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Best Rooftop Bars in London
When the sun is shining, Londoners like nothing better than getting high – high up that is – and soaking up the rays and the views from the city’s rooftops. And we’re pretty spoiled for choice when it comes to sky-high al fresco action – we’ve got rooftops attached to some of the city’s best hotels and restaurants and we’ve got hidden gems atop some more unlikely venues, because Londoners will literally stand, eat and drink anywhere that’s outside in the summer.
Whether you want to sink a few drinks or settle in for a full meal with beaut backdrops of the city (or you just wanna get those shots for the ‘gram because how else will you let the world know that you went to Frank’s?), these are the best rooftop bars in London to do it.
Frank’s in Peckham has got to be one our favourite rooftop bars in London. Perched 10 floors up on the top of Peckham’s multi-storey, Frank’s has some of the best views across London, and with crazy art installations and street food grub, which you’ll need to sober up before you make it back down all those stairs, Frank’s really does have it all. Another rooftop that’ll give you a good workout on the way up thanks to its lack of lift is Dalston Roof Park. Amidst the concrete jungle of Dalston, it’s an escape from the masses, where you could be doing anything from raving to yoga to laughing at comedy on the plushly turfed lawn filled with flowers and palm trees. There is no lift however, so be prepared mentally and physically for those stairs.
The Culpeper definitely doesn’t have your average pub garden. Oh no, their rooftop garden comes complete with a greenhouse, herb and veg garden, and with a custom-built wood-fired grill you can expect some absolutely bangin’ food! If you’re looking for other rooftops to grab a bite, Seabird on top of The Hoxton, Blackfriars has an epic Spanish and Portuguese-inspired menu, and the snack selection at Peckham’s Forza Wine – long live the Custardo – is not to be missed.
Not content with bringing us modern Peruvian food, pisco sours and cocktail slushies, NYC import Llama Inn is giving us a real Shoreditch suntrap. The restaurant’s terrace, which has room for 50, boasts uninterrupted City views and as much sunshine as possible thanks to a south-facing position. And with new dishes like lamb empanada with olives & aji chimichurri, braised leeks with aji gazpacho & yuzu, and grilled chicken with baby gem salad & aji crema joining classics like the scallop, yuzu kosho & nori ceviche and whole baked seabass, you’ve got even more reason to get up on that roof.
The Culpeper definitely doesn’t have your average pub garden. Oh no, they’ve got a rooftop where they grow ingredients for the kitchen and bar, so you can expect plenty of those to appear in your food – expect dishes like beef kofta with pickled chilli & mint yoghurt, ash roasted new season potatoes with lardons & chive, and rhubarb panna cotta on the menu – and as garnish for your drinks. If you don’t fancy a seasonal cocktail, they’ve got a great selection of biodynamic wines and beers on draft and in bottle. If that wasn’t enough, they’ve got great views of the Gherkin and Heron Tower too.
Seabird, the 14th floor rooftop restaurant and bar at The Hoxton Southwark has an incredible outdoor terrace with epic London views plus a beautiful indoor dining room and bar – it’s a pretty special spot. The restaurant boasts London’s largest oyster menu alongside a menu of dishes with Spanish and Portuguese influences. As well as a super selection of shellfish, the octopus roll with aioli, croquetas and the whole lobster rice also must-orders.
The Forza Win team has gone back to the roof with Forza Wine. The spot, on top of a renovated space on Rye Lane (complete with some epic views over Peckham), serves up an Italian small plates menu with dishes like lamb & pickled chilli flatbread, cauliflower fritti, and pork collar with wild garlic. There are plenty of drinks to go with the food, including wine, beers and frozen negronis, and there’s even a lift so you don’t have to worry about trying to make it down the stairs when you’re smashed – anyone who’s made the climb up and down to Frank’s will appreciate this.
Mexican–Japanese fusion spot Los Mochis has opened a second site in the City, taking up residence in a 14,000 sq ft space on the rooftop of 100 Liverpool Street, comprising a dining room, an agaveria bar and lounge, two private dining rooms and a massive 3000 sq ft covered and heated terrace. Not only is it one of the largest outdoor terraces in the capital, it’s got a 3am license, so after feasting on tacos, kushiyaki and rare tequilas, you can party until the early hours.
Frank’s is probably the only reason half of us head southhhhh of the river in the summer. Open May to September and perched 10 floors up on the top of Peckham’s multi-storey car park, Frank’s has some of the best views across London, art installations courtesy of Bold Tendencies, great grub and plenty of cocktails – the Frank’s Margarita is always a winner as is a jug of white sangria. The pink stairs may be killer but it’s worth it once you get up top.
Perched on the 11th floor of The Standard hotel, The Standard Rooftop is bringing a New York vibe to London’s King’s Cross featuring epic views across the city AND of the St Pancras Clock Tower (so you’ll never miss the train again). Grab slices of NY-style pizza, a Cosmo or a Naked & Infamous (made with mezcal, Aperol, guava and lime) and soak up the sun this summer.
Fancy playing a round of crazy golf, catching a movie, hitting some bullseyes or shaking it out with a dance class? Well you can do it all at Roof East. Yes the Stratford rooftop is jam-packed with activities, including Rooftop Film Club, Sluggers batting cages, Birdies crazy golf, Arrows archery, Glitter Bowls lawn games, giant jenga, cornhole and table tennis. You can stay well fed and watered with the roof’s five bars and street food from the likes of Chick ‘n’ Sours, Piddaji and Cheeky Burger, and of course, you’ve got those mega views over the Stratford to enjoy.
Amidst the concrete jungle of Dalston is an escape from the masses. Dalston Roof Park is a music venue, a roof garden where you could be doing anything from raving to yoga to laughing at comedy on the plushly turfed lawn filled with flowers and palm trees. As well as street food, the cocktail bar is always in full force so you know the good times will be flowing all summer long. There is no lift however, so be prepared mentally and physically for those stairs.
Right in the heart of Shoreditch, the Boundary’s rooftop is an ideal spot for dinner and drinks with killer views. You’ll be sat at a brilliant vantage point above east London and the City that you can enjoy rain or shine – either tucked away inside the rooftop’s heated glass Orangery, or outside in the sun. The food menu focuses on quality ingredients, with European-inspired plates and cheese and charcuterie sharing dishes, and you’ll be spoiled for choice for drinks with a wide range of cocktails, beer, wine and champagne.
Netil 360 is our fave East London hangouts in the summer and it’s not just because they have dogs up there from time to time. Oh no, this place has some bangin’ views, a cafe and bar, serving up pizza, local beers and cocktail jugs, and there’s even a sauna and cold plunge barrels up there if you truly want an escape from the madness down below.
If you’re after a fancy rooftop Coq D’Argent is the one. The leafy gardens with proper lawns and perfectly pruned plants (we said it was fancy) is a big hit with city workers – with a French-inspired restaurant menu that includes caviar, lobster, and chateaubriand and a bar menu with plenty of bubbly, whisky and a cigar list, we’re not surprised. But hit it up at the weekend and the place is likely to be dead quiet, unlike most rooftop bars.
There’s only one place to be when the sun comes out in Brixton and that’s up on the terrace at The Prince of Wales. It’s so much more than a rooftop bar though; the musical programme is always knockout – the likes of Norman Jay, Gilles Peterson, Horse Meat Disco and Brixton Boogaloo have all passed through before.
One Hundred Shoreditch opened its doors at what used to be the Ace Hotel and soon after launched its rooftop bar and terrace. The alfresco spot came as an addition to the hotel’s existing restaurants and bars (including Seed Library), featuring panoramic views of the city and Palm Springs inspired decor (think dusty pink tiles and cacti). Drinks-wise, the Californian cocktail list includes the likes of white negronis (very popular in the States rn), spicy margs and watermelon spritzes, while a range of red, white and sparkling wines and beer is also available. The food menu follows the same vibe, with bar snacks including queso dip, corn ribs, and seabass ceviche. If you’ve been California dreamin’, look no further than E1.
Perched on the 10th floor on the ME hotel on The Strand, Radio Rooftop Bar shines in all its glory. The cocktail bar oozes money and you best take some dollar with you too, but with views across the river, DJ’s and a pretty spesh brunch menu, it’s the perfect weekend hangout.
Yes, Frank’s isn’t the only hip rooftop bar in Peckham, Bussey Building is the original and also home to Rooftop Film Club. With laid-back vibes, good food from Share A Slice, lots of booze and bloody great views, you could easily drink the night away here, but remember there’s a load of stairs to get back down to earth… like seriously loads, but on the plus side you won’t have to worry about missing the gym!
Perched 10 floors up, on the top of the Montcalm Royal London House you’ll find Aviary. The pretty swish rooftop bar doesn’t just have great views across London, but serves an extensive range of cocktails and even has an undercover restaurant for when British summertime really kicks in – or you just fancy some grub. If you wanna take your bottomless brunch or Sunday roast up a level (or ten) this is the place.
For those who say the theatres are boring, have clearly never been to the Lyric in Hammersmith. Perched on top of the theatre in West London, you’ll find a roof garden with cocktails, music and tasty grub. Filled with greenery and slightly more swishy than your pub garden, this is the perfect place for date night.
As well as enjoying the views over the city from six storeys up, at London Bridge Rooftop you’ll be able to get stuck into beers, burgers and seasonal cocktails, all to a soundtrack provided by live DJs. You can even have a go at interactive darts if you fancy adding some friendly competition into your summer drinking sesh. And yes, they have heaters in case the weather takes a turn.
We’ve spent more than one summer evening on The Lock Tavern’s roof terrace. With pub grub, DJs and damn fine beer there’s not much not to like, and if you can’t squeeze on the roof terrace there’s a huge beer garden downstairs – so everyone’s a winner really.
Queen of Hoxton always goes the extra mile when it comes to their rooftop and that’s why we keep on going back. Not only is it the original home of Rooftop Film Club but they love a theme – it’s had everything from Cuban cabanas to fairytale wigwams to psychedelic tie-dye. And best of all, they throw on some heaters, warm up some booze and keep it open during the winter, so you can get high all year long.
The Rooftop at The Trafalgar St James sits on the hotel’s seventh floor with an incredible view that looks over Trafalgar Square and the city’s skyline. The sunny terrace has a European-inspired food menu and even a rooftop afternoon tea but the drinks are where it’s at – the fruity cocktails like Rhubarb & Hibiscus and Watermelon & Basil are the perfect summer thirst quenchers.