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The best rooftop bars in London for summer 2024

18 Mar 2024 | |By Luxury London

London has no shortage of rooftop bars. From riverside terraces to exciting pop-ups atop skyscrapers, here are our favourite places to enjoy a cocktail in the clouds

London comes alive in the sunshine and, whether you’re making the most of some early spring warmth or soaking up the rays in the height of summer, every Brit knows it pays to embrace every opportunity for a dose of vitamin D while you can. Luckily the capital is home to more than its fair share of al fresco restaurants and bars promising stellar views combined with great food and even better cocktails. So where should you be heading this season? Here’s our guide to the best rooftop bars in London – but be quick: tables are already booking up fast.

Mercer Roof Terrace, City of London

mercer roof terrace

Located at boutique hotel Vintry and Mercer in the City, Mercer Roof Terrace offers an all-day dining experience, accompanied by sweeping views across London’s skyline. The rooftop restaurant, with an al fresco terrace and indoor dining room, champions the very best British cuisine, such as BBQ octopus with romesco sauce, Cornish fisherman stew and succulent steaks. If you’re in the market for a sundowner, discover the terrace’s excellent wine selection, including a variety of English sparkling wines and cocktails including Nelson’s Square, blending rosemary infused Ocho Reposado tequila, St Germain, grapefruit juice, and lime juice, or the Cucumus Melo with Ramsbury vodka infused with cantaloupe. From the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral to the glass tip of The Shard across the Thames, we guarantee the unrivalled vistas will make you never want to leave…

20 Garlick Hill, EC4V 2AU, visit vintryandmercer.com

TT, Hackney

tt hackney

TT, formerly known as TT Liquor, will open its new restaurant on 22 March 2024 with ex-Oren head chef Sam Lone at the helm. Featuring fire-cooked seasonal produce, food is served across two floors: the impressive newly-renovated rooftop and bright ground floor restaurant. Expect seasonal, quality produce, with the regularly changing menus featuring the likes of smoked ox cheek croquettes, lamb shoulder a la plancha and barbecued mackerel with pickled chilli hot sauce. Wash it all down with a selection of cocktails, including the alcoholic Mulled Umbrella ginger beer and Stampede: Buffalo Trace Bourbon, lemon and blackberry syrup.

17b Kingsland Road, E2 8AA, visit tt-london.co.uk

Rucola at The Conduit, Covent Garden

This month sees The Conduit open its doors to Rucola: a Brooklyn-founded restaurant located on the rooftop of the Covent Garden private members' club. The vibrant dining destination will offer member and non-member guests a space to soak in panoramic views of London’s skyline while enjoying plant-based dishes made with thoughtfully-sourced ingredients, alongside natural wines and sustainable cocktails. Menu highlights include the fisherman’s stew, roasted cauliflower panzanella, and balsamic and globe artichoke pansotti, while the cocktail list is being kept under wraps until after its opening on 15 March 2024.

6 Langley Street, WC2H 9JA, visit theconduit.com

cloudM, Tower Hill

cloudM

With panoramic views overlooking the Tower of London, cloudM is the perfect spot for a sundowner (or two). With plush sofas and plenty of outdoor seating, this rooftop bar is the go-to destination for tourists unwinding after a day seeing the sights and city workers in need of a break after an equally long day in the office. Paying homage to its location, and the surrounding London landmarks, cloudM's cocktail menu features the likes of the London Eye (Bombay Premier Cru, Blue Curaçao and ginger liqueur); the Thames (Bombay Sapphire, mango juice and chocolate bitters); and, obviously, the Tower Of London (ELLC Gin, green tea, apple cider and elderflower liqueur). Fancy a bite to eat? Choose from the English cheese or charcuterie board — the perfect accompaniments to any cocktail evening. See you on the terrace.

40 Trinity Square, EC3N 4DJ, visit citizenm.com

Garden Terrace at The Hari, Knightsbridge

the hari

One of London's better-kept secrets, The Hari hotel in Knightsbridge boasts an intimate, open-air garden terrace with a slick retractable roof. Tastefully trimmed with foliage and hanging lanterns, the space comfortably seats 20 and can be booked for private events. The Hari's cool, contemporary interiors stand out against the postcode’s more traditional offerings, while an extensive cocktail list (including Gin'n'Jam featuring Hari Gin, blackcurrant jam, lemon juice and tonic water) and a menu focusing on light, bright flavours featuring stand-out dishes truffle arancini, chicken liver pate and satay tofu.

20 Chesham Place, SW1X 8HQ, visit thehari.com

Coal Office, King's Cross

the coal office

Having opened just last year, the terrace at the Coal Office in King's Cross takes its cues from the Middle Eastern fare offered inside, with an unusual cocktail list boasting treats such as a Basilikum Smash (Italicus, Plymouth gin, basil, lemon and Canaan White) and Avira Fizz (Malfy Rosa gin, Arak Elite, grapefruit bitter, mint and pink grapefruit soda). There will also be a menu of snacks and small plates, including signature breads like Yemini brioche with tahini and schug dips.

2 Bagley Walk, N1C 4PQ, visit coaloffice.com

12th Knot at Sea Containers London, Southwark

sea containers london

12th Knot is perched in a glass box atop Sea Containers London, the Tom Dixon-designed hotel on the Southbank. Verdant greenery, velvet furnishings and floor-to-ceiling windows accompany iconic vistas of The Thames and St Paul's Cathedral. Nab a seat on the open-air terrace and work your way through the cocktail menu, served with a selection of sophisticated grazing plates.

20 Upper Ground, South Bank, SE1 9PD, visit seacontainerslondon.com

Booking Office 1869, St Pancras

booking office

A roof terrace located between two of London's busiest transport hubs may not sound like the place to while away a sunny afternoon but the latest addition to St Pancras' Booking Office 1869 bar and restaurant is just the thing for pre-Eurostar libations. High above the hustle and bustle going on below, RoofGarden is an al fresco spot decked out in lush greenery and comfy sofa-style seating, with a menu led by classic cocktails and a considered selection of light and refreshing wines and beers. There's also an extensive range of bar snacks on offer, featuring the likes of Loch Fyne Market oysters, sourdough bread with whipped butter and gordal pitted olives.

Euston Road, NW1 2AR, visit booking-office.co.uk

The Nest at Treehouse London, Fitzrovia

the nest treehouse hotel

Overshadowed somewhat by its more famous neighbour across the road, The Langham, the Treehouse Hotel is something of a hidden gem in central London. The jewel in its crown is the Nest, a rooftop bar and terrace boasting 360-degree views of the London skyline. This spring, The Nest will host a specially-curated light installation called The Tree Canopy by famed British sculptor and light artist Raphael Daden. Inspired by this artwork – which features a number of pressed tree leaves from London’s Kew Gardens – this season's cocktail menu includes spring-style spritzes and fresh flavours such as French 75 and Melon Ball.

14-15 Langham Place, W1B 2QS, visit treehousehotels.com

The Prince, West Brompton

the prince west brompton

Set across three floors in what was once a traditional British pub, The Prince is an open-air epicurean playground offering a vast array of drinking and dining options. Styled as a classic English garden, complete with floral walls, barrel tables and fairy light-strewn verandas, The Prince is lent a village feel thanks to its row of foodie pop-ups, including Salt Shed, East West Pizza and Temaki Bros. There’s also a summery cocktail list while the open-plan rooftop venue is well set-up to cater to summer’s sporting events. We’ll see you at the bar.

14 Lillie Road, Hammersmith, SW6 1TT, visit theprincelondon.com

Lost In Brixton, Brixton

lost in brixton

Hidden atop Brixton Market and away from the hustle and bustle of the high street below, Lost In Brixton has been conceived to bring together the best of Brixton’s diverse hospitality scene in one place. Beers come courtesy of Camden Town Brewery while the cocktail menu takes a Latin American twist (the Clementine Margarita and Strawberry Mojito are our favourites). Food, meanwhile, is delivered to tables directly from the restaurants of Brixton Village downstairs, with fare on offer from La Nonna, Black Bear Burger, Jalisco and many more.

Brixton Village, Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8PS, visit lostinbrixton.com

Aviary, Moorgate

aviary whispering angel terrace

Perched on top of the Montcalm Royal London House Hotel in Finsbury Square is one of London’s most lavish rooftops. Offering unbeatable views over the City, the Aviary team is helping guests make the most of its vast outdoor space with a partnership with Whispering Angel this summer. The collaboration will see the rooftop decked out in plush furniture with plenty of Château d’Esclans’ rosé wines on offer to pair with Aviary’s menu of grill classics, bar snacks and signature cocktails is also served on the restaurant's open terrace. Our favourite is the Midnight Lover: Belvedere vodka, eucalyptus, lemon verbena, bergamot liqueur and violet liqueur.

22-25 Finsbury Square, EC2A 1DX, visit aviarylondon.com

Seabird at The Hoxton, Southwark

seabird hoxton

Positioned on the 14th floor of The Hoxton hotel in Southwark, guests flock to Seabird for its al fresco terrace, marble tabletops, palm trees and panoramic views, with the Thames, the Houses of Parliament, St Paul's and The Shard all in scope. The restaurant was designed by the team behind Williamsburg’s acclaimed seafood restaurant Maison Premiere and serves a similarly cool combo of oysters and atmosphere. Alongside lavish seafood platters and the longest list of oysters in London, Seabird's menu reels off whole wood-fired fish, Iberico pork, and rib-eye steak while sophisticated cocktails make it the perfect date night spot.

40 Blackfriars Road, SE1 8PB, visit thehoxton.com

Aqua Kyoto, Soho

aqua kyoto soho

The outdoor terrace at Aqua Kyoto is often overlooked in round-ups of the capital’s best rooftop bars — which is surprising given that the ritzy restaurant is a stone’s throw from Oxford Circus and offers some top views of central London. Aqua Kyoto's heated terrace is available for booking and on a walk-in basis. Food (upscale Japanese) is served at lunch Monday to Friday and for dinner from Monday to Sunday. Don't miss the Big in Japan serve – Java Mur signature rum, yuzu sake, suze liqueur and yellow chartreuse. Cheers!

30 Argyll Street, W1B 3BR, visit aquakyoto.co.uk

Radio Rooftop, Strand

radio rooftop london

On a warm day, Radio Rooftop is like a slice of Ibiza at the top of the ME London hotel: all minimalist monochrome decor and leather sofas, with slow house music and wafting palms. Drink prices also match the White Isle, with cocktails starting at £18 and bottles of champagne from £93, steadily climbing to £5,750 for a jeroboam of Cristal Louis Roederer 1998. For a glamorous start to the day, try the weekend brunch menu – served against panoramic views of the Shard and St Paul’s – or for something really special, book one of Radio Rooftop's three 'bubbles'. Decked out with sofas and electric fires, there's no chicer place to sip champagne and sup on pan con tomate and seafood platters.

336-337 Strand, WC2R 1HA, visit radiorooftop.com

Alto by San Carlo at Selfridges, Marylebone

alto at selfridges

What's your favourite summer al fresco activity? If shopping and socialising appear near the top of your list, then satisfy both cravings at Selfridges, where you can bargain hunt in the seasonal sales before getting your Aparello spritz fix at rooftop restaurant and terrace Alto by San Carlo. The shop-top sanctuary, which has a fully retractable roof in case the heavens open, serves hearty Italian food seven days a week. Outside, Alto’s landscaped terrace is decked with lounge seating, cabanas and four dine-in huts to cater to whatever mood you're in. Shop until you drop then take a lift upwards for a sky-high slice of Little Italy.

400 Oxford Street, Marylebone, W1A 1AB, visit selfridges.com

Coq d’Argent, City of London

coq dargent

A titbit of Square Mile trivia: Poultry, the short street opposite Bank Station, takes its name from the produce that was sold there in the 16th century. The same goes for nearby Bread Street and Milk Street. Fitting, then, that the restaurant at the top of No.1 Poultry, one of London’s most divisive post-Modernist buildings, should call itself Coq d’Argent — or Silver Rooster.

The City suntrap offers tables for up to six on its outside terrace for lunch and dinner from Monday to Sunday while the restaurant’s three-course brunch will also be operating every Saturday and Sunday. Menu highlights include seared sea bass, prawn and south Devon crab risotto; wild roe deer with parsnip puree and cherry-smoked sea trout. Pinstripe suits not required.

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

Skylight, Wapping

skylight london

Skylight at Tobacco Dock may not be the most luxurious rooftop bar on this list, but it does offer unparalleled views of the City's skyline. Spread over three floors of a multi-storey car park-turned-events space in Wapping, it boasts three bars and a street food menu, which this year includes German bratwursts, candied bacon cheeseburger and truffle fries. Major sporting events are shown on large undercover screens and there are also Instagram-friendly croquet and petanque lawns.

Tobacco Dock, St Katharine's & Wapping, E1W 2SF, visit skylightbars.com

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