16 Best London Rooftop Bars for Drinks & Views
The city’s energy shifts when the sun dips below the horizon, and the best way to catch that change is from a rooftop.
You don’t need a private penthouse or a fancy invite; these top rooftop bars in London offer all the views and vibes without the hassle.
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1. Aviary
Way up on the 10th floor of The Montcalm Royal London House, Aviary hands out sweeping skyline views over Finsbury Square. Inside and out, it’s a solid spot for anyone who wants a dose of London from above.
Seasonal dishes keep things interesting, and the cocktail list is no afterthought; bartenders here know how to mix a drink that’s worth lingering over. Heated igloos pop up for the colder months, so you’re not missing out on the terrace even when it’s nippy.
Location: Royal London House, 22-25 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1DX
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2. London Bridge Rooftop Bar
London Bridge Rooftop Bar somehow manages to feel both snug and wide open. It’s perched above Colechurch House, with heaters and a full roof that keep things cozy, but you still get that breezy, open-air energy.
The Shard looms in the background, especially dramatic when the DJ kicks in and the cocktails start flowing. The menu hits all the usuals—cocktails, wine, beer, and food that covers burgers and brunch.
Being right by London Bridge station, it’s impossible to get lost on the way. With Borough Market and the river just steps away, you can easily make a day of it in the area.
Location: Colechurch House, Bridge Walk, London SE1 2SX, United Kingdom
Website: Visit Website
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3. Savage Garden Rooftop Bar
Savage Garden towers above the streets, 12 floors up and all attitude. The terrace gives you front-row seats to Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, so you’re sipping next to centuries of history.
Cocktails here are a bit of a show—smoke, fire, and plenty of drama. The vibe is unapologetically bold, with a playful, sometimes wild energy. Food holds its own, designed to keep up with the drinks.
Location: Floor 12, 7 Pepys St, London EC3N 4AF, United Kingdom
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4. The Rooftop
Up above Trafalgar Square, The Rooftop at the Trafalgar Hotel puts you almost eye-to-eye with Nelson’s Column. Classic cocktails, sharp views, and a dress code that’s smart casual. Hoodies and trainers? Maybe not tonight.
Not every seat faces the square, but you’ll still feel that rooftop buzz wherever you land. Outdoor tables are the prize when the weather’s behaving, but inside stays inviting if the skies turn. It’s a solid pick for special occasions or just a night out in the West End.
Location: 7th Floor, 2 Spring Gardens, London SW1A 2TS
Website: Visit Website
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5. Bussey Rooftop Bar
High above Peckham, Bussey Rooftop Bar has the kind of sweeping city views that make even a basic pint feel special. Locals love it for the laid-back atmosphere—cold beers, playful cocktails, and zero attitude.
There’s shelter if it rains, heaters for chilly evenings, and the views are always front and center. Pizza is the main event food-wise, with stone-baked Neapolitan pies plus Christmas twists and pigs-in-blankets sides during the holidays.
Location: Roof B, Bussey Building, 133 Rye Ln, London SE15 4ST
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6. Florattica Rooftop London
Florattica Rooftop London floats above Minories, with hanging plants and sunlight pouring through glass walls, so you’re pretty much sipping in a botanical garden. Cocktails are built around fresh herbs and florals; drinks that actually taste like their names. The prices are what you’d expect for a City rooftop, but the quality is there.
The greenery is a welcome break from concrete without making you trek out of central London. Tables book up quickly when things get busy, so if you’re set on a particular night, plan ahead.
Location: 11-15 Minories, London EC3N 1AX, United Kingdom
Website: Visit Website
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7. 12th Knot
12th Knot sits on top of Sea Containers London, right above the South Bank buzz. Huge windows and an open-plan layout make the Thames and city skyline impossible to ignore, and the décor is as lively as the neighborhood below.
The drinks list is deep with cocktails, wine, and champagne. Small plates lean seasonal, perfect for snacking between rounds.
With the South Bank’s restaurants, theatres, and riverside strolls just outside, it’s an easy addition to a night out. When the weather’s decent, the rooftop terrace opens up for that classic London outdoor drinking moment.
Location: 20 Upper Ground, London SE1 9PD
Website: Visit Website
8. Queen Of Hoxton
Queen of Hoxton packs three floors of party-ready chaos right into the heart of Shoreditch. The rooftop bar flips its theme with the seasons and hands you some of the best East London views around.
Downstairs, DJs keep the basement buzzing; at street level, cocktails flow and the crowd’s always lively; upstairs, drinks under open skies feel just a bit more electric.
Expect a wild mix of events (hip hop nights, drag cabaret, paint parties) plus their signature Drag & Waffle Bottomless Brunch on Saturdays. The rooftop depends on the weather, so maybe call ahead if the forecast looks dicey.
Location: 1 Curtain Rd, London EC2A 3JX, United Kingdom
Website: Visit Website
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9. Netil360 Rooftop Bar
Netil360 sits eight stories up in Hackney, serving up sweeping London views while you sip natural wine and devour stone-baked Neapolitan pizza. The vibe shifts with the crowd, but the energy’s always dialed in.
Weekdays, it’s a mellow hangout; come weekends, DJs turn it into a sky-high dance zone with soul, hip-hop, house, disco, and global beats.
The pizza…oh, the pizza. Each 12-inch is made from dough that’s been fermenting for 48 hours, then blasted in the oven for barely a minute. Local craft beers, cocktails mixed right at the bar, and a wine list round out the drinks.
Location: 1 Westgate St, London E8 3RL, United Kingdom
Website: Visit Website
10. Jin Bo Law
Jin Bo Law perches on the 14th floor of Hotel Saint, handing you a front-row panorama of London’s most iconic landmarks. From the terrace, Tower Bridge, the Shard, the Walkie Talkie, and the Gherkin all line up for your attention.
The cocktail menu goes off-script, with creative drinks built around unexpected ingredients. Every glass is a little adventure in mixology—sometimes you get flavors you didn’t even know you wanted, but now you do.
Weekends mean live DJs and themed parties; Latin and Brazilian house music nights are a regular thing, and the energy doesn’t let up till the early hours.
Location: Hotel Saint, 14th floor, 9 Aldgate High St, London EC3N 1AH
Website: Visit Website
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11. The Culpeper
Commercial Street’s The Culpeper nails the industrial-chic look. It’s stacked across several floors: modern pub on the ground, a more refined restaurant above, and a rooftop garden.
Up on the rooftop, you get a greenhouse-style space open for drinks most afternoons and evenings. The roof garden setting gives your pint or cocktail a little extra magic, especially if the sun’s out.
The kitchen gets creative with upscale pub classics, and the bar pours inventive cocktails alongside a solid beer lineup. Depending on your mood (and floor), you can keep it casual or go all-in for a proper dinner.
Location: 40 Commercial St, London E1 6LP
Website: Visit Website
12. Madison
Madison crowns the top of One New Change, with views of St Paul’s Cathedral that are almost unfair. Up on the sixth floor, you get a mashup of modern European dining, a buzzing bar, and just a hint of New York swagger mixed with Ibiza terrace energy.
Glass chandeliers hang overhead, DJs spin as the sun drops, and the whole place hums with life. The menu swings between Modern American and Modern European.
The rooftop terrace is the real draw, especially during the festive season. Bottomless brunch on weekends is a bit of an event, with unlimited bubbles, mimosas, or Aperol Spritz alongside two or three courses.
Location: Rooftop Terrace One, New Change, London EC4M 9AF
Website: Visit Website
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13. SUSHISAMBA London
Way up on the 38th and 39th floors of Heron Tower, SUSHISAMBA London throws together Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian flavors while you take in Europe’s highest outdoor dining terraces.
The glass elevator ride is half the fun; each floor brings the cityscape into sharper focus, and by the time you step out, it feels like you’re floating above London.
The menu refuses to pick a favorite. Sushi and tempura sit right alongside Brazilian churrasco and Peruvian anticuchos. The robata grill handles everything from smoky meats to charred veggies, while small plates make sharing the only logical choice.
Location: Heron Tower, London EC2N 4AY, United Kingdom
Website: Visit Website
14. Frank’s Cafe At Bold Tendencies
Frank’s Cafe is perched on top of a multi-story car park in Peckham, which sounds odd until you actually make the climb. This seasonal rooftop pulls crowds from May through September for open-air views across South London.
The menu is refreshingly simple; dishes are made fresh and shift with the seasons. You get classic and contemporary cocktails, draught beer, and a wine list that’s better than you’d expect for a car park.
Brunch on weekends is a thing too, if you want to kick off your day with a view. It’s card only, no reservations, so just show up and grab what you can. Sometimes the best seat is wherever you land.
Location: Bold Tendencies, 7th-10th Floor Multi Storey Car Park, 95A Rye Ln, London SE15 4ST, United Kingdom
Website: Visit Website
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15. 8 At The Londoner
Perched on the 8th floor of The Londoner hotel, this rooftop izakaya manages a rare feat in Leicester Square; it’s a moody hideaway with a pulse, somehow both tucked away and buzzing.
The cocktail menu riffs on Japanese flavors, each drink built around one of eight core tastes from the cuisine. Small plates stick close to tradition, with careful technique and proper ingredients.
Whisky people are in for a treat—there’s Suntory, Pearl Geisha, and a few bottles you’ll probably never see again, at least not in your local pub.
Location: 38 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7DX, United Kingdom
Website: Visit Website
16. Aqua Spirit
Aqua Spirit perches above Argyll Street in Soho, sprawled across two levels with a rooftop terrace that peers out over the city.
The cocktail list is Japanese, so expect clever spins like the Kyōto Panchi—Bacardi, coconut rum, pineapple—or the Big in Japan, where sake and Caribbean spiced rum do an unexpectedly good dance.
There’s a Shichimi Margarita, if you’re feeling adventurous, and all the usual suspects like Negronis and Old Fashioneds for those who prefer to stick to what they know.
Bar snacks keep the Japanese theme going, with tuna tataki, rock shrimp tempura, chicken karaage, and sushi—plenty to graze on between sips.
Location: 30 Argyll St, London W1B 3BR, United Kingdom
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