perks!London’s best rooftop bars
As much as we love London's dark and dingy pubs, there are occasions when tatty banquettes and yellowed walls don't quite cut it. For a classier night of inebriation, get yourself to one of London's best rooftop bars. Here, you'll find swish cocktails, plush lounges and gourmet bar snacks galore, not to mention a front-row seat to the sexiest skyline on the planet.
RECOMMENDED: Find more fun in the sun in our guide to outdoor London
The best rooftop bars in London
Rumpus Room
What is it? Slick bar on floor 12 of the Mondrian Hotel.
Why go? Drink champagne cocktails with St Paul’s Cathedral smiling in the background.
Open: Year-round, 5pm-1am Tue-Wed, 5pm-2am Thu-Sat.
Venue says Join us every Wednesday for live music, unparalleled views of London and a special Grey Goose cocktail menu with drinks at £10. Book Now!
Frank's Café
What is it? Peckham’s most popular summer-only bar, unglamorously perched on a multi-storey car park.
Why go? Frank’s has gained cult status, and its reopening kind of heralds the start of summer. See you there for a Campari at sunset.
Open: May-September, 5-11pm Tue-Wed, 2-11pm Thu-Fri, 11am-11pm Sat-Sun.
Bar Elba
What is it? This buzzy rooftop oasis offers swoonsome views of the city’s skyline from its position near Waterloo.
Why go? With fairy lights, communal benches and a frozen cocktail list, this rooftop bar is party central.
Open: Year-round, 5pm-midnight Mon-Thu, 4pm-midnight Fri-Sat, 5pm-midnight Sun.
Culpeper Roof Garden
What is it? You’ll get double the gherkin at this idyllic inner-London spot, since The Culpeper’s rooftop space is used to grow veggies for its kitchen and takes on a pickle theme for summer 2018 (yes, seriously).
Why go? The cocktails from the cute greenhouse bar are of real quality and pack in loads of herbs from the neighbouring beds.
Open: Year-round, 11am-10.30pm Tue-Sat, 11am-10pm Sun.
Jin Bo Law
What is it? City sky bar with a pineapple-inspired decor.
Why go? Asian-tinged cocktails and views right across to The Gherkin.
Open: Year-round, 5pm-1am Mon-Tue, noon-1am Wed-Sat, noon-midnight Sun.
Bussey Rooftop Bar
What is it? This rooftop space is perhaps better known for its resident cinema (Rooftop Film Club), but it also hosts some serious summer parties.
Why go? Plenty of plant life and cocktails and craft ales make this more than a back-up plan for when nearby Frank’s is heaving.
Open: May-Sep, 5-11pm Mon-Fri, noon-11pm Sat-Sun.
Netil360
What is it? A hub for creative start-ups that just happens to incorporate a kick-ass rooftop bar with street-food stalls, fun cocktails and rough-and-ready bench seating.
Why go? Last year saw rooftop yoga, one-off workshops and communal hot tubs – who knows what this season will bring?
Open: April-December, noon-10pm Wed, noon-11pm Thu-Sat, noon-10pm Sun. Reduced hours in winter.
Radio Rooftop Bar
What is it? One of London’s most hyped rooftop bars. Popularity is sustained by way of swanky signature cocktails and 360-degree views of London’s skyline.
Why go? See all the London landmarks – if you book ahead, that is.
Open: Year-round (weather permitting), noon–1am Mon–Wed, noon–2am Thu-Fri, 11am-2am Sat, 11am-midnight Sun.
Venue says Sunsets, views and cocktails… What's not to love?
Omeara Terrace
What is it? This tequila house attached to live music venue Omeara is modelled on the watering holes of Central and South America and features a neat, pergola-decked, first-floor bar.
Why go? For Latin flavours near London Bridge and in the shadow of Southwark Cathedral and The Shard.
Open: Year-round, 5pm-midnight Mon-Wed, 5pm-1am Thu-Sat, 5pm-midnight Sun.
Dalston Roof Park
What is it? E8’s happening rooftop bar has snowballed into a multi-faceted events space.
Why go? Artificial grass, a dedicated bar, pop-up food offerings and a roster of alfresco cinema, big-name bands, DJs and more.
Open: Re-opening in May 2018.
Venue says Join us every Wednesday this winter as we host special rooftop cinema nights with full cover, drink deals, amazing food and heaters!
Sushisamba Bar
What is it? Sky-high rooftop bar on the thirty-eighth floor of the City’s Heron Tower – named the Tree Bar thanks to the prettily lit tree at its centre.
Why go? On sunny days it attracts crowds like Rio Carnival, but it’s worth the scrum for the serious cocktails and sensational widescreen views.
Open: Year-round (weather permitting), 11.30am–1.30am Sun–Tue, 11.30am–2am Wed–Sat.
Aqua
What is it? Aqua Spirit is home to two year-round terraces that work as slick and moody sunset spots.
Why go? Less about the views and more about the booze. Enjoy exotic cocktails on high.
Open: Year-round (weather permitting), noon–1am Mon–Sat, noon–8pm Sun.
Aviary
What is it? Roomy open-air terrace with views up on floor ten, which brings all the City workers out from their offices.
Why go? In colder weather, you can cuddle up on modernist furniture under blankets and heaters or refuel indoors at the venue's swanky restaurant.
Open: Year-round, 6.30am-midnight Mon-Fri, 7am-midnight Sat, 7am-11pm Sun.
Skylight
What is it? Although Skylight is primarily a bit of an all-weather playground over at Tobacco Dock, it also offers a prime position for rooftop drinking with unparalleled panoramas.
Why go? If you fancy breaking up your summer tipples with a round of croquet or petanque, you’ve come to the right place.
Open: Until Sep 16. 5pm-11pm Thu-Fri, midday-11pm Sat-Sun.
Boundary Rooftop
What is it? Boundary does rooftop drinking in style, with a glass roof for protection from the elements in winter.
Why go? In warm weather, get in the posh pitchers of Aperol spritz and inventive cocktails such as a salted caramel julep.
Open: Year-round, 11.30am–11pm Mon–Sun.
The Tankard
What is it? A charming roof terrace full of twinkling, festoon lights and pergolas on the first floor of a Draft House pub.
Why go? Nibble on cheese paired with craft beer while overlooking what was once Bedlam asylum.
Open: Year-round, Noon-11pm Mon-Thu, Noon-midnight Fri-Sat, noon-10.30pm Sun.
The Rooftop St James
What is it? Hotel bar on high, overlooking Trafalgar Square and with slick decor and a be-suited crowd.
Why go? For drinking and dining whatever the weather thanks to a retractable roof. And all in the eyeline of Admiral Lord Nelson.
Open: Year-round, noon-midnight Mon-Thu, noon-3am Fri-Sat, noon-7pm Sun.
Queen of Hoxton
What is it? The downstairs bit of this grungy bar and club is better suited to nocturnal drinking, but the covered rooftop space is themed to match the seasons.
Why go? 2018’s summer theme is a dystopian Las Vegas vision. Get slotty in the sky.
Open: Year-round, 4-10pm Mon-Thu, noon-10pm Fri-Sun.
Golden Bee
What is it? This rooftop bar in Shoreditch has a bit of an Ibiza feel (plus pollution) with its palm trees, rattan furniture and DJs playing out house hits.
Why go? Happy-hour cocktails and buckets of beer, plus customers who bring the craic.
Open: Year-round 5pm–1am Tue-Wed, 5pm–2am Thu, 5pm–3am Fri-Sat.
Venue says Happy Hour from 5-7pm daily from Tuesday to Thursday!
Madison Terrace Bar & Lounge
What is it? A surprising rooftop terrace bar in the One New Change shopping centre. It attracts a crowd of City slickers.
Why go? Brilliant close-ups of St Paul's Cathedral, if you don’t mind generic house beats and a fair few suits.
Open: Year-round, 11am–midnight Mon–Thu, 11am–1am Fri–Sat, midday–9pm Sun.
Venue says This summer, head on up to our roof terrace and enjoy Aperitivo cocktails and charcuterie platters with unbelievable London views.
The Driver
What is it? King’s Cross gastropub with a rooftop, ideal in a part of town where you’ll appreciate getting up above street level.
Why go? The views are nothing special – or so we assume, since the panelled walls are built too high for drinkers to see over. But there’s a lively rooftop barbecue in summer and plenty of lounge seating.
Open: Year-round, 5pm–midnight Mon–Fri, 6pm-midnight Sat.
Bird of Smithfield
What is it? A dinky top-floor bar on the roof of Smithfield's five-floor dining venue.
Why go? A delicious and extensive bar menu dedicated to London's new-found summer favourite – the spritz.
Open: May-Sep, noon-10pm Mon-Sat.
Big Chill House
What is it? The King's Cross branch of this buzzy bar harbours one of the area's rooftop bars – an expansive, attractive space with wooden shacks.
Why go? Graze on modern pub grub such as halloumi fries and bulging burgers, plus boozy brunches on sunny weekends.
Open: Year-round (weather permitting), 11am–midnight Sun–Thu, 11am–3am Fri-Sat.
The Scottish Stores
What is it? There’s a secretive beer garden on the roof of this small but handsome, wood-pannelled pub.
Why go? It’s not the most glossy or bucolic spot, but it’s a handy retreat from the comings and goings of King’s Cross station, with ample parasol-laden benches.
Open: Year-round, noon-11pm Mon-Sat; noon-10.30pm Sun.
The Loft
What is it? The Alexandra, a south London all-rounder, has a roof terrace that’s the pride of SW19 and has a burger menu and a craft beer range all of its own.
Why go? Crucially, The Loft has patio heaters, a sheltered bar and lots of seats to squabble over.
Open: Year-round (weather-permitting), 9.30am-11pm daily.
Prince of Wales Feathers
What is it? A brightly painted first-floor drinking terrace at a modern Fitzrovia pub.
Why go? This skyward space is a rare asset in this part of town.
Open: Year-round, noon–11pm Mon–Sat, noon–10pm Sun.
Coq d'Argent
What is it? Half the City heads up here in summer, and although many come for its restaurant, the bar also slings out a solid amount of Pornstar Martinis.
Why go? Coq d’Argent’s verdant rooftop garden has a neatly trimmed lawn, trailing vines, a ringed walkway, and stunning London-wide views.
Open: Year-round (heated terrace only in winter), 11.30am–midnight Mon–Thu, 11.30am–1am Fri-Sat, noon–4pm Sun.
