20 Top (Floor) London Hotels with Rooftop Bars

There’s something undeniably posh about sipping your drink high above the bustling streets, with the cityscape stretched out before you. Rooftop bars offer an elevated experience, both literally and figuratively, transforming an ordinary evening into an unforgettable one under the stars. Now, imagine coupling that experience with the charm of staying in a luxurious hotel.

London, with its iconic skyline, plays host to a myriad of such experiences, with a number of splendid London hotels with rooftop bars. So, whether you’re toasting to the sunset or raising a glass to the city’s twinkling lights, these high-perched establishments are a must-visit on your next trip to the Big Smoke. Cheers to sky-high sophistication!

8 at the Londoner (Leicester Square)

Photos courtesy of The Londoner

8 at the Londoner is one of the best London hotel rooftop bars if you enjoy izakaya and Japanese food. Located on the 8th floor of The Londoner, a 5-star luxury hotel that is perfect for music and theatre lovers, you can enjoy an a la carte or omakase lunch with live DJs here. There are also weekend DJs on Friday and Saturday nights, between 7 pm and midnight. 

From Thursdays to Sundays, The Stage, The Londoner’s champagne bar, offers live music. Guests can even obtain exclusive tickets to booked-out shows such as Macbeth!

If you’re considering a stay here during your London trip, note that although The Londoner calls itself a “super boutique hotel,” it has 350 rooms, so it is not actually that small and doesn’t really qualify as a boutique hotel.

12th Knot at Sea Containers (Southbank)

Photos courtesy of Sea Containers London

Located on the 12th floor, 12th Knot at Sea Containers overlooks the River Thames and serves food made from seasonal ingredients. From the terrace, you’ll have a view of the iconic London skyline as well as Illuminated River, the world’s longest public art commission.

It’s one of the best rooftop bars at London hotels for those who enjoy eclectic events: they host everything from Late Night Disco to a Book Club!

AMANO Rooftop Bar London (The West End)

Photos courtesy of Amano Group

Located on the 7th floor of AMANO Covent Garden, AMANO Rooftop Bar can seat up to 124 guests and has an adjoining roof terrace as well as a house DJ. 

Unfortunately, the service standards can vary quite a bit, with several guests reporting rude staff. The bar also has a strict no-show policy, with decreases in party size and turning up past the grace period counting as no-show (which would result in your deposit being forfeited.)

Angler Rooftop at South Place Hotel (Finsbury)

Photos courtesy of South Place Hotel

The decor of Angler Rooftop Terrace is so charming, it will transport you all the way to Provence.

They have heaters and a retractable cover, so even bad weather shouldn’t keep you away. (Plus, their west-facing location will ensure that you’re nice and warm, even when the rain is pouring down!)

Note that the bar terrace serves as an extension of a Michelin-starred restaurant with the same name, Angler, for lunch and dinner. (Unfortunately, despite having the coveted star, a meal at the restaurant can be quite hit-and-miss, in terms of both food and service.)

Aviary Rooftop Restaurant & Bar at Montcalm Royal London House (Liverpool Street)

Photos courtesy of Aviary

Aviary Rooftop Restaurant & Bar at Montcalm uses British produce, with the seafood responsibly caught from day boats along the UK’s South Coast. Moreover, the meat comes from heritage breeds reared by small, family-owned farms.

There’s always something on at the Aviary, whether it’s their bottomless brunch with live DJs or the Whispering Angel Pergola, at which you can enjoy a wine flight and seafood tower. Unfortunately, the standards of the service, cocktails, and food served at the Aviary can all vary quite widely!

The staff at the Montcalm Royal London House Hotel itself- where the Aviary is located- is pretty good but be aware that the rooms are old-fashioned (with refurbished bathrooms), with some AC issues.

Bōkan at Novotel Canary Wharf

Photos courtesy of Bōkan

Have a thing for heights? Try Bōkan 38 Bar & 39 Rooftop at Novotel Canary Wharf, London’s highest rooftop bar located on the 39th floor which enjoys a stunning view. With its industrial interiors, it will take you all the way across the world to Manhattan!

Note that Bōkan operates on a walk-in basis, with no bookings allowed. In addition, there is a service charge, even if you walk to the bar to order your own drink (instead of being served at a table.)

The hotel at which Bōkan is located, Novotel Canary Wharf, is a 4-star hotel that used to have very happy customers. Unfortunately, service standards appear to have dropped in the last month, with several return guests leaving unhappy reviews on Google, due to issues with cleanliness and slow service.

cloudM at CitizenM Tower of London

Photos courtesy of CitizenM Tower of London

There are CloudM rooftop bars all across the world, from Miami to Paris. What they have in common are their amazing views and modern interior styling. (The sofas will make you so comfortable, you’ll feel like you’re in your own skyscraper apartment!)

On a rainy day, you can move indoors and sit by the all-glass windows of the CloudM at CitizenM Tower of London. Located on the 7th floor and situated right on top of the Tower Hill Underground station, this is one of the best rooftop bars at London hotels. It serves terrific cocktails, has wonderful service, and a good ambiance!

Like the bar, the hotel is equally modern, with an extra large bed, power shower, and blackout blinds. There’s even an app that you can use to organise your room!

Note: Guests have to be 18 or older to visit CloudM.

Jin Bo Law Skybar at The Saint (Aldgate)

Photos courtesy of Jin Bo Law Skybar via Instagram

Opened in 2016, Jin Bo Law Skybar at The Saint is perched on the 14th floor and offers an extensive drinks menu as well as great views of London’s most iconic buildings, from the Tower Bridge to the Shard, Gherkin, and Walkie Talkie. 

This is a popular place, so it can be hard to make a booking. Every Friday night, you can dance your heart out along to music by live DJs. There’s also a minimum spend for large parties and you can’t reserve a spot on the terrace, which is first-come, first-serve.

Located next to Aldgate Tube Station, Hotel Saint, formerly known as Dorsett City Hotel, does not offer room service, but it does have a restaurant that opens 24/7. Rooms are exceptionally clean and the staff are also warm, friendly, and helpful.

Mercer Rooftop Terrace at Vintry & Mercer (Mansion House)

Photos courtesy of Vintry & Mercer

With amazing views of (the top of) St. Paul’s Cathedral and The Shard, Mercer Rooftop Terrace is a great place for a drink or dinner at sunset. (There is a wide selection of food, as well as a separate vegan menu but note that the views are sometimes better than the food.)

Unlike some of the other London hotels with rooftop bars on this list, you can make a booking, but you may not be allocated an outdoor seat, even if you request it at the time of booking.

Thankfully, the Vintry & Mercer Hotel does much better. Despite being a small hotel, the staff is friendly and patient, the rooms are clean, and the location is terrific. You will even find heated floors in the bathrooms!

Radio Rooftop Bar at ME London (The West End)

Photos courtesy of ME London

Radio Rooftop Bar serves fusion Mediterranean-style food along with great views of the River Thames. Located on the 10th floor, it is a less formal place, so the dress code is casual. 

Note that smoking is not allowed, even on the terrace. In addition, the prices on the website are not always up-to-date, so call ahead to check if budget is a concern. The menu is quite limited if you suffer from celiac disease and, unfortunately, the quality of the food and service are also inconsistent.

Rooftop Bar & Grill at Boundary Shoreditch

Photos courtesy of Rooftop Bar & Grill

Rooftop Bar & Grill at Boundary Shoreditch offers food and drinks on the 10th floor, overlooking the Shoreditch skyline.

In the spring and summer, Boundary Rooftop serves Mediterranean food, in a Mediterranean oasis: the rooftop comes alive with olive trees and seasonal plants. When winter arrives, the Rooftop changes into an Alpine wonderland, with cheese fondue, Austrian beer, and hot cocktails. (The heated lamps will help to keep you warm.)

Note that the bar is a cashless venue and that the drinks tend to taste better than the food.

Savage Garden at the Doubletree Tower of London

Photos courtesy of Savage Garden

Another cashless venue, Savage Garden at the Doubletree Tower of London serves up incredible views of London’s famous Tower Bridge from the 12th floor. (To match the coveted view, prices are on the higher side.)

Savage Garden is famous for its weekend brunch, which is held from 12 pm to 3 pm. It can thus get quite busy over the weekend, and service may sometimes slip a bit. If you’re heading to Savage Garden solely for the view from the terrace, note that seats on the terrace are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis (even if you book. Moreover, a terrace seat is also subject to the approval of the Security Manager, who may turn away people deemed to be drunk or a security risk.)

Seabird Restaurant at the Hoxton Southwark

Photos courtesy of The Hoxton

Boasting London’s most extended oyster list, Seabird is a seafood restaurant on the 14th floor of Hoxton Southwark. It offers sea-to-table Portuguese and Spanish food along with spectacular views. 

Oysters are available on a daily basis, with Oyster Happy Hour occurring from Monday to Friday, between 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (Oysters are available for £2 during Happy Hour.)

Keep in mind that the Seabird’s outdoor space is more like a terrace than a rooftop, and the plants do obstruct part of the view. 

The Garden Rooftop at Assembly Covent Garden

Photos courtesy of Assembly Covent Garden

The Garden Rooftop at Assembly Covent Garden is on the 10th floor of the Assembly Hotel. It has wonderful views of London, a menu with good vegetarian options, and London prices. (i.e. It’s not cheap. A pasta and cocktail can set you back by over £40.) Despite its name, unfortunately, many of the plants are made from plastic and are not real.

On the bright side, The Garden Rooftop’s Bottomless Brunch is very popular, so remember to book before you turn up!

The Nest at Treehouse London (Marylebone)

Photos courtesy of Treehouse London

Another plant-themed venue, The Nest at Treehouse London is beautifully styled, with verdant greenery hanging from the rooftop, and offers 360-degree views of London. Both food and drinks are good but you will, of course, be paying for the privileged view!

Note that the Nest is only accessible to those aged over 21, even if you’re staying in the hotel. In addition, it is sometimes closed for private events, so do book or call ahead before trekking all the way over! (Bookings are made via a third-party operator, and have been known to have issues.)

The Rooftop at The Standard (King’s Cross)

Photos courtesy of The Standard Hotel

The Rooftop can be found on the 11th floor of The Standard Hotel. It has a young, cheerful, and trendy vibe, with brightly colored interiors, a bright-red food truck serving Asian snacks, such as bao buns, and bubbles on tap.

Unfortunately, the London views from The Rooftop aren’t the most impressive! I would recommend another of the London hotel rooftop bars on this list if a good view is your priority.

The Rooftop at The Trafalgar St. James

Photos courtesy of The Trafalgar St. James

The Rooftop at The Trafalgar St. James allows you the rare opportunity to peer down at London’s iconic Trafalgar Square. It offers a seasonal, European-inspired menu, as well as good cocktails. The dress code is smart casual, so athletic wear is not allowed and there is a minimum spend of £24-40, depending on whether you’re sitting indoors or outdoors.

Unlike some of the other London hotels with rooftop bars on this list, it is possible to reserve an outdoor space when you make a booking. Nice!

The Rooftop Bar & Terrace at One Hundred Shoreditch

Photos courtesy of One Hundred Shoreditch

The Rooftop Bar & Terrace at One Hundred Shoreditch is modeled after Palm Springs: You’ll feel like you’re in a sophisticated version of Barbie House in California, with its pink interiors and plentiful succulents.

In keeping with its Malibu spirit, The Rooftop serves Californian-inspired food open all day, serving avocado toast for breakfast to tacos and tostadas in the evening. 

After 5 pm, you have to be over 18 to enter which is a shame, as the best view is at sunset!

The Rooftop Pool at The Berkeley (Knightsbridge)

Photos courtesy of The Berkeley

The Rooftop Bar at The Berkeley is the hippest new rooftop in London, having been opened to non-hotel guests on summer evenings only from August this year (2023!) (Unfortunately, the heated pool remains reserved for guests of The Berkeley – a good reason to stay there in the summer, if you have the budget for it!) 

The Bar serves up wonderful views of Knightsbridge along with spritzes and Mediterranean tapas, such as marinated squid and Burrata, next to a mural by Italian artist Chiara Perano. (Each dish thoughtfully has its number of calories written next to it, on the menu.) As one would expect of The Berkeley, the food, drinks, and service are all very good.

Note that you need to reserve to get a table, although walk-ins can still get a sun lounger!

Waterloo Sky Bar at H-10 London Waterloo

Photos courtesy of H10 Hotels

Located on the 8th floor of the H10 Waterloo, Waterloo Sky Bar has a gorgeous terrace with beautiful plants dotted all around. The atmosphere, drinks, and views are all terrific, but what is most impressive is the service: the staff even thoughtfully offers blankets on chilly days!

That’s quite enough options for your London trip, isn’t it? Have any questions about these London hotels with rooftop bars? Let me know in the comments below!