Welcome to the rooftop bars of North London which brings a different vibe to the rooftop scene. A diverse range of options particularly in the Kings Cross area. Where the Standard stands as a pinnacle of elevated experiences. The majority of the offerings include cute and charming rooftop pubs in Camden that seamlessly blend a summer atmosphere and affordability.
The Abbey Tavern
Best for: 🍺🍷🥂🍺
Nearest tube: Kentish Town West or Kentish town – 5 mins walk
Location: On top of the pub named the same (map)
View: Nothing much
Vibe: English pub chilled
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes – burgers, chicken wings (vegan options)
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2019
Warm/dry weather only? Yes and no… there’s an outdoor area under the terrace that’s covered but the main roof is uncovered.
Rooftop review roundup: Cute pub with a sizeable outside benches area with a giant TV and a flower wall. Attracting sports fans, catch up with the gang or just a lazy summer evening spent on this sprawling rooftop terrace pub. It’s a good mix for all.
Website: Click here
Azura
Best for: 🥂🍸🍽
Nearest tube: Mornington Crescent – 30 seconds walk
Location: On top of their restaurant (map)
View: N/A
Vibe: Boujee
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? Yes with cat ashtrays!!
Children allowed? yes until 6pm then over 21’s.
Last visited /photos taken: 2021
Warm/dry weather only? Heaters and big umbrellas at the ready!
Rooftop review roundup: A cute and cosy little rooftop as part of this Aegean inspired restaurant. A mirrored dazzling bar with two sofas areas either side serving insta worthy cocktails served. Azura means blue sky and the theme and food is based on the Aegean sea. This is a particularly popular go to for those seeking Shisha. For more on Azura click here.
Website: Click here
Big Chill Bar
Best for: 🥂🍹🍸🍷
Nearest Tube: Kings Cross – 4 minutes walk
Location: Above the pub with the same name (map)
View: Nothing special – buildings
Vibe: Hipster, chill & fun
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? No there’s a retractable covered area and heaters galore!
Rooftop review roundup: A rooftop refuge hidden at the top of this pub. Charming, quirky, and vibrant rooftop bar. It appears to be a popular spot for mid-morning meetings— a great setting for a productive work session! While the view may not be a selling point, the impeccable service and lively decor more than compensate for it. It also boasts a fantastic after-work atmosphere, conveniently located on the route back to Kings Cross station. If you’re planning an evening out, note that the rooftop closes at 11 pm, transitioning into a designated smoking area thereafter.
Website: Click here
Bubba Oasis
Best for: By day 👩💻 By night 💃
Nearest tube: Angel – 5 mins walk
Location: On the high street (map)
View: None!
Vibe: By day – chilled, by night party!
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? No
Rooftop review roundup: A gorgeous work space by day and DJs and party time by night. Downstairs is a co working space that spills upstairs when the weather is good and even when it’s not they have covering to keep you dry and warm. This really is a gem in busy Islington high street to escape to for work or fun!
Website: Click here
Bucks Head
Best for: 🍷🍺
Nearest tube: Camden Town – 1 min walk
Location: On top of the pub named the same (map)
View: Buildings
Vibe: Pub causal
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? No
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2019
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: Small little brightly coloured pub terrace with really friendly fun staff in the heart of Camden.
Website: Click here
The Castle
Best for: 🍽🥂🍻
Hi Nearest tube: Angel – 4 mins walk
Location: Along the Pentonville Road (map)
View: Not much
Vibe: Pub
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? Yes
Lift available? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? It is covered slightly with heaters and part of a pub should it start to shower.
Rooftop review roundup: Cute little terrace on top of the pub. Perfect pit stop, lazy lunch or well deserved post work drinks.
Website: Click here
The Cross
Best for: 🥂🍷🍻🍸
Nearest tube: Kings Cross – 7 mins walk or from Angel – 15 mins
Location: On top of their venue (map)
View: Some skyline
Vibe: Summer, after work, fun
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? Yes -it doubles up as the smoking area!
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? No – they have slats that can cover the roof!
Rooftop review roundup: Those that remember The Cross club from the 90s will be thrilled that it’s back – ‘risen from the arches’. This venue has floors of opportunities from the rooftop, to dining to the club in the basement. The staff also couldn’t be nicer in person and their tone on the website is spot on. Strictly an evening venue this rooftop brings a small intimate spot for after work drinks, pre dinner or some fresh air from all the dancing!
Website: Click here
The Fellow
Best for: 🍺 🍔
Nearest tube: Kings cross – 2 minutes walk
Location: On their pub (map)
View: nothing
Vibe: Pub
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes but limited really to burgers and chips so not great for allergies.
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2021
Warm/dry weather only? Umbrellas and heaters but in proper rain wouldn’t hold up.
Rooftop review roundup: A cute pub rooftop, super convenient next to Kings cross. Quite small so I’d advise booking. The food is limiting so good for pub lovers that like a bit of fresh air!
Website: Click here
Lighterman
Best for: 🥂🍽🍷
Nearest tube: Kings Cross – 5 minutes walk
Location: Granary Square (map)
View: Canal
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available: Yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited/photos taken: 2021
Warm/dry weather only? No – the restaurant is enclosed in a glass rooftop box!
Rooftop review roundup: I debated whether this is an awesome alternative to a rooftop or indeed can be in the rooftop bar & restaurant gang. But with a small terrace boasting views over the canal, great food and bustling ambience – it passed!
Website: Click here
The Lock Tavern
Best for: 🎉🥂🍺
Nearest tube: Kentish Town West – 8 mins walk or from Camden Town – 7 mins
Location: On top of the pub named the same (map)
View: Nothing much
Vibe: Quiet by day party by night 💃 🕺🏼
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2019
Warm/dry weather only? Yes but they have another outdoor area in the back that’s covered
Rooftop review roundup: Self described as a ‘Poshed up boozer with a punk soul’. A famous Camden haunt with a traditional English pub feel but a party place on the weekends. Heaters and rugs and blankets and cover for the rooftop so no excuse to enjoy!
Website: Click here
Lucky Club
*** 2025 update: Currently Closed TBC its return ***
Best for: 🌮🍸 🇲🇽
Nearest tube: Camden Town – 6 minute walk
Location: At the very end of the market in the hospital horse building (map)
View: The market
Vibe: Young and fun
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾 but you are going for the margarita’s!
Food available? Mexican
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? Yes – designated area
Children allowed? Yes until 5pm then its over 18’s.
Last visited /photos taken: 2022
Warm/dry weather only? No
Rooftop review roundup: By summer this rooftop brings fiesta fun with curated cocktails under the sunshine. By winter they cosy up and enclose the rooftop to be a winter warm après ski vibe with all the fondue! Whatever the season this a great rooftop for those heading to Camden.
Website: Click here
Studio 48 (formally Near and Far)
Best for: 🥂GF 🍽️
Nearest tube: Chalk Farm – 4 minutes walk
Location: Right by Camden markets (map)
View: N/a
Vibe: Bubbly
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Lift available? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2022
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: Perfectly packed little rooftop with a winter covering. This light and airy rooftop is home to one of the most popular bottomless brunches from margaritas to aperol!. But be warned the space is small and groups of girls hitting the bubbles hard – the noise is a lot! The reason I love it is all the menu – it is all gluten free and you wouldn’t know! Such a treat! There’s a small restaurant on the middle floor and then a speak east neon signed bar below so after your 2 hour sitting you can stagger down stairs to continue.
Website: Click here
Roof Garden by Booking Office
Best for: 🥂🍷🍺☕️
Nearest tube: St Pancras – 1 min walk
Location: At the Renaissance Hotel (map)
View: Station
Vibe: Chill
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? No
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: Self named as a rooftop but it wasnt quite the top of the hotel – in fact was on the same level as the lobby however it was a rooftop of the building below so it passes! Very cute and perfect an alternative to the hotel lobby bar. Though the company that runs this roof also homes their signature bar and restaurant – the booking office. Adorned in palm trees it is also fabulous! The rooftop is usually quiet – perfect for a summer afternoon meet or night cap before staying in their infamous hotel with THOSE Spice Girls stairs!
Website: Click here
The Rooftop at the Standard Hotel – summer only
Best for: 🍾 🌭
Nearest tube: Kings cross – 1 minute walk
Location: On the Standard Hotel (map)
View: All of London from the Shard to St Pauls to the BT tower and very close up of the St Pancras.
Vibe: Tunes and views
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? VERY limited
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: Sweeping across the capital the Standard Hotels has brought a welcomed addition to the rooftop family. Their flagship rooftop bar in NYC takes centre stage and when the weather plays ball so will this. Sofas, heaters, umbrellas and considerate staff but who have to concede defeat when the heavens open. So to avoid disappointment always check if they are still open as I’ve been stung with last minute closure several times! BUT when you do go even on a grey day, it’s worth the wait! But be warned this is London prices at the high end. To book a table there is a huge minimum spend – other wise there is standing areas that also accommodate walk in’s. Which is a shame making it more a one drink stop for me unless you get lucky and there’s a space chair!
Website: Click here
The Spirited
Best for: 🍸🍹
Nearest tube: Camden Town – 2 mins walk
Location: Next to buck street market
View: Camden
Vibe: Fun, chill and cocktails
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾 its all about the cocktails
Food available? Just pizza when I went
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2021
Warm/dry weather only? There is a roof of sorts, heaters and sides that close so no!
Rooftop review roundup: Cocktails inspired by films this is a quirky fun imaginative rooftop. The ’50 shades of grapes’ was handcuffed to me!! What it lacks in swagger of swanky views and vibes it makes up for with the creativity of cocktails and even a flower wall & devil and angel photo op… so you just have to choose which one you are!
Website: Click here
