There are hundreds of rooftop bars in London. And to choose which ones to visit is almost impossible. That's why, we’ve done the hard work for you!
After visiting over 40 rooftop bars in London ourselves and made research among locals, we’ve narrowed it down to 5 rooftops that stands out in 2025.
For each rooftop, this article comes packed with:
Rooftop bars in London are very popular - both among tourist and locals -, so always book your spot in advance (we’ve prepared all booking links for you in this article) and keep track on the weather. London is one of the most rainy capitals in Europe.
Ambiance: Luxurious rooftop bar and restaurant with stunning 360° views over London. Perched atop a stunning 1920's building in the heart of City of London, Wagtail Rooftop Bar & Restaurant brings a luxurious and elevated dining and drinking experience to the England capital. The dual-level venue holds three different areas: a 9th floor fine dining restaurant with two private terraces, an exclusive private dining room in the cupola, and a 10th floor rooftop terrace and bar. With fantastic views all around, it is on the top floor terrace that the 360° views of the central London landmarks are most spectacular.
Drinks & Food: At the downstairs Wagtail restaurant you can enjoy a fine-dining experience with dishes created by a Michelin-trained chef. The upstairs terrace menu has a smaller selection of food (small plates & sliders), but a much more impressive selection of drinks. Crafted signature cocktails are complemented with a fine array of wine, sparkling and champagne, and there is even a range of cigars available.
What we think: Opened early summer 2022, it took us 2 years to visit this hyped rooftop spot. Elegant and sophisticated, Wagtail London is a truly stylish venue made for special days and nights high above the city. Apart from daily sessions of food, drinks and views, you should also try the rooftop bottomless brunch available on weekends. Just an insider tips that’s well worth checking out!
Dress code: The Wagtail Rooftop Bar & Restaurant dress code is smart casual. So, typically, it’s a look that lands between a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, and a full-on suit and tie look. You can mix elements of those two outfits, or you can add or takeaway things to make it smart casual.
WAGTAIL ROOFTOP BAR
Ambiance: Rooftop restaurant and terrace bar on Finsbury Square, with amazing skyline views and beautiful igloos in winter. The elegant and chic rooftop terrace is a spacious open-air rooftop, offering grand views of the London skyline, including many of the most famous buildings. When sitting up here, we got the feeling that we didn’t need to do any sightseeing, as almost all famous monuments were already visible. During the colder months, the Aviary terrace turns into a cozy winter escape, with beautiful rooftop igloos. A perfect way to keep the rooftop season going year-round.
Drinks and Food: At the restaurant, we indulged in contemporary British fare, made from the highest quality British produce. The bar has its own selection of elevated bites, complemented with a fantastic selection of crafted signature and classic cocktails, premium spirits and a fine array of wine and bubbles.
What we think: Aviary is one of our favorite rooftop bars in London. Open from breakfast to late night, Aviary is always a great spot for everything from elevated lunches and vibrant after-work drinks, to special dinners. You can also visit for lux weekend events, including Champagne Brunch and Sunday Roasts. As many other rooftops already offer brunch, we would suggest you go for the Sunday Roast instead. For a more unique rooftop experience. When we visited Aviary, the winter-menu also included hot drinks to keep everyone extra warm.
Dress code: The Aviary London dress code is smart casual. So, typically, it’s a look that lands between a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, and a full-on suit and tie look. You can mix elements of those two outfits, or you can add or takeaway things to make it smart casual.
AVIARY LONDON
Ambiance: Found at one of London’s most iconic address – 1 Leicester Square - the LSQ Rooftop is a day-to-night venue perfect to enjoy everything from a casual lunch to post-theatre drinks. All served with a view. We actually did both when we were here. Perched on the 9th floor of Hotel Indigo - London - 1 Leicester Square, high above the vibrant streets of the buzzing West End, our main take was that the rooftop offered some amazing panoramic views over the city skyline. Both through the floor-to-ceiling windows at the indoor lounge, and even more so at the outdoor terrace.
Drinks and Food: Modern and trendy in setting, the LSQ Rooftop Bar has generous opening hours and an equally generous menu. There is a classic breakfast menu, and a selection of small bites inspired by Mediterranean recipes. Drink-wise, the bar serves everything from fine signature and classic cocktails, to champagne, wine and beers.
What we think: LSQ is the perfect rooftop bar if you find yourself in the most central part of London around Leicester Square. Our favorite thing about LSQ is that it offers a great experience any time of the day. Sunny lunches, some post work cocktails, weekend drinks with friends or just to impress a date. When strolling around central London - one of the most busy areas of the city - and want to escape the buzz for some drinks with a view, LSQ is the perfect spot!
Dress code: The LSQ Rooftop dress code is smart casual. So, typically, it’s a look that lands between a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, and a full-on suit and tie look. You can mix elements of those two outfits, or you can add or takeaway things to make it smart casual.
LSQ ROOFTOP
Ambiance: Rooftop restaurant and bar with London's longest oyster list, raw bar and fantastic skyline views. Perched 14 floors up at the amazing The Hoxton in Southwark, Seabird is a rooftop seafood restaurant and bar, taking you on a trip to southern Europe without leaving the city. Boasting Mediterranean tiles, a marble raw bar, festoon lighting and comfy seats, the coastal inspired rooftop is beautiful inside out. Add some magical views over the London skyline, and you know you are in for a treat.
Drinks and Food: The Seabird menu includes London’s longest oyster list, along with a large selection of other Mediterranean flavours, mainly seafood but also vegetarian and more meaty options. From the rooftop bar you can order crafted house cocktails, available bottled, frozen, or on draught, along with a wide selection of biodynamic wines, beers and fine spirits.
What we think: If you love seafood and oysters (like we do), this is the best rooftop restaurant in London. We’d recommend coming here for the full dinner experience, not just drinks. Stylish yet comfy in atmosphere, Seabird is available for weekday lunch, all week dinner and drinks, and on weekends also for rooftop brunch, when the tasty food and drinks are complemented with live music. And of course, the fantastic views!
Dress code: The Seabird dress code is smart casual. So, typically, it’s a look that lands between a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, and a full-on suit and tie look. You can mix elements of those two outfits, or you can add or takeaway things to make it smart casual.
SEABIRD
Ambiance: Covering the 37th to the 39th floor of Novotel London Canary Wharf, Bōkan is an easy-going and sophisticated hideaway, transporting you far from the city buzz of the busy streets below. Offering some spectacular views over the London skyline, and a mix of artisanal food and drinks, each floor of Bokan comes with a bit different setting. More similar are the Bars 38|39, with the difference that the 39th floor is where you find the open air rooftop terrace. Open all year, with a sheltered area making it fit for all weathers, the rooftop is decorated with stylish lounge furnishings and rooftop daybeds.
Drinks and Food: Floor 37 is home to the Bokan 37 Restaurant, a stylish indoor restaurant serving award-winning European cuisine made using the finest British produce. Apart from grand views, Bokan 39 offers a specialist gin bar, a wide range of cocktails made by a talented team of London’s top mixologists, an extensive list of wines and Sunday jazz sessions.
What we think: For grand views, Bokan is one of the best rooftops in London. The location is a bit off from the most central parts of London, so if you plan to come here, we’d suggest you book your dinner on the 37th floor, followed by drinks on the 39th floor. Reservations can be made for the 37th and 38th floor of Bokan, but the top floor rooftop bar works on a walk-in basis only.
Dress code: The Bōkan dress code is smart casual. Flip flops are not permitted. A look that lands between a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, and a full-on suit and tie look. You can mix elements of those two outfits, or you can add or takeaway things to make it smart casual.
BOKAN
Hans has visited over 500 rooftop bars, 200 rooftop pools and 300 rooftop restaurants since 2015. This vast experience has made Hans a true rooftop expert, and one of the most knowledgeable in the field. Today, numerous of travel magazines, bloggers and media websites contact Hans to get his expertise on rooftops.
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