10 of London’s best rooftop bars for summer 2023

The hot weather has definitely arrived with temperatures soaring across London and the rest of the UK, so it’s no surprise many of us want to abandon stuffy indoor venues and head outside.

And if you’re looking for somewhere to drink that won’t leave you sweating, one place you might get a welcome gentle breeze is on the nearest rooftop.

If it’s a rooftop bar you’re after there’s no shortage of great ones across London, serving all manner of imaginative food and drinks, while offering some stunning views across the capital.

So if you want to head upwards for your next night out, consider one of our picks from the city’s rooftop venues…

Frank’s Cafe, Peckham

Frank’s Cafe in Peckham is essentially a big rooftop multi-storey car-park-turned-bar – but it’s been a fixture of the summer season since 2009.

As you’d expect from a venue in Peckham, it’s very artsy – with light installations dotted around the vast space, as well as a gallery on site, called Bold Tendencies.

The unobstructed view of London is unparalleled, and you can enjoy some great food from the yearly-changing menu, as well as some inventive cocktails while you take in the surrounding scenery.

Location: Bold Tendencies, 7th-10th Floor Multi Storey Car Park, 95A Rye Ln, London SE15 4ST Overground/National Rail: Peckham Rye

Radio Rooftop, The Strand

Located on the 10th floor of the ME London hotel, Radio Rooftop not only offers a superb cocktail list, but also a 360-degree views that shows off the capital’s skyline and the River Thames.

It’s a fabulous spot to chill out with a drink, as well as enjoy dishes from the seasonal menu – but be aware that it doesn’t come cheap.

A glass of champagne will set you back around £16, while a cocktail comes in at around £19.

Location: ME London, 336-337 Strand, London WC2R 1HA Tube: Covent Garden  (Piccadilly line)/Temple (Circle and District line)

The Rooftop at the Standard

Located a stone’s throw from King’s Cross station, The Rooftop at The Standard is on the 11th floor of the Standard Hotel, and offers some pretty impressive views across town.

You can either book a table or make a standing reservation for the bar which offers bubbles on tap as well as well as a range of cocktails (give the spicy margarita a whirl!) and food truck BUNS serving up bao and East Asian delicacies.

Bear in mind with this one that a minimum spend applies for table bookingsand parties larger than 6 contact the venue to confirm how much this is.

Location: 10 Argyle St, London WC1H 8NP Tube: King’s Cross St Pancras (Circle, Hammersmith and City, Metropolitan, Northern, Victoria and Piccadilly Lines)

Roof East

Billing itself as ‘London’s biggest adult playground’, Roof East in Stratford has taken over a multi-storey car park for the summer, and promises everything from batting cases, crazy golf and bowls – not to mention the chance to play Giant Jenga.

When you’re done with all of that you can relax with a cocktail and street food from one of the many vendors up on the roof.

Or head over to the Rooftop Cinema which will be screening a mix of blockbusters and classics all summer.

Location: 10 Argyle St, London WC1H 8NP Tube: King’s Cross St Pancras (Circle, Hammersmith and City, Metropolitan, Northern, Victoria and Piccadilly Lines)

Location: 7-8 Stratford Multi Storey Car Park, Great Eastern Rd, London E15 1XE Tube: Stratford (Central and Jubilee Lines/DLR/Overground/National Rail)

Pergola Paddington

Moving further west, you can soak up the sunshine and the views at the Paddington-based Pergola – which has the feel of a beach venue with its rattan fixtures and fittings and palm trees dotted around.

As well as cocktails you can also make the most of street food vendors serving up fried chicken, burgers and Japanese dishes (at time of writing: the menu changes from time to time).

There’s also a bottomless brunch on Sundays, and a DJ at weekends spinning timeless classics.

You can book in advance if visiting in a group but there’s space for walk-ins too.

Location: 5 Kingdom St, London W2 6PY Tube: Paddington (Bakerloo, Hammersmith and City, Circle, District and Elizabeth Lines)

Aviary Finsbury Square

If you want a touch of luxury on your rooftop, you’d do well to check out theAviary, the chic bar and restaurant on the 10th floor of the Montcalm Royal Hotel.

You can grab a bite to eat at the restaurant or head straight outside to the heated outdoor terrace which features comfy chairs as well as a menu offering some classic and quirky cocktails and a wide range of bubbles to sip on while you take in the view.

There’s also a bottomless brunch offering a smorgasbord of hot and cold dishes as well as free-flowing drinks.

Location: Montcalm Royal London House, 22-25 Finsbury Square, London, EC2A 1DX. Tube: Moorgate (Metropolitan, Hammersmith and City, Circle, District and Northern Lines)/Liverpool Street (Central, Hammersmith and City, Circle and Elizabeth Lines and Overground)

London Bridge Rooftop

Sitting on top of Colechurch House on London Bridge Walk, this is a great rooftop spot for lunch, post-dinner drinks or even bottomless brunch.

As well as offering incredible views of the skyline and some of the surrounding buildings – including the Shard and the City Of London. – you can enjoy food and drinks on a terrace that offers heaters if it gets chilly and shutter coverings if it starts to rain.

There’s DJs playing across the week also to add to the atmosphere – although one word of warning, there’s no lift to the roof. So be prepared to walk the 98 stairs to the top.

Location: Colechurch House, London Bridge Walk, SE1 2SX. Tube: London Bridge (Northern and Jubilee Lines)

Bar Elba

The spacious rooftop at Bar Elba overlooks Waterloo station, and features a range of events including brunch, movie nights and afternoon tea.

You can take in the views every Saturday lunchtime with Viva Las Brunch, offering burgers and bottomless cocktails as well as Vegas-themed entertainment from showgirls to Elvis impersonators.

And with some inventive cocktails on the menu including a range of different Negronis, you’ll be spoiled for choice on the drinks front.

Location: Rooftop, Mercury House, 109-117 Waterloo Road London, SE1 8UL Tube: Waterloo (Northern, Bakerloo and Jubilee Lines)

Sky Garden

You’ll get some pretty unparalleled views of the skyline at this iconic venue, and although it’s located mainly indoors it’ll feel as though you’re out in the open thanks to the surrounding greenery and huge picture windows.

There aretwo bars to choose from – Sky Pod and City Garden – where you can sip your cocktail or G&T while watching the sunset, as well as three restaurants within the building.

It’s a must-visit, although be aware it doesn’t come cheap – cocktails start at around £15, while the cheapest glass of wine will set you back a tenner.

Location: Rooftop, Mercury House, 109-117 Waterloo Road London, SE1 8UL Tube: Waterloo (Northern, Bakerloo and Jubilee Lines)

Queen Of Hoxton

The Queen of Hoxton usually offers a pretty excellent night out, with this year’s summer rooftop offering patrons a ‘Little Barcelona’ theme.

Which means you can tuck into beef and chorizo burgers and patatas bravas on the menu while washing it all down with sangria slushies and other themed cocktails.

Plus, expect some great views of Shoreditch from the roof.

Location: 1 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3JX Tube: Liverpool Street (Central, Circle, Hammersmith and City and Metropolitan Lines, Overground and Elizabeth Lines)

MORE : Eight of the best outdoor cinemas in London this summer

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