The best rooftop bars in London right now

What is it? Peckham’s most popular summer-only bar, unglamorously perched on a multi-storey car park.

Why we love it: Frank’s has gained cult status, and its reopening always heralds the start of summer. Head up for a Campari at sunset and to check out the London skyline and those always-interesting installations, which are down to the Bold Tendencies not-for-profit art organisation. The place to be seen until it closes again in September. Entry is free, as it has been since the place arrived way back in 2009.

Time Out tip: You know what to do on that iconic Barbie-pink staircase; get those dating app photos taken asap.

Address: 95a Rye Lane, Peckham, SE15 4ST.

Opening hours: May-September, Wed-Sun 11am-11pm.

Expect to pay: Decent pub prices; wine from £5 a glass, pints around £6.50 and cocktails £9.50-11.

What is it? Peckham bar/resto Forza Wine’s central London spot on the top floor of the National Theatre.

Why we love it: Come summer, Forza Wine is home to the outdoor Forza Taps. One floor below the restaurant, on Weston Terrace, is where you can score al fresco wine (on tap, of course). The perfect place for sipping a flute of pét-nat when London’s hallowed t-shirt weather is here. You can also feast your eyes on their beloved Italian-ish small plates, creative cocktails and a seriously impressive view of the Thames and South Bank. Wine picks feature a bubbly Frizzante and a Grenache-Syrah rosé. Forza Taps will be serving until September. 

Time Out tip: The snacky menu at the walk-ins only Forza Taps includes a cavalcade of crisps and skewers, including bavette steak with lardo, pork with ’nduja sauce, and polenta with Chianti ketchup. Get one of each.

Address: National Theatre, SE1 9PX.

Opening hours: 12pm to midnight.

Expect to pay: Cocktails are around £11-13 and glasses of wine from £6.

What is it? A fabulously camp bar on the seventh floor of Broadwick Soho hotel.

Why we love it: 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 outrageous decor.

Time Out tip: Go for cocktails inspired by movies shot in Soho – make ours a 39 Steps, with Remy Martin VSOP, Noily Prat vermouth, palo cortado and salty maple syrup. Enjoy it alongside feeling like you might have just stepped into a drag queen’s boudoir.  

Address: 7th Floor, 20 Broadwick St, W1F 8TH.

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

Expect to pay: Cocktails aren't cheap, at £21-24.

What is it? An astroturfed eleventh-floor terrace bar at the first hotel outside of the US from hip hotel group The Standard.

Why we love it: For an up-close view of the Gothic spires of St Pancras International just opposite, and to dance and drink the afternoon/night away to live music as well as Afrobeats and house DJs.

Time Out tip: This year there’ll be a food truck serving New York-style pizza slices, so you won’t need to worry about getting hungry. 

Address: 11th Floor, The Standard, 10 Argyle St, WC1H 8EG.

Opening hours: Mon-Wed 4-9pm, Thu-Fri 3-9pm, Sat-Sun 12-9pm.

Expect to pay: Pizza is £6.50 a slice. Cocktails around £15.

What is it? The original Forza Wine, a chic wine bar and restaurant in London's alt-capital of the rooftop spot; Peckham.

Why we love it: The bar snacks are serious stuff (don’t ignore the fritti) and the wine is outstanding. Plus, you can shelter indoors and still enjoy the views, making it a great year-rounder. You can order the whole food menu for £130. If you’re in a big group, this is kind of an amazing deal, as you’ll get about 10 dishes to devour. 

Time Out tip: Do a Peckham rooftop bar crawl; Frank’s Cafe and Bussey Building are both within stumbling distance. Make sure you go down the stairs first however, this isn’t a parkour course.

Address: The Rooftop, 133A Rye Lane, SE15 4BQ.

Opening hours: Daily, 12pm-midnight.

Expect to pay: Cocktails are around £10-13.

What is it? A grungy bar and club with a bright and airy rooftop.

Why we love it: Come for tacos, tequila and lots of sun. First opened in 2009, the bar is named after Sarah Lane - the original Queen of Hoxton, a theatre manager who celebrated drag and theatre in the 19th century. This summer their perky sun-trap rooftop is home to Club Mexicana, so expect excellent vegan food.

Time Out tip: The rooftop is open year-round, with the winter terrace decked out with heaters and food from a German-style festive market. 

Address: 1-5 Curtain Road, EC2A 3JX.

Opening hours: Tue 5-9.30pm, Wed 5pm-12am, Thu-Fri 4pm-2am, Sat 2pm-2am, Sun 2pm-9.30pm.

Expect to pay: Regular pub prices for the area, with cocktails around £10.

What is it? The top floor of east London hotel, One Hundred Shoreditch.

Why we love it? This bar and kitchen is giving summery Miami energy; all plants and pink marble. Chef Ilknur Celik serves up dishes inspired by Istanbul and drinks fit nicely; try the Margarissa with tequila, harissa, lime and agave, and a Kasonist with Greek wine, vodka, watermelon shrub and soda. Those panoramic views are a bit tasty, too. 

Time Out tip: Tables on the terrace are first come, first served. So get there early if you want the best views.

Address: 100 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JQ.

Opening hours: Fri 5pm-1am, Sat 2pm-1am.

Expect to pay: Cocktails are £12, and wine starts at £9 a glass.

What is it? The King’s Cross branch of this buzzy bar harbours one of the area’s best rooftops.

Why we love it: Because hardly anyone else seems to know about it – despite it being an expansive, attractive space with wooden shacks. Graze on modern pub grub such as halloumi fries and bulging burgers, plus there are boozy brunches on sunny weekends.

Time Out tip: There's a happy hour every single day (and all night on Mondays). Score a £6 Spritz, £3.50 Portobello Pilsner bottle.

Address: 257-259 Pentonville Road, N1 9NL.

Opening hours: Mon-Tue 5pm-12am, Wed-Thu 12pm-12am, Fri - Sat 12pm- 3am, Sun 12pm-12am.

Expect to pay: Regular pub prices for the area.

What is it? The glorious adjunct to artsy Somerset House, this river-facing terrace has relaunched 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. Expect great things. 

Time Out tip: Food is a strong point, with a focus on female chefs; Opeoluwa Odutayo, Sophie Wyburd, and Terri Mercieca of Happy Endings. 

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 Hackney rooftop bar up nine flights of stairs.

Why we love it: There might not be a lift, but when you get up to the top of Netil House, it’s simply divine. From October to March there are indoor areas to book, so you can stay dry and check out the views. The rest of the time, pick your sunny spot and stick to, or drink and dance your way around the panoramic bar and garden for full-circle views of our fair city.

Time Out tip: There are saunas up there, if you fancy getting steamy.

Address: 1 Westgate St, E8 3RL.

Opening hours: Thu 5-10.30pm, Fri 5pm-12.30am, Sat 2pm-12.30am, Sun 2-7pm.

Expect to pay: Entry is free. Cocktails are in keeping with local prices and there is pizza, too. 

What is it? A massive rooftop adult play space and bar.

Why we love it: Every summer Roof East offers drinks, views, mini golf, batting cages and lawn bowls. Feed yourselves from street-food vendors such as Cheeky Burger, and Turkish pide people Piddaji or catch a film under the stars. 

Time Out tip: The rooftop film club is bringing out some classics this season; with La La Land, Interstellar, Crazy Stupid Love, and Call Me By Your Name all set to air. 

Address: 7 & 8 Stratford Multi Storey Car Park, Great Eastern Rd, E15 1XE.

Opening hours: April-May: Wed-Fri 5-11pm, Sat-Sun 12-11pm. June-Sept: Tue-Fri 5-11pm, Sat-Sun 12-11pm.

Expect to pay: Camden Hells is £7.40 a pint, cocktails range from £11-12.50.

What is it? A tropical-themed Peckham rival to Frank’s Café that’s open in the spring and summer. 

Why we love it: For a huge cocktail menu, with decent virgin options. And for every pizza ordered from the rooftop’s resident kitchen, Share a Slice, one will be donated to someone in need. Reduced-guilt pizza! You can also swing by for a bottomless rooftop party brunch.

Time Out tip: Sunday to Thursday, from 5-7pm, is happy hour, and two for one cocktails are go.

Address: Roof B, Bussey Building, 133 Rye Ln, SE15 4ST.

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 5-11.30pm, Sat 12-11.30pm, Sun 12-9.30pm.

Expect to pay: £11.50-12 for a cocktail.

What is it? An indoor/outdoor space above Netil House. Not to be confused with Netil360, however. 

Why we love it: Entertainment comes from DJs and live jazz acts. Head here if you like your rooftops all jungly and plant-filled: fronds dangle from the ceiling indoors and on the terrace, palm trees fan out on the perimeter. Run by the same people as nearby club Night Tales, this cocktail bar has a similar vibe to its bigger counterpart in Hackney Central: good food, DJs and innovative drinks.

Time Out tip: Wednesday is dedicated to live jazz, and the rest of the week is DJ-led. Entry is free before 7.30pm, but £5 after.

Address: 207 1 Westgate St, E8 3RL.

Opening hours: Wed 6pm-midnight, Fri-Sat 5pm-2:30am.

Expect to pay: There are half-price cocktails from 5-8pm every Friday. They are £12-13.50 the rest of the time. 

What is it? A surprising rooftop terrace bar in the One New Change shopping centre. 

Why we love it: For brilliant close-up views of St Paul’s Cathedral, just ignore the generic house beats and suits. For summer, Aperol take over the terrace, and the spritzes flow to a backdrop of live music and DJ sets on Friday nights alongside a menu of ceviche and lobster tacos. Warning: it attracts a crowd of City slickers and hen nights, though bride-to-be costumes are not allowed. 

Time Out tip: Drinks are walk-ins only, so take your chances on a sunny afternoon. Watch out though, a £20 charge can apply at peak times - so best to avoid it on a Friday night.

Address: Rooftop Terrace One, New Change, EC4M 9AF.

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 12-10pm, Fri-Sat 12-10.30pm, Sun 12-10pm.

Expect to pay: Wine starts at £8 a glass.