When the sun shines and the air is warm, head to these London rooftop bars with great views.
Frank’s Café
Now a south London summer staple, Frank’s is one of London’s bigger rooftop bars. The top of an old multi-storey car park in Peckham is a place to gather for spritz, sunsets and city vistas. As the name suggests, they serve food, including brunch at the weekends. Dogs and kids are welcome, and it’s a friendly crowd, but it does get pretty busy.
Dates: 30th May–21st September
Where: Peckham
Link: Frank’s Café website
Queen Elizabeth Hall Rooftop
There is no shortage of alfresco drinking spots along the South Bank, but for a garden with actual grass, head up to the Queen Elizabeth Hall Rooftop. It’s smaller than the big terrace outside the Southbank Centre, but it’s higher up and filled with wildflowers thanks to the volunteers at Grounded EcoTherapy. There is a bar and small café, but you can take your own food up too.
Dates: 4th April–27th October
Where: South Bank
Bar Elba
Fairy lights and frosé flow freely on this Waterloo rooftop, which is open year round (it’s covered and heated in the winter). There is a happy hour seven days a week, at different times. Booking a table in advance is encouraged because things get rather busy with punters feeling the not-so bonafide Napoleon Bonaparte vibes.
Dates: Every day, year round
Where: Waterloo
Netil 360
London Fields’ Netil House is a coworking space as well, but it’s the roof garden with panoramic city views that is the real draw on a summer’s eve. The venue serves cocktails, beer, wine and street food. If you go early doors, you can do yoga with an amazing view. Well-behaved dogs are allowed too, apparently.
Dates: April–December
Where: Hackney/London Fields
Queen of Hoxton
This east London rooftop bar is open twice a year, with different themes. Last winter, it was a Parisian-inspired, Moulin Rouge–tinged bar, Lady Celeste theme. But this Summer, the rooftop takes its inspiration from San Cristóbal, Mexico for frozen margaritas, tacos, tequila and even a Lucha Libre wrestling ring. It also hosts Rooftop Film Club, showing cult classics and popcorn faves including Top Gun, The Greatest Showman and A Star Is Born.
Dates: 2nd May–October
For more ideas on where to catch a nice sunset, check out our Cheap and Free Views of London article.
