The MOST GORGEOUS Rooftop Bars To Visit In London
London is a heaven when it comes to rooftop bars to visit with your friends, so if you’re looking for the most gorgeous places to have a few alfresco drinks, take in the views and maybe even enjoy some food, we’ve got you!
We’ve put together a list of the top 8 here JUST for you, with a variety across the city you’ll sure be close to a good time no matter where you’re living.
With this summer weather cracking the flags what better way to spend your free time from university?!
Here we go, in no particular order the best London rooftop bars you need to visit with your besties in 2023…
1. Bar Elba
Bar Elba is a cocktails and wine rooftop bar in Waterloo, just a 2-minute walk from the tube station.
So, if you’re after a venue to enjoy the sun and bring in heaps of good vibes, this is the place.
This Napoleon-themed bar offers Mediterranean-themed cocktails like Lunar Springs and Pink Flamingo as well as tasty foods like burgers, tacos and hot dogs.
You can listen to some live music on the rooftop whilst enjoying some 2 for 1 cocktail between 5pm-7pm and take in the views of the London skyline.
Or better yet, experience an event like their rooftop cinema sessions, Ibiza themed bottomless brunches or stand-up comedy nights.
There’s so much going on at Bar Elba, so leave your student accommodation in London and go see for yourself!
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Address: Rooftop Mercury House, 109-117 Waterloo Rd, London SE1 8UL
2. Pergola Paddington
Pergola Paddington is an alfresco garden and rooftop bar located in yep you guessed it, Paddington.
Spread across two floors with 4 restaurants, two bars and an 850-person capacity, it’s not one to be missed this summer.
No matter the weather it’s a great place to visit with your pals.
If it’s cracking the flags then relish in the sunshine in their outdoor seating area or if the weather isn’t so great, then head to their covered terrace area or relax inside on their large benches.
The bar’s current theme for this summer is Pergola Paraíso, a Tulum-inspired beach club. So, you can enjoy Mexican themed tequila cocktails and foods like tacos and burgers – mmm.
You can even order straight to your table, so you can focus on dancing to DJs playing only the best tunes!
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Address: 4 Kingdom St, London W2 6PY
3. Queen of Hoxton
Queen of Hoxton is a bar, club and rooftop in Shoreditch, East London.
Spread across three-story’s this vibrant venue has one of the best rooftop bars in the capital.
Their 300-capacity rooftop is renowned for seasonal events, with this summer being their new ‘Little Barcelona’ theme.
Enjoy an amazing cocktail menu with bevvs like Love at First Bite and Hot Mess, take in the panoramic views of the city and listen to some live music.
If you get hungry, take a peek at their Spanish-themed menu for tasty dishes like spicy patatas bravas and cripsy halloumi fries.
Why not experience their Drag and Waffle bottomless brunch with your pals? There really is SO much going on here and it makes the ultimate Insta pictures.
Don’t worry, you can spend all night long on the rooftop with their fireplaces and heaters – it’s such a fun place to grab drinks with friends!
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Address: 1 Curtain Rd, London EC2A 3JX
4. Big Chill, Kings Cross
Big Chill is a bar and club situated in the heart of London’s King’s Cross.
With 3 floors of fun to explore and a roof terrace with private areas, a bar and roof (knowing the UK weather, that’ll come in handy).
This Big Chill Festival themed venue is an ideal place to visit for a few drinks if you’re hopping off a train at King’s Cross St Pancras, being just a 10-minute walk away.
The atmosphere on the outdoor terrace is just great, despite being smaller than most rooftop spaces their variety of drinks, yummy food from Chuck Burger and resident DJs makes up for it.
Enjoy some refreshing cocktails or London craft Beers and have a catch up with your pals whilst soaking up the summer rays!
Don’t worry, you can still visit during the winter months with their cosy booths.
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Address: 257-259 Pentonville Rd, London N1 9NL
5. Bussey Rooftop Bar
You’ll find Bussey Rooftop Bar in Peckham, South London and it’s for sure worth a mooch.
They’re located just a two-minute walk from Peckham Rye station so it’s easily accessible!
With 360 views of the London skyline this place is the absolute best to watch the sunset during a summer evening, and they even have heaters and blankets for when it gets chilly out – how cute!
Chat with your mates and sip on their 2-4-1 cocktails during happy hour like Dirty Mojito and Roof Juice.
Then scran their delicious pizzas from Share A Slice with great options for meat lovers and veggie’s – you’ve gotta try the Deep Fried Burrata!
Did we mention, they also do cinema nights and comedy events too? You need to go and see this rooftop bar for yourself.
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Address: Roof B, Bussey Building, 133 Rye Ln, London SE15 4ST
6. Netil360
Netil360 has one of the most chill rooftop bars in London, located in the borough of Hackney.
Laid-back vibes are the motive here, with table service to your table of choice from picnic benches, floor tables, and artificial grass for you to sit on and take in the panoramic views.
Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and choose from their varied menu of craft beers from Five Points Brewery or spirits from East London Liquor Company.
If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, then enjoy some cocktails – they even have Aperol Spritz on tap!
When it comes to food, they serve dim sum and bao as well as partnering with local restaurants who will deliver your order to the rooftop – wow!
The rooftop is open all year round, so no matter the weather you can hang out with your mates, or boogie along to their regular live DJs.
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Address: 1 Westgate St, London E8 3RL
7. Roof East
When it comes to London rooftop bars, Roof East is legendary.
This vibrant venue is situated in a multi-storey car park in the centre of Stratford, next to Stratford International Station and Westfield Shopping Centre.
Not only does this open-air rooftop bar offer amazing views of the city, but it’s also a heaven for students and adults alike.
It’s described as an adult playground with tons of interactive games to play like a crazy golf course, ping pong, giant Jenga and neon-lit bowls to name a few. So, you can get competitive with your mates.
They also have a variety of street food vendors and bars available if you just want to sit and relax.
Choose from wine, craft beers, cocktails and mocktails or peng food from Naughty Burger, Raastawala, Piddaji and Treats Club – yummy!
They’re open April-December so send a message to your group chat and get yourself down to see what it’s all about.
Summer has never been better!
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Address: 7 & 8 Stratford Multi Storey Car Park, Great Eastern Rd, London E15 1XE
8. Radio Rooftop
Radio Rooftop is an iconic rooftop bar and restaurant situated on the 10th Floor of ME London Hotel in Covent Garden.
You’ll find them just a five-minutes’ walk from the Tube station.
The roof top offers breath-taking views of the city with the likes of Westminster, the River Thames and the London Eye.
Enjoy the scenes with a variety of drinks such as signature cocktails, spirits, champagne and wines to choose from.
If you’ve got a special occasion coming up its for sure the place to go with your housemates or family when they come to visit.
They also have tasty Mediterranean inspired dishes on offer with an all-day menu which changes seasonally – It’s tapas o’clock!
The ambience here is next to none but its super popular so we recommend booking a table in advance to guarantee a table (you don’t want to miss out).
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Address: 336-337 Strand, London WC2R 1HA
There we have it, the most gorgeous London rooftop bars to visit in 2023, we hope you have an amazing time visiting these places!
Don’t forget to tag us in any of your pics @_homesforstudents.
Keen to experience the famous nightlife in the capital for yourself? Then read our post on the best bottomless brunch next.