Can you think of anything better than sitting on a rooftop bar in the warm London afternoon sun while sipping on a mojito? I definitely can’t! While we have this amazing and extremely rare warm weather in London at the moment (I hear it’s expected to last another month), we should definitely make the most of it. It would almost be criminal not to! So what better excuse to meet up with your pals on a warm Friday afternoon and head to a trendy rooftop bar with festoon lighting for a couple of cocktails and maybe even a cheeky boogie! Here are 9 of the best London rooftop bars to check out while it’s still warm where you can enjoy delicious drinks and a buzzing atmosphere with the gorgeous London skyline as a backdrop.
Frank’s Café, located in Peckham, is open for business every summer and will quickly become one of your go-to spots for a drink with a view this summer. With a rather edgy location on top on a multi-story carpark and an extremely instagrammable pink staircase (did you even go to Frank’s if you didn’t Instagram the bubblegum pink starewell?!) this trendy and urban rooftop bar is extremely popular amongst the locals. Serving a huge range of restaurant-quality food and tasty drinks, this lively bar is the perfect place to meet your mates for some light food or a few drinks after work or on the weekend. To be Frank, it is a true South London gem.
On the other end of the fancy spectrum, you have The Rumpus Room which is located on the riverside in central London and has spectacular views of London’s monuments such as St Paul’s Cathedral. If you are looking for somewhere to celebrate a birthday or just fancy a one-off swanky evening out where you can wear your glad rags, make a booking at The Rumpus Room for an unforgettable evening. Unfortunately, this rooftop bar does have a 21+ plus policy to keep it super exclusive and #classy. So if you’re of age, are you ready to make a Rumpus?
Bar Elba is a super trendy rooftop bar based in Waterloo with a laid-back and chilled atmosphere. As it can get extremely busy during the evenings, it is best to book a table to avoid a 2 hour wait. Aim to go for happy hour which is weekdays from 4pm-6pm or weekends between 12pm and 1pm or 4pm and 6pm for 2 for 1 cocktails and enjoy the afternoon sun!
Most famously known as being a rooftop cinema as part of the Rooftop Film Club, the Bussey building rooftop is also home to Bussey’s Rooftop Bar which offers stunning 360 degree views of London and sunset drenched al fresco drinking. Conveniently located close to Peckham Rye train station, the Bussey Rooftop Bar is free entry and has a delicious range of ice cold ales or sweet fruity cocktails to enjoy in the evening sun.
If you are looking for a rooftop bar where you can have chilled drinks outside but also the option of a buzzing club night, you’ll find the best of both worlds at Brixton’s Price of Wales. A huge multi-storey half pub half club, the Prince of Wales has enough rooms with different types of music to suit everyone. However, the roof terrace is where the real party is. Featuring a Rum Shack which serves flavoursome cocktails and a DJ playing until 3am on the weekends, the Price of Wales rooftop is the perfect place to come and enjoy the London sunset in the heart of Brixton.
Another one for those of you looking for a more swanky night out is The Rooftop at The Trafalgar St. James which offers impeccable sunset views of the London skyline. Although the drinks are expensive at around £15 per cocktail, the whole experience of The Rooftop is well worth the splurge. Serving hand crafted cocktails and award worthy food, this rooftop bar is the ultimate destination for those of you looking for an exclusive-feeling and ultra special evening out.
A rooftop bar with a twist, The Culpepper Rooftop has recently been renovated and is now an interesting bar/veggie garden hybrid. I know, it sounds a bit nuts. But the rooftop now features mint patches, tomato vines and cucumbers which are all used to help create the delicious drinks and food on the menu. So it kind of makes sense, right? A tranquil hidden garden just a stones throw away from the towering skyscrapers of London make this rooftop bar utterly unmissable this Summer.
One of London’s most famous and hyped rooftop bars, this sky high bar is located on the 10th floor of the ME London hotel. Again, this rooftop bar is probably best for a one-off treat rather than an every Friday after work drink (unless you’re prepared to splash the cash!) as the food and drinks are spenny. However, the drinks are delicious and it does feel very exclusive, making it the perfect place to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or just life in general. We all have to treat ourselves sometimes!
If you live in East London and don’t have it in you to face the central London Friday night hustle and bustle, then head to Netil360 AKA the hipster’s choice of rooftop bar. Much more relaxed than the central London alternatives, this rooftop bar offers 360 degree views of East London with central London in the distance and decently prices drinks, but, to be honest, most people head to this rooftop gem for the chilled vibes and spectacular views rather than the beverages. Be warned, however, as there are 9 flights of stairs to be climbed before you reach the top, but it is definitely worth the climb! Anyone else almost start singing Miley Cyrus there?
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