Looking for a sunny getaway, but can’t afford the flight? Well, we know the feeling, and luckily for you dear reader, there are plenty of ways to get your beach fix without having to leave the big smoke. So, without further ado, here’s our roundup of six of the best urban beaches and beach bars in London. Just don’t forget your sunnies!
1. Walthamstow-On-Sea, Walthamstow
Kicking off this roundup of the best beach bars in London is Walthamstow-On-Sea – the first-ever beach pop-up from the UK’s biggest beer hall, Big Penny Social. You’ll be able to feel the sand beneath your feet as you sip on an ice cold draft beer or a frozen cocktail and sit down with some fish and chips on the beach from Penny’s beachfront chippy.
There are private beach huts which you can opt to rent out, and there’s a whole host of fun events planned throughout the rest of the summer, including dating nights and kids play sessions too.
📍You’ll find Walthamstow-On-Sea at Big Penny Social, 1 Priestley Way, London, E17 6AL.
🚇 Nearest station is Blackhorse Road.
2. Fulham Beach Club, Fulham
Whilst the beaches of Ibiza or the Cote d’Azur may be a bit of a way away, Fulham Beach is nestled alongside the Thames. It spends chilly winters wrapped up warm as Winterland, but as soon as the sun starts shining, the drinks will be poured, and the beach will be packed out again! The place is covered in white sand as far as the eye can see; in fact, the only things littering the shoreline on this beach are beach huts, day beds, selfie spots, and even a bouncing beach bar too!
The fantastic menu here features juicy burgers, wood-fire pizzas, fresh tacos and Japanese platters, and you can even opt to wash it down with 90 minutes of free-flowing prosecco at a bottomless brunch and revel in the atmosphere as some of London’s top DJs play the best of house and disco. Cop your tickets here.
📍You’ll find Fulham Beach Club at Neverland, Wandsworth Bridge, London, SW6 2TY.
🚇 Nearest station is Wandsworth Road.
3. The Beach Bar at The Montague, Russell Square
An unforgettable venue for when the sun’s shining, The Beach Bar at The Montague is complete with real bloomin’ sand, a beach-hut style thatched roof, delicious cocktails, palm trees, and a backdrop of a beautiful beach, so you’ll feel like you’re basking in the Bahamas rather than right in the heart of Central London.
They specialise in a delicious range of BBQ options including meat, fish, and veggie/vegan dishes followed by a tasty line-up of tempting desserts including assorted ice creams in cones. Cocktails are served in coconuts on arrival, alongside a superb selection of wine, beers, and spirits. Patrons also have the added option of unlimited drinks offers, and there are also DJs and a dancefloor if you’re really wanting to get the party started!
📍 You’ll find The Beach Bar at The Montague, 15 Montague Street, London, WC1B 5BJ.
4. Sugar Cane, Clapham
Escape to the tropics in Clapham (where else!) this summer at Sugar Cane, a tiki-style cocktail bar with exotic private huts, adorned princes’ chairs, tiki statues, exotic flowers, lush green palms, bamboo textures, beautiful woven banana leaf walls and not to forget traditional tiki face cocktail mugs too.
There’s also a cosy garden out the back for when the temperatures are balmy, and they’ve got bottomless brunches, birthday party events, cocktail masterclasses and more.
📍You’ll find Sugar Cane at 247 Lavender Hill, London, SW11 1JW.
🚇 Nearest station is Clapham Junction.
5. Byrney’s Beach Bar, Canning Town
Our penultimate addition to this roundup of the best beach bars in London is Byrney’s Beach Bar – a Hawaiian-themed, grass-roof hangout, right on the waterfront of the Royal Victoria Dock in Canning Town. It’s a small spot right by the wakeboarding park, and they’ve got some excellent food and cocktails here too.
There’s also the chance to go paddle boarding here which is thirsty work, so you’ll be able to quench that with a selection of beers, wines and spirits. Winner, winner. It’s not always open so keep your eyes peeled on their website to keep tabs.
📍You’ll find Byrney’s Beach Bar at Royal Victoria Dock, London, E16 1AG.
🚇 Nearest station is Canning Town.
6. Limin Southbank, Waterloo
Rounding off this list of the best beach bars in London and urban beach bars is Limin in Southbank, a year-round beach bar experience on London’s South Bank, where the spirit of the Caribbean comes alive. It’s ‘the only Trinidadian restaurant in Central London’, so as you would expect, they’ve got some pretty fab food and rum cocktails and punches here.
In the summer months, they open up the courtyard into an island-style spot with sand, flags, great music and overall chill vibes.
📍You’ll find Limin at Gabriel’s Wharf, 56 Upper Ground, London, SE1 9PP.
🚇 Nearest station is Waterloo.
So there you have it – a roundup of the best beach bars in London. So if you;re looking to get your fix of tropical vibes but don’t want to leave the capital, then you now know where exactly to head!