the quietest rooftop bars in the city. Serving up solid renditions of classic cocktails, the bar on Amano’s seventh floor is a good shout if you want views of the big landmarks without having to bellow over the din of several dozen Aperol drinks, and it also has some indoor seating for when the heavens inevitably open.

Time Out tip: Last year there was live music every Thursday evening, with sets from up-and-coming artists as part of Amano’s Skyline Sessions series.

Address: Drury House, 34-43 Russell Street, Covent Garden, WC2B 5HA.

Opening hours: Sun-Thu 4-11pm, Fri-Sat 4pm-12 am.

Expect to pay: Cocktails £16-18, wine starts at £10 a glass.

What is it? A bar on top of John Lewis. No, really.

Why we love it: Scale the flagship branch of John Lewis to find the greenhouse-inspired 1864 Rooftop Bar & Kitchen (named after the year the high street department was founded) from cafe champs Benugo. Throughout the summer there are DJs on Friday and Saturday nights and menu that includes a kumquat old fashioned, spicy calamansi margarita and the house peach and pear bellini. The views aren't life-changing, but if you want to feel the sun on the face with a cocktail in your hand, this place hits the spot. 

Time Out tip: Smash a couple of small plates, with chorizo croquetas, and crispy fried chicken with fermented chilli mayonnaise high up on our wish list.

Address: 300 Oxford Street, W1A 1EX.

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 12-10pm, Sun 12-9pm.

Expect to pay: Cocktails £13-16, wine from £9 a glass.

What is it? A newly swankified hotel bar.

Why we love it: Once known as LSQ, Hotel Indigo’s rooftop spot has recently been rebranded as 1 Leicester Square Rooftop Bar and Restaurant. Which makes sense, seeing as it overlooks Leicester Square and the rest of central London from the hotel’s ninth floor. With its wraparound balcony, come here for good views and a vague 1920s art deco theme. Signature cocktails include a blood orange martini and a pineapple picante. Best of all though is the fun, you can even see the London Eye.

Time Out tip: On Saturdays, come from 12-5pm for a West End-themed brunch, with bottomless Pornstar Martinis and fizz on offer.

Address: 9th Floor Hotel Indigo, 1 Leicester Square, WC2H 7NA.

Opening Hours: Mon-Wed 12-11pm, Thu 12pm-12am, Fri-Sat 12-1am, Sun 12-10.30pm. 

Expect to pay: Cocktails £16-18.