What better way to take in London’s iconic landmarks than with a glass of something refreshing in hand on a rooftop bar? With panoramic views of the cityscape, the UK capital’s best rooftop bars allow you to drink it all in, in more ways than one. And, as the city’s vertical reach has expanded in recent years, so has the number of and thirst for rooftop bars. Here’s our pick of the best rooftop bars in London for those long summer nights that never seem to end.
12th Knot
Sitting atop the Sea Containers London hotel (also home to the revered Lyaness bar), 12th Knot is a vibey rooftop bar and terrace right on the South Bank, with riverside views taking in many of London’s most iconic landmarks. DJs keep the energy up on the weekend, while the food – think tacos, sliders and dips – is meant for grazing and sharing. The outdoor terrace closes at 10pm, but 12th Knot feels like the perfect place to kick off the night rather than finish it, with the West End just a short walk away.
Photo credit: Anton Rodriguez
Brooklands
Chef Claude Bosi’s two-Michelin-star restaurant atop The Peninsula hotel is a well-oiled fine-dining machine, but did you know it also has a roof terrace where you can enjoy drinks overlooking the bustle of Hyde Park Corner? Signature aviation and motorsport-themed cocktails (in fact, you’ll see lots of rare memorabilia from both worlds adorning the walls and ceilings of the restaurant – the owner’s a fan) have a culinary edge with ingredients like burnt butter tequila and dill vodka. The bar snacks, it goes without saying, are not simply for show.
Coq d'Argent
A haunt of City types (located, as it is, just around the corner from the Bank of England, at the amusingly named ‘No. 1 Poultry’), the grass-lined roof of this restaurant and bar is the perfect place to sip drinks whilst watching the wheels of British financial institutions being oiled. A menu of classic French dishes complements the English garden-party atmosphere that is sure to ramp up when the big screens come out for the 2026 World Cup.
Frank’s Cafe
Peckham institution Frank’s, which sits atop a repurposed multi-storey car park, has been attracting a young, fun crowd during the summer months since opening in 2009. Cocktails veer towards classic crowdpleasers, with nods to locality like a Negroni made with South London vermouth, and frozen options for the hotter days, while the food offer includes global plates like aubergine parmigiana, a chicken schnitzel sandwich and plantain with hot sauce for a lighter bite. Expect site-specific sculptures and permanent artworks on the roof by arts organisation Bold Tendencies, who run the space, and spectacular views of the London skyline.
Photo courtesy Frank's Cafe
Freight Brixton
This enormous new rooftop venue and ‘community hub’ claims to have space for up to 1000 standing revellers, meaning this is not particularly the place for quiet after-work drinks. But if you’re up for a party, Freight has everything you need, including multiple bars and food options, including pizza and flame-grilled steaks to keep you going, live sport (you can also watch the World Cup here) and a host of live music and DJ-led events. A new one-stop shop for fun in the sun.
Photo credit: Khali Ackford
Madison
Though distinctly London in its outlook, positioned on the rooftop of One New Change in the heart of the City, overlooking St Paul’s Cathedral, Madison is inspired by the dining culture of another great world city: New York. That means pasta alla vodka, numerous steaks, and mac and cheese on the dinner menu, while an extensive brunch menu, including a grilled half lobster, doesn’t hold back. Alongside the signature cocktails, there is also a ‘functional’ drinks list of non-alcoholic concoctions for those who want to party (or watch the World Cup) without the hangover.
The Standard
The Standard hotel has a gorgeous vista from its roof terrace, taking in the ever-busy Kings Cross-St Pancras area, with the imposing neo-gothic clocktower of the former Midland Grand hotel (where the Wannabee video was filmed, Spice Girls fans) in your eyeline. Like in the rest of the hotel, things aren’t taken too seriously up on the roof, with colourful furniture, AstroTurf, cocktails on tap and hot dogs to keep you satiated. And with a huge clock never far from sight, you can ensure you never miss the last train (unless you want to, of course).
