The Best Roof Bars in London
For summertime rooftop fun, choose between a swanky lounge or a flower-filled garden.
When the sun is shining in the capital, there's arguably no better place to be. However, if you find yourself stuck among a crowd of shoppers on Oxford Street or sweating on a packed tube, the best option is to go sky-high and head for one of the city's rooftop bars. Here, you can sip on ice-cold glasses of Aperol while enjoying the stunning skyline views. Just make sure to book beforehand as the most popular spots can fill up months in advance.
Sabine, City
The Sabine rooftop bar, themed after a garden, offers stunning views of the clock tower, solemn statues, and the faded white dome of St Paul's Cathedral. It is located on the seventh floor of the Leonardo Royal Hotel and opened in 2022. Due to its recent opening, it is less crowded compared to other nearby bars. If the outdoor terrace is full, the interior with its floor-to-ceiling windows and retractable roof always provides a clear view of the cathedral. The bar boasts a circular design draped with foliage, providing an excellent vantage point to watch the bartenders mix theatrical smoking cocktails and frozen twists on negronis.
Boundary Shoreditch
The Boundary Bar, located in Shoreditch, offers a stylish rooftop drinking experience with a glass roof for protection from inclement weather. The kitchen serves delicious Mediterranean dishes such as grilled chermoula prawns, lamb köftes, octopus, and vegan moussaka, even though the London weather may not always match the Mediterranean climate.
The Rooftop at the Standard, King’s Cross
The Standard hotel group, well-known for its properties in the United States, has expanded its reach to London with the takeover of the former Camden Town Hall Annex building. The hotel rooms are designed with a fun, 1970s theme, which is reflected on the Astroturf rooftop that features baby-pink banquettes. The rooftop also offers stunning views of the red-brick spires and gothic revival façade of St Pancras station. Guests can enjoy a range of cocktails on tap, including Spicy Tommy's margaritas, as well as slushy Aperol spritzes for those warm summer days. The hotel’s tenth floor is home to Decimo, a restaurant with a menu created by the celebrated chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias. A bright red food truck, serving Mexican-inspired bites, is also available for guests to enjoy.
Alto by San Carlo, Oxford Street
If you skip through Selfridges’ fragrance section, you will find a dedicated lift that takes you to a rooftop restaurant and bar that will transport you to Sicily. Despite the lack of views, the restaurant's decor is stunning. It features ceiling beams adorned with faux lemons and white blossoms, shuttered windows, and a retractable roof that allows you to bask in the sun on sunny days, creating an Italian oasis. The drinks menu includes Aperol spritzes and bellini Venezianas, while the food menu offers a wide range of options, from lobster ravioli to beef ragu-filled arancini, which are all-time favourites.
Sushisamba Bar
SUSHISAMBA London is situated on the 38th and 39th floors of Heron Tower, located at 110 Bishopsgate. It boasts the highest outdoor dining terraces in Europe, providing an unparalleled 360-degree view of the City. Two panoramic glass elevators transport customers from the ground to the 39th floor, offering a stunning view of London as the lifts ascend.
The Culpeper, Spitalfields
The Culpeper is a pub located in the East End, which has been serving customers since 1884. It is popular among after-work drinkers and weekend groups. Although the ground-floor pub can get busy in the evenings, the rooftop provides a peaceful atmosphere in Zone 1. In addition to a summer bar and restaurant, the rooftop area has an urban garden where fresh herbs and garnishes are harvested. These ingredients are used in dishes such as beef koftas with mint yoghurt and pickled chillies. If you are interested in learning more about city gardening, there are monthly workshops available.
Frank’s Café, Peckham
Frank's Café is a popular summer spot located at the top of a bubblegum-pink staircase in a multi-storey car park in south London. It was first opened in 2009 by the not-for-profit organisation Bold Tendencies as a sculpture exhibition and café. Since then, it has returned each year with a different theme and showcasing the works of various artists and sculptors. This year's theme is love, featuring works from the Turner Prize winner Martin Creed and the first public exhibition by artist and poet Rhea Dillon. In addition to the art, Frank's Café also offers delicious brunches and negronis with a stunning backdrop of the Shard and City skyscrapers.
Bokan, Canary Wharf
The skyscrapers of Canary Wharf might not have the charm of a traditional neighbourhood, but they offer amazing views. Bokan, located on floors 37 to 39 of the world's tallest Novotel, provides some of London’s most impressive vistas. On the 37th floor, Bokan's stylish industrial restaurant serves European cuisine, including Herefordshire beef and rabbit tagine, which has earned the restaurant two AA rosettes. Make sure to visit the 39th-floor roof terrace and gin bar on clear days, and time it to coincide with sunset. The space's west-facing position makes it perfect to catch the last rays of the day over the Thames, South Bank and the towering buildings of the City.
Roof East, Stratford
This former car. park has been transformed into an adult playground, with almost every inch of its open-air space filled with funic films from a giant deckchair at the outdoor cinema or test your skills with baseball batting cages, archery targets, crazy golf, or lawn bowls. The venue is perfect for large groups, with colorful benches and food trucks that serve burgers, Indian street food, Turkish pide, and kebabs. A wide selection of drinks, including Sunset Sherbert, a mix of passion fruit, vodka, and prosecco, are available to keep you refreshed.
PocketSquare Skyline Bar and Terrace, Whitechapel
PocketSquare, located on the ninth floor of Hyatt Place London City East, offers some of the best views of the Square Mile skyline. The outdoor space surrounds the central bar, which is under cover in case of rain. With only a limited number of seats, it is recommended to arrive early to enjoy cold beers and cocktails inspired by the east London location. If you get hungry, you can take a short stroll to the curry houses of Brick Lane for some late-night nibbles.
Market Halls Victoria, Victoria
Market Halls Victoria is a former dance hall located opposite Victoria Station. It's an ideal spot for a last drink before catching the train home. Due to its location, the place is always bustling with people, which can make it pretty noisy inside. However, if you go up to the rooftop, you can enjoy some breathing space while overlooking the historic station. Although the rooftop isn't the most spacious or the one with the best views, it offers a selection of budget-friendly food options downstairs, which you can enjoy with an ice-cold lager. Moreover, you can also catch a DJ every Thursday and Saturday night.
Mercato Mayfair, Mayfair
Mercato Mayfair’s main hall, located in the grade I listed shell of a former church, boasts of the most visually arresting food hall that one can find anywhere. However, during summers, it can get pretty stuffy inside as there is no air conditioning. In such cases, you can head to the roof to enjoy your craft beer, gin cocktail, or chilled glass of rosé while surveying the fine architecture around you from the courtyard-style terrace. If you still feel hot, you can visit the ice cream counter that offers deliciously creamy gelato.
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