How about a drink in the sky? Discover our selection of the best rooftops for a drink in London!
London is a city we’ll never stop loving! Why is that? Because there’s so much to see and do, to discover and re-discover, that you’ll never tire of it. London is Big Ben, the Queen of England’s hats, the eccentricity of its inhabitants, the variety of beers in the pubs, the incredible mix of cultures, and that oh-so-British accent we love so much. There are 1,000 ways to discover it, and we’d like to offer you another way of seeing it: from above! That’s why we’ve selected for you the 8 best rooftops for a drink in London. Follow us, take a seat and enjoy!
1. 12th Knot
Photo credit: Booking
Address: 20 Upper Ground, South Bank, London SE1 9PD
Opening hours : Tuesday to Saturday, 5pm to 2am (1am on Tuesday and Wednesday)
Head for the twelfth floor of the Sea Containers London hotel, for the city’s finest view of the River Thames! What awaits you? A small outdoor terrace, a refined interior, an iconic view, and delicious cocktails accompanied by live music.
This excellent London rooftop is open from Tuesday to Saturday, all year round. Wednesday is live music. From Thursday to Saturday, you can sway to the beat dictated by a live DJ.
This is the perfect way to spend an excellent evening with friends, in an elegant and relaxed atmosphere.
2. Boundary Rooftop
Photo credit: Facebook- Boundary – Restaurant, Rooms & Suites, Rooftop
Address: 2-4 Boundary St, Hackney, London E2 7DD
Opening hours : open daily from noon to 11pm
Looking for an original place to have a drink in London? Located in a former printing works in the heart of East London, in the trendy Shoreditch district, the Boundary Rooftop is open every day of the year. It offers 2 different atmospheres, all with a breathtaking view of Canary Wharf, the Barbican, the Gherkin and other London skyscrapers.
On rainy days or cold winter evenings, take refuge in the pleasant, open, heated conservatory. Enjoy the view while staying warm, whether you’re having lunch or toasting with friends at the end of the day.
In fine weather, take a seat in the rooftop garden, and enjoy Mediterranean-influenced cuisine, or a refined, refreshing cocktail. This is definitely one of London’s most convivial rooftops, whatever the season!
3. Big Chill House
Photo credit: Instagram – bigchillbar
Address: 257-259 Pentonville Rd, London N1 9NL
Opening hours : open daily from 11am to midnight, until 1am on Thursday, and 3am on Friday and Saturday
Got a few hours to kill before catching your train at Saint Pancras station? Then turn the wait into a moment of pleasure on the Big Chill House terrace.
A ray of sunshine, a beer, a « raclette burger » and some friends… A relaxed, arty, chill atmosphere… This is what the name suggests – a far cry from some of London’s select and luxurious rooftops. And that’s what we like!
Of course, you can also take advantage of this venue on Friday and Saturday evenings, when DJ evenings are organized. In short, a cool time ahead. All in all, a great place to have a drink in London.
4. Radio Rooftop
Photo credit: Facebook – Radio Rooftop London
Address: 336-337 Strand, London WC2R 1HA
Opening hours : open daily from 7am to midnight, and until 2am on Thursday and Saturday
If you’re looking for one of London’s trendiest rooftops for a drink, you’ve come to the right place! Perched on the tenth floor of theME London hotel, you can enjoy the place all week long, from midday to 1am (midnight on Sundays).
The Radio Rooftop offers cocktails as chic as its clientele, and an incredible 360° view of London’s rooftops and iconic landmarks. You’ll be able to photograph St Paul’s Cathedral, Big Ben and the London Eye from a very different angle.
A 100% London evening awaits you here, in a relaxed but refined atmosphere. A word of advice: book your table well in advance.
5. Sushisamba Bar – Heron Tower
Photo credit: Facebook – SUSHISAMBA
Address: Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY
Opening hours : open daily, 11:30am to 1:30am (2am on Wednesday and Saturday)
If you’re looking for one of London’s best rooftop drinking spots, the Sushisamba Bar is the place to be.
As the name suggests, you’ll be thrown into an Asian and Latino atmosphere. It’s a disconcerting mix of Japan, Brazil and Peru, and the result is a real success! And with good reason, the concept is now present in other major cities around the world, including Amsterdam, Dubai and Las Vegas (and another restaurant in London’s Covent Garden).
Enjoy a selection of cocktails and sake, accompanied by succulent Asian/Peruvian/Brazilian cuisine.
A panoramic glass elevator takes you up to the 38th floor of Heron Tower, one of the city’s tallest, to reach this incredible place for a drink in London. Don’t miss the incredible « Tree Bar » on the outdoor terrace, for which the venue is famous.
6. Culpeper Roof Garden
Photo credit: Facebook – The Culpeper
Address: 40 Commercial St, Spitalfields, London E1 6LP
Opening hours : Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 4pm and 5pm to 10pm, Sundays 11am to 9pm.
Every capital city has its own « bobo-bio » spot that’s always in the news, and where we love to go!
Tucked away in the vintage district of Spitafield, discover a true haven of peace in the heart of London. Here, you can enjoy a drink in the middle of a pretty vegetable garden, surrounded by plants of all kinds. A friendly, rustic and pleasant atmosphere pervades the place, with the added bonus of a magnificent view over the city.
If you’re feeling peckish, we offer an organic menu prepared with food straight from the kitchen garden.
7. Jin Bo Law Sky Bar
Photo credit: Facebook – Jin Bo Law Sky Bar
Address: 9 Aldgate High Street Dorsett City, London EC3N 1AH
Opening hours: open daily, from 4pm to midnight on Mondays, until 1am Tuesday to Thursday, from noon to 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, and from noon to midnight on Sundays.
It’s undoubtedly one of the best rooftops for a drink in London. In fact, it’s « the place to be »!
Located on the fourteenth floor of theDorsett City Hotel, it’s not the highest, but you’ll literally have your head in the City’s most beautiful buildings. And it’s quite magical at dusk, when all the lights are on. A wide choice of cocktails, wines and champagnes are on offer, served by bartenders who take care of the show!
8. Iris Bar by Searcys at The Gherkin
Photo credit: Facebook – Searcys at the Gherkin
Address: 30 St Mary Axe, London EC3A 8EP, United Kingdom
Opening hours : open daily from noon to 9pm, from 11am to 10pm on Saturday and from 10am to 4pm on Sunday
If there’s one place you can’t miss in London for a drink, it’s the Gherkin. It’s the city’s most famous building, because of its shape, which has earned it several rather surprising nicknames… We’ll stick with the « pickle » one.
On the top floor of this glass skyscraper, you’ll find the Iris Bar, offering an absolutely magnificent panoramic view of London and the River Thames. The bar serves delicious cocktails and snacks. Perfect for a romantic date, for example.
Stop wondering where to go for a drink and discover these 8 must-see rooftops in London!