With London inching closer and closer to normality with vaccinations underway and pandemic restrictions loosening, one thing we can enjoy is the city’s outdoor spaces of bars and restaurants. Including rooftop bars! AT LONG LAST!
With the sun shining over London this summer, rooftop bars have been booked up to the max. And who can blame anyone? What could possibly be better than winding down from a day of WFH, or in the office or at work, with a cocktail (or a mocktail) and a gorgeous view of London’s skyline at sunset? Itching to make some plans? These are our picks for the best rooftop bars in London!
Bussey Rooftop Bar
Location: Peckham
Looking for a good date spot, or somewhere to catch up with friends? Why not try this tropical oasis? Yes, it’s quite a way up some stairs, but we promise the views are worth it! With music loud enough to create good vibes, cute floral décor on the trellises above and tasty drinks and food to enjoy, this is a perfect venue for your sunset moment!
Franks Cafe Rooftop Bar
Location: Peckham
Another rooftop in Peckham you say? That’s because the perks of seeing the gorgeous London skyline from the southeast is worth so much, it demands more than one option! Set up in an old car park, this industrial, minimalist bar is a perfect spot for a pint with friends or a casual yet romantic date, with the backdrop of a gorgeous sunset.
Netil360 Rooftop Bar
Location: Hackney
This eco-friendly terrace, which uses all biodegradable, plant-based packaging, is a perfect spot to catch the sunset over the city in the popular east London area of Hackney, all while being good for the environment about it!
Queen of Hoxton Rooftop
Location: Shoreditch
This classic Shoreditch hotspot is exactly what you need if you’re looking for a sunny spot in and amongst the concrete jungle, where you can nab yourself a delicious cocktail and soak up the energetic vibes of Shoreditch’s hustle and bustle.
Savage Garden London
Location: London Bridge
This hangout on the 12th floor near the Tower of London is London’s latest spectacular rooftop you must see. A sultry hangout for the ideal date.
Bar Elba
Location: Waterloo
Bar Elba offers stunning views of the city skyline, including a clear view of the iconic London Eye. The bar takes its name from the Mediterranean island of Elba, where Napoleon Bonaparte was famously exiled. Swit-swoooo.
Golden Bee
Location: Old Street
Golden Bee is a rooftop bar located in the heart of Shoreditch. Situated on Old Street, Golden Bee offers a stylish and sophisticated setting with panoramic views of the city skyline. The bar boasts a chic and contemporary design, featuring a spacious indoor area as well as a rooftop terrace. To add, the rooftop is heated too, (can’t always rely on that UK weather).
Roof East
Location: Stratford
Roof East is a unique one. Firstly, it’s absolutely huge. It sits on the top of the old shopping centre in Stratford so has a huge rooftop area including an outdoor cinema area, bars, deck chair, giant jenga, batting catches, and more. The versatile space that transforms with each season, featuring different themes and activities throughout the year is a must on a hot day. The venue hosts a variety of events, including outdoor film screenings, live music performances, fitness classes, and immersive experiences. From rooftop yoga sessions to rooftop cinema nights, there’s always something happening to cater to different interests and preferences.
Union Social at the Gantry
Location: Stratford
Okay, if you’re trying to be all fancy and want to come across like a together person (lol, catfish)… then this is the one to take your date to (for East London gals anyways). Union Social is one of the fanciest rooftop bars in East London. It’s situated on the first floor of The Gantry Hotel and you can expect DJ sets, amazing cocktails, and lovely food too.
10 Degrees Sky Bar
Location: Mayfair
This is another sneaky bar hiding in a hotel, London Hilton on Park Lane infact. Great views, amazing cocktails and super central if you’re on a date uptown, then this is the one for you.
The Cross
Location: Kings Cross
Check out this lovely roof terrace that has been under our very noses all of this time (or over our heads should we say… Dad Jokes anyone). Plus you can grab Mediterranean small plates and epic cocktails.
Have we missed any? Likely! Don’t be selfish, share your date spots with fellow queers by commenting below and we’ll make sure it’s added to the list.
If you don’t have a date yet, why not pop over to our piece on the best dating apps for queer women? Let’s see if we can change that…
Team Nonchalant x
Last Updated on 25th May 2023 by Nonchalant Magazine
Lauren is a writer and editor based in Peckham, covering all things queer culture, books, travel, arts and lifestyle, fashion and creativity. She is also a features editor at New Statesman Media Group, writing on sustainability, cities and tech. She most recently had a chapter on Reykjavik published in an LGBTQ+ travel book published by Rough Guides.
