When it comes to quintessential London experiences, soaking up the city from above is a must. There’s something magical about seeing iconic landmarks in miniature, spread out beneath you, as you take it all in from above. For me, those moments are even better when paired with blue skies, sunshine, and a perfectly mixed cocktail.
London is home to countless rooftop bars offering incredible views, each with a unique perspective of the city’s skyline. Whether you fancy an espresso martini by the River Thames, a daiquiri next to St Paul’s Cathedral, or a margarita overlooking Peckham, this guide will help you pick the perfect spot to enjoy summer in the city.
When visiting London, the last thing you want is the stress of battling heavy traffic or wasting time hunting for a parking spot. I always opt to travel to the city by train. It’s so much more convenient. In a rush? You can hop on and off at various central stations, making it easy to get around. Or if you have a leisurely day planned, you can enjoy discovering the city on foot.
Madison
Visit for: An upmarket experience and unbeatable views of St Paul’s Cathedral
Nearest Thameslink station: 10-minute walk from City Thameslink Station
If you’re after a classy rooftop experience in London, Madison ticks all the boxes. It’s a stylish spot that’s ideal for date nights, celebrations or simply soaking up the city skyline in style. One of the best parts? The journey up to the rooftop. The glass lift at One New Change whisks you to the sixth floor, offering a picture-perfect view of St Paul’s Cathedral as you ascend. On my last visit, several people were videoing the experience – it’s that special!
Once at the top, you have several options to choose from. If you’re hungry, take a seat in the sleek glass-fronted restaurant or out on the sunny terrace. Fancy a drink? There’s a large outdoor bar area. Or, if you simply want to bask in the views, you can wander along the wraparound rooftop area for free. Yes, 100% free! Every option boasts incredible views of St Paul’s Cathedral.
I opted for a table in the restaurant and browsed a tempting menu of salads, pastas, steaks and seafood. I chose a zingy tropical cocktail with flavours of lime and pineapple, along with a delicious teriyaki sea bass with a miso tomato salad, samphire and nori. Fresh flavours, summer vibes, and one of the best views in London. All in all, it was a winning combination.
Before leaving, I took a stroll along the free public terrace for a closer look at St Paul’s. This is a brilliant spot for photos, so don’t forget your camera.
London Bridge Rooftop Bar
Visit for: Casual vibes and views of The Shard and Southwark Cathedral
Nearest Thameslink station: 3-minute walk from London Bridge Station
If you’re after a laid-back, affordable rooftop spot to catch up with friends, London Bridge Rooftop Bar is one of my top picks. Moments from London Bridge Station, this hidden gem offers brilliant views of The Shard and Southwark Cathedral, all in a fun and unpretentious setting.
The route to reach this bar is pretty unprepossessing, but don’t be put off. You’ll climb six floors in a stairwell, wondering what awaits. At the top, you’ll emerge (slightly breathless!) onto a buzzing rooftop terrace decked out with picnic tables, strings of festoon lights, and open sides that frame the skyline perfectly. It’s somewhere you’ll be glad I told you about, as you’d never stumble across it by chance!
With space for up to 250 people, it’s a lively spot at peak times. However, when I visited on a Tuesday afternoon in the summer holidays, there were just a handful of tables occupied, mostly by a cool crowd of twenty and thirtysomethings.
Most cocktails are an affordable £12.50, and they’re really tasty. I loved the LBC (London Bridge Colada), a tropical fusion of piña colada and passionfruit martini that’s dangerously drinkable. The negroni sour was another favourite, blending that classic bitter kick with a frothy and zesty twist.
The View from the Shard
Visit for: The highest view in London
Nearest Thameslink station: 1-minute walk from London Bridge Station
I couldn’t tell you about the best rooftop views in London and not mention this icon of the London skyline. Soaring to 310 metres, The Shard is the tallest building in the UK, and the views from the top are nothing short of spectacular.
The indoor viewing platforms on levels 68 and 69 offer panoramic, floor-to-ceiling views across the capital. However, I’d recommend taking the stairs up to level 72. This is where you hit the open air, for an even more sensory experience. Also, to put things into perspective, most London rooftop bars sit between 6-12 floors up, so to when you reach the dizzy heights of The Shard’s level 72, you’ll be on top of the world!
I felt like I was looking down on a little model of London, as I spotted tiny trains snaking through London Bridge Station, boats cruising along the River Thames and famous London sights such as the Tower of London and the London Eye . On a clear day, you can see a vast distance, including to the arch of Wembley Stadium, the towers of Battersea Power Station and Greenwich Observatory.
While this isn’t somewhere I’d choose for a rooftop drink (although there is a bar) it’s an amazing activity to add to a day of rooftop hopping. I’ve been during the day and again at night, and can say that both visits felt like completely different experiences. Daytimes offer great visibility to pick out all of the landmarks, while nighttime transforms the skyline into a glittering sea of lights.
12th Knot, Sea Containers
Visit for: Breathtaking views over the River Thames
Nearest Thameslink station: 9-minute walk from London Bridge Station
Head up to the 12th floor of Sea Containers, a riverside five-star hotel, and you’ll find a stylish cocktail bar with plush velvet seats and impressive lighting design. The highlight here is the slender outdoor terrace that offers breathtaking views of the river.
This isn’t somewhere for a rowdy group night out. It’s an elegant and sophisticated spot, for a fancy cocktail or two. It’s open from late afternoon ‘til late, so you can enjoy sunsets and magical twinkly lights with your drinks. As with any five-star London hotel, prices are on the steep side, but the setting more than justifies the price tag.
Specialities include the Green Light cocktail, a photogenic (and almost neon) concoction of cachaca, Midori, kiwi and lime, frothed up with egg white. Meanwhile, the lychee moon mixes vodka, watermelon and citrus for a vibrant long drink. There are some tasty mocktail options too, with the hibiscus haze my favourite. It was floral, zingy, and topped with ginger ale for a spicy kick.
If you’re feeling peckish, the menu of elegant sharing plates is well worth exploring. We sampled the beef tartare cornets and the seabass ceviche tacos. Both were as photogenic as they were tasty… I didn’t know whether to snap photos or devour them in one!
Bussey Rooftop Bar, Peckham
Visit for: Urban South London views and laid-back vibes
Nearest Thameslink station: 4-minute walk from Peckham Rye Station
Perched on top of the iconic Bussey Building, this rooftop bar offers a fun and relaxed alternative to Central London’s sky-high spots. You’ll find colourful bunting and sprawling views stretching from The Shard to Battersea Power Station. If you like your bars a bit grittier and cooler, this one is ideal. It has a cool, creative and unpretentious vibe.
Photo credit © Bussey Rooftop Bar
The cocktail menu is full of crowd-pleasers. Think passionfruit mojitos, espresso martinis, and zingy pineapple margaritas. Plus, this spot if renowned for its stone baked Neapolitan pizzas. They’re the ideal accompaniment to cheeky sundowner, as you watch the last golden rays of the day.
Photo credit © Bussey Rooftop Bar
Bussey Rooftop Bar has a great atmosphere in the evenings, too. With live DJs on Friday and Saturday nights and lots of pretty lights twinkling overhead, there’s a real sense of Peckham magic in the air.
Photo credit © Bussey Rooftop Bar
This bar is a lot more reasonable than most rooftop bars in London. There’s even a happy hour deal between 5-7pm from Sunday to Thursday, so you’ll have an incentive to pop by for after work drinks!
Tips For Visiting London’s Rooftop Bars
- Book in advance: Many of these fill up fast, especially on weekends and in peak summer. Always book if possible. You might also be able to request specific tables with the best views.
- Plan your travel: Consider booking train tickets via the Thameslink website in advance. There are lots of great deals available. If you’re travelling in a group of 3-9 adults, GroupSave tickets give you a 1/3 discount on off-peak travel.
- Research menus before booking: Prices vary a lot across these rooftop bars. Pick one that aligns with your budget.
- Time it right: For some of the most magical views, book for golden hour so you can enjoy the sunset with a drink. You’ll also get to see the twinkly lights shortly after.
- Keep an eye on the weather forecast: All of these recommendations have areas under cover, but some sections are open to the elements. You might need to bring a layer or two if it’s chilly.
- Find out the dress code: The high-end options on this list have dress codes, such as no sportswear. Take a look at the websites when you’re booking so as not to be turned away on the day.
About the author
Chloe Gunning-Sherifi - Award-winning content creator and travel blogger.
With a passion for food, fun and adventure, Chloe is the content creator behind the award-winning travel blog Wanderlust Chloe. From volcano boarding in Nicaragua, to sailing around Sicily and feasting in Japan, her travels have taken her to some of the coolest spots on the planet. She’s hugely passionate about sharing places closer to home too, using the train network to explore destinations around the UK.