When the sun is shining, Londoners love nothing more than to head to the nearest rooftop bar. From Peckham car parks to five-star hotels, here’s our roundup of the best rooftop bars in London.
Highlights
When it comes to rooftop bars in London, there’s never been so many to choose from. New ones are popping up all the time, both on new developments or carved out of little spaces in the city. Anywhere Londoners can soak up some precious sun with a drink in hand is like gold in this city.
One of our favourite rooftop bars in London is Franks in Peckham. Perched 10 floors up on the top of Peckham’s multi-story 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.
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, cider brand Sassy will be in charge of the cocktail bar 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.
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! With views to the Gherkin and Heron Tower, this one is a real hidden gem so keep it on the down low.
Fancy catching a film, playing a round of crazy golf or stretching out with some yoga? Well you can do it all at Roof East. Yes the Stratford rooftop is jam-packed with street food, bevvies and activities, including curling and batting cages not to mention the mega views over the Olympic Park.
Frank’s is probably the only reason half of us head southhhhh of the river in the summer. Perched 10 floors up on the top of Peckham’s multi-story Frank’s has some of the best views across London, crazy art installations and street food grub, which you’ll need to sober up before you make it back down all those pink stairs, Frank’s really does have it all.
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.
Skylight is back for another summer with a tropical beer terrace as well as three bars serving beer, wine and seasonal cocktails to sip on in. Hiraki and State Side will be serving up Asian- and US-inspired street food and of course, you’ll have those epic city views 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. Joshua Boissy and Krystof Zizka (the team behind NYC’s Maison Premiere) have created London’s largest oyster menu alongside a menu of dishes with Spanish and Portuguese influences. As well as a super selection of shellfish, the tuna belly crudo with gordal olives, tomato consommé, basil, and sherry is a winner, and the octopus roll with sobrasada aioli, creamy crab croquettes and the whole John Dory topped with a zingy salsa verde are also must-orders.
A rooftop orangery? Oh yes, Boundary’s heated rooftop is filled with citrus and mimosa trees. As well as serving up a rather fancy all-day menu, Boundary have more casual seating for those looking to lounge around with a cocktail and with some bloody good views of the city after dark, it’s not just a place to watch the sun go down.
Netil 360 is our fave East London hangouts in the summer and it’s not just because they have a rooftop dog… Oh no, this place has some bangin’ views, hot tubs and will keep the party going all night long. With morning yoga, a cafe and bookable work desks, it’s pretty much a one stop shop.
If you’re after something fancy 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, and with a huge list of bubbly and a cigar menu, 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, with the likes of Norman Jay, Gilles Peterson, Horse Meat Disco and Brixton Boogaloo throwing parties across the summer.
Perched on the 10th floor on the ME hotel on The Strand, Radio Rooftop Bar shines in all it’s 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.
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.
Pergola Paddington is back for another summer and it’s bringing the Balearic vibes. The roof on the top deck is coming off as is part of it downstairs, so you can catch those rays, and there’ll be day beds and DJs galore. Babek Brothers, Temaki Bros, Salt Shed and Thunderbird will be keeping you fed and two huge bars will be keeping you watered with wine, beer and tap cocktails. If you’re out west, this is where the al fresco action is at.
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, lots of booze and bloody great views, you could easily drink the night away here, but remember there’s a f**k 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 bangin’ bars across London, but serves cocktails in sharing pineapples and even has an undercover restaurant for when British summertime really kicks in – or you just fancy some grub.
Big Chill Kings Cross is bringing you summer vibes with cocktails, locally brewed beers, grub from Chuck Burgers and with DJs, palm trees and an outdoor disco ball, this rooftop will be instagrammable no doubt.
Get high out west at botanical rooftop Pergola Olympia, where you can lounge on daybeds, soak up the views from the floor-to-ceiling windows, tuck into street food from Salt Shed and Wildcard and sip on summer spritzes.
