The Best Rooftop Bars In London

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Capital A List recommends the best rooftop bars in London to visit and enjoy with your friends. With such a variety of luxurious rooftop bars offering spectacular views of the city and each so unique in their own way, you will definitely want to visit these highly recommended venues!

  Surely a restaurant possessing the sought after Michelin star, an extensive seafood range and the blessed oversight of globe-traversing Chef Gary Foulkes is in no need of any other, ulterior surprises. Apparently not, as Angler dazzles even further with the reveal of it's terrace as one of the best rooftop bars in London. The Angler Terrace sits atop the South Place Hotel like an obelisk to high-end taste, looking out over the West on behalf of its guests as it offers snacks (try the giant chilli-corn for a pop of heat amidst the creepers) and cocktails to all. As part of a rightly swaggering partnership with none other than Cambridge Gin Distillery, the Angler terrace is one of the best rooftop bars in London to sample world-class Cambridge Dry Gin - utilised as a mature peer to coconut, lime and pineapple in fruity tease Nerbana Colada, or elsewhere as a perfect partner to Kaffir Lime; the Angler terrace proves there are countless ways to enjoy good Gin -- especially when you're housed in what closely resembles an acutely stylish Fish Tank: complete with storming-sea-hue marble-top bars, sprouting poppers of foliage and a funky narrow glass bound interior that traps Londoners in with the sun in an extremely pleasing display of skyline authority. Formerly the Rumpus Room, 12th knot hasn't changed so much as to no longer be one of the best rooftop bars in London. In fact, we would say revisit this old haunt if you're in need of a reminder why the stunning south bank high-rise location deserves to be cherished. Open later until 1 or even 2 in the morning - 12th knot invites in the skyline to trickle in between it's open lounge area like a shot through the bloodstream. Curlicued sofas and low tables sit far enough apart to allow for large parties apiece, as well as for the natural light and fabulous view to take precedence. A fashionable crown to Sea Containers, 12th knot exclusively invites a top-notch street food vendor to take over the twelfth floor every Tuesday (for example, the indomitable Ugly Dumpling company served up an array of sweet and savoury edibles of the authentic Asian dough treat). And the party doesn't end on Tuesdays -- the middle of the week is raised to dizzying, joyous heights with 12th knot hosting live performers, and DJ's on a Wednesday. One could forget it's not just a a winner for food and show performances -- this is, after all, one of the best rooftop bars. They take cocktail requests, so ask for anything you like, but just make sure you don't go without trying their magical travel-themed (because what else could a venue like 12th knot be if not for sailors and wayfarers, in spirit) beverages There may be no better drink to sip on while standing, gone midnight, struck by the full-frontal force of the city rendered into one magnificent ink-blot, than the milky-whey creation (a sweet take on Russian taste that mixes Finlandia Vodka with whey, pineapple and citrus.) Pergola-on-the-roof has done more than right by plenty of unloved or under-used London locales -- polishing them up and rolling them up into funky, bombastic drinking and eating spaces. But Pergola atop Olympia may be -- as well as one of the best rooftop bars in London -- one of the creative team's best ideas yet. A botanical theme has grown widely out from the filaments of the Olympia's roof -- you can take in the lush garden from giant day-beds, or have a mosey around beneath a cross-sectioned, floating chequerboard of glass window-panels and dangling vines that encompasses a tree-house walkway. To match the grid work overhead is the collection of griddles that cook up smashed patties (served medium and delicious) available for guests to tuck into at tables at Pergola or take away off-site. But we don't know why you would just to eat elsewhere, with the bar open and flourishing in the light of the day and the cool breeze of night. And Smashburger isn't the only option, its just one of three restaurants pergola perched on rooftop bar -- there's also Mamalam Chinese (we recommend the Happiness Salad, living up to its name with a spiritedly sweet soy dressing) or the continuously barbecuing Salt Shed serving pastrami with an array of sauces. The fabulous range of choices, seating and hours available at Pergola means its not just on the roof but sealed at the top of our heads as one of our favourite London bars. It is said that its best, In life, to follow the wild and the colourful. We can't disagree, as to enjoy your life on a given evening just follow the Lambeth road; through the bright swashes of neon green, pink and yellow that decorate a spiralling staircase up to Waterloo's Bar Elba -- one of the best rooftop bars in London. No wonder the London Eye can't help but peek through the mist at this excellent sky-high platform. Bar Elba invokes the sleepover parties that illuminated our childhood, with a slanted bedroom-attic style roofing that protects it's beachy decor from the cold. A self-described party island, bar Elba is close enough to a topical planet in of itself- hanging between the clouds like a bombastic bodega bauble. At the bar, shooters and classic mixes are available, but Elba's self-celebratory Sex on The Elban Beach is a winner -- stirring up the best kind of trouble with melon liqueur, vodka and chambord. With punchy disclaimers about the drinks under each line of the menu, and two for one of these select cocktails between 4pm and 6pm Sunday to Wednesday, Bar Elba is one of the best rooftop bars in London to learn or try something new. Labelled with artful humility as "the loft" by locals, this terrific topper of low-key, high-end Wimbledon Pub the Alexandra is one of the best rooftop bars in London to party indoors or outdoors. Perfectly garnering the unpretentious, but thoroughly charmed South-west Rugby spirit, the Alexandra rooftop combines the homely and the chic to a tee. Any rooftop to a part-time sports pub would be replete without colourful quirks like the ornate fire-place shell that takes up a section of the outdoor walling, the eye-catching graffiti plumage or the crate-assembled, garden-shed-evocative bar. Sit in The Loft at Alexandra in Wimbledon to savour the afterglow of a good match or else just chill -- as it prides itself on being a centre-point for the community, this bar accommodates every mood, weather and guest. The star of the Loft's sharing menu (perfect for families or parties alike) is without a doubt the Vegan Salsa (bean chilli and hearty servings of potato skins warms the soul on a lat afternoon spent lounging far above ground), and a selection of milkshakes are served boutique, as sweetly pretty as the West London view. For more lively ventures, the Loft also provides all the classic cocktails, with everything from the Moscow Mule with Ketel One Vodka, a good old Mojito or the moreish Rhubarb Fizz with little bird Gin served to excellence by welcoming mixologists.

The Rooftop St James is a luxurious rooftop bar and one the best rooftop bars in London. This venue is  located at the top of the Trafalgar Hotel offering cocktails, spirits and Asian small plates accompanied by the backdrop of London’s compelling skyline. The Rooftop is opened all year round, complete with blankets, heaters and a retractable roof, which means that guests can enjoy the stunning views of Trafalgar Square during any weather conditions.

The creatively crafted cocktails take inspiration from the historical background of London, try the ‘Gunpowder Plot’ cocktail with Sipsmith VJOP, Mondino Amaro, Grapefruit Bitters and Woodsmoke Smoke which makes your cocktail disappear behind a cloud of smoke, creating an out of this world effect. The extensive drinks menu will cause you to become spoilt for choice with a huge range of gin, vodka, whiskey and rum.

There are a range of Asian-infuse dishes to compliment the eclectic drinks including lamb cutlets topped with a plum and sesame glaze and baby ribs matched with honey, treacle and sesame.

These light dishes are a perfect accompaniment to the cocktails and add a dash of culinary luxury to the elegant atmosphere. The Rooftop of St James is widely regarded as one of the best rooftop bars in London due to the luxurious views projected directly towards Admiral Nelson and Trafalgar Square; this chic rooftop bar is definitely worth a visit.

 

The Radio Rooftop Bar is located in the Strand on the 10th floor of the ME London hotel and is definitely one of the best rooftop bars in the city. This bar provides its guests with a magical rooftop retreat that offers views of the changing colours of the sky over London, a perfect summer spot for evening drinks. The minimalist monochrome decor creates a chic and classy atmosphere, paralleled with a highly prestigious crowd.

The Summer Garden Menu has transformed radio into an ultimate inner-city oasis with tropical based cocktails finished with floral touches. Try the ‘Elder flower Delight’ consisting of St Germain, Bombay Sapphire Gin, Elder flower Syrup with mint leaves and a lime peel.

The summer themed cocktails perfectly compliment the sharing platters which showcase a range of foods including black truffle cheese balls oozing with melted goodness, tiger prawns paired with a spicy mango relish and mini-burgers accompanied with a range of flavoursome dips. If this is a special occasion then you should certainly opt for the group packages, which are completed with Florangeries, available to book for groups of up to 12 guests.

The Covent Garden Florangerie offers views of Westminster and the Strand and includes welcome cocktails, two bottles of Star of Bombay Gin, a choice of pressed juices and sharing plates. The larger Riverside Florangerie overlooks Somerset House and landmarks such as the shard and offers welcome cocktails, bottles of Patron Silver Tequila, cold pressed juices and sharing plates. The prices for the packages are high, ranging from £400-£950 but this is easy to understand as Radio is a truly fashionable drinking destination offering 360 views of the twinkling city lights, making this one of the best rooftop bars in London.

Sky Garden is situated on the entire top floor of 20 Fenchurch Street with cleverly constructed architecture of an enlarged glass dome with panoramic views of the horizon of the city of London. Sky Garden offers dining and drinking options with the Darwin Brasserie and Fenchurch Restaurants preparing a range of delicious and exquisite dishes. The Sky Pod Bar is exquisitely decorated with beautiful plants and flowers, making you feel as though you are walking in a garden of dreams. Sky Gardens is one of the best rooftop bars in London and offers dramatic views over the city, permitting its guests to watch London come alive and turn from day to night.

The wonderful views are paralleled with an extensive menu offering a plethora of Champagne choices ranging from a bottle of Moët & Chandon Imperial NV (£87.00) to Dom Pérignon Vintage Rose, 2003 (£698.00). Additionally, the botanical cocktails are filled with unique flavours with the Dutch Twist Cocktail that consists of Belvedere Vodka, Passion Fruit Puree, Mint Syrup and Soda Water, this will certainly satisfy your sweet tooth.

If you want to opt for something unique then the Salt and Pepper cocktail is definitely worth a try, it is infused with Ocho Blancho Tequila, Pineapple Puree and Black Pepper Syrup.

The creative cocktails can be accompanied with a range of beautifully presented sharing platters in case you become peckish with the Seafood Platter being the ultimate favourite. This platter consists of a range of fresh fish including Smoked Scottish salmon, prawn cocktail, herring rollmops, crab pâte and mixed seafood served with sourdough bread & garlic mayonnaise. The idyllic gardens and unparalleled views make the Sky Garden one of the best rooftop bars in London, make sure that you book a table as no trip to London is completed without visiting the Sky Garden.

If you are looking for a sophisticated rooftop experience then the Aviary is the perfect place for you and is rated as one the best rooftop bars in the city. The Aviary prides itself as ‘London’s premier rooftop bar, restaurant and terrace with added altitude’. This rooftop bar is perched up on the 10th floor of the Montcalm Hotel in Finsbury Square, an excellent location with idyllic views over the landscape of London.

The venue itself screams luxury with simplistic interior and modernist furniture, projecting an air of elegance enabling guests to sit down, relax and take in the beautiful views. The Aviary offers cocktail innovation that you’ve never seen before by taking inspiration from traditional sweet shops with a number of witty named cocktails. Some favourites include the ‘Son of a Peach’ infused with bulliet burbon, crème de peche, Laphroaig, apricot and lemon’ and the ‘Rhubarb & Rumble’ containing Chase Rhubarb vodka, Aperol, rhubarb bitters, orange marmalade, egg white and lemon. These tantalising cocktails are mouth-wateringly tasty with extravagant ingredients, which make this one of the best rooftop bars in London.

There is also a comprehensive wine, spirits and champagne list, with great depths of flavours, making you spoiled for choice.

This is the perfect place for summer evenings however, if the London weather isn’t on your side then head inside to the indoor dining area and explore the dinner menu that won’t disappoint your pallet. There are a range of dishes ranging from well-seasoned prime cut steaks to lighter alternatives such as the sea bass accompanied with crispy squid and charred spring onions. Enjoy the array of array of food and drinks whilst admiring the sparkling lights amongst London’s skyline.

Madison is one of London’s best rooftop bars and restaurant located in the heart of the city by overlooking the iconic St Paul’s Cathedral. This bar has been voted as the second most ‘Instagrammed Spot’ in London so get your phone ready to capture the breath-taking views across the City’s skyline. The professional mixologists shake up a storm to produce killer cocktails that will blow you away. Be sure to order the ‘Sixth Member’ that incorporates Belvedere vodka with peach, mango juice and lemon juice. The ‘Under the Tree’ features a delicious banana infused Rum, a hint of lemon and sugar topped with a pineapple juice.

There are a range of sharing cocktails for groups with the ‘Pornstar Martini’ combining Absolut Elyx, vanilla syrup and Prosecco with a passion fruit finish. The sharing cocktails will set you back £100 however, you and your friends are able to enjoy the refreshing taste together which makes the price tag worth it. The Sunday Sessions at Madison’s make the experience even more outstanding with show-stopping in house DJ’s and Saxophonists playing into the night on the terrace from 2-8pm.

This is accompanied by a three-course meal with the ‘best road in the city’ for £42 including a bottle of wine – this is a wonderful way to end your busy weekend, don’t you agree?

Madison is one of the best rooftop bars in London due to its atmospheric venue with impeccable drinks, delicious food and an amazing ambience. We are sure that you’ll love every second of it, what are you waiting for?

Set in the heart of the city Coq d’Argent is well known for its classic French cuisine, extensive wine menu, cocktail collection and incredible rooftop garden. This venue is also a vantage point to explore the spectacular views of London and is rated as one of the best rooftop bars in London. The eclectic and diverse wine list takes in the world with an extensive collection, which have been carefully selected and classically arranged by different countries and regions. The assortments of wines have maintained the French origins of this venue with the reds originating from Bordeaux and the whites from Burgundy, adding to the authenticity of this rooftop paradise.

The culturally diverse wines span across 60 pages of the drinks menu and have been awarded the ‘Best Award of Excellence of 2018’ by the Wine Spectator – if you’re a lover of fine wine then this is the perfect place for you.  The cocktail menu is inspired by 1920’s Paris with a range of luxurious ingredients such as the ‘Green Breeze’ containing Hendricks’s gin, apple and lime juice, fresh cucumber, house made ginger and honey syrup to add a hint of richness to finish. The ‘Snap Frost’ is also very popular and is mixed with Ciroc vodka, lillet blanc, white vermouth and is sweetened with a vanilla sugar.

For those who are opting to not drink cocktails then the ‘mocktail’ menu will certainly satisfy your cocktail cravings with the ‘Natural Habitat’ infused with fresh chilli, grapefruit, fresh mint, agave nectar and a fever-tree ginger beer – so refreshing that you will feel like you’re in a tropical paradise. Coq ‘dArgent showcases heavenly French and European brasserie-style cuisine with a grill menu served on the roof terrace from 11.30-3pm on Monday-Friday featuring classics such as the beef fillet steak served with French fries, provencal tomato and a green peppercorn sauce.

The roof garden boasts fantastic views over the city’s skyscrapers with a perfectly kept grass, emulating a countryside setting to the terrace as you admire the views of St Paul’s and the Gherkin. Coq d’Argent is a real surprise with luxurious flourishes and you should most certainly give it a go.

Jin Bo Law is one of the newest additions to rooftop bars in London located on the 14th floor of Dorsett City Hotel in Aldgate – the perfect location with unbeatable views of the City and rated as one the best rooftop bars. The interior screams opulence with a modern chic design with contemporary furnishings blending well with the dark marble floor. From its terrace you are able to gaze at famous London landmarks such as The Shard, The Gherkin and The Walkie Talkie Building, which feel like as though they are at touching distance. The Asian inspired cocktail menu makes Jin Bo Law one of the best rooftop bars in London by taking you ‘through a journey of mixology, transforming the most unique ingredients into unexpected treasures’.

The ‘Butterfly Punch’ combines Belvedere vodka with lillet blanc with a harm hint of Jasmine tea and five spice honey and the ‘Dragon Air’ pairs patron silver tequila with apricot brandy and lillet blanc topped with suze and orange bitters.These awe-inspiring cocktails consist of decadent flavours that will take your taste buds on an Asian voyage that you will never forget.

This rooftop bar really does make a statement and is the perfect destination for after work drinks for you and your friends to enjoy the beautiful panoramic views of London.

The Capeesh Sky Bar is a sumptuous cocktail and champagne bar 48 floors up on the top of Pan Peninsula in London’s docklands, making you feel like you are high in the stars. Capeesh pride themselves on creating ‘exquisite cocktails, scrumptious canapés and unbelievable panoramic views of London’ and we couldn’t agree more. The professional mixologists create exquisite martini, rum, gin and vodka cocktails blended with a refreshing mix of magnificent ingredients that you can sip perched atop the rooftop.

If you are looking for a destination for your birthday then Capeesh is the perfect place for you and will make your birthday night truly unforgettable by offering a range of VIP packages. These bespoke packages range from a £80 Wine Package with 2 bottles of house wine and cheese and meat platters to the Sky VIP Package for £500 with 2 bottles of premium house spirits, 3 bottles of prossecco and a range of canapés including perfectly fried crab claws and tasty chicken.

These bespoke platters will keep the energy flowing and the atmosphere on a high note to make you feel on top of the world. If you become peckish then grab a canapé menu and choose from the large range of Italian inspired dishes made with fresh and seasonal ingredients.

The sharing platters are the perfect way for you and your party to enjoy the succulent flavours together. Try the mixed platter comprising of calamari fritti, chicken wings, cured meat, mixed Italian cheese and chips. Capeesh Sky Bar is considered as one of the best rooftop bars in London due to the superb quality of Italian food, creative cocktails and 360-degree panoramic views over the capital.

The Golden Bee is an exquisite bar and one the best rooftop bars in London. The venue that has recently unveiled a new rooftop terrace nestled between the financial district and the vivacious area of Old Street, in the heart of Shoreditch. The rooftop terrace is a private sanctuary projecting an opulent and VIP atmosphere with its own exclusive bar serving seasonal and classic cocktails. With a retractable roof, heaters, blankets and an enchanting fire pit situated in the middle of the terrace to keep you warm on the colder evenings.

There are ranges of interesting cocktails that really push the boundaries ranging from long-standing favourites such as the pornstar martini and espresso martini to a more unique range. If you dare to go for something different then you should certainly opt for the ‘Angel Crush’ with Bombay Sapphire gin blended with a zesty elder flower cordial, Cointreau liqueur, pineapple and lime juice and topped with fresh basil – dangerous but drinkable!

If you’re a sushi lover then we recommend that you pre-order sushi platters to your table with our favourite being the ‘Golden Bee Super Party Box’ for £270 containing a large assortment of different nigiri, maki and sashimi – a perfect accompaniment to the refreshingly blended cocktails.

The Golden Bee brings an exciting and refined experience to Shoreditch with a sophisticated interior and resident DJ’s creating fantastic vibes, make sure that you’re ready to dance into the night. This really is one of the best-hidden secrets of Shoreditch, make sure that you book a table soon to soak up the sun, sip the beautifully made cocktails and enjoy the stunning views of the urban area of Shoreditch.