The Golden Bee is one of the many great rooftop bars in London. (Photo courtesy of Golden Bee)
London has one of the most stunning skylines in the world. What better way to drink it all in than with a drink in hand? Surprisingly ready for summer, London is filled with rooftop bars. Selected for their views, their booze and the crews they attract, these are our picks for the very best rooftop bars in London. Cheers!
The best rooftop bars in London
Aqua Kyoto is a sky-high garden sanctuary. (Photo courtesy of the Aqua Group)
Aqua Kyoto, Soho
Set five floors above the hustle and bustle of Regent Street, contemporary Japanese restaurant Aqua Kyoto has transformed its massive rooftop terrace into a beautiful Japanese-meets-English bar. With hanging greenery and florals on display, this is the ideal spot to soak in the summer weather.
Try the cooling Summer Garden cocktail, which is a refreshing mix of Tanqueray, Cinzano Bianco, herbal Suze liqueur and grapefruit juice. Or if you visit Aqua Kyoto in time for sunset then the tropical Waiting for the Sunset (bright with the flavors of coconut and lemon) is your drink.
Aqua Nueva serves creative, colorful cocktails. (Photo courtesy of the Aqua Group)
Aqua Nueva, Soho
Sister restaurant to Aqua Kyoto (and occupying a different side of the same rooftop) you’ll find the vibrant, Spanish hotspot, Aqua Nueva. Their summer terrace bar, in collaboration with iconic Champagne brand Veuve Clicquot, bursts with bright colors by way of decorative flags and flowers. There are also some amazing vistas of the London Eye. (It’s a great selfie spot.) Cocktails are as bright and invigorating as the décor. Many of them are even served with edible flowers.
Golden Bee is the rooftop bar for those who like to party. (Photo courtesy of Golden Bee)
Golden Bee, Shoreditch
Set in the hipster haven of Shoreditch, Golden Bee is hidden rooftop bar that draws a lively crowd—especially during happy hour (Tuesday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.). The space is roomy and features a fire pit and atmospheric lighting. On weekends, there’s a DJ. For those who want to party, this is definitely one of the best rooftop bars in London.
Lyric attracts an arty crowd. (Photo courtesy of Lyric Theatre; copyright Jim Stephenson 2015.)
The Lyric Bar & Grill, Hammersmith
The Lyric Bar & Grill is the rooftop deck and garden of the Lyric theatre, one of the most creative spots in West London. (Check out their schedule of arty shows, classes and events here.) Overlooking Lyric Square, it’s a buzzy spot for a pre-show drink. There’s also a full food menu serving up staples like salads and burgers.
Hammersmith is one of the neighborhoods where real Londoners live, work, and play—not a lot of tourists know about this rooftop spot.
Sunshine, flowers and cocktails at The Angler (Photo courtesy of The Angler)
The Angler, The City
The Angler is a Michelin-starred seafood restaurant right in the heart of The City, near Liverpool Station. Though the food’s ace, in the summertime, the star is the terrace. Angler’s terrace is reimagined as a sunny bar in collaboration with the artisanal spirits brand, the Cotswolds Distillery. In case you can’t make it to the Cotswolds on one of our London Perfect tours, this hidden-gem terrace brings the countryside charm to you. There’s also a retractable roof and heaters, should the sun not cooperate.
Sunshine in Paddington (Photo courtesy of Pergola Paddington)
Pergola Paddington, Paddington
With seating for 850 people, Pergola Paddington is a great place to go with a big group of friends. It’s also a good place to meet new friends. There are massive picnic tables for communal eating and drinking. Spread out over two floors in West London’s prime business district, Pergola Paddington is an ideal stop for those staying at our nearby apartments in Notting Hill. Along with two huge bars, there are lots of hot and tasty bites to choose from. Try the burgers from Patty & Bun; Mexican street food from DF Mexico; or Vietnamese barbecue from MAM. (If you’re a fan of al fresco eateries, the capital’s full of outdoor options.)
Epic vistas (Photo courtesy of Savage Garden)
Savage Garden, The City
With 360-degree views that show off some of London’s most famous landmarks like The Shard, Tower of London, The Gherkin and St. Paul’s Cathedral, Savage Garden is one of the newest and best rooftop bars in London. There’s an innovative cocktail menu featuring fun soon-to-be favorites like the usual Lespresso, a clear coffee-flavored tipple, and an interesting modern food menu. This rooftop bar is in easy reach of a few of the top tourist attractions like Tower of London and Tower Bridge. We recommend you stop by some of the non-touristy places too.
Drink in the views of London this season and stay at one of our London Perfect apartments. We’re here to help you find the perfect place to rest your head (or even sleep off your night out!)
This is an awesome rundown. I travel to London, Frankfurt, DC, Chicago and NYC all the time and always keep tabs on these lists because I like to take clients to these kinds of bars. I recently found another list that was really good (just Google ‘rooftop bars midtown east’ and click on the Westgate blog search result) – it’s a great rundown for anyone needing to know the rooftop bar scene in midtown Manhattan. Great post on London rooftop bars! Cheers!