The Best London Rooftop Bars in 2025
You know it. We know it. Everyone in the city knows it: nothing hits the spot quite like ice-cold cocktails and finger food atop any of London’s rooftop bars. From the swanky skyscrapers of the City and townhouses in Chelsea, to the more chilled out terraces you’ll find in the likes of Shoreditch, Hackney and Islington, the capital’s rooftop scene has never been hotter. So take your pick and ready your gang — here are our picks for London’s best rooftop bars.
Netil360 Rooftop Bar & Restaurant
Hackey
Parked above Hackney’s creative hub, Netil360 masters laid-back luxury without trying. If the panoramic sunset views, local beers and wood-fired pizzas weren’t enough to pique your interest, the private sauna and cold plunge pools downstairs certainly will. At £7 for a perfect gin and tonic, it delivers that rare London commodity: quality without the crippling price tag. And the cherry on top of the cake? It’s only 10 minutes from art’otel London Hoxton.
Address: 1 Westgate Street, London, E8 3RL
The Culpeper
Shoreditch
A little slice of sustainable heaven that’s more urban garden than it is city pub. Packing homegrown herbs, fruit and veg onto its seasonal menus, this eclectic spot is all about homegrown flavours. Gaze out onto the Gherkin and 22 Bishopsgate while sipping mojitos packed with mint that’s, most likely, been grown right beside you. It’s an ultra-seasonal British fare with food prices (£8-14 for small plates) that feel like a genuine gift in this postcode.
Address: 40 Commercial Street, London, E1 6LP
JOIA Rooftop Bar
Battersea Power Station
Talk about dramatic backdrops. JOIA serves cocktails with a side of industrial majesty, floating above Battersea Power Station like a Lisbon-inspired mirage. Portuguese chef Henrique Sá Pessoa has created a space where Iberian influences reign, from terracotta-potted olive trees to that the Padron peppers (£10) that are just as hot as the views. Inside (because we all know what British summer can be like), plush velvet and copper details create Instagram-able moments, while the terrace delivers money-shot Thames views.
Address: 1 Electric Boulevard, Nine Elms, London, SW11 8BJ
Madison
St Pauls
If St. Paul’s Cathedral had a balcony for worshipping London’s skyline, it would look exactly like Madison. The vibe shape-shifts throughout the day – power lunches become after-work cocktails, then a see-and-be-seen playground when weekend DJs arrive. Their £35 bottomless brunch deserves special mention, while the baked mini chorizo (£12) has achieved cult status among City workers.
Address: Rooftop Terrace One, New Change, London, EC4M 9AF
Wagtail
London Bridge
Perched atop a former 1920s financial headquarters, Wagtail delivers a 360-degree spectacle of London’s architectural greatest hits. Art deco-inflected interiors nod to the building’s heritage, while the wraparound terrace offers multiple vantage points for city-gazing. Cocktails here are serious business – award-winning mixologist Angelos Bafas creates theatrical concoctions like Angelos (£15), a smoky tequila masterpiece with notes of raspberry, white chocolate and plum yuzu sake. Weekdays bring suits with expense accounts; weekends draw a diverse crowd seeking one of London’s newest sky-high thrills.
Address: 68 King William Street, London, EC4N 7HR
The Castle
Islington
This unpretentious pub terrace keeps things refreshingly simple – good drinks, tasty pub classics, and a no-bookings policy that democratises the sunshine. Hanging plants and colourful furniture create a relaxed atmosphere where conversations flow as freely as the craft beers. Head here on Sundays to find out why their roast has developed near-religious status among locals.
Address: 54 Pentonville Road, Angel, London, N1 9HF
Florattica Rooftop Bar
Aldgate
Florattica’s glass-enclosed space brings drama, with rare plants, hanging gardens, and floor-to-ceiling windows creating an otherworldly escape. The plant-inspired cocktail menu delivers genuine theatre – the Alma (£18) changes colour as you drink it, while their non-alcoholic creations prove imagination matters more than proof. The glass roof slides open in summer, while underfloor heating keeps things cozy when winter bites.
Address: 11-15 Minories, London, EC3N 1AX
Coq d’Argent
Bank
A French-inspired rooftop bar that’s bringing a hit of Riviera luxury to one of our favourite spots in the city. Just above No 1 Poultry, the garden’s wisteria-clad entry-way sets the tone right from the off, as the terrace’s perfectly-trimmed hedges look as good as they did back when it first opened back in the ‘90s. You’ll find fresh draught beers and an extensive selection of French wines and Champagnes on the menu, with a food menu to boot too. It’s a ‘first come, first served and seated’ venue, so the earlier you head, the better.
Address: No.1 Poultry, London, EC2R 8EJ
Bokan 39 Bar
Canary Wharf
This industrial-chic space brings unexpected warmth to London’s financial heart with exposed ducts and weathered wood. The Docklands-inspired menu tells the area’s transformation story through drinks like Smoky Meadows (£15), a sharp whisky creation with notes of lemon and coffee. Weekend DJs attract a buzzy crowd, while weeknights offer contemplative space for taking in the spectacular river panorama. The reward for venturing east is London’s most dramatic skyline perspective, particularly at dusk.
Address: 40 Marsh Wall, London, E14 9TP
14 Hills
Monument
Slap-bang in the City of London, 14 Hills is a natural favourite of city slickers for after-work drinks. Mature trees and handing plants pair with views of Tower Bridge and The Shard, with low-lounge seats and soft lighting giving the space a comfortable coolness. Get here before 17:00 on weekdays to bag a table with a view, or – even better – swing by on weekends for a bottom brunch consisting of Aperol Spritz, Bellinis, Rossinis and classic bubbles.
Address: 120 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M 5AL
Eighteen Sky Bar
Greenwich
Some way above the O2, this sleek bar delivers unparalleled Thames views to Canary Wharf’s glittering skyline. Floor-to-ceiling windows create the sensation of floating above the river. Their cocktail program focuses on classics executed with precision. The signature Falling Leaves (£18) blends quince gin and calvados with a delicate absinthe spray — a nod to the drink’s seasonal inspiration.
Address: 1 Waterview Drive, London, SE10 0TW
Forza Wine
Peckham
Peckham’s coolest rooftop continues to draw those in the know to South London, proving altitude and attitude don’t require central postcodes. The Italian-inspired small plates change seasonally, but the burrata (£13) remains a constant obsession among regulars. On the drinks side of things, you’re looking at wines from across Europe, with glasses from the ‘Forza Fiver’ starting from (you guessed it) £5.
Address: 133A Rye Lane, London, SE15 4BQ