Here are our tips on the best rooftop bars in London, so that you’re ready when the sun finally does shine through.

You may also want to check out our guide to the best outdoor restaurants in London.

Radio Bar at ME London

On the 10th floor of the ME London hotel in Aldwych, radio has sublime views of London from all directions.

When you exit the lift, you are greeted by floor to ceiling windows with London’s famous sights within touching distance.

With a terrace that wraps around on both sides, Tower Bridge, The Shard, St. Paul’s Cathedral and The Thames are all to see, giving you wonderful views of the city.

12th Knot at Seacontainers London

On the top floor of the old Sea Containers’ building in the renamed Seacontainers London hotel, the 12th Knot is sure to be a summer hit.

Not only does it have a Thames-side location with gorgeous views of St Paul’s Cathedral and Tower Bridge, the bar serves excellent cocktails with a great line-up of DJs.

Perfect for a sun-downer cocktail with sky high views.

Sushisamba

With a stunning copper tree design in the middle of the bar, the rooftop terrace at Sushisamba in Heron Tower in The City is a huge attraction in the summer.

Come early to secure your place as this is hot property in The City!

Rooftop at the Boundary

The rooftop restaurant at The Boundary, a 48-seat grill, has 360° views of London and includes a designer garden, a large bar, an open fireplace and luxury blankets for the chilly evenings.

The Rooftop at the Boundary is our pick of one of the best rooftop bars in London.

Aqua London

Japanese restaurant aqua kyoto and Spanish restaurant aqua nueva both have wonderful terraces in the West End.

The rooftop terrace offers a much needed respite overlooking the busy shopping streets around Regent Street.

Visit on a weekend to try the champagne brunch menu with unlimited champagne.

Aqua Nueva Champagne Bar

For summer 2022, Aqua Nueva’s terrace has created a VIP Lounge in partnership with Veuve Clicquot.

Available for reservations and walk-ins, the lounge area will offer a special drinks menu to accompany Aqua Nueva’s contemporary tapas menu.

The Rooftop at The Trafalgar

The rooftop of The Trafalgar Hotel is now open throughout the year with glorious views of London’s landmarks and statues, with Nelson’s Column almost at eye level.

For a special occasion, you can hire ROOM – a glass enclosed private dining room with space for 14.

With such a central location and views of iconic landmarks, this is one of of the best rooftop bars in London.

Aviary

Over in Shoreditch / Moorgate, Aviary is on the 10^th floor of the Montcalm Hotel on Finsbury Square.

The alfresco bar, decorated with sink-in sofas, vintage lampshades, fire pits lit at night, is both glamorous and comfortable and offers breathtaking views of London’s skyline.

With excellent cocktails and a list of internationally renowned DJs, Aviary’s vibe is more Café Del Mar than City of London.

The Rooftop at The Standard

The Rooftop at The Standard offers fabulous views of the London skyline from its location in King’s Cross.

The summer of 2022 sees the launch of Decimiño, their 10th floor restaurant Decimo’s baby sister in the form of a popping red taco truck: expect new takes on nachos, an epic tacos selection and Mexican-Spanish snacks.

Frank’s Café

Frank’s Café is a pop up rooftop bar, café and art space on the 10th floor of a multi-story car in Peckham.

Open every summer since 2008, the bar attracts a cool, artistic crowd to its music festival type space.

Frank’s Café is a great place to while away sunny days in a laid back atmosphere, admiring views of Central London.

Aerial Rooftop

Aerial Rooftop is a new rooftop bar and restaurant on the roof of The Broadcaster in White City.

Light nibbles, sharing platters and rooftop BBQ classics are all available at Aerial Rooftop.

During the summer, the space will showcase a variety of drink collaborations, including East London Liquor Co. and Franklin and Sons.

Housed in the former BBC Television Centre, Aerial Rooftop joins The Broadcaster’s ground-floor pub, a striking first-floor dining room and a third-floor private bar, terrace and events space.

Haugen

Alpine-inspired rooftop bar with live music, DJs and views across the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Haugen’s rooftop is the spot in East London for views, cocktails, food and entertainment.

Ham Yard Roof Terrace

The rooftop terrace at the Ham Yard Hotel is a large, leafy garden with sweeping views over London.

It is a tranquil and peaceful terrace that is exclusively available to hotel guests, but it can also be hired for private events.

The Dorchester Rooftop

The Dorchester hotel is the latest 5 star London hotel to open a rooftop bar and restaurant.

The 64-cover rooftop will offer a Mediterranean menu for the summer alongside a selection of cocktails in partnership with Courvoisier, inspired by the picturesque towns of the French and Italian Riviera.

The Dorchester Rooftop will be open throughout summer for both lunch and dinner, providing the perfect space to watch sunsets over Hyde Park, relax with a cocktail and listen to live music.

Laurel’s On The Roof

Inspired by Laurel Canyon in Los Angeles, Laurel’s On The Roof is located at the Mondrian Shoreditch hotel.

The menu features Californian favourites and offers an evolving all-day menu with signature dishes including Sea Bream Tacos, Malibu Shrimp Cocktail or a Cobb Salad.

The Ned

The eighth-floor rooftop bar at The Ned is reserved for members and hotel guests and is home to a 10-metre lap pool lined with Italian marble.

Views stretch from St Paul’s Cathedral to the Gherkin.

There is also a restaurant and bar with a retractable glass roof and two domes – named Poultry and Prince’s Street, after the hotel’s location – which house cosy bars.

Nusr-Et Steakhouse London

Nusr-Et Steakhouse London has launched its new 70-cover rooftop terrace in Knightsbridge.

Dishes on the menu include Beef Carpaccio and Burrata with basil pesto & Heirloom tomatoes, marbled Wagyu beef cuts, Prawn Tempura Roll, Salmon & Avocado Sushi.

Harrods

Harrods’ two rooftop destinations are perfect for summer sipping in style. At The Grill on Fifth, the rooftop terrace offers a chic setting for cocktails with panoramic views over Knightsbridge. Its bar menu includes both classic and inventive drinks, complemented by a 500-strong wine list so ideal for pre-dinner cocktails or relaxed evening drinks.

On the 4th floor, The Georgian’s newly opened terrace brings a refined twist to terrace bar culture, serving elegant afternoon cocktails alongside à la carte tea treats by day, and a full bar offering during evening service Thursday to Saturday.

Coq d’Argent

Situated in the heart of the Square Mile, Coq d’Argent has an outdoor terrace and a large and rather beautiful garden terrace, with great views of some of London’s most well known landmarks, including St Paul’s Cathedral.

The restaurant serves modern French cuisine while the brasserie and terrace serve a lighter menu with more of a modern European hint.

Get there early during the week and be prepared to queue for the glass lift as it’s a very popular destination with City workers, or visit for a more relaxed Sunday lunch on the weekend.

As well as having one of the best rooftop bars in London, Coq d’Argent is also one of the best outdoor restaurants in London.

Shoreditch Sky Terrace

The Shoreditch Sky Terrace sits on the roof of the Courthouse Hotel in Shoreditch, which used to be Shoreditch’s magistrates’ building.

Cocktails are named in honour of the building’s past  (Cocktails called Reprieve and Convicted, for example) and there’s a BBQ kitchen during the summer.

Queen of Hoxton

Based in Shoreditch, the Queen of Hoxton is a haven for music fans.

Queen of Hoxton’s 2022 summer terrace takes on the theme of “Cherry Blossom Garden” featuring a garden of cherry blossoms and brightly coloured lanterns.

Paradise by way of Kensal Green

Paradise by way of Kensal Green is a mix of gastropub, restaurant, cabaret venue and karaoke room with a rustic chic design and welcoming and cosy vibe in Kensal Green in West London.

The intimate roof terrace is a perfect spot to spend the afternoon or for a sundowner cocktail after a lingering lunch in the restaurant

Madison

Perched on top of One New Change, Madison is where you go for cocktails when you want to directly overlook St Paul’s Cathedral.

The restaurant serves food from a wood fired Josper oven, but the outside space and the view is what brings the crowds in the summer.

Seabird London

Located on the 14th floor of The Hoxton hotel in Southwark, Seabird has a large terrace with stunning views of the London skyline.

The Medittarannean menu specialises in seafood – there’s a raw bar, a huge array of oysters and an excellent cocktail list. Click here for further details.

Jurema at The Mandrake

Located on the first-floor terrace at The Mandrake hotel, Jurema is surrounded by a hanging garden of suspended jasmine and passionflower.

Serving up Summer botanical cocktails and Mexican inspired dishes from YOPO, Jurema is a haven in Fitzrovia.

 

Jin Bo Law Skybar

Located on the 14th floor of the Dorsett City Hotel in Aldgate, Jin Bo Law gives you views of all the iconic City building: The Gherkin, Tower Bridge, the Walkie Talkie and The Shard are all in view.

Roof Garden at Pantechnicon

At the top of the Pantechnicon in Belgravia – a five-storey temple of Japanese and Nordic design – the Roof Garden & Bar serves inventive Nordic cocktails in lush green surroundings.

The menu combines elements from the Nordic and Japanese restaurants in the building.

Tattu London

Tattu London is a modern Chinese restaurant with panoramic views over the West End.

It has a fantastic position on the rooftop of The Now Building.

The Best Rooftop Bars in London

if you enjoyed our guide to London’s rooftop terraces, read some of our other London Guides including the best outdoor restaurants in London and the best beer gardens in London.

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