An outdoor terrace? In winter? In the UK? After the trials and tribulations of being forced to eat outside during the pandemic, the thought of shivering through another night on the town might not seem like your idea of fun. But hear us out, because, with plenty of experience now under their belts, London’s top hospitality venues are stepping up to the challenge of creating cosy chalets and heated rooftops that make for a memorable date night or perfect festive spot for dinner with friends. Here’s our guide to the best winter terraces in London for 2025…

Oasis Bar and Terrace, Canary Wharf

Oasis Bar and Terrace has already made a name for itself as a chic al fresco haven in the heart of London’s financial district. A popular choice for post-work drinks, date nights, and catch ups with friends, the spacious bar is nestled in Canada Square, offering a serene escape to refresh, refuel and relax. This winter, the space will be transformed into a cosy hideaway, festooned with sparkling lights, Christmas trees and glittering baubles, just moments from the skating action on the ice rink beyond.

Downstairs, discover an array of draught beers, artisanal cocktails, and wines, served from the 18-metre bar (the longest in Canary Wharf) before venturing upstairs to enjoy a panoramic view of Ice Rink Canary Wharf. Festive menu highlights include Baileys hot chocolates, mulled wine, and winter bellinis, alongside seasonal plates of turkey and cranberry pizza, honey harissa chicken wings and pisatchio baklava.

Canada Square Park, E14 5AB, visit myoasisbar.co.uk

Stanley’s, Mayfair

The Chesterfield Hotel’s brand new rooftop bar Stanley’s is the place to be this season. Offering a sensational hideaway in the heart of Mayfair to sit back, unwind and sip on a selection of sophisticated cocktails, whether with friends, family or colleagues, there’s no better place to get cosy and merry in London’s elegant neighbourhood. 

Named after the hotel collections’ founder Stanley Tollman and his penchant for outstanding hospitality, the rooftop features beautiful decor, incredible vistas over London and an ambience that is warm and welcoming. Drinks-wise, there are spritzes and signature cocktails galore, from the refreshingly crisp Stanley’s martini to the aromatic Thymes in Paris, mixing gin with thyme and blackberry liquor. Seasonal dishes are served using locally sourced ingredients, with favourites including grilled chicken satay skewers and the Neal’s Yard aged cheddar toastie. Settle in for a refined evening of excellent service, style and pure joy.

35 Charles Street, W1J 5EB, visit chesterfieldmayfair.com

Coq d’Argent, Bank

Bank’s favourite French rooftop terrace will be transformed into Lodge d’Argent from 8 November, bringing the charm of après ski to The City. Decked out like a traditional French mountain chalet, complete with furry blankets, expect plenty of sharing plates and hot drinks to keep you warm during your festive merrymaking. Menus take their cues from the French Alps, and include charcuterie with all the trimmings, wild mushroom tartiflette, and mozzarella and truffle arancini. New for 2025 is a partnership with Courvoisier to create delectable cocktails such as the Coq Toddy with lemon and honey, and Lodge Mulled Vin, as well as a new roast experience named Snowed in Sundays.

1 Poultry, EC2R 8EJ, visit coqdargent.co.uk

Ham Yard Hotel, Soho

This winter, cosy up with hot martinis on the roof terrace at Ham Yard Hotel courtesy of its latest collaboration with Sapling. The Fire Garden, situated on a hidden terrace on the fourth floor of the five-star hotel, is normally reserved for guests but will be opening its doors to all from 29 November until the end of December. Each ticket (£24) includes a welcome drink plus another drink of choice from the bespoke cocktail menu, which invites guests to sip through the centuries with riffs on all the classics.

Warm up with hot cocktails – such as the Spirited Mocha, a rich Irish coffee-style serve with brownie-infused Sapling vodka and rooftop honey cream – and plates of pigs in blankets with mustard and honey, and roast scallops with chicken butter, romesco and smoked almonds. Finish with a visit to the make-your-own s’mores station.

1 Ham Yard, W1D 7DT, firmdalehotels.com

The Berkeley, Knightsbridge

Feast Off-Piste will land at The Berkeley rooftop from 13 November until the new year as part of an exclusive collaboration with Feast Events. The immersive dining pop-up will feature an authentic alpine menu to be enjoyed from the comfort of custom-made ski gondolas, including traditional Swiss raclette, tartiflette with freshly shaved truffle, a milk chocolate fondue – with edible candles among the items to dip – and gingerbread s’mores to finish.

With unrivalled views of London’s skyline, diners can toast the festive season with a supplementary winter cocktail menu and Laurent-Perrier champagne. Cocktails include Dark Chocolate Old Fashioned, Burnt Marshmallow Mezcalita, and Wild Blackberry Picante – and when you're ready for more, simply press the ‘ring for Champagne’ bell within each gondola.

Wilton Place, SW1X 7RL, the-berkeley.co.uk

Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill, Mayfair

In the heart of Mayfair, just a stone’s throw from Regent Street, Richard Corrigan’s Bentley’s remains a beloved London institution, having served oysters and champagne to the masses for more than 100 years. This winter, guests can retreat to the covered 60-seat terrace complete with heaters and blankets to enjoy comforting seasonal dishes from both land and sea. Begin with a specialist oyster menu showcasing the finest rocks and natives from UK and Irish shores, before moving on to signatures such as shellfish cocktail, Cornish dressed crab, or Richard's classic fish pie accompanied by delectable Irish coffees and champagne. 

11-15 Swallow Street, W1B 4DG, visit bentleys.org

Sabine, St Paul’s

As the season shifts, Sabine offers Londoners an alluring terrace boasting Instagrammable views of St Paul’s Cathedral. The new winter menu brings together light bar bites and indulgent plates perfect for sharing, ranging from calamari fries with smoked paprika aioli and mac ‘n’ cheese croquettes to pumpkin and sage raviolini. Pair with one of Sabine’s new seasonal serves – our top pick is Zephyr: a blend of cinnamon-infused Eminente Ambar Claro rum, Luxardo Maraschino liqueur, grape cordial and citrus. 

10 Godliman Street, EC4V 5AJ, visit sabinelondon.co.uk 

Sushisamba, Covent Garden

Sushisamba Covent Garden’s piazza terrace has been transformed into a winter escape in collaboration with Belvedere Vodka. Inspired by the spirit of the season, guests are welcomed through a frosted pine archway, set against festive trees and branded skis dotted throughout the space. On the menu is an exclusive selection of Belvedere cocktails: think the Tipsy Cocoa – featuring Belvedere Dirty Brew, Baileys Irish Cream, and chocolate milk – as well as a Golden Highball, with Hennessy VS and sesame oil-infused Belvedere topped with orange bitters. No evening at Sushisamba would be complete without sampling an array of signature dishes, including crispy lobster taquitos, wagyu gyozas and rock shrimp tempura. 

35 The Market, WC2E 8RF, visit sushisamba.com

Brigadiers, The City

Brigadiers, the Indian barbecue restaurant in the heart of the City, is heralding in the festive season with the launch of its winter terrace. Drawing inspiration from Brigadiers’ army mess bar heritage, The Outpost is a covered, heated space perfect for everything from intimate dinners to lively gatherings, come rain or shine. To mark the launch, Brigadiers has unveiled a new drinks menu including a Masala Mulled Wine that blends dry red wine, Kithul, triple sec and brandy with warming spices and will be served tableside from a traditional Samovar urn. Another highlight is the Indian Coffee, which combines Amrut Fusion, Kithul and coffee, topped with masala-spiced chai cream. Pair with signature sizzling dishes and you’ll have a night to remember. 

1-5 Bloomberg Arcade, EC4N 8AR, visit brigadierslondon.com 

Kapara, Soho

Now open on James Court in Soho, Kapara’s Winter Garden boasts a vibrant soundtrack, festive feasting, mulled wine and whisky cocktails. Sharing menus from chef patron Eran Tibi feature stand-out plates of dates in blankets wrapped in parma ham with goats cheese, picanha beef with redcurrant and Madeira sticky jus served with cauliflower crumble, and aubergine roulade with spinach and seed pesto and pilpelchuma. Signature serves have been created in partnership with Milk and Honey distillery: choose from the gin-based Plum Darling, the Chocolate and Orange – brown-butter washed rum, chocolate and orange bitters, brown sugar and chocolate-orange crisp – and the eponymous Milk and Honey featuring whisky, lemon with a foam topper. 

14 Greek Street, W1D 4DP, visit kapara.co.uk 

1864 Rooftop, Oxford Street

Perched on the sixth floor of John Lewis overlooking Oxford Street, the 1864 terrace has transformed once again into a magical winter hideaway. Returning on 11 November, the festive installation features a collection of cosy heated igloos, inviting guests to dine under the stars while enjoying panoramic city views. The feasting menu brings together 1864’s most-loved dishes and seasonal creations, including crispy fried chicken with fermented chilli, lamb skewers with jalapeño cream, and decadent desserts like dark chocolate crème brûlée. Wash it all down with a selection of cocktails, including the Lychee Bramble, Kumquat Old Fashioned and 1864 Peach and Pear Bellini. 

300 Oxford Street, W1C 1DX, visit 1864rooftopbar.co.uk

Sachi at The Pantechnicon, Belgravia

This season, Japanese restaurant Sachi, located at the top of Belgravia’s Pantechnicon Building, has partnered with House of Suntory to create a Hibiki winter rooftop and new cocktail menu inspired by the craftsmanship of Japan’s most famous whisky house. Launching on 12 November, the collaboration showcases a bespoke lineup of whisky-based serves such as the Whispers of Harmony with notes of honey and cloves, and the Japanese Hot Toddy: a warming blend of Haku vodka, coffee liqueur and cinnamon. Each cocktail has been crafted to complement Sachi’s festive menu, from matcha soba noodles with creamy bottarga sauce, and salmon fillet with miso mustard, to a decadent chocolate cheesecake with black sesame ice cream to finish.  

19 Motcomb Street, SW1X 8LB, visit sachirestaurants.com

Piper-Heidsieck x Courtyard Wine Cellars, Covent Garden

Piper-Heidsieck has partnered with Courtyard Wine Cellars to offer Londoners a champagne sanctuary in the heart of Theatreland. Open until 30 November, guests can indulge in a sparkling lineup of Piper-Heidsieck’s signature champagnes, from the Cuvée Brut, poured by the glass or shared in celebratory jeroboams, to the elegant Essential Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut. Exclusive to the pop-up will be the Code Rouge Edition: the house’s Cuvée Brut presented in a limited-edition red-and-gold case shaped like a vintage fire extinguisher. Feeling peckish? Courtyard Wine Cellars is on hand to serve a variety of sharing platters, featuring French and Italian artisanal cheeses and charcuterie, alongside seasonal dishes.

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