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Nelta Kasparian

The best rooftop bars in London right now

Our favourite London spots for sinking a few sunny bevvies high above the crowds

Edited by
Leonie Cooper
Written by
Chris Waywell
&
Angela Hui
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From swanky skyscrapers to casual warehouse hangouts and hidden pub terraces, London has a real crush on a rooftop bar. To enjoy natural high, we are blessed with all kinds of rooftops which offer a winning combination of incredible city views and perfect drinks. So take your pick from stylish Shoreditch, buzzing Soho and Covent Garden, trendy Peckham and more – it’s time to soak up those sunsets. If you'd rather something a little more grounded, then have a look at London's best beer gardens

Fancy a majestic meal up in the air? Check out London’s best rooftop restaurants.

The best rooftop bars in London

  • Bars and pubs
  • Cocktail bars
  • Peckham
  • price 2 of 4

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

Why go? Opening back up for summer season on May 17 2024, 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 always-interesting art installations. The place to be seen until it closes again in September.

  • Hotels
  • King’s Cross

What is it? A spring- and summer-only astroturfed eleventh-floor terrace bar at the first hotel outside of the US from hip hotel group The Standard. They normally open in April for the season.

Why go? For an up-close view of the Gothic spires of St Pancras International just opposite, and to dance and drink the night away to live music as well as Afrobeats and house DJs. 

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  • Bars and pubs
  • Wine bars
  • Peckham
  • price 2 of 4

What is it? A chic wine bar and restaurant in London's alt-capital of the rooftop bar; Peckham.

Why go? 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.

Netil360
  • Bars and pubs
  • Café bars
  • London Fields

What is it? A Hackney rooftop bar up nine flights of stairs (there’s no lift), but boy, when you get up there, it’s simply divine. From October to March there are indoor areas to book, so you can stay dry and check out the views.

Why go? To drink and dance your way around the panoramic bar and garden for full-circle views of our fair city. There are also saunas up there, if you fancy getting steamy.

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  • Art
  • Galleries
  • Aldwych

What is it? The glorious adjunct to artsy Somerset House, this San Miguel-sponsored terrace opens up every spring for the season, offering tapas, beers, cocktails and a sterling view of the Thames. 

Why go? Immersive masterclasses and supper clubs as well as live music are all on offer alongside your pints and pan con tomate.

Roof East
  • Things to do
  • Stratford

What is it? Every summer this massive rooftop play space and bar offers drinks, views, mini golf, batting cages and hip-hop lawn bowls (‘bringing the banter back to bowls’ *shudder*). Feed yourselves from street-food vendors or catch a film under the stars. It's re-opening April 18, 2024.

Why go? If that little lot sounds like it’s right up your alley, it’s a good laugh. If not, probably best avoid.

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  • Restaurants
  • Italian
  • South Bank
  • price 3 of 4

What is it? Forza Wine's second spot is on the top floor of the National Theatre and features a wonderful wraparound terrace, perfect for sipping a flute of pét-nat when London's t-shirt weather returns.

Why go? For Forza's beloved small plates, cocktails, natty wine and a seriously impressive review of the Thames and South Bank. 

Culpeper Roof Garden
  • Bars and pubs
  • Cocktail bars
  • Aldgate
  • price 2 of 4

What is it? You’ll get double the gherkin at this idyllic spot near the famous pickle-shaped office block, since The Culpeper’s rooftop space is used to grow veggies for its kitchen.

Why go? The cocktails from the cute greenhouse bar are of real quality and pack in loads of herbs from the neighbouring beds.

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  • Bars and pubs
  • Cocktail bars
  • Liverpool Street
  • price 3 of 4

What is it? Sky-high rooftop bar on the thirty-eighth floor of the City’s Heron Tower, with a prettily lit tree at its centre.

Why go? On sunny days it attracts crowds like the Rio Carnival, but it’s worth the scrum for the serious cocktails and sensational widescreen views.

  • Bars and pubs
  • Cocktail bars
  • Dalston
  • price 3 of 4

What is it? E8’s happening rooftop bar with a cause that has snowballed into a multi-faceted events space. 

Why go? Expect natural wines, beer and pizza, along with film screenings, day parties and club nights.

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  • Bars and pubs
  • Cocktail bars
  • Shoreditch

What is it? Boundary does rooftop drinking in style, with a glass roof for protection from the elements in inclement conditions.

Why go? The kitchen offers great Mediterranean grub – think grilled chermoula prawns, lamb köftes, octopus and vegan moussaka – even if the London climate doesn’t always match it.

  • Bars and pubs
  • Cocktail bars
  • Peckham

What is it? A Peckham rival to Frank’s Café that’s open in the spring and summer. April 18 will be the first day of the 2024 season.

Why go? 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! And new for 2024 are bottomless rooftop party brunches.

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  • Restaurants
  • Contemporary European
  • Stratford
  • price 4 of 4

What is it? Whether or not your budget stretches to actual jet-setting, you can get some posh holiday vibes on the seventh floor of glossy hotel The Stratford.

Why go? Yes, the bar and terrace of Allegra restaurant have views across to Westfield Stratford, but once you discover the joy of its deckchairs that slip around on rails among the wildflowers and water features, well, you might as well be sitting under the Provençal sun.

  • Bars and pubs
  • Cocktail bars
  • Shoreditch

What is it? The top floor of an east London hotel, with a bar and kitchen that's giving summery Miami energy; all plants and pink marble. 

Why go? To swig their signature margs (spicy or lemongrass) and snack on Mexican-ish food; seabass ceviche tacos, corn rubs and queso dip. Those panoramic views are a bit tasty, too. 

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  • Bars and pubs
  • Cocktail bars
  • King’s Cross

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

  • Bars and pubs
  • Cocktail bars
  • Soho
  • price 3 of 4

What is it? Two terraces that work as slick and moody sunset spots, right on the edge of Soho. 

Why go? Less about the views and more about the booze. Enjoy exotic cocktails on high.

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The Loft
  • Bars and pubs
  • Wimbledon

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.

Why go? Although only open from springtime, The Loft has patio heaters, a sheltered bar and lots of seats to squabble over.

  • Bars and pubs
  • Shoreditch

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 fun.

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  • Bars and pubs
  • Cocktail bars
  • Aldgate

What is it? Fourteenth-floor City sky bar with a pineapple-inspired decor.

Why go? Asia-influenced cocktails and views right across to the Gherkin, so you can play ‘These are small; those are far away’.

Aviary
  • Restaurants
  • Moorgate
  • price 3 of 4

What is it? A roomy, open-air, 10th-floor terrace which brings all the City workers out from their offices.

Why go? Stupendous views of London. And two huge peacock statues, naturally. That’s what you’ve been longing for, right?

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NT’s Loft
  • Bars and pubs
  • Cocktail bars
  • London Fields
  • price 2 of 4

What is it? The indoor/outdoor space above Netil House is taking group bookings. Entertainment comes from DJs and live jazz acts.

Why go? 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.

  • Bars and pubs
  • Cocktail bars
  • London Bridge

What is it? A 200-capacity venue that’s a good place to get in a few bevs and soak up those rays. When they arrive.

Why go? For big-screen sports, pints, cocktails, views of the Shard and the river, Spanish food, DJs and lads (we assume). NB: the bar is six storeys up and there’s no lift.

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  • Bars and pubs
  • St Paul’s

What is it? A surprising rooftop terrace bar in the One New Change shopping centre. It attracts a crowd of City slickers and hen nights, though bride-to-be costumes are not allowed. 

Why go? For brilliant close-up views of St Paul’s Cathedral, just ignore the generic house beats and suits.

  • Restaurants
  • French
  • Bank

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 number of Pornstar Martinis.

Why go? Coq d’Argent’s verdant rooftop garden has a neatly trimmed lawn, trailing vines, a ringed walkway, big stone balls and stunning London-wide views.

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  • Bars and pubs
  • Cocktail bars
  • Fitzrovia
  • price 3 of 4

What is it? Up on the sixteenth floor of the Treehouse, a hotel with a focus on sustainability, and affording 360-degree views of the capital from its centre, the Nest Rooftop Bar is a foliage-filled hangout.

Why go? There’s an outdoor terrace that wraps around the building and is filled with loungers. We also love the bar’s blossoming living wall.

  • Bars and pubs
  • Cocktail bars
  • Wapping

What is it? Although Tobacco Dock’s Skylight is primarily an all-weather playground, it also offers a prime position for rooftop drinking with unparalleled panoramas.

Why go? Multiple seating options – open-air, outdoor but covered and heated, igloos, huts etc – and a range of activities that changes throughout the year, including ice skating, pétanque, table tennis and croquet.

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  • Clubs
  • Shoreditch

What is it? The downstairs bit of this grungy bar and club is better suited to nocturnal drinking, but the partially covered rooftop space is bright and airy.

Why go? For beer and burgers in a colourful space. Head downstairs for parties and shows.

The Rooftop St James
  • Bars and pubs
  • Cocktail bars
  • Trafalgar Square

What is it? As London rooftop views go, this one is iconic. The bar on top of the Trafalgar Hotel is in the direct eyeline of Admiral Lord Nelson on his lofty column. As a posh central hotel, it also offers a slick menu of well-crafted and curated drinks. 

Why go? You can probably justify the elevated prices here as that view is pretty spectacular. A minimum spend of £50 might put you off though. 

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  • Bars and pubs
  • Cocktail bars
  • Aldwych
  • price 2 of 4

What is it? Radio Rooftop Bar, high above the Strand, has secured its status as one of central London’s prime high-altitude drinking destinations. The terrace is like a slick Ibiza sun lounge. It can be a strange mix of people here, spanning the lad crew, old American tourists and fashionistas in funny hats.

Why go? Mainly for the views and the elevation. And to convince yourself that your lifestyle is a lot more chi-chi than it actually is – or that you’ve won a weird holiday. 

The Scottish Stores
  • Bars and pubs
  • Craft beer pubs
  • Caledonian Road
  • price 2 of 4

What is it? There’s a secret beer garden on the roof of this small-but-handsome wood-panelled 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.

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