It’s a well-known fact that there are protected sightlines to St Paul’s Cathedral, allowing you to see Sir Christopher Wren’s crowning masterpiece from far-off places like Alexandra Palace and Richmond Park. They’re vital to prevent the iconic cathedral from being swallowed up by new developments in the city, and we’re very thankful for that. However, there’s an even better sightline to St Paul’s Cathedral: from luxe rooftop bar Sabine.
Naturally, we had to go along and check it out – and our Phoebe was rather smitten with the place. Have a look at her trip to Sabine here:
That view…
If you’ve ever wandered up to the One New Change terrace to gaze at the cathedral dome, you’ll have a good idea of just how close Sabine will put you to the landmark. Perched on the seventh floor of the Leonardo Royal Hotel, it’s so close you can almost touch it. And the bar’s retractable roof unfurls on summer days to catch the sunlight glinting off the dome of St Paul’s.
Thanks to its incredible proximity to St Paul’s you’re really treated to unbeatable views of the London landmark. Arguably the only way to see it better would be from inside the building itself!
But while St Paul’s dominates the skyline, it’s not the only landmark you’ll catch a glimpse of. The panoramic view treats visitors to a whole host of sights to catch and buildings to excitedly point at and shout the names of.
If you can tear your eyes away from the views, the interiors are also stunning. Hanging baskets and draped plants provide a botanical interior accented by wood and tiles. It’s a proper hidden garden up above the streets of London. There are also neon signs dotted around, and a blooming flower wall to boot! It’s truly gorgeous inside and out – and, obviously, very Instagrammable.
Sabine’s summer-y new menu
Bar food trends towards the seasonal at Sabine, so for the spring-summer of 2023, they’ve launched a whole new menu of bites and sharing platters. While you’re there you can nibble on Tandoori Prawn Skewers, or Lebanese Chicken, or opt for the naughtily delicious Mac N Cheese Bon Bons. Seafood lovers will definitely want to try the Smoked Salmon Tartare, and don’t miss the Crisp Potatoes with spiced maple seasoning.
For those with a sweet tooth, Sabine has also got you covered. The summer-y sweet delights range from the Sabine Summer Mess to the Dark Chocolate Dome. And because every dessert needs a matching cocktail (we don’t make the rules, we just follow them!), they’ve developed the Sabine’s Kiss. The blend of cinnamon liquor and orange and angostura bitters is smoked with cherry wood for a dark, spiced cocktail.
Along with the new food menu, is a new drinks selection too. The Spring In A Sip conjures up visions of flower fields with a refreshing mix of Whitley Neil Distiller’s Cut, Licor 43, lemon juice, sugar syrup, egg white, and Fever Tree elderflower tonic. On the fruitier side of things is the Spritz On The Roof. The blend of Puerto de India Strawberry Gin, Lillet Rosé, Harlot Brut, Charmat, and Fever Tree rhubarb & raspberry is refreshing and sweet.
Naturally, in keeping with the city’s love affair with the Margarita, Sabine’s also offers up their own one-of-a-kind twist on the classic. The Skyline Margarita shakes up Volcan de mi Tierra Blanco Tequila, Cointreau, citric solution, and homemade pineapple foam.
Don’t fear the weather at Sabine
Heading to Sabine and caught out by rain or unexpectedly low temperatures? There’s heating indoors and out to prepare for the fickle London weather. And, as mentioned already, the roofs are retractable. (Which also means they can be put back in place to protect you and your drinks…)
Plus with St Paul’s being right there, it doesn’t matter where you sit. It’s impossible to miss out on any of the experience. With tunes playing into the night, you’ll get all the summer vibes all night long.
Be sure to book your spot now!
Sabine
Also published on Medium.