The top rooftop bars in London for drinks with a view (plus tips to make it more special)
Doesn’t everything get better when there’s something beautiful to see? Average food tastes divine with a mountain backdrop, a simple coffee feels heavenly in a penthouse, and even tough days soften at the sight of your favorite place.
The same goes for cocktails, wine, or beer shared with friends, family, or someone special—be it on a long overdue night out, date night, or after-work drinks. Looking out at familiar streets and lights with a glass in hand just sounds like an afternoon or evening well spent.
Wherever you are—Central, East, South, West, or North—the best rooftop bars in London are waiting. From chic city-center terraces to local favorites, we’ll fill you in on some signature drinks and tips to make your visit one for the books.
Central London
Radio Rooftop
Media credit: radiorooftoplondon
Website: https://radiorooftop.com/
Address: 336-337 Strand
Contact details: +44 20 8129 8930
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday – 12 PM – 12 AM
- Thursday to Saturday – 12 PM – 1:30 AM
Pricing: ££££
If you’ve been to ME London hotel, or are there right now, Radio Rooftop isn’t far away. On the 10th floor, a lively yet relaxed vibe of specially crafted cocktails and panoramic city views awaits—from noon for daylight catch-ups till night, with DJ sets in the background.
Don’t be surprised that bestsellers such as the Mango Sticky Rice, Lychee Martini, and Yuzu Margarita are so tasty, bold, and light all at once. Radio’s mixologists make them using sous vide (slow flavor layering) and sonic techniques (quick, punchy infusions).
Feel free to book a table during Happy Hour (12 PM to 7 PM, Monday through Wednesday), where light snacks like steamed edamame and lotus root crisps pair perfectly with your drink of choice. Beyond cocktails, you can also enjoy fine wines and ice-cold beers.
The Radio Brunch isn’t a bad idea, either, especially when being greeted with a Bellini before feasting on Asian dishes is your idea of a wholesome meal. And if it’s a date night at the nearby Novello Theatre, why not grab a pre-show drink first?
Aqua Spirit
Media credit: aquakyotolondon
Website: https://aquakyoto.co.uk/bar/
Address: 30 Argyll St
Contact details: +44 20 7478 0540
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday – 12 PM – 12 AM
- Thursday to Saturday – 12 PM – 12:30 AM
Pricing: ££££
Dining at Aqua Spirit feels like stepping into Japan’s cocktail scene. It starts with the cherry blossom decor and kimono silk-lined booths, then goes on to signature drinks named Kyoto Panchi, Big in Japan, and Shichimi Marigurita—plus summer highlights like the Hiragana.
Five floors above Regent Street, this rooftop bar is the first thing you’ll see coming out of the lift. You can be seated in the covered area or out in the open—both great options, all the more so with bar snacks, including tuna tataki, rock shrimp tempura, and chicken karaage.
But you should know that the weekends bring an unlimited sushi brunch menu and free-flowing wine, beer, Prosecco, and Champagne. Not to mention the DJs spinning a relaxing Aqua playlist, complementing views of the BT Tower close by or the lit London Eye at night.
While reservations are encouraged to secure your spot, walk-ins are welcome, too. Just remember to dress smart casual—no baseball caps, sportswear, or flip flops—and be ready to pay by card.
East London
The Culpeper
Media credit: theculpeper
Website: https://www.theculpeper.com/
Address: 40 Commercial St
Contact details: +44 20 7247 5371
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday
- Food: 12 PM – 2:30 PM; 6 PM – 8:30 PM
- Drinks: 12 PM – 10:30 PM
- Saturday
- Food: 12 PM – 3:30 PM; 6 PM – 8:30 PM
- Drinks: 12 PM – 10:30 PM
Pricing: ££
Imagine having drinks amongst birch and hazel trees, with East London sprawling below and food from a rooftop grill. That’s just one of the things The Culpeper has to offer—the others being a pub on the ground floor, a French bistro on the first, and bedrooms on the second.
Focusing on the woodland-inspired rooftop, its seasonal specials often steal the show. Stand by for creations such as the Riot & Wild Spritz, Gin & Rhubarb Collins, and Bee Pollen Margarita, alongside non-alcoholic sips of Apple & Pears and Bitter Sun.
You can also expand your options with the selection of beers on tap and wines by the glass or bottle, made better by a plate of spiral chipolata or Rhug Estate chicken. No booking is required if you’re just having drinks; reservations are only needed when you’re in for food or both.
Let’s not forget the gardening courses occasionally hosted in the rooftop garden—be on the lookout for updates on their Instagram or website. You can also gather 10 of your closest friends and try private dining at the greenhouse for a more intimate way to catch up or celebrate.
Netil 360
Media credit: netil360
Website: https://www.netil360.com/
Address: 1 Westgate St
Contact details: [email protected]
Operating hours:
- Wednesday and Thursday – 5 PM – 11 PM
- Friday – 5 PM – 12:30 PM
- Saturday – 12 PM – 12:30 AM
- Sunday – 12 PM – 10 PM
Pricing: ££
Sitting high above Hackney with a mix of picnic benches, cozy tables, and artificial grass areas, Netil 360 is as relaxed as it gets. Wherever you sit, the canal and city skyline do the talking as you savor your beer, wine, or cocktail—and bites of sushi or stone-baked Neapolitan pizzas.
Sunny days call for the House Sangria, a signature sharer served in jugs, or the colorful Aperol and Sarti Spritz cocktails. Also worth considering is the £130 B-Day Package, serving up two Prosecco bottles, five spicy margaritas, and five house spirits shots.
Things take a livelier turn on Fridays and Saturdays, as DJ sets let you lose yourself in soul, hip-hop, disco, and house beats. If during the fun, you’re inspired to host your own event, Netil’s private rooftop corner—seating 40 guests at £500 per table—is available to hire.
South London
Frank’s Cafe
Media credit: boldtendencies
Website: https://boldtendencies.com/franks-cafe/
Address: Bold Tendencies, 95A Rye Ln
Contact details: +44 20 7732 5453
Operating hours:
- Monday – 12 PM – 8 PM
- Wednesday to Sunday – 11 AM – 11 PM
Pricing: ££
You don’t need a reservation to get into Frank’s Cafe. Just take a short walk from Peckham Rye station or have a taxi drop you at Peckham Town Centre Car Park on Cerise Road, then head straight to the rooftop of the multi-storey car park where it sits and grab a seat.
Once there, you’ll be sipping classics like the Negroni or signatures like the Rum N’ Ginger in a space that has hosted poetry readings, visual art installations, and even opera performances. This blend of art and hospitality is part of what makes the cafe so special.
Another reason is, the cafe was the first architecture project of Bold Tendencies, a not-for-profit organization. It’s a detail that helps explain the reasonable pricing—brunches start at £7, snacks at £3.50, and drinks at just £3.25 for beer and cider.
Since the venue runs from mid-May to late September, summer is the best time to visit. Come at sunset for cocktails and wines with golden skyline views or earlier—around 3 PM to 4 PM—to avoid the crowds, particularly on weekends.
Bussey Rooftop Bar
Media credit: busseyrooftopbar
Website: https://busseyrooftopbar.com/
Address: Roof B, Bussey Building, 133 Rye Ln
Contact details: [email protected]
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 5 PM – 11:30 PM
- Saturday – 12 PM – 11:30 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM – 9:30 PM
Pricing: ££
It’s all tropical oasis vibes at Bussey Rooftop Bar. Between the greenery-covered wooden canopies and refreshing Juicy Fruit Sour, Pineapple Margarita, Passion Fruit Mojito, and Mellow Yellow cocktails, you’d feel like summer has truly arrived.
Toss in some Truffle or Carbonara fries, and a Margherita or Pepperoni & Chilli Honey pizza, and you’ve got yourself a winning combo with 360-degree views of the London skyline. Better yet, Sundays and Mondays mean a free beer with your pizza.
From time to time, the rooftop also hosts street food pop-ups, such as RockaDollar’s hotdogs and padron peppers. The fun continues with DJ sessions from sunset till late every Friday and Saturday, as well as the Paint Yer Pup activity for dog lovers.
Your sign that you’ve reached the Bussey building is the red doors on the left, just after passing Peckham Soul in Copeland Park. Try midweek evenings or weekend afternoons for a quieter time, and catch half-price drinks during Cocktail Hour (5PM–7PM, Sunday to Thursday).
West London
The Broadcaster
Media credit: thebroadcasterlondon
Website: https://www.thebroadcaster.co.uk/
Address: 89 Wood Ln
Contact details: +44 20 4549 7420
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 12 PM – 11 PM
- Thursday to Saturday – 12 PM – 11:30 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM – 9 PM
Pricing: ££
Featuring two bars, comfy tables, lounging areas, and a private alfresco dining room, The Broadcaster’s rooftop is a year-round destination for West Londoners to dine, drink, and relax. All in an elegant British-style setting framed by panoramic views across White City.
The drink menus don’t hold back, spanning cocktails, champagne, and rosé to wines, vodka, tequila, and whisky. Crowd favorites include the Smoked & Spiced Margarita, Paloma Spritz, and Frozé slushies—plus seasonal picks like the Orchard Collins and Spiced Daiquiri.
Pair them with a plate of pan-roasted salmon, flat iron steak, or wagyu burger and it’s pure chef’s kiss. Not to mention live DJs on Fridays and Saturdays, when the rooftop comes alive to the smooth sounds of Vanessa Van Dyk and other chilled sunset beats.
Though walk-ins are accepted at the pub and dining area downstairs, it isn’t always guaranteed for rooftop seating—so better book ahead. Given the casual dress code, you’ll be fine in jeans and a nice shirt, but you can always go dressier if you’d like.
Skylark Roof Garden
Media credit: skylarkxhuckster
Website: https://skylarkroofgarden.co.uk/
Address: 10th Floor, 4 Kingdom St
Contact details: [email protected]
Operating hours: Saturday and Sunday – 11 AM – 11 PM
Pricing: £££
Skylark Roof Garden gives you the Miami-style party you may have long been looking for in London. Pink and striped parasols at every table, cushioned seats, wood-plank flooring, and live DJs set the scene—all while overlooking Notting Hill and Hyde Park for a touch of home.
From there, the signature Poco Locco cocktail, Budweiser, or any of the vodka and tequila spirits hit the spot. For the full meal, the beloved Posh Fries are always a good start, followed by salads, burgers, or chicken skewers, and topped off with ice cream, tiramisu, or cheesecake.
There’s an entrance fee from £2 on Saturdays and £5 on Sundays, each allowing a three-hour time slot in the standing area or for table reservations. Tickets, available on the website, also grant access to Huckster, Skylark’s sister bar slash event space on the ground floor.
North London
Big Chill
Media credit: bigchillbar
Website: https://www.bigchillbar.com/
Address: 257-259 Pentonville Rd
Contact details: +44 20 7427 2540
Operating hours:
- Monday and Tuesday – 4 PM – 12 AM
- Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday – 12 PM – 12 AM
- Friday and Saturday – 12 PM – 3 AM
Pricing: ££
You might’ve already spotted Big Chill, its neon signs lighting up the night on your usual route from King’s Cross station. While the ground floor makes it seem like it’s all about dancing under strobe lights with a drink in hand, the rooftop terrace delivers a different energy.
The inviting, garden-like atmosphere is brought to life by tropical plants and string lights. Add in the live DJ, spinning genres as diverse as the drink menu—from Watta Funk Punch cocktail and Blood Monkey Mango gin to CruzCampo draught beer and Albariño white wine.
Don’t miss the daily Happy Hour (4 PM–7 PM) or Happy Monday (all day, all night), and get £5.50 Amstel Pints and Single House Spirit and Mixer, £6.50 Spritz, and £20 bottles of bubbles. Rain or shine, the retractable roof keeps you covered—sip after sip.
You’re also welcome to hire a space for your group or an event, say The Loft, a semi-private mezzanine seating 25 people, or The Deco Lounge, a vintage basement bar for 50. The 200-capacity terrace is available, too, complete with a private bar and DJ booth.
The Castle
Media credit: thecastlen1
Website: https://www.thecastleislington.co.uk/
Address: 54 Pentonville Rd
Contact details: +44 20 7713 1858
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday; Saturday – 11 AM – 11 PM
- Friday – 11 AM – 12 AM
- Sunday – 12 PM – 11 PM
Pricing: £££
One of the best ways to indulge in The Castle rooftop is with a refreshing spritz—preferably Passion Fruit Yuzu, Cuban Colada, or Pimm’s Fizz—while watching bustling Islington below. You can settle into the covered area or choose a seat at the umbrella-shaded tables.
Because of the intimate setting, chances are you’ll bump into familiar faces and even make a few new friends. This is especially true during sports season, when people often gather to cheer for their favorite rugby or football team as the action unfolds on the big screens.
In between sips and goals, a garden-like ambiance surrounds you, which adds a sense of calm. Plus, it serves as a great backdrop for popular bar snacks like the Cumberland Sausage Roll and corn on the cob, or small plates of Truffle Mac & Cheese and Haddock Fishcakes.
Don’t forget the summer packages, including beer buckets starting at £58.20, cocktail jugs at £27, and wines at £82.75. You can even reserve the entire rooftop for your own parties and events, accommodating 60 seated guests—or 80 if standing.