For a city known for its grey skies and tight streets, London has surprisingly embraced drinking in the open air. Rooftop bars used to feel like a novelty—something borrowed from warmer cities with fewer planning restrictions. Yet in recent years, rooftops have quietly become a defining part of how the city socializes.
Even when the views are half-obscured by cloud, there’s something about being slightly above it all. Here’s our pick of London’s best rooftop bars.
On top of a Peckham car park, Frank’s Café has been drawing the people of England in since 2009. It’s part of the Bold Tendencies art space, so you’re just as likely to see an installation as you are a great sunset.
The views stretch across the London skyline—look out for the Shard and St. Paul’s. It’s known for its Negronis, but the food holds its own too— brisket buns and grilled prawns show up on the seasonal menu.
Frank’s runs during the summer months only, from May to September, and tends to fill up with a mix of Londoners, art lovers, and groups of friends looking for something easygoing with a bit of atmosphere. The pink staircase is probably already in your feed.
Right in the heart of Shoreditch, Queen of Hoxton changes with the seasons—expect frozen cocktails and sun in the summer, then fire pits and heated tipis in the winter. It's a great addition to any England itinerary.
It’s been around since 2009 and still draws a steady crowd. The rooftop leans into themed makeovers and quirky decor, but what keeps people coming back is the atmosphere and the events: DJ nights, drag brunches, and other parties that feel inclusive and fun without trying too hard.
Drinks are creative, and the food comes from Club Mexicana, known for its fully plant-based take on Mexican street food. Loaded nachos and hefty tacos are the norm.
Heron Tower © Carl Sloan/Shutterstock
Forza Wine set up its second location on top of the National Theatre in 2023, and it’s already a favorite.
The original’s in Peckham, but here you get that same casual but well-thought-out approach to food and drink—with the bonus of views across the Thames.
Expect seasonal small plates like cauliflower fritti and a rotating soft-serve selection, plus a long list of natural wines.
The space has indoor and outdoor seating for around 160 people, so it works for anything from a quiet pre-show drink to a group hang. It’s open year-round, which makes it a reliable pick in a city where most rooftops shut down with the cold. It's one of the best places to visit in England for a cozy rainy night.
Netil360 sits on top of Netil House in Hackney’s London Fields and has been around long enough to become a staple in East London’s rooftop scene. It feels more like a chill urban treehouse than your typical rooftop bar.
The space fits East London’s creative vibe, with handmade wooden furniture and astroturf flooring keeping things casual. Drinks focus on local producers, with draft beers from nearby Five Points Brewery and spirits from East London Liquor Company, plus cocktails and wines.
The rooftop kitchen has shifted over time, now serving Neapolitan-style pizzas made with dough that ferments for 48 hours and ingredients from local sources. The community feel is noticeable—it’s dog-friendly (there’s even a rooftop dog named Tres) and regularly has DJs.
Dalston Roofpark sits on the roof of The Print House, tucked among Victorian buildings in Hackney. It started in 2011 as a community garden and has since grown into a lively rooftop venue with great views over London’s skyline.
There are two bars—one outside and one covered—serving cocktails, draft beers, and sparkling drinks. The London rooftop bar hosts a variety of events, like weekly DJ nights, monthly bottomless drag brunches, and even sunrise yoga sessions. The terrace itself feels like an urban garden, with graffiti walls, beanbags, deck chairs, and plenty of plants.
Madison is perched on the roof of the One New Change shopping center, giving you a close-up view of St. Paul’s Cathedral’s dome that’s hard to beat.
The design feels sleek and Manhattan-inspired and is popular with both professionals working nearby and visitors to the City. The space includes an indoor restaurant with an elegant feel and multiple outdoor terraces, so it’s comfortable to visit all year, no matter how unpredictable London weather gets.
The kitchen leans into steakhouse-style dishes and comfort food cooked in a wood-fired Josper oven. The cocktail menu mixes classic drinks with newer twists.
Or if you'd rather have something more traditional, see our guide to London's best afternoon teas.
At the top of the Bussey Building in Peckham, Bussey Rooftop Bar delivers relaxed summer evenings with a view. It's the highest rooftop in the neighborhood, just a few steps away from Frank’s Café, and part of a creative complex that hosts everything from art shows to club nights.
Drinks lean summery: expect a good mix of craft cocktails, local beers, and plenty of spritz options—plus weekly deals that make it a favorite for regulars. Pizzas come from Share A Slice, a South London vendor known for donating a meal for every one sold. Alongside the food and drinks, Bussey runs seasonal events like outdoor painting workshops and stand-up comedy.
It's a slightly more polished alternative to Frank’s, but still keeps things fun and approachable. There’s a bright pergola strung with flowers, laid-back seating, and an easygoing energy. It's a great place to visit in the summer (see our guide to the best time to visit England).
Roof East turns a Stratford car park into a mix of games, drinks, and skyline views. It’s a London rooftop bar where hanging out is half the fun—you’ll find mini-golf, batting cages, lawn games, and even weird challenges like “how long can you hang from this bar?”
There’s also an open-air cinema run by Rooftop Film Club, which is worth booking in for once the sun’s down.
Food comes from a rotating selection of street vendors, and drinks are spread across different bars around the space—mostly easy summer cocktails, cold beers, and spritzes.
It’s free to get in, and you just pay for whatever games or food you want, which keeps it low-commitment. Great for groups, work nights out, or if you’re looking for something a bit more active than sitting around with a drink. It’s fun, a bit chaotic in a good way, and feels very East London.
Bōkan is spread across the top of the Novotel in Canary Wharf, and it’s split into three levels. You’ve got a restaurant on 37, a cocktail bar on the 38th, and a rooftop terrace on the 39th that’s fully open-air. The name means "lighthouse," and it suits the setting—panoramic views, especially good at sunset, and a sense of calm above the city.
The interiors mix industrial elements of exposed wood and metal with softer touches like velvet chairs and warm lighting.
The restaurant serves modern European food made with British ingredients, and the rooftop bar has a solid cocktail menu with a maritime theme. It’s a bit more refined than most rooftops, and while there’s a smart-casual dress code, it doesn’t feel stuffy. It's easily one of the best things to do in London.
Aviary sits on the 10th floor of the Montcalm Royal London House Hotel in Finsbury Square. Since opening in late 2016, it’s carved out a name as a polished rooftop hangout in the city.
Inside, you’ll find Art Deco details—curved lighting, gold accents, and warm tones—and plenty of space to settle in for a meal or drink. The terrace stretches wide, with open views across the London skyline.
The kitchen focuses on seasonal British ingredients, mostly sourced from small farms and sustainable fisheries. The menu changes throughout the year but always leans into a contemporary British style. Cocktails are grouped into themed sections with playful names like “Floral and Elegant” or “Tricks and Treats,” and there’s a wide wine list to back it up.
The heated terrace means you can come any time of year, rain or shine. If you're hoping to stay at the hotel itself, see our guide to the best areas to stay in London for tips.
SushiSamba is way up on the 38th and 39th floors of the Heron Tower. You’ll ride up in one of two glass elevators that open to panoramic views before you even get to the restaurant. It has a sleek and dramatic essence, with floor-to-ceiling windows, a bamboo ceiling, and a rooftop terrace that wraps around the building. The massive orange tree on the terrace is hard to miss—it’s become the restaurant’s signature landmark.
The food draws from Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian traditions: sushi rolls next to grilled anticuchos, ceviche, and skewered meats. The cocktails reflect the same mashup of flavors, with pisco, sake, cachaça, and citrusy Japanese ingredients showing up in the drinks list.
There’s a dress code that is polished yet informal, and it’s the kind of place where you might brush shoulders with celebrities. It’s not cheap, but the setting makes it feel like a night out that’s more than just dinner. A great way to to end a day of seeing London's museums.
Alto can be found on the roof of Selfridges, just above the buzz of Oxford Street. It’s designed to feel like an Italian garden, filled with floral arrangements and greenery. There’s a retractable roof over the main dining area, so you can sit outside without worrying about the weather, and there’s a separate open terrace with views of the city.
The food sticks to the San Carlo group’s strengths—classic Italian dishes made with seasonal ingredients. Expect seafood, fresh pasta, pizza from the wood-fired oven, and plenty of dishes designed to share. The drinks list features Italian staples—spritzes, negronis, and a strong lineup of wines from across Italy.
Above a historic pub in Spitalfields, The Culpeper has created a rooftop that’s more garden than bar. It’s named after Nicholas Culpeper, a local herbalist from the 1600s, and the theme carries through with raised beds, herbs, and seasonal produce grown right on the roof.
This isn’t a rooftop crammed with tables—the layout gives space to the garden itself. There’s a small glasshouse where you can book a private meal for a group, and cocktail garnishes are often picked just before they’re served.
The food’s seasonal and cooked over wood fire, and the drinks include house infusions and seasonal twists.
For more a stay with matching ambience, see our guide to London luxury hotels.
Florattica sits eleven floors above Aldgate, on top of the Canopy by Hilton London City. It opened in late 2022 and has already made an impression—partly thanks to its floral theme, which draws on the area’s history with French Huguenot silk weavers and their detailed floral patterns. You’ll see that influence right away in the ceiling: a dense installation of dried flowers that stretches across the bar that brings the space to life without tipping into theatrical.
Inside, it’s sleek and softly lit, while outside you get an open terrace with wide views of the skyline—St. Paul’s, the Gherkin, and Canary Wharf are all visible.
Head mixologist Serena Carrino (previously at Nightjar) leads the thoughtful cocktail list built around botanicals, herbs, and house-made infusions, with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. This London rooftop bar feels carefully put together without being stiff.
Radio Rooftop is on top of the ME London Hotel, just off the Strand. The name is a nod to the building’s past—it was once Marconi House, where the BBC made its first radio broadcast in the 1920s. These days, you’re more likely to find DJs than radio hosts.
There’s a split between the indoor lounge and the outdoor terrace, and both get plenty of natural light. You can see everything from the London Eye to Tower Bridge, depending on where you sit.
After a revamp in 2023, the food menu now focuses on Asian-inspired dishes from Chef Federico Crisafulli and a drinks list that plays with modern techniques like sous vide infusions and soundwave extraction. Signature cocktails—like “It’s Giving Geisha” or “The Two Fridas”—sit alongside a good selection of Japanese spirits. All in a well-known English accommodation.
Sweeties brings a bit of retro glamour to the 10th floor of The Standard in King’s Cross. It’s the late-night counterpart to Decimo next door, and since opening in 2022, it’s become known for its over-the-top interiors—plush velvet seating, rich colors, a marble bar, and a huge disco ball anchoring the space.
One side of the bar is entirely glass, giving you those sweeping city views, even from King’s Cross. The cocktail list goes beyond the usual, with ingredients like adaptogenic mushrooms, fermented oats, and cacao.
Late evenings here feel full-on lounge, with DJs playing until around 2:30 AM on weekends. If you’re around during the day in summer, The Rooftop one floor up has a more casual setup with turf, colorful chairs, and a lighter mood. See our England travel tips to help prepare you for your next trip.
written by
Dre Roelandt
updated 14.07.2025
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