Summer in the city isn’t quite complete without an evening spent on a London rooftop, pairing your drink with some pretty intoxicating views of the city – and seeing as the weather has finally decided to play ball, there’s no better time to go and explore London’s extensive array of them. Luckily for us, our beloved capital is full to the brim with rooftop spots where you can enjoy a pint or cocktail while surveying the city’s skyscrapers. Here’s our rundown of 40 of the best rooftop bars in London to drink at throughout the summer months – we’ll cheers to that.
Table Of Contents
Best rooftop bars in Central London
1. Savage Garden, City
This glossy rooftop bar opened in 2018, twelve floors above the Hilton DoubleTree hotel in Tower Hill, and offers views of Tower Bridge from their fine terrace. Expect ‘savagely Portuguese’ wines, top-notch nibbles and a price point to match at Savage Garden – you are in the City after all, darling.
📍You’ll find Savage Garden on the 12th Floor of the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London, 7 Pepys Street, EC3N 4AF.
🚇 Nearest station is Tower Hill.
2. Summer Terrace at Madisons, St. Paul’s
For the summer season, Madison has transformed its iconic rooftop into a boho chic paradise with an influx of plants, palms, and touches of island furnishing ready to transport visitors to the White Isles.
You’ll be able to enjoy a whole range of brand-new frozen cocktails, with delights on the menu such as; the Passion Fruit Martini neatly combined with Damoiseau Guava & passion fruit rum, passion fruit puree and juice, vanilla and prosecco. For a sweet frozen tipple, guests can try the Strawberry Daiquiri blended with Damoiseau Rum, strawberry puree and lime juice; perfect for soaking in the supreme views of the famed London skyline.
📍You’ll find the Summer Terrace at Madisons at Madison Restaurant, Rooftop Terrace, One New Change, St Paul’s, London, EC4M 9AF.
🚇 Nearest stations are St Paul’s and Mansion House.
3. Coq D’Argent, Bank
Immaculately manicured lawns, cute hedges, wisteria draped across the terraces...the next addition to this roundup of rooftop bars in London makes a serious claim to be the most beautiful of them all. Feast on views of the City of London as you feast on the delicious food at Coq D’Argent, hot off the grill.
📍You’ll find Coq D’Argent at 1 Poultry, EC2R 8EJ.
🚇 Nearest station is Bank.
4. Aviary, Finsbury Square
A vast expanse of comfy sofas make this an attractive option any time of day. However, Aviary comes into its own when the sun goes down and the lights of London go on. The warm summer breeze does make those sofas look suspiciously like beds though… Their Summer igloos are pretty nifty, too.
📍You’ll find Aviary at Montcalm Royal London House, 22-25 Finsbury Square, EC2A 1DX.
🚇 Nearest station is Moorgate.
5. Alto by San Carlo at Selfridges, Oxford Street
Never one to be outdone, Selfridges hosts a well-regarded rooftop restaurant, with a lovely al fresco bar area called Alto. There’s even a retractable roof for those inevitable days when the British summer lets us down. The perfect place for you to enjoy the gorgeous views of Soho and Central London.
📍You’ll find Alto at 400 Oxford Street, W1A 1AB.
🚇 Nearest station is Bond Street.
6. Radio Rooftop, Strand
This radio won’t play the latest beats, but it will bring you cocktails, nibbles, and incredible views of Somerset House and the river (for a fairly hefty per-person minimum spend). Booking was essential even before the COVID-19 pandemic, so you can rest assured it’s extremely necessary now at Radio Rooftop.
📍You’ll find Radio Rooftop at ME London, 336-337 Strand, WC2R 1HA.
🚇 Nearest station is Temple.
7. The Rooftop, Trafalgar Square
We were never going to declare any of these as the champion of rooftop bars, so we’d usually be pretty irked by a place anointing itself ‘The Rooftop‘, but when it overlooks Trafalgar Square and looks this stunning at night, we’re prepared to let it slide.
📍You’ll find The Rooftop on the 7th Floor, 2 Spring Gardens, St. James’s, SW1A 2TS.
🚇 Nearest station is Charing Cross.
8. The Rooftop, Leicester Square
Also billed as ‘The Rooftop‘, this swanky spot sits above the Hippodrome Casino smack bang in the middle of Leicester Square, so if you’d like to sip libations in the beating heart of the West End, here’s your chance.
📍You’ll find The Rooftop at Cranbourn Street, Leicester Square, WC2H 7JH.
🚇 Nearest station is Leicester Square.
9. Sabine, St. Paul’s
Sabine will put you tantalisingly close to the iconic St Paul’s Cathedral, and we’re extremely excited to pop down for a visit. Perched on the seventh floor of the Leonardo Royal Hotel, Sabine’s retractable roof will unfurl on summer days to catch the sunlight glinting off the dome of St. Paul’s. Not that the interior views are to be sniffed at, mind you: hanging baskets and artfully draped plants provide a botanical interior accented by wood and tiles.
📍You’ll find Sabine at 10 Godliman Street, EC4V 5AJ.
🚇 Nearest station is St. Paul’s.
10. Garden Rooftop, Leicester Square
Plant-lovers with a penchant for cocktails should make this the first spot on their list. Billed as a ‘Living Bar’, the Garden Rooftop takes plenty of inspiration from the natural world for their cocktails, even going so far as inviting you to hand-pick herbs and botanicals that the Garden Rooftop’s bartenders will then use to infuse and garnish your cocktails.
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🚇 Nearest station is Leicester Square.
11. Willows On The Roof, Oxford Street
Up above the John Lewis department store, a stone’s throw from Oxford Circus, sits the bucolic Willows On The Roof. Kitchen Ventures will take over the food side of things here, and there will be a whole range of delicious cocktails for a whole range of occasions.
📍You’ll find Willows On The Roof at John Lewis, 300 Oxford Street, W1C 1DX.
🚇 Nearest Station is Oxford Circus.
12. Florattica, Aldgate
At Florattica, guests can take advantage of both indoor and outdoor spaces, with inside seating that flows out to an expansive, covered outdoor terrace. They’ve given careful thought at Florattica to making sure that guests can enjoy the view in complete luxury. And what a view it is, stretching across iconic London landmarks from St. Paul’s, to Canary Wharf, and the Thames. That’s if you can tear your eyes from the bar’s impressive interiors, with eye-catching ceilings adorned with floral installations inspired by East London’s textile industry and silk woven floral patterns from the 17th century.
📍You’ll find Florattica at Level 11, Canopy by Hilton London City, 11-15 Minories, London, EC3N 1AX.
🚇 Nearest Station is Aldgate.
13. Market Halls Victoria, Victoria
Gorge your way through this delicious food hall and then soak up some sunshine on the stunning central London roof terrace. With a view over Victoria station, you won’t be able to resist feeling slightly smug at the sight of London commuters rushing about whilst you’re sipping sensational cocktails in the sky.
📍You’ll find Market Halls Victoria at 191 Victoria Street, SW1E 5NE.
🚇 Nearest station is Victoria.
Best rooftop bars in North London
14. The Standard Rooftop, King’s Cross St. Pancras
Situated on the 11th floor of The Standard hotel, above Decimo restaurant, The Standard Rooftop aims to bring ‘the vibe of New York’s iconic rooftop bars to London’. While you may not get to bump heads with the Empire State Building as you look out, you will get a beautiful view of our iconic city, including a pretty spectacular backdrop of the city’s famous St Pancras Clock Tower.
📍You’ll find The Standard Rooftop at 10 Argyle Street, King’s Cross, WC1H 8EG.
🚇 Nearest station is King’s Cross St Pancras.
15. Near & Far, Camden
Taking the Palm Springs concept to the next level, the Camden offshoot of Near & Far is set over four floors and includes a gorgeous covered roof terrace with views over the famous Camden Market. The whole venue is filled with pastel colours, hot pink lighting, palm trees and cacti, and there’s a banging cocktail list to boot too.
📍You’ll find Near & Far at 48 Chalk Farm Rd, Chalk Farm, NW1 8AJ.
🚇 Nearest stations are Camden Town and Chalk Farm.
Best rooftop bars in East London
16. Roof East, Stratford
An expansive space in Stratford, Roof East’s playground for adults offers exactly that: lawn bowls, baseball batting cages, karaoke and crazy golf are all popping up there this summer, along with a whole array of delicious street food to gorge yourself silly on. They’ve also partnered with Choose Love this year, allowing guests to make optional donations or purchase a special cocktail that raises money for refugees, as if you needed another reason to visit.
📍You’ll find Roof East at Stratford Multi-Storey Car Park, Great Eastern Way, E15 1XE.
🚇 Nearest station is Stratford.
17. Netil360, Hackney
Charmingly rustic, and all the more popular for it, this is one of East London’s favourite rooftop bars, offering panoramic views of Shoreditch, Aldgate and beyond. A great list of craft beers (from East London to boot) adds to the laidback atmosphere of Netil 360, which also boasts a cafe, gallery, and a workspace too – after work pint anyone?
📍You’ll find Netil 360 at 1 Westgate Street, E8 3RL.
🚇 Nearest station is London Fields.
18. KRAFT, Dalston
Situated right in the heart of Dalston on the bustling Kingsland High Street, this hidden gem offers breathtaking views of London’s stunning cityscape. Imagine yourself enjoying freshly-brewed beer, indulging in gin and tonics, and savouring Summery cocktails while surrounded by swaying palm trees, bamboo, and a vibrant atmosphere. You can do all this and more at KRAFT, and let’s not forget the live DJs spinning tunes that will keep you movin’ and groovin’ until sunset! Check out their Instagram here.
📍You’ll find KRAFT at Kingsland Locke, 130a Kingsland High Street, Dalston, London, E8 2LQ.
🚇 Nearest station is Dalston Kingsland.
19. Love Pub & Grub, Dalston
Love Pub & Grub are back for another summer of fun but this time they’ve set up shop in Dalston. The name pretty much describes the whole shebang in a nutshell – and it’s not a bad thing they’ve got going on. Pub = drinks flowing; Grub = street food galore; and Love = a colourful, open-air setting with breathtaking views of London’s skyline.
📍You’ll find Love Pib & Grub at 89 Kingsland High Street, E8 2PB.
🚇 Nearest station is Dalston Kingsland.
20. Skylight, Wapping
Officially the only addition on this roundup of the best rooftop bars in London to offer a croquet course, Skylight sits above Tobacco Dock, and it also opens during the Winter season with an adorable rooftop ice rink. There’s also another Skylight south of the river too in Peckham.
📍You’ll find Skylight at Pennington Street, London, E1W 2SF.
🚇 Nearest station is Shadwell.
21. The Boundary, Shoreditch
Mediterranean vibes in spades at the rooftop bar of swanky Shoreditch hotel, The Boundary. The rosé will be chilled, so fingers crossed the weather will be warm although if it isn’t, head to the basement where a new brasserie and bar are opening soon. (See the best restaurants in Shoreditch for even more dining inspo.)
📍You’ll find The Boundary at 2-4 Redchurch Street, E2 7DD.
🚇 Nearest station is Shoreditch High Street.
22. Jin Bo Law, Aldgate
Asian-inspired cocktails are the order of the day at this swanky Aldgate hangout, atop the Dorsett Hotel. They’ll also throw views of London’s skyscrapers into the bargain, courtesy of the14th-floor roof terrace at Jin Bo Law. We’ll cheers to that.
📍You’ll find Dorsett City Hotel, 9 Aldgate High Street, EC3N 1AH.
🚇 Nearest station is Aldgate East.
23. Queen of Hoxton, Shoreditch
Queen of Hoxton, everyone’s favourite Shoreditch rooftop bar, always delivers the goods with their summer pop-ups. Previous themes have included the ‘Wizard of Oz‘, Mexican female wrestling, and a dystopian Las Vegas – this year, they’ve transformed the rooftop into a ‘Little Barcelona’; picture beach club aesthetics, hand-drawn murals and sangria slushies.
📍You’ll find the Queen of Hoxton at 1 Curtain Road, EC2A 3JX.
🚇 Nearest station is Liverpool Street, Old Street or Shoreditch High Street.
24. The Culpeper, Aldgate
Part bar, part urban garden, you won’t find many rooftop bars like this in London. The roof terrace of lovely East London boozer The Culpeper is an utterly charming collision of modern and rustic. Bonus points if you can find the bar’s giant light-up cucumber.
📍You’ll find The Culpeper at 40 Commercial Street, E1 6LP.
🚇 Nearest station is Aldgate East.
25. SUSHISAMBA, Liverpool Street
Rooftop bars in London don’t come much higher than this. Spanning the 38th and 39th floors of the Salesforce Tower, the Japanese-Brazilian fusion restaurant SUSHISAMBA serves cocktails with dramatic views of the city skyline and beyond. Imagine the Insta-appeal of their foliage-filled sister restaurant and bar in Covent Garden, and you’ll have some idea of what this London rooftop bar is like.
26. Bokan, Canary Wharf
Got a real head for heights? This Canary Wharf rooftop bar is perched way up high on the 39th floor, and also offer a specialist gin bar, daybeds and Sunday jazz sessions. There’s also a high-end restaurant and another bar at Bokan too.
📍You’ll find Bokan at 40 Marsh Wall, E14 9TP.
🚇 Nearest station is Canary Wharf.
27. Pergola on the Wharf, Canary Wharf
The next arrival from London’s fab Pergola group sees them perched off the ground (at least, enough to sneak in as a rooftop bar) at Crossrail Place Roof Garden. This foliage-filled street food and cocktail hub is billed as a ‘botanical waterside Eden‘ – more than enough to pique our interest!
📍You’ll find Pergola on the Wharf at Crossrail Place, E14 5AR.
🚇 Nearest stations are Canary Wharf and Poplar.
Best rooftop bars in South London
28. Bar Elba, Waterloo
A wonderful themed offering amongst these London rooftop bars, Bar Elba is the companion bar of the ultra-glam Tonight Josephine. Honouring Napoleon’s exile on his party isle of Elba, you won’t need 600 mates and a horse to enjoy this place. Unless, you know, you want to. They also have a bangin’ bottomless brunch here too.
📍You’ll find Bar Elba at 109-117 Waterloo Road, SE1 8UL.
🚇 Nearest station is Waterloo.
29. Prince of Wales, Brixton
A multi-storey pub-meets-club, the Prince of Wales rooftop bar in Brixton offers a rum shack, live music and DJ sets across a terrific two-tier terrace. Bounce and get down to hot beats at one of South London’s best rooftop bars with a pint in hand this summer.
📍You’ll find the Prince of Wales at 467-469 Brixton Road, SW9 8HH.
🚇 Nearest station is Brixton.
30. Bussey Rooftop Bar, Peckham
Peckham really is blessed with some of the best rooftop bars in London, and this one sits across the Overground tracks from the famous Frank’s Cafe. Whilst the views at the Bussey Rooftop Bar are special, don’t let them distract you from your mission: sampling the best frozen fruity cocktails south of the river.
📍You’ll find the Bussey Rooftop Bar at Roof B, Bussey Building, 133 Rye Lane, SE15 4ST.
🚇 Nearest station is Peckham Rye.
31. Lost In Brixton, Brixton
The most recent venture from the team behind The Prince, Pergola Paddington and Pergola Olympia, this hidden space had never been seen or used by the public before its opening in 2019. You’ll access Lost In Brixton via a secret staircase in a corner of the market. At the top of the stairs you’ll discover a 440 capacity venue decked out with jungle greenery, a Brit-friendly retractable roof, and a strong emphasis on tropical cocktails.
📍You’ll find Lost In Brixton at Brixton Village, SW9 8PS.
🚇 Nearest station is Brixton.
32. Forza Wine, Peckham
There are only two words you need to know about Forza Wine, my friends: frozen Negronis. The ‘taller sibling’ of Peckham Italian joint Forza Win, Forza Wine sits on yet another Peckham rooftop (add on Frank’s Cafe and the Bussey Building for an epic local rooftop bar crawl), and pairs their grown-up slushies with a menu of rustic Italian indulgence.
📍You’ll find Forza Wine at 133 Rye Lane, SE15 4ST.
🚇 Nearest station is Peckham Rye.
33. Seabird, Southwark
Cue Nelly Furtado’s ‘I’m Like A Bird‘, because this dreamy rooftop bar will make you feel like soaring. As a restaurant, it boasts London’s largest oyster menu, making it more than deserving of its spot on our al fresco dining spots round-up. but simply visiting Seabird for drinks is an excellent decision – just sip on a biodynamic and natural wine and relax amongst the lush Mediterranean decor…
📍You’ll find Seabird at 40 Blackfriars Road, SE1 8PB.
🚇 Nearest station is Southwark.
34. London Bridge Rooftop, London Bridge
No real style points for the name, but a plum spot between the Thames and The Shard is plenty good enough for us! Transformed with fairy lights and lush foliage, the London Bridge Rooftop is an excellent spot to catch up with friends over burgers and pints.
📍You’ll find London Bridge Rooftop at Colechurch House, Tooley Street, SE1 2SS.
🚇 Nearest station is London Bridge.
35. Frank’s Cafe, Peckham
A classic amongst London rooftop bars. Frank’s Cafe has served Campari-based cocktails and outstanding cooking for years now, and it’s only been enhanced by the creation of Peckham Levels. The drinks here face a fight for supremacy with the lush views, and the insanely Instagrammable bubblegum pink stairs.
📍You’ll find Frank’s Cafe on the Top Floor of 95A Rye Lane, SE15 4ST.
🚇 Nearest station is Peckham Rye.
36. 12th Knot, South Bank
Not content with one world-class cocktail bar on the ground floor, the Sea Containers hotel has another on the rooftop called 12th Knot. A narrow outdoor terrace offers iconic views across the river, and yet the interior is almost as mouthwatering as the London skyline. The perfect spot to celebrate any special occasion we say.
📍You’ll find 12th knot at 20 Upper Ground, South Bank, London SE1 9PD.
🚇 Nearest station is Southwark or Blackfriars.
37. Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden, Southbank
Neatly located in the middle of the Southbank, this is a slice of the countryside on a central London rooftop. Wildflowers, allotments, and lawns cover the whole space, as you’d expect from the team who also created Cornwall’s Eden Project. The bar brings the drinks, all you need to bring is a sunny disposition when you’re visiting the Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden.
📍You’ll find the Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden at the Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, Lambeth, SE1 8XX.
🚇 Nearest station is Waterloo.
Best rooftop bars in West London
38. Pergola Paddington, Paddington
Taking a cue from picturesque tropical coasts, Pergola Paddington is elegantly draped in foliage and (hopefully) drenched in sun. The fully alfresco upper deck is a bustling place, thrumming to the sounds of cocktail bars and street food vendors hard at work. This Summer they’ve also had a Mexican-inspired takeover – designed to look like the beaches of the Yucatán.
📍You’ll find Pergola Paddington at 5 Kingdom Street, W2 6PY.
🚇 Nearest station is Paddington.
39. Skylark Roof Garden, Little Venice
Arriving on the London rooftop bar scene back in summer 2019, Skylark Roof Garden is back for their fourth summer season. Cocktails such as the White Chocolate Martini made it a firm favourite, and the return of their lavish day beds will allow for sunshine reclining. Plus, views of Notting Hill, Hyde Park, and Regents Park provide the cherry on top of this sundae.
📍You’ll find Skylark Roof Garden at 4 Kingdom Street, W2 6BD.
🚇 Nearest stations are Royal Oak and Paddington.
40. Lyric Bar and Grill, Hammersmith
If you’re the kind of person who’d like to combine your love of theatre with your zest for rooftop bars, this is the place for you. It’s the restaurant and roof garden of the Lyric Hammersmith, so you’ll get the full package of dinner, drinks, and a show here. Now that sounds like a fine evening to us.
📍You’ll find the Lyric Bar and Grill at The Lyric Centre, King Street, Hammersmith, W6 0QL.
🚇 Nearest station is Hammersmith.
So there you have it – a roundup of the best rooftop bars in London. So when the sun is beaming this summer (well hopefully), why not grab your mates, dates or colleagues and get enjoys a tipple in sky? Cheers!
Also published on Medium.