Pub beer gardens are so last year – London’s all about the urban rooftop gardens now.
From decadent bars and celebrity hotspots, to quirky graffiti, live animals, and community vegetable growing plots – there are so many amazing bars with roof gardens that have something for everyone.
There really is no better time to spend an evening sipping cocktails on one of the London’s many great alfresco rooftop bars.
From upscale, year-round favourites, to quirky new kids on the block, read our quick guide to six of the best sky-high drinking spots that London has to offer.
1. Frank’s Café, Peckham
Address: Bold Tendencies, 7th-10th Floor Multi Storey Car Park, 95A Rye Ln, London SE15 4ST
While you might first associate Peckham with a certain well-known classic British Comedy, Only Fools & Horses, the area has in recent years become a hotspot for arty types, bringing with them a plethora of hip new cafes and bars.
Open only during the summer months, from May through to September, Frank’s sits atop a disused multi-storey car park, offering beautiful panoramic views of the London skyline. And with fairly cheap Negroni cocktails being the drink of choice, it might be the perfect place to impress a first date.
Be sure to snap a photo of yourself on the perpetually-Instagrammed pink staircase as you ascend to the top!
2. The Culpeper Pub, Liverpool Street/Aldgate East
Address: 40 Commercial St, London E1 6LP
This quirky new outdoor bar on the top of the Culpeper pub is gherkin-themed and features a large pickle, placed in picture-perfect juxtaposition with many nearby skyscrapers, including the actual gherkin building itself.
Aside from its unusual theme, what makes this place so special is that fresh vegetables and herbs are grown on the roof space and then served to customers on the menu at the pub below.
3. Netil 360, Hackney/London Fields
Address: 1 Westgate St, London E8 3RL
A firm favourite for many years, this panoramic rooftop bar based in Hackney offers amazing views and lively music, under a large, centrally-placed disco ball.
It is certainly not the most accessible, as you’ll have to walk up a whopping nine flights of stairs to reach it, but the refreshing Aperol Spritz and breath-taking scenery waiting up top more than makes up for the shortness of breath!
4. Dalston Roof Park, Dalston Junction
Address: The Print House, 18-22 Ashwin St, London E8 3DL
Best for… People watching
What’s so special? This colourful and quirky garden is all about community in the hippest area of East London. It’s a small space, but full of heart; friendly graffiti covers the walls and the vivid atro-turf is scattered with mistmatched seating and vegetable boxes bulging with community grown plants and produce.
Run by The Bootstrap Company, a not-for-profit co-operative, entry requires a donation of £2 for the whole summer.
The Dalston Roof Garden is more than just a garden – it’s also a performance space and events range from film nights and poetry readings to film screenings and food markets. It’s also a bit of a hipster hang out – come here to people watch and spot eccentric outfits from East End fashion scene.
Perhaps the trendiest on our list, Dalston Roof Park creates a more ‘exclusive’ atmosphere by charging entrants £3, after which they become ‘friends’ and can gain access forever. Seating is in the form of bean bags and deck chairs, making it the perfect spot the kick-back with their signature cocktail, the aptly-named Dalston Sunset.
The views might not be as fantastic as the others on the list, but with various activities going on, including DJ sets from local radio station Rinse FM, regularly changing street food residencies, outdoor movie nights and sunrise yoga sessions – this is the place to hang-out, come rain or shine (it’s got a retractable roof for that very reason)!
Drinks? Bring your own, or enjoy a limited but quality selection from the small bar hut – the absinthe and cucumber cocktail is particularly delicious.
Hot Tip: When you’re finished enjoying the sunshine, head to Café Otto in the next building – it’s one of London’s hottest live music venues.
5. Skylight Tobacco Dock
Address: Tobacco Dock, London E1W 2SF
This Wapping-based rooftop playground is home to several floors, with bars, street food stalls, dance floors and light-hearted games such as croquet and pétanque.
It provides a great alternative setting to a traditional work summer social, allowing staff to sip cocktails, challenge each other to a game and listen to the in-house DJs spinning tunes into the night, all under the lovely London skyline.
6. Radio Rooftop Bar
Address: 336-337 Strand, London WC2R 1HA
A lot swankier than its neighbouring counterparts, Radio Rooftop on the Strand is the place to go to sip expensive cocktails and people watch. From the comfortable soft seating, to the outdoor heaters, this isn’t your average London rooftop bar.
Yes, it’s overpriced, and yes you can get equally great views at the aforementioned joints, but with an eclectic, lively crowd and a wide selection of gin and tonic concoctions to choose from, it’s worth venturing here at least once during the summer heatwave.
7. Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden, South Bank
Address: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX
Best for… Cultured drinks
What’s so special? Despite boasting a bright yellow staircase with ‘Come on up’ sprawled across the side, the Queen Elizabeth Roof Gardens are the South Bank’s best kept secret.
Located in one of London’s busiest areas – the Southbank is home to top cultural attractions like the London Eye, BFI Cinema and Tate Modern Gallery – if you climb to the top of the Queen Elizabeth Hall, you’ll discover an oasis of calm.
Wooden decking, soft turf, and colourful vegetable boxes help to re-enforce the laid back summery atmosphere of the garden – it’s a fantastic spot to grab a drink and a bite to eat before you do more sightseeing or catch a performance at one of the Southbank’s theatres and live music venues.
Drinks? Enjoy an elderflower cocktail at the small bar whilst looking out onto the Thames and houses of Parliament. If you get hungry, bring some fast food from one of the gourmet street food vendors that line the bank or enjoy a British sandwich at the small café.
Hot Tip: Don’t be put off by the skate park at the bottom of the stairs, and don’t stop at the first level. There is a roof bar there, but the garden is one more floor up.
8. Shoreditch House, Shoreditch
Address: Ebor St, London E1 6AW
Best for… Exclusive partying
What’s so special? Previous guests to this exclusive members-only rooftop garden include Kate Moss, Sienna Miller and Lana Del Rey. Well, we wouldn’t expect anything less from a roof top garden which boats its own swimming pool.
Connected to the Shoreditch House hotel, this kind of extravagant luxury could quite easily become stuffy in other parts of London – but this is Shoreditch so, despite the pink and grey ‘Sex in the City’ style loungers and expensive cocktails, the garden still maintains an impressive air of laid back cool.
Drinks? Taken very seriously – House Tonic is dedicated to perfecting each and every drink, from the morning coffee to the late night cocktail. Try an ‘Elizabeth II’ to celebrate the jubilee – 42 Below Vodka, earl grey tea, lemon, watermelon and peach.
Hot Tip: Shoreditch House isn’t open to the general public – so, if you’re not a millionaire but you still want a flavour of the decadence, you can visit the hotel’s resident Cowshed Spa, which just opened to the public.
9. Vista Bar, Trafalgar
Address: 2 Spring Gardens, London SW1A 2TS
Best for… Epic views
What’s so special? Central London’s largest rooftop bar boasts unparalleled views of iconic London landmarks – including Trafalgar square, Nelson’s Column and the London Eye.
When you’re done gawping at the stunning location, you’ll realise this is actually a pretty sleek urban bar – complete with polished tables, dark decking, and pristine greenery.
Drinks? Everything from bespoke ice teas, to house takes on classic cocktails (think electric Pimms), and high-end champagnes. The rooftop also boasts its own grill – so you can really get into the BBQ spirit in summer. Try the Gin Mary, which has been infused with rare and expensive black moth truffles.
Hot Tip: ‘The Gallery’ holds the best views of Trafalgar Square, The London Eye and Big Ben.
10. The Roof Gardens, Kensington
Address: 99 Kensington High St, London W8 5SA
The Roof Gardens is Closed in 2018
What was so special? Visiting The Roof Gardens, formerly known as the Kensington Roof Gardens, was a bit like jumping down the rabbit hole and entering wonderland – live flamingos, a flowing stream, oak trees, and fragrant lilies, roses and lavender all floating above the hustle and bustle of the city, seemingly by magic. Well, what do you expect from the same company that’s planning to take tourists to space?
The Roof Gardens was a truly grand undertaking; set 100 feet above Kensington high street on top of an ex-1930’s department store, that covered 1.5 acres of land and three different garden themes: Tudor, Spanish and English woodland. Hyde Park, Regents and Richmond may be London’s most famous green spaces – but the Roof Gardens was arguably the most poetic greenery in the city.
Drinks? The Roof Gardens didn’t need a bar to make them interesting, because they were so spectacular in their own right. Of course, this doesn’t mean that there wasn’t one. The Club was open on Fridays and Saturdays but, as it was an exclusive members-only venue, you could only get in if you were on a waiting list and you’d paid £25 at the door. There was also a gourmet restaurant called Babylon on the 7th floor of the building.
Plan the Ultimate Night in London
These bars are all different but they all have at least two things in common; a green heaven in the middle of the city, and incredible views. Go in search of your favourite and let me know how you get on.
I recently also wrote a few similar articles to this which you might want to check out:
• Best secret gardens in London
• Top places to eat brunch in London
• What to do in Camden
For more recommendations for what to do in this amazing city view my London travel guide.
