Best rooftop bars in London

Best rooftop bars in London at a glance

Best rooftop bars in London 2025

The Emory

The Emory, London’s first all-suite hotel, opened in the spring of 2024. Much of the talk at the time was about the Richard Rogers’ design and the outpost of chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Abc Kitchen on the ground floor, but it’s perhaps the rooftop bar that’s become the real jewel in the crown. Owned by Maybourne, which also has Claridge’s, The Connaught and The Berkeley (next door), The Emory has a prime position right on Hyde Park, so its 10th floor bar offers panoramic views over the park and the London skyline.

Drinks come courtesy of one of the world’s best mixologists, Tato Giovannoni (behind Florería Atlántico in Buenos Aires), who returned to The Emory in 2025 after a successful two-month pop-up in 2024. Exclusive cocktails include the “San Lucas”, a mix of Flor de Caña 4 rum, cinnamon, Angostura bitters and lemon & lime soda, and the “Gurua Martini”, made from Principe de los Apostoles gin, anise, Giovannoni dry vermouth, coffee oil, and local rainwater (don’t worry, it’s purified). On the food menu, there are high-class bar snacks courtesy of Jean-Georges – think 24-month aged comté cheese, caviar and Cobble Lane charcuterie.

Llama Inn

Located on the rooftop of The Hoxton in Shoreditch, Llama Inn is a hot import from New York (the original is on the New York Times Top 100 list and has a Bib Gourmand), offering modern Peruvian dishes and plenty of pisco. There’s an expansive glass-roofed interior dining room, which has a tropical feel even when the weather outside doesn’t, plus a large outdoor terrace with sofa seating and views of the nearby skyscrapers.

Peru’s national cocktail – the pisco sour – is well represented both in its classic form and with twists such as the passion fruit pisco, or an aromatic version with coconut and green tea. If you’re in a group, opt for the supersized jug of pisco sour which serves six. There’s a fun range of non-pisco cocktails and natural wines too, perfectly paired with dishes of fresh ceviche, chicken anticucho, and pork shoulder sliders.

Kioku by Endo

Japanese master sushi chef Endo Kazutoshi, who is behind the Michelin-starred Endo at the Rotunda, has a more casual restaurant and bar on the rooftop of the swish Raffles hotel at the historic Old War Office. Called Kikou by Endo, it’s not the tallest of the London rooftops but in terms of location it takes some beating, with the large outdoor terrace offering views over Whitehall, Trafalgar Square and the London Eye.

A special Terrace Cocktails menu includes the “Elderflower and Wasabi Sour”, with Japanese vodka, shochu and fresh wasabi, as well as the “Mint & Shiso Yuzunade” with Bowmore whisky, ginger sake liqueur and yuzu soda. Other than cocktails, there’s an extensive list of champagne, wine and sake, plus some exceptional bites like temaki hand rolls, fresh sashimi, fatty bluefin tuna with pickled daikon, and yellowtail with aged caviar.

Los Mochis City

Located high above Broadgate Circle, Los Mochis brings a double dose of Mexican and Japanese flavour to the heart of the City. Popular with the local after-work crowd, the huge roof terrace at Los Mochis offers great views – including of St Paul’s Cathedral – along with lots of lounge seating, tropical plants and even retractable canopies to protect from the elements.

There’s a huge range of tequilas and mezcals, surely the biggest in London, with everything from big brands to small-batch artisans. As a result, palomas and margaritas dominate the cocktail list, offering up the likes of the frozen Yuzu Jasmine Margarita and the Champagne Paloma, topped off with sake and champagne. To eat, there’s a line-up of Japanese-Mexican tacos such as the pato carnitas – teriyaki duck with habanero-cumin hoisin and jalapeño-pineapple salsa – and the miso tempura cactus. And for dessert? The restaurant’s namesake mochis of course, including salted caramel and toasted sesame flavours.

Flute

There’s a distinctly luxurious feel to Flute, a cosy new rooftop bar at The Broadwick Hotel that overlooks the rooftops of Soho. It has a decadent maximalist design – animal-print upholstery, cork walls, mirrored ceilings and palm-frond carpet. The drinks menu opens with an offer of champagne and caviar, followed by an extensive list of bottles, including many vintage offerings. Happily, there’s a good line-up of English fizz too, such as the excellent Simpsons Chalklands classic cuvee.

Cocktails give a nod to Soho’s history as a film location, with names like “Postcard from London” (Hennessy VSOP, Elderflower, Tio Pepe, Mint) and “Secrets of a Windmill Girl” (Tanqueray Nº Ten, Rose Cordial, Suze Liqueur, Muyu Jasmine Verte, Champagne). Aside from caviar, some more affordable bites from the Japanese-accented menu include the katsu pork sando, the buttermilk fried chicken with xo sauce, tempura prawns, and a lobster roll with kewpie mayo.

Seabird

The outdoor terrace at Seabird, perched up on the 14th floor of The Hoxton Southwark is surely one of the prettiest rooftop bars in London, with incredible views of the Thames, London Eye and Big Ben. With its plush sofa-style seating, energetic soundtrack and tall palm trees, you could just as easily be in Miami or LA. Initially created in conjunction with Maison Premiere in New York (itself a permanent fixture on the World’s 50 Best Bars list), the cocktails on offer are a perfect match for the tropical vibe, with drinks like the ‘Cockatoo’ – a mix of rum, Bacardi, coconut water, pineapple and pink pepper – or the frozen mojito, which is ideal for a hot day.

The sunny holiday vibe is continued with the food, which channels Spanish and Portuguese influences into a selection of fresh seafood dishes – think octopus rolls topped with aioli, fried calamari or whole sea bass. Best experienced when the sun is shining, there is also plenty of shade and retractable roofing, plus the whole indoor restaurant to keep cool in.

Sushisamba (Heron Tower)

There’s no shortage of rooftop bars in the City of London, but none that can quite top Sushisamba – it’s 39th floor outdoor terrace is the highest in Europe. The main indoor restaurant has stunning views through its tall floor-to-ceiling windows, but the outdoor terrace is the place to be on a sunny London evening, looking down on the city below.

The restaurant offers a blend of Japanese and South American flavours, and this extends to the drinks list, too: the bar’s Signature Serves include the ‘Samba Sour’ – pisco, maraschino liqueur and turmeric, with Japanese citrus and egg whites – and the wasabi margarita, made from wasabi-infused tequila, lime juice and agave. On the food menu, you’ll find fresh sushi of course, plus ceviche, salads, and seafood cooked on the Japanese robata grill. There’s usually a loud, party atmosphere at Sushisamba, with regular DJs, live music and even samba dancers, so it’s better suited to celebrations and larger groups rather than quiet catch ups or family gatherings.

Queen Elizabeth Park roof garden

If you’re looking for a child-friendly rooftop bar in London, look no further than the roof garden at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on Southbank. The garden, originally a partnership with the Eden Project, is home to over 200 wild native plants and has the feeling of a secret garden with quiet, hidden corners and a luscious lawn to stretch out on. Although there’s a bar and café for refreshments, it’s not an experience totally dominated by alcohol so it’s a great choice for families.

If you are indulging, however, there’s a menu of beers, wines and even a few summery cocktails from the Gin Garden bar – highlights include the ‘Southbank Iced Tea’, a refreshing blend of gin, chamomile tea, lemon juice, and honey; and the signature ‘Purple Haze’, which combines gin, lime juice, soda and a rosemary syrup made using rosemary grown on the roof garden. Located right on the Thames, the views are very special indeed, despite not being particularly high up, with the London Eye and Big Ben to the left and St Paul’s Cathedral to the right. Due to its very open nature, the roof garden is only open in spring and summer so do check it’s open before making a special journey.

Frank’s Cafe

Frank’s Café is one of the best rooftop bars in south London, if not the whole city. First opened in 2009, the bar is located atop a multi-story car park in Peckham and has sweeping views of the city’s skyscrapers and beyond from its concrete perch. Not the most likely of success stories you might imagine but witness the queues that snake around the ramps leading up to the top level each summer and it’s clear that Frank’s is one of the hottest spots around.

Run by Frank Boxer, the drinks list leans towards classic summer cocktails such as a negroni, margarita, piña colada and a wonderful frozen paloma. The food menu keeps it simple and seasonal: think grilled chicken wings with pesto Calabrese lamb breast kebab; and fried plantain with house hot sauce. It’s fairly open to the elements, though the bar is covered if you’re in need of shelter from the rain or sun. For this reason, Frank’s is another rooftop bar that’s only open during the warmer months, so check online for the latest information.

The Aviary

There are several London hotels with rooftop bars in the capital and one of the best can be found on the 10th floor of the Montcalm Hotel, located on Finsbury Square. Called The Aviary, the bar and restaurant has plenty of outdoor space and is regularly packed with after-work drinkers from the nearby City offices, creating a lively atmosphere. Being at a five-star hotel of course means that prices are a little higher, but the classy décor and sweeping views of the skyline are worth the splurge.

On the drinks menu, there’s a big selection of gin and tonics, classic cocktails and signature serves. To accompany, there’s bar-friendly small plates such as sliders, crispy squid and steak tartare. The Aviary is at its best in the summer, but the indoor restaurant is open all year round and there’s also the option of heated pop-up igloos on the outdoor terrace in the colder months, too.

Wagtail

Located at the top of a beautiful 1920s building next to Monument, Wagtail features a ninth floor indoor restaurant and a 10th floor outdoor rooftop terrace. It brings you near enough eye-level with the top of the Monument column, plus views looking out to the Thames and the Shard.

There’s a touch of class to Wagtail – plush sofa-style seating, low marble tables, and a lovely tiled central bar create an elegant feel that’s a cut above the wooden benches and deckchairs you’ll find at other spots. In keeping with this, the drinks list (alongside cocktails) features a big selection of scotch and Japanese whisky, cognac, champagne, fine wines and even a range of cigars. The food menu is geared towards casual outdoor snacking, with sliders, charcuterie boards and and small plates such as porcini mushroom arancini or buttermilk fried chicken.

Boundary Rooftop

The Boundary Rooftop is undoubtedly one of the most stylish rooftop bars in London – no surprise when you learn that the Boundary hotel that it sits atop was founded by the late Sir Terrance Conran. Opened in 2008 in the heart of Shoreditch, the Boundary Rooftop has become a firm favourite in east London over the years.

On the outdoor portion of the terrace, there’s smart wooden decking, plush sofas and chairs, an open log fire, and two beautiful old olive trees. And for year-round rooftop action, there’s also the glass orangery where you can keep cosy and dry while still enjoying the spectacular east London views. Cocktails include a dedicated spritz menu and original creations such as the ‘Powerpuff Girls’ with pink gin, Briottet litchi, raspberry, lime and lychee. To eat, there’s Mediterranean-inspired dishes like charcoal-grilled fish, fresh salads, and charcuterie in summer; and cheese fondue, raclette, and hot cocktails in the winter.

The Rooftop at The Standard

If you’re looking for a rooftop bar in north London, take the iconic red lift to the 11th floor of The Standard hotel in King’s Cross. In keeping with the hotel’s party reputation, here you’ll find a lively rooftop bar, decked out with artificial grass and bright-yellow furniture, plus a summer-long programme of live DJs, music and performances.

Cocktails on tap mean you won’t be queuing at the bar for long to try the likes of the ‘Sakura Spritz’, made with rosé vermouth, elderflower and hibiscus, and the ‘Spicy Tommy’s margarita’. Food comes in the form of pizza by the slice or whole 16″ pie from the rooftop pizza truck. Aside from a few umbrellas, the terrace is completely open to the elements, meaning that it’s only open during spring and summer – and even in these months, if it’s too windy or raining, the terrace will be closed so make sure you keep an eye on the weather if you’re planning a trip. On the plus side, when the sun is shining, you’ll be rewarded with glorious uninterrupted views.

The Nest

There aren’t many rooftop bars in central London to choose from, but it doesn’t get much more central than The Nest. Located just north of Oxford Circus on the 16th floor of the Treehouse Hotel, this is one of the best terraces for views in all of London. From its central location, the wraparound terrace offers views in every direction, from the London eye and city skyscrapers to the south, to Hampstead and Primrose Hill in the north. There are even telescopes on the terrace allowing you zoom in to the sights (or try to spot your house).

The decor runs with the treehouse theme, with exposed woodwork beams, wooden furniture, and green foliage covering the walls and ceilings. Drinks are inspired by seasonal British herbs and botanicals, underpinned by a sustainable zero-waste approach. For summer 2025, cocktails include ‘The Gooseberry Fool’ with aperitivo spritz, Tree House gin, gooseberry juice, hopped syrup and Silver Reign sparkling wine. On the food menu, you’ll find British charcuterie boards, burgers, and crispy pork belly bao.

Hotel Amano Covent Garden

The unique menu at the bar on the seventh floor of Hotel Amano in Covent Garden combines Israeli and Spanish influences. Graze on Iberico ham, ox cheek croquettes, potato churros with whipped cod’s roe or aubergine crostini with green labneh. Signature cocktails like ‘Butterfly’ (Sauvelle vodka infused Blue Butterfly, lychee liqueur, lemongrass syrup, lemon uuice) ensure an interesting drink choice.

One entire wall is a colourful floral display while seats facing outwards give a view of the city’s rooftops and landmarks such as the London Eye, prettier when lit up at night. A handy awning ensures you’ll stay dry if there’s a light shower or move inside to comfy booth seating, where at weekends there’s a DJ.

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