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15 Amazing Rooftop Bars in London

15 Amazing Rooftop Bars in London

The largest metropolis in Europe is teeming with a wide array of Rooftop Bars in London.

Here, you may discover anything from posh rooftop lounges to frolicking rooftop gardens, from Shoreditch to Trafalgar Square.

This comprehensive guide on Rooftop Bars in London will assist you in learning all there is to know about the greatest rooftop bars on the roof terrace of London, including their hours of operation, dress code, breathtaking images, and maps.

Expect entertaining activities, live music, traditional British hospitality, and breathtaking views of the famous London skyline. Find the Rooftop Bars in London that are ideal for you by scrolling down.

Rooftop Bars in London

The capital has a serious obsession with retractable roof bars, from posh City buildings to performatively informal warehouse hangouts.

Londoners are fortunate to have a wide variety of roofs offering a combination of spectacular city views & top-notch drinks, whether fighting arctic-cold temperatures or catching a breeze in a high-temperature heatwave.

It’s time to enjoy those sunsets, so pick your favorite neighborhood, from trendy Shoreditch to hopping Soho and Covent Garden to South London Bars.

These spots are frequently very busy, so we advise making reservations as soon as you can. If you like living dangerously, several places also offer walk-ins. Also, there is a multi-story car park.

1. Allegra

Allegra is a posh room on the seventh floor of the Stratford Hotel, with softly dimmed lighting, stone surfaces, eccentric plants, mellow jazz music, and rooftop radio.

The cuisine is just as delicious. The first tantalizing prelude was a savory choux bun appetizer that arrived loaded with chicken liver parfait.

It was creamy and thick with a much-needed acidic kick from the preserved kumquats that were sprinkled on top, along with crushed pistachios.

The next dish was an artichoke velouté, a visually appealing bowl of comfort food that was velvety, smooth, and quite addictive, with a pool of tart quince to counteract it all.

A lovely tiny fried brioche bun with shaved chestnut on top was also included.

The mains of this London rooftop bar were equally powerful. A fork poke caused the artistically wrapped, poached Cornish brill to disintegrate.

On the other hand, the wild venison loin was pure decadence. The accompanying pureed cauliflower was roasted and well-seasoned, and the tender, pink-middle pieces were slathered in a rich sauce.

Allegra
Image from Allegra

Pickled blackberries also added a touch of lightness. Desserts were also excellent, with the deconstructed ginger cake being a standout. It also had crunchy, caramelized pecans.

However, there were also a few negative aspects. With the deer-themed main course came a cottage pie of stewed venison shoulder, which was distressingly salty.

A server also tried to upsell us on wine. However, overall, the service was excellent: the personnel was cordial and described every dish.

2. In Aqua Spirit

Most rooftop pubs in central London rely on their views—you could even charge for them—and overlook their drink selection in favor of aiming higher.

In Aqua Spirit, the order is reversed. It offers high-quality cocktails that almost make the hefty price tag justified, but the sky-high setting is a tad underwhelming.

The Clover Club, a refreshing gin-based drink, and other traditional yet unusual mixtures are executed well, but to experience this bar at its best, choose from the list of Japanese-inspired cocktails.

Although it has a banana flavor, the Yuzuana Bellini is extremely inventive and is complemented by dry citrus saké.

Only by sashaying through the chic Japanese restaurant can one reach the rooftop bar terraces, which are oddly placed at the other end of the room from the elevator entrance.

It’s a shame that the terrace lacks the same upscale, global aesthetic as the sultry, circular indoor bar, which is perfect for perching and people-watching.

Some late-night daters, such as attractive young couples and older men having toy boys in tow, wander up the inside bar for just a nightcap but never make it to the rooftop.

City boys, Mayfair attorneys, and a few tall blondes keep it warm by chain-smoking round patio heaters outside on the terrace.

Dark decorations and a melancholy sunset make it perfect, but by the time night falls, the terrace is dimly illuminated and uninviting from behind glass doors. You might decide to curl up indoors as we did.

3. Aviary Rooftop Bar

The Montcalm Hotel’s Aviary is a bar restaurant with a sizable outdoor terrace in Finsbury Square.

It has a fantastic panoramic outlook from its tenth-floor perch and is already quite well-liked by the post-work crowd. Colleagues stay up late drinking spritzes and champagne drinks while huddling on modernist furniture with heaters and blankets.

The interior restaurant has furniture with bizarre geometric patterns, light fixtures with jungle foliage protruding from them, & a menu that shouts “elevated gastropub.”

It also came with a City-sized burger, “Hodson’s Sauce,” an odd béarnaise sauce that contained Marmite, and perfectly seasoned flat-iron steaks with triple-cooked fries.

In terms of appetizers and desserts, think of a crispy duck noodles salad with a soft duck egg on top, as well as an arctic roll that is made to taste exactly like After Eights. The latter of which actually functions.

However, the decor was not quite as subtle as table-turning. On a busy evening, we had to wait a considerable amount of time before receiving service, exceeding the two hours we were permitted.

When the bill was brought, and we paid it, we were informed that the table needed to be returned as soon as possible.

Their forks had hardly touched the plates when the bill was handed to us. All the males gather in the yard because of this rooftop; you guys get it.

4. Bar Elba

Greetings from Party Island. To get there, you’ll have to struggle through hundreds of harried travelers at Waterloo station & ascend a number of colorful staircases.

Reaching this bustling rooftop refuge with breathtaking views of the metropolitan skyline is worthwhile, though.

Elba, a little island off the coast of Tuscany, served as its inspiration. He brought a horse along with many hundred of his best friends.

But enough of it. The historical motif at Bar Elba is as flimsy as they get. This rooftop bar is less about the nineteenth-century military commander and more about the (bona)party, with fairy lights, communal benches, and a sizable drink menu.

The bar offers a limited selection of wine, beer, and cider.

Bar Elba
Image from Bar Elba

Moreover, a variety of bubbles for those with the emperor’s money. The frosé, a silky strawberry slushie with rosé and vermouth added, was unquestionably the best cocktail, but the Aperol Spritz was also good and was delivered in large sharing jugs for such thirsty.

Balmy, The Bar Elba, is not an Italian paradise. But it is a lovely place to be when the sun goes down over Waterloo, and you can see the Shard sparkling in the last of the daylight.

5. Bussey Rooftop Bar

Peckham has a great rooftop bar that is not Frank’s Café. Although the party nights at The Bussey Building may be its claim to fame, the building also boasts a hip rooftop bar that recently reopened for the summer.

Bussey Rooftop Bar, located atop the multipurpose building on Rye Lane, serves as the perfect prelude to an upcoming night out.

This small bar offers nearly unhindered views of the London skyline, making it a beautiful place to drink both day and night.

It’s extremely understated; laid-back music, palm trees, fairy lights, and pastel-colored decking give the area a beach bar atmosphere. It’s the ideal urban retreat for soaking up the sun.

Although the bar was small and the service was slow, the drinks were worth the wait. The cocktail menu screams summer: the Berry Garcia was a cool concoction of white rum, berries, and mint, while the Melancholy was a light and zingy concoction of gin, honey, prosecco, and elderflower.

Cocktails cost no more than ten pounds, but if you want to save money, you may order a bottle of wine instead.

There is also a shack where a variety of street food pop-ups are hosted on a rotating basis. When we arrived, RockaDollar was offering its hot dogs & nachos with amazing handmade jalapeno salsa.

Although Frank’s may have invented rooftop drinking, this pub delivers the next chapter and is full of style, great music, and excellent cocktails.

6. Coq d’Argent

A private elevator whisks City suits to the lush rooftop garden of Coq d’Argent, which has its own lawn, trailing vines, and ringed promenade. It’s a terrific option for patio eating in the summer, and the setting provides stunning views of London’s skyline.

A circular bar, brasserie, and corporate-style restaurant are among the indoor attractions. You may expect regional French cuisine, perhaps influenced by travels abroad.

An umami boost from dry pounded black olives was added to a first dish of flavorful beef carpaccio, which was garnished with mildly pickled wild mushrooms & crisp garden vegetables.

As a main dish, a crisp-skinned sea bass fillet with a rich saffron-tomato velouté sauce that was perched jauntily atop softened, sliced fennel & courgettes also tasted good.

Unfortunately, the braised chicken with mushrooms & baby onions did not turn out well. Nothing noteworthy was produced by the pale, flaccid-skinned chicken, thick mash, and unbearably oily bread croûte. Tiramisu & roast plums were acceptable desserts, but not any longer.

Although well-meaning service wasn’t as prompt as anticipated, bankers & their clients still flock there because it’s a popular hangout. Additionally, the food is often good enough.

7. Culpeper Roof Garden Rooftop

Occasionally for a small area of greenery in London. That’s undoubtedly the reason patrons appear to adore this tiny garden oasis on the rooftop of the Culpeper tavern on Commercial Street.

It’s double the gherkin up here on the roof, which is a short distance from the city’s skyscrapers, where vegetables and herbs are grown for the gastropub’s contemporary menu.

The fact that there is so little seating makes this a highly sought-after location for some solitude and quiet. There are several rustic tables tucked amid climbing vines and benches to perch on near planters bursting with flowery life.

Drifters circle the entrance to the terrace on the fourth level. As a result, hoping to capture.

It’s worthwhile to plan ahead because the specialized cocktail bar at the entryway, which is housed beneath a glass atrium, produces distinctive drinks that capture the little garden charm.

Try a lemon-thyme ambrosia, which isn’t as delicate-tasting as it sounds because it contains brandy, calvados, and prosecco. Even the herb of the day is used in a garden julep, which also contains lemon and bourbon.

The entrance also has a wood-fired barbecue where delectable meats and sides can be grilled for a complete dinner or lighter fare like Merguez sausages & Piedmontese peppers.

The food is just as wonderful up here as it is in the restaurant area of the gastropub but be prepared for a smoky experience.

8. Dalston Roof Park

In Dalston, you can’t get high fast enough, but sadly, there isn’t an express lift to the area’s sought-after roof space.

However, the few stairs up to Dalston Roof Park established the artistic scene with hateful graffiti on the walls.

The garish AstroTurf, actual plants in hanging baskets and improvised planters, and bunting fluttering in the wind make the entrance charge worthwhile. There is no certainty that the British summer will truly arrive, whether in the storm or during our visit.

In light of this, the venue provides covered areas for the bar and the dance floor so that you may dance in all weather. Bright beanbags add color, allowing unhurried drinkers to cover the floor with as much AstroTurf as they like.

Dalston Bar
Image from Dalston

If that heatwave ever occurs, there are plenty of unprotected sunny locations and deck chairs to relax in while sipping a cocktail.

Mojitos and caipirinhas are popular choices, but you tried the Dalston Sunset, a cheery concoction of cranberry, lychee liqueur, and gin that almost shouts “summer.”

Get up there because there will be pop-up food vendors setting up shop for monthly residencies throughout the season, regular morning yoga classes, and those DJs keep on coming. If the beanbag is making a comeback, perhaps summer will as well.

9. Forza Wine

There are many rooftop bars in Peckham. However, the majority of the neighborhood’s high-rise bars lose their appeal in the winter when they are exposed to the weather.

Visit Forza Wine, the bar with said finest of both worlds: an indoor space with tall tables & glass doors exposing that skyline, as well as an outside patio with benches.

You went to the fifth story on a gloomy Saturday and were nevertheless enthralled by The Shard & co-stars hidden behind a grey veil (above Rye Lane’s most recent construction, co-working facility Market Peckham).

The popular Italian restaurant Forza Win in Peckham inspired the creation of the bar, where beverages and small bites feature the Italian flag.

Before moving on to a smashing glass of Verdicchio, my companion and I both enjoyed acidic Amaretto Sours, which were perfect for midday drinking.

This pub takes the grape stuff seriously, living up to its moniker. Additionally, treats like meatballs that are rendered even more succulent by a red wine jus are robust enough to serve as the basis of a dinner.

10. Frank’s Cafe

For a Campari at Frank’s, Londoners continue to make the yearly trek to this Peckham multi-story parking lot.

The summer pop-up, which is open until the end of September, attracts large crowds of people who swarm the bar, which this year seems to have improved after a few years of noticeably festival-like service.

Frank’s asphalt floor has been painted with wiggly aluminum paint that resembles a dazzling snail track by artist Richard Wentworth.

As soon as temps rise, pictures of the bar’s eye-catching red tarpaulin cover & stunning sunset views (which feature a London panoramic) are posted on social media.

Although people from all walks of life travel to visit Frank’s to cross it off their bucket list of London attractions, the audience remains basically the same (you’ll see plenty of denim cut-offs).

You were able to enter early with no difficulty, even while the capital experienced record heat. We would have had to adhere to a one-in, one-out-door policy had it been much later than 7 pm.

Although the bar appears to be operating more quickly than before, on warm days, it is difficult to get a meal or a snack since the small kitchen is overworked.

It’s unfortunate because the new menu’s tantalizing kebabs, grilled fish, and side dishes would fit right in at a Shoreditch small plates establishment.

Italian cocktails are also really fashionable and perfect for cooling off in the heat. Drinks that are quick and simple to create, such as dark and stormy, are much more refreshing than downing a shoddy negroni.

11. Golden Bee

This cocktail establishment on Singer Street, right around the bend from the Old Street tube, is all about the party.

On the weekends, resident DJs provide the music, and many Monday evenings are devoted to movie screenings on the rooftop terrace, replete with unlimited popcorn & a blanket in case it becomes chilly.

There is a big selection of drinks. Spirits range from well-known to uncommon and are sold by the bottle & the measure.

The Golden Bee, a house drop of Olmeca Reposado tequila mixed with crushed ice, banana liqueur, fruit sugar, lemon, and hazy apple juice, is one of many cocktails on the menu that include martinis, margaritas, mojitos, flutes, and shots.

A good assortment of wines is also available.

12. London Bridge Rooftop

A laid-back winter rooftop pub with heaters and covers in the center of London Bridge is where you can enjoy after-work beverages, sunset cocktails, delectable burgers, DJs, stay-all-night catch-ups, and teapots of hot chocolate in addition to assured vibes.

Chicken tenders, pigs in a blanket, and beef, chicken, and vegan burgers will all be available at London Bridge Rooftop.

In teapots on your table, LBRT will be delivering delicious, alcoholic orange hot chocolates with whipped cream—perfect for cold winter nights. This month, they’ll be serving hot chocolate in teapots, but if you’re a real chocoholic, we’ll be pouring bottomless!

 London Bridge
Image from London Bridge

They come with extras like chocolate chips, hundreds and thousands, delicious gold & silver sugar balls, a complete can of whipped cream, plus sauces to use up.

They can be alcohol-free, or you can mix in some Cointreau, Sipsmith Orange, Jamerson Orange, or other alcoholic beverages. They are vegan, too!

Online reservations for tables will be possible, while walk-ins may be accepted based on space. The location will only accept card payments and offer table service. The beverages will then be brought directly to your table by their bar staff.

13. Netil360

One thing you ought to be aware of before visiting this rooftop pub in Hackney is that you have to climb nine flights of steps to get there (there is no elevator). But when you do, boy, it’s just divine.

The vista comes first, of course. Anyone who doesn’t feel at least a slight temptation to capture the appropriately called Netil360 on Instagram as soon as they arrive would be very suspect in their eyes. More could be made with the area.

The artificial grass ground, wooden seats, and repurposed furniture don’t have the most aesthetically pleasing appearance, but the 360-degree vistas of London more than make up for it.

As a result, customers don’t come for the drinks, which is perhaps for the best because the menu only offers a few expensive options like wine and beer.

The Aperol Spritz was huge, refreshing, and had the ideal balance of bitter and fizzy, and they were presented with a smile.

A bar of this kind might be filled with a boisterous after-work crowd, yet the patrons seemed strangely subdued.

The disco ball and hip-hop music give the impression that Netil360 could get rather crowded as the sun sets, and patrons can relocate inside if it gets chilly.

You’ll want to snuggle in for sunset once you’ve ascended those stairs, We assure you.

14. NT’s Drink and Bar Snacks

Fans of Night Tales, rejoice! Just in time for the worst of the worst weather, the favorite pop-up has opened a permanent location in an indoor space.

The latest addition to House, this café by day/cocktail bar by night, has many characteristics with its seasonal counterpart: excellent food, DJs, and (obviously) creative drinks.

The area evokes warehouse chic, smoothed with leather couches, communal tables, & potted plants, all drenched in a pink neon color that makes Instagram filters unnecessary.

There are just enough steps to remind visitors that you haven’t gone to the gym lately. It’s like visiting a friend who is hipper and more accomplished than you in their New York-style apartment.

NT’s drink menu features intriguing variations while remaining uncomplicated: for the love of God, no bells & whistles. With their meticulous sampling, bartenders go through a little forest of straws, which is harmful to the environment but fantastic for your taste buds.

Nt Rooftop Bar
Image from Nt Rooftop Bar

Rum, bitters, ginger, and whisky are combined to create The Con Man, which has a seductively therapeutic flavor but will ultimately be detrimental to your health.

Although not enough to give us the impression that we had accidentally entered a curry establishment, Coriander Southside had to have an intriguing herbal bite.

Food is kept straightforward, with delicious toasties by Morty & Bobs. Yours was upgraded with truffle oil and mushrooms.

You absolutely adored the sexily groovy sounds, which kept you Shazamming all night long. While there may not be a dance floor, if you stick around long enough, you will observe a crowd that is appropriately lubricated.

15. The Prince of Wales Feathers

The Prince of Wales Feathers has an outside drinking patio on its first story, which is uncommon in downtown London.

At first glance, it may appear to be just another tavern, albeit one that has undergone renovation. You will still have to struggle for a seat even though there isn’t much to gaze at other than the backs of a few Fitzrovia buildings.

They did a decent job of furnishing the area, providing plenty of places to sit and enjoy your pint in addition to striking murals & lime green chairs.

Although the squishy tarmac floor tiles are unappealing, we assume they are meant to represent an adult playground after work.

The interior had a basic gastropub facelift, which conceals a diverse selection of beers on tap.

The bar has earned the coveted Cask Marque designation and offers a wide selection of London-inspired artisan beers on draught, including Camden Hells, in addition to five English ales that regularly rotate (an unfiltered lager).

On “Thirsty Thursdays” (seriously), when a glass of wine & three bar snacks cost, plates of sliders pour thick & fast from the kitchen, cementing the post-work party vibes.

Final Note

We have made this detailed guide on Rooftop Bars in London. We hope you like it.

In London, rooftop bars and outdoor eating are all the rage as the temperature rises and the days become longer. Rooftop bars abound in the city, and we’ve traveled the length and breadth of London to bring you the best of the best.

At the best rooftop bars in London, take in the view of the skyline and enjoy the sunshine.

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