The Best Rooftop Bars in London for 2026

Updated and fact-checked: September 2026 · Written by Clara Whitby, The Londonologist.

There are few better ways to end a London day than a drink with the skyline laid out below you. The city has dozens of rooftop bars, from a free public garden atop a skyscraper to hidden summer terraces above car parks. They are at their best from late spring to early autumn, though many now have heaters and cover for cooler evenings. This guide picks the best rooftop bars in London, tells you what to expect and what a drink costs in pounds and dollars, and explains which ones you need to book.

The Best Free Rooftop: Sky Garden

City of London, the Walkie-Talkie building

The Sky Garden is London’s highest public garden, three storeys of tropical planting on top of the Walkie-Talkie skyscraper, with sweeping views over the Thames, the Shard and the City. Entry is free if you book a timed slot in advance, or you can reserve a table at one of its bars and restaurants. It is the single best free view-and-drink in London, so book ahead as slots go fast. See our guide to the best views in London for more.

Glamorous Rooftops for a Special Night

• Radio Rooftop (Strand): a stylish terrace above the ME hotel with river and St Paul’s views, dressy and buzzy.
• Aviary (Finsbury Square): a smart City rooftop restaurant and bar, great for cocktails after work.
• Savage Garden (Tower Hill): big views of Tower Bridge and the Tower from a lively rooftop near the river.
• Madison (St Paul’s): a huge terrace staring straight at the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral.
• Seabird (Hoxton, Southwark): billed as London’s longest rooftop, with a coastal menu and Shard views.

Summer and East London Rooftops

• Frank’s Cafe (Peckham): the cult summer rooftop on a multi-storey car park, all sunset views, cheap drinks and a young crowd. Open in the warmer months only.
• Netil360 (Hackney): a laid-back East London rooftop with one of the best skyline panoramas in the city.
• Bussey Rooftop and Peckham Levels (Peckham): more of the south London summer scene, relaxed and affordable.
• The Rooftop at Selfridges and Pergola (West End): stylish, plant-filled terraces for daytime and early-evening drinks.

Find London rooftop and cocktail experiencesCompare London hotels with rooftop bars

What Rooftop Drinks Cost in London

Indicative prices at the time of writing; they change, and dollar figures use a rate of about $1.34 to the pound.

Rooftop Tips for Visitors

• Book ahead. Sky Garden, the glamorous terraces and summer favourites all take bookings and fill up on warm evenings.
• Dress the part. The smart hotel rooftops enforce a dress code, so leave the shorts and trainers for the relaxed East London spots.
• Go for sunset. Arrive an hour before dusk to see the city by day and lit up at night.
• Watch the weather and season. Some rooftops are summer-only or close in bad weather; many have heaters and cover, but check before you go.
• Combine with a walk. Pair a City rooftop with the Tower and Tower Bridge, or a South Bank drink with the London Eye.

Keep Exploring London

The Bottom Line

For the best free view, book the Sky Garden. For a glamorous night, Radio Rooftop or Seabird. For a young summer scene, head south to Frank’s Cafe or east to Netil360. Book ahead, aim for sunset, and a London rooftop delivers one of the city’s most memorable evenings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best rooftop bar in London?

For a free view it is the Sky Garden atop the Walkie-Talkie, which you book in advance. For a glamorous night, Radio Rooftop on the Strand and Seabird in Southwark are hard to beat, and for a young summer scene, Peckham’s Frank’s Cafe and Hackney’s Netil360 are the favourites.

Is the Sky Garden really free?

Yes. Entry to the Sky Garden is free if you book a timed slot in advance on its website. You can also reserve a table at one of its bars or restaurants. It is London’s highest public garden and the best free skyline view in the city, so slots go quickly.

How much are drinks at a London rooftop bar?

A cocktail usually costs about 12 to 18 pounds (about 16 to 24 dollars), and a glass of wine or a beer about 7 to 12 pounds. A rooftop meal for two runs around 60 to 120 pounds. A service charge of around 12.5 percent is usually added to table bills.

Do you need to book London rooftop bars?

For the Sky Garden, the smart hotel terraces and the popular summer rooftops, yes, book ahead, especially on warm evenings and at weekends. Some relaxed East and South London rooftops are walk-in, but a booking is always safer in the busy season.

When is the best time for rooftop bars in London?

Late spring to early autumn is the season, and sunset is the golden hour. Arrive about an hour before dusk to enjoy the city by day and lit up at night. Many rooftops now have heaters and cover for cooler evenings, but some are summer-only.

Are there rooftop bars with a dress code in London?

Yes, the smart hotel rooftops such as Radio Rooftop often enforce a smart dress code, so avoid shorts and trainers. The relaxed East and South London rooftops, like Frank’s Cafe and Netil360, are casual and welcome anything comfortable.

Which London rooftops have the best views?

The Sky Garden and Savage Garden give sweeping City and river views, Madison stares at St Paul’s, and Radio Rooftop and Seabird take in the Shard and the Thames. For pure skyline, Netil360 in Hackney has one of the widest panoramas in the city.

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