LONDON'S BEST ROOFTOP BARS

The Capital's finest sky-high drinking spots as Nominated by YOU in the Time Well Spent Awards 2025

There's nothing us Londoners like more than basking in the sunshine for that... er... one weekend of glorious sunshine every year. But let's not get bogged down in weather chat - our fine capital has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to rooftop boozing, and YOU have spoken to nominate your very favourite destinations.

Here they are, in all their glory... London's Best Rooftop Bars.

Radio Rooftop

The Strand

The tenth floor might not be the highest roof top venue on this list, but Radio Rooftop's location on The Strand means it's got some of the best views around. From the corner spot it enjoys, you'll be able to sip drinks while looking out across the River Thames towards the Royal Festival Hall and London Eye in one direction, The Shard in another, and the whole of the city and Canary Wharf on the horizon out east.

It's a beautiful spot atop the equally swish ME Hotel, and the cocktail menu here is first class.

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

Jin Bo Law Skybar

Aldgate

No, Jin Bo Law isn't a firm of barristers with such a penchant for cocktails that they've opened their own bar on the roof (though we're claiming copyright on that sitcom right here and now), it's actually the golden wine cup in the dynasty of imperial China, and a term used today to describe children who are cherished by their families.

With that in mind, leave the kids at home and head to this golden wine cup in the centre of town. You'll be greeted by the awe-inspiring sight of the bar, shrouded in a golden metal lattice wave that points towards the terrace outside.

As the name suggests, this is an 'East meets West' bar, which in simple terms means cocktails you know, infused with ingredients you probably don't.

Pushing the boat out? Go for the Expense Me - a sharing cocktail featuring Hennessy Vs Cognac, Moët Chandon Brut champagne, Strawberry Puree, Lemonade, Apple juice and Cranberry juice. Is the name a little too on the nose? It's £88.88 - so perhaps they just know their market.

14th floor, 9 Aldgate High Street Dorsett City, EC3N 1AH, www.jinbolaw.co.uk

Sabine

St Paul's

Who is Sabine? We don't know! But she's got a view of St. Paul's Cathedral that's so good, she had to share it. Take a seat on her rooftop terrace and once the old God-palace over the road gets lit up, you might just be looking at the most Instagrammable location in London. If you look the other way, you'll be treated to views over to the Shard, but seriously, who looks the other way? Nobody, that's who!

The small plates menu here is reassuringly fancy: Baked Camembert, pulled jackfruit tacos, smoked salmon tartare and the like all make an appearance, and the cocktail list doesn't get left behind. Take a long hard look at the view and then suck down on a Negronito. Trust us on that.

10 Godliman St, EC4V 5AJ, www.sabinelondon.co.uk

Coq d’Argent

Bank

A long-time favourite of the city bankers whose offices overlook the rooftop gardens, the Coq D'Argent is old-school, French glamour in the heart of London. It's certainly not cheap, but if you're looking to impress a date or laying the business card down on the table, then order some crustaceans, caviar and champagne and kick back safe in the knowledge that you're enjoying the high-life in every way.

Such is the design of the terrace here, that for much of your visit you might not even realise you're up on the roof - dining areas enclosed with decorative hedges and umbrellas give the feel of a Parisian street restaurant rather than a rooftop terrace - but make sure you take a stroll through the gardens, where you'll see the city skyline looming over the deceptively large green lawns.

No.1 Poultry, EC2R 8EJ

Madison

St Paul's

A stroll through the One New Change shopping centre isn't the most likely entrance to one of London's best rooftops, but the views from Madison make it all worthwhile. What you'll get from the 6th floor is unobstructed views of St. Paul's Cathedral which, when the sun begins to drop and the landmark's lights switch on, is one of the finest sights in the city. The food - heavy on the meat with a long steak list - is excellent and fairly priced and the bottomless bubbles at the New York Rooftop Brunch are always popular.

Rooftop Terrace One, New Change, EC4M 9AF, www.madisonlondon.net

Frank’s Cafe

Peckham

When Frank's opened in 2009, it became an instant hit with locals and word soon spread to outsiders who'd never even considered the idea of a night out in Peckham. But most of all, it sent shockwaves through the hospitality industry, when people who'd spent millions on their luxury roof terraces watched as a car park - literally just a car park - became the bar of the summer.

It's moved on in parts since then, with wooden structures and bars added here and there and other operators taking over the floors below, but the charm of Frank's will always be the Berlin-style, industrial feel it exudes. The sunsets are beautiful, the views across London are far reaching, and the atmosphere is always on point.

7th-10th Floor Multi Storey Car Park, 95A Rye Ln, SE15 4ST, Frank's Cafe

Seabird

Southwark

What happens at Seabird? Well, you eat stuff from the sea while hanging out with the birds. See what they did there? Good, then let's move on. The tiled terrace of this Southwark restaurant sits atop the Hoxton Hotel, and follows the New York-style chic of the hotel chain's venues. The tall, foliage-covered brick pillars that run along the length of the space give the venue a Manhattan feel and the place feels buzzy and relaxing at the same time, which is a tough job to pull off. Inside, the modern warehouse feel continues with cozy, garden-furniture style chairs interspersed with bright sofas - all of which will point you in the direction of floor-to-ceiling windows.

If you need any more convincing, there's a happy hour from 3-5pm Monday to Thursday, when oysters are £2 a go and Martinis are £7.

The Rooftop, The Hoxton Southwark, 40 Blackfriars Road, SE1 8NY, www.seabirdlondon.com

No 32 The Old Town

Clapham

Boasting enviable views across Clapham Common, the terrace at No. 32 The Old Town is a glorious place to be. It's an all-day venue, meaning you can stop by for coffee and brunch from 9am or party late into the evening, and the fairy-light 'wall' that separates drinkers from the road make even a cloudy evening feel like it's lit by the stars. The food menu is a delicious smorgasbord of home-made dishes, from pancakes through to Sunday roasts, pasta and burgers and the bar tip-toes the tightrope between 'brilliant party place' and 'somewhere you can plug your laptop in and work,' which means there's really no reason to leave. Ever.

32 The Pavement, SW4 0JE, www.no32theoldtown.co.uk

Netil 360

Hackney

You know what rooftop bars need more of? Saunas. Yep, that’s right. Sweaty, steamy, boiling hot saunas.

If you need a steer on the sort of place Netil 360 is, you should know that up until recently there were four Finnish saunas up on the roof, which you could hire for a little sweat-session. They’re currently out of action (presumably due to Covid), but the bar is open and it’s such a sun trap that you’ll probably get just as hot out there on the roof. There’s precious little shade up there, save for an ‘indoor’ section around the bar, so if you’re of a pasty persuasion, you’ll need to pack sunscreen. But Neil360 is effortlessly cool, achingly fashionable and frequented by a mix of people from city-boys to students and creatives who head up to the roof for the regular DJ sets under the pink sunsets of East London.

1 Westgate St, E8 3RL, www.netil360.com

Queen of Hoxton

Shoreditch

Give me a rooftop, but make it Shoreditch. The annual theming of this large terrace is the stuff of legend and in recent years has included Lost Vegas, Alice in Winterland, WigWamBam and Las Mexicanas.

And the QoH goes BIG on its themes - we’re talking storylines (Lost Vegas was based in the year 2030 when nature has reclaimed Vegas following an uprising by eco-warriors), crazy props (Las Mexicanas had an actual wrestling ring) and cocktail menus to match.

What's the theme this year? Cherry Blossom - expect a sea of pink, Instagrammable backdrops in every direction and a banging party every night of the week.

It’s never quiet at Queen of Hoxton, but it’ll be a night you’ll remember for a long time.

1 Curtain Rd, EC2A 3JX, www.queenofhoxton.com

Roof East

Stratford

Stratford’s Roof East is like a bizarre summer fète, with a couple of foliage-filled cars and plenty of booze thrown in. There’s picket fences, miles of bunting zig-zagging overhead and games. Loads of games. They’ve got baseball batting cages, carpark karaoke, archery, crazy golf, lawn bowls, Jenga, cornhole, beat the bar and ping pong, so you’ll never get bored waiting for your mate to return from the bar. Food comes from a variety of street food trucks and the bar will keep you lubed up with a long list of cocktails, wines, craft beers and spirits. It’s not the kind of refined boozing you’ll find in other rooftops around London, but it’s way more fun.

7 & 8 Stratford Multi Storey Car Park, Great Eastern Rd, E15 1XE, www.roofeast.com

TT Liquor

Hackney

If we were to choose the ideal roof-terrace set up, we’d be hard pushed to find something better than a secluded, green hideaway atop a booze shop. Step forward, TT Liquor, which offers all that plus one, essential extra: If you fancy going ‘off menu’, you can head downstairs, pick up beers or wine from their extremely large collection, and take it back to your table under the stars (for a small corkage fee).

The terrace is gorgeous and homely, with a perfect mix of greenery, old wood and exposed brick and the covered and heated booths will have you protected in all weathers. The kitchen turfs out Neopolitan pizzas and charcuterie boards and the drinks menu serves up only the finest booze - as you’d expect from a much respected liquor store.

17B Kingsland Rd, E2 8AA, www.ttliquor.co.uk

L'Art Otel

Battersea

On the face of it, building a rooftop bar with a swimming pool overlooking London's biggest power station doesn't sound like a particularly good business plan. But this isn't any old power station, it's the iconic Battersea Power Station, of Pink Floyd fame.

The regeneration of this area is a masterclass in modern architecture and what was once a stinking old industrial beast is now a high-end shopping outlet packed with restaurants, bars and penthouse apartments.

And - in no small part thanks to the aforementioned band's famous album cover - those towering brick chimneys are iconic. Lay back around the gorgeous infinity pool (does it count as an infinity pool when there's no sea behind it? We're not sure) and sip cocktails as the sun sets. And if you're lucky (or you have enough of those cocktails), maybe you'll see a big inflatable pig floating past...

L'Art Otel, 1 Electric Blvd, Nine Elms, London SW11 8BJ www.artotellondonbattersea.com

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