Feel on Top of the World in these London Rooftop Bars
When it comes to wining and dining, it doesn’t get more decadent than when it’s enjoyed at a height. Whether making a reservation at Las Vegas’ Stratosphere Tower, or sipping on cocktails at Manchester’s Cloud 23 Sky Bar, there’s definitely something very luxurious about rooftop socialising.
A chance to truly feel on top of the world, photos of rooftop bars and restaurants are fast creeping onto your friends’ social media profiles. The fact is, you’re just not doing it right if you’re not some 15 floors up, ‘surveying your kingdom’ and enjoying the very same drink you could have had on the ground floor.
With all that in mind, we’re bringing you some of London’s top rooftop bars to ensure you’re sorted ahead of your next big night out.
Roofnic, Oxford Street
Brand new for 2015, Roofnic is a central London haunt offering true escapism. Situated on Oxford Street, it’s in the perfect place for after-work drinks. Occupying the fourth floor terrace of the Park Lane Marriott Hotel, its white canopy gives the bar a casual, festival feel. On top of that, there’s Astro Turf, light bulbs and cushions dotted around the floor to deliver a relaxed ambience for bar hoppers. This is one of those places that some might seem a little ‘too cool for school’, with cocktails served in jam jars – but if you’re looking for somewhere to kick back and relax after a busy day, this is the spot.
Dalston Roof Park, Dalston
A mere stone’s throw from Dalston Kingsland station is the Print House – a four-story former factory. It’s home to the Bootstrap Company and the Dalston Roof bar, a favourite in the summer for gigs, parties and wacky film screenings. If you want to head here, it’s best to pop it in your diary and hang on ‘til the summer months – but it’s worth knowing that it’s more than worth the wait. Razorlight once sang ‘Don’t go back to Dalston’, but here’s a venue you can certainly bend that rule for.
Aqua Spirit, Regent Street
A sanctuary high above Regent Street, this hangout is part of the Aqua Kyoto restaurant. In an ideal spot for post-shopping drinks, the views over Oxford Street and the West End are simply stunning. Open for lunch from 12pm to 3pm, it’s best to arrive early to this roof terrace as no bookings are taken. It’s more than worth starting your night a little sooner than planned, though – give it a shot (or two...).
The Sky Lounge,
Open from 11am to 2pm, this outside terrace at the Doubletree by Hilton on Pepys Street should be top of your list if you’re looking for casual evening or daytime drinks. A signature choice at the bar is frozen margaritas, especially ideal as we move into the summer months. A few minutes’ walk from Tower Hill, this bar offers gorgeous views of The Gherkin and The Shard – in short, this is rooftop socialising at its best.
