Best Rooftop Bars in London

The best rooftop bar in London for a particular kind of view: Madison sits atop One New Change directly across from St Paul's Cathedral, and the positioning is close enough to feel genuinely intimate with Wren's dome. The cocktail list is solid and the staff handle summer crowds well.

Atop the ME London hotel on the Strand, Radio Rooftop commands panoramic views from the South Bank to the City. The design is genuinely considered: angled seating faces the view, the cocktail menu rotates seasonally, and the service maintains hotel-bar standards.

On the 32nd floor of the Shard, Oblix is London's most ambitious rooftop venue. The views extend for 40 miles on a clear day, the food matches the setting, and the cocktails justify the prices. Reserve months ahead for weekend evenings in summer.

Centre Point's rooftop bar has the advantage of a genuine 360-degree view across central London. The cocktails are accomplished, the space is thoughtfully heated for year-round use, and the crowd is notably less tourist-heavy than comparable venues.

A seasonal rooftop bar atop a Peckham car park, Frank's Cafe operates May to September and generates more anticipation than any permanent bar in London. The view south across the city is unlike any other, and the natural wine list is genuinely excellent.

Two floors below Oblix in the Shard, Aqua is the more accessible option without sacrificing the view. The cocktail list skews Asian-influenced, the staff are attentive, and the combination of altitude and afternoon light is hard to beat anywhere in London.

Atop The Hoxton Southwark, Seabird combines a seafood restaurant with one of London's most pleasant outdoor bars. The view south over Borough Market and east toward the Thames is distinctive, and the oyster programme on the bar menu is the best reason to visit early.

The rooftop bar at Montcalm Royal London House occupies a unique position above the Old Street roundabout, with views north across Shoreditch and east toward Hackney. A strong cocktail list and a more affordable price point than comparable hotel rooftops.

A more intimate rooftop offering in Nova Victoria, Pitt Cue's roof garden is best during summer evenings when the post-work crowd moves upstairs. The smoked cocktails are a signature; the views south toward Battersea are underappreciated.

The seasonal rooftop bar above Selfridges on Oxford Street is a genuine respite from the shopping floors below. The cocktails run to 30 options, the design changes each season, and the crowd is notably more relaxed than the store's daytime visitors.

At the top of 20 Fenchurch Street, Sky Garden is a publicly accessible rooftop garden with bars, restaurants, and the most extraordinary free-admission view in London. Book online (free) and arrive early to secure a bar seat before the post-work crowds arrive.

A seasonal rooftop bar in London Fields that attracts east London's creative community every summer. The DJ programme is strong, the natural wine list is excellent, and the view north across the rooftops of Hackney is the most authentically local perspective on the city available.