Central London x 16

1. Alto @ Selfridges

Best for: 🍽

Nearest tube: Bond St – 1 min🚶🏻‍♂️🚶‍♀️

View: The eye in the distance

Dress code: Casual

Vibe: Depends when you go … winter mid week quiet v height of summer on a Saturday – buzzzzzing

Prosecco price: 🍾🍾

Food available? Yes

Booking available? Yes

Last visited /photos taken: 2018&9

Warm/dry weather only? No

Rooftop review roundup: Great shopping pit stop in the winter and it’s own destination in the summer. I’ve been going for a few years now, each time is slightly different. The entrance is the insta worthy feature – after taking the private lift up, you wander through a photographable festive tunnel. The bar indoors is very small – perfect post shop chill. The resturant is best in the summer – the roof comes off and the vibe is European AND there’s an outdoor terrace (no heaters in winter but sofas and sun in the summer) A Fabulous all rounder!

Address: Selfridges Rooftop, 400 Oxford St, W1A 1AB

Website: Click here

Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: John Lewis rooftop (below)

2. Aqua Kyoto

Best for: 🍸🍷🥂🥃🍹

Nearest tube: Oxford street – 2 min 🚶🏻‍♂️🚶‍♀️

View: General London rooftops

Dress code: No flip flops or tracksuits. I’ve been super dressed up 👗👠 and dressed up👖

Vibe: Chilled mix of ages, quite trendy crowd

Prosecco price: Just 🍾🍾🍾🍾champers – glad I also love a rose!

Food available? Japanese style tapas (resturant inside tho is very dark in comparison to the terrace also very glitzy!)

Booking needed? No and nor can you

Warm weather only? Yes

Visited / photos taken on: 2018

Rooftop review: This is one of 2 rooftops in the same building, the other – Aqua Nueva is featured below. This one seemed more popular maybe due to the pretty flowers and sofas – and slightly more of a fun vibe.

Address: 240 Regents St, W1B 3BT

Website Click here

Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: The Top in Barcelona

3. Aqua Nueva

Best for: 🍸🍷🥂🥃🍹

Nearest tube: Oxford street – 2 min 🚶🏻‍♂️🚶‍♀️

View: General London rooftops (tho also currently some covered big building!)

Dress code: No flip flops or tracksuits. I’ve been super dressed up 👗👠 and dressed up👖

Vibe: Chilled mix of ages

Prosecco price: Just 🍾🍾🍾🍾champers – glad I also love a rose!

Food available? Spanish – full meals available

Booking needed? No and nor can you

Warm weather only? Yes

Visited / photos taken: 2017 & 2018

Rooftop review: This is one of 2 rooftops in the same building. Aqua Spirit featured above is the other. This has a slightly quieter feel with cute coloured flags maybe as it’s not as obvious to get to. They also have a terrace at the back for private for hire.

Address: 240 Regents St, W1B 3BT

Website: Click here

Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: Le Roof In Cannes

4. B&H Garden Room

Best for: 🍽🥂☕️

Nearest tube: Leicester Square – 2 mins 🚶‍♀️or Piccadilly Circus – 3 mins 🚶🏻‍♂️

View: The eye and the city

Dress code: Casual

Vibe: Summer chill

Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾

Food available? Yes

Booking available? Yes

Last visited /photos taken: 2018

Warm/dry weather only? Yes its enclosed – though it made the cut for a rooftop not an awesome alternative as there is a very small terrace (more for photos and fresh air than able to drink on)

Rooftop review roundup: Newly opened at the end of 2018. An oasis of calm from the busy tourist Leicester Sq. Elegant yet causal was the perfect pre matinee lunch venue.

Address: B&H Garden Room, 10th Floor, 27-31 Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0LS

Website: Click here

Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: Aqua (above)

4. Fight Club

Best for: 🥂🍻

Nearest tube: Victoria – 5 min🚶‍♀️

Location: Above the dart 🎯 emporium!

View: Nothing!

Vibe: Cute garden theme, party vibe.

Prosecco price: 🍾 (and a free bottle if 6+ for lunch)

Food available? Yes

Booking available? Yes

Smoking allowed? Yes

Last visited /photos taken: 2019

Warm/dry weather only? No but if it’s super rainy or cold I wouldn’t bother but they do have enclosed huts on the roof!

Rooftop review roundup: This is a hidden gem and a big surprise. Don’t let the name put you off as it nearly did me! I was expecting a small smoking area type rooftop and instead it’s super retro and kitsch! Inside the vibe is darts and casino but step out and it’s full of a gardeners dream and London icons – like they have an original telephone box that is actually a disco for one! Perfect for a hen/ baby shower or just for the gram!

Address: 6 Sir Simon Milton Sq, SW1E 5DJ

Website: Click here

Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: John Lewis below!

6. John Lewis Rooftop

Best for: 🍸🍽

Nearest tube: Oxford St – 3 mins 🚶‍♀️or Bond St – 5 mins 🚶🏻‍♂️

Location: 6th floor of John Lewis department store (but you need to go to 5th then there’s special elevators or stairs through ‘place to eat section’).

View: The eye

Dress code: Casual 👖👟👚👕

Vibe: Relaxed

Prosecco price: 🍾🍾

Food available? Yes

Booking available? Yes – the resturant and cabins not the general outside areas

Smoking allowed? No

Last visited /photos taken: 2019

Warm/dry weather only? No

Rooftop review roundup: A treasure of a rooftop – either as a pit stop from shopping or a destination. In winter there’s an ice rink and hot gin and summer there’s movies under the stars! The main resturant is enclosed is weather proof and there’s even some private cabins you can hire.

Address: 300 Oxford St, W1C 1DX

Website: Click here

Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: Gallow Green in New York

7. LSQ Rooftop

Best for: 🥂🍹🥃🍷

Nearest tube: Leicester Square – 2 mins 🚶🏻‍♂️or Piccadilly Circus 3 mins 🚶‍♀️

View: The London Eye & general london

Dress code: Anything 👡👚👕👔👖👗

Vibe: Hotel guests & quiet

Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾

Food available? Yes but we just had drinks

Booking needed? No

Warm/dry weather only? Yes and no as there is wall to ceiling windows so could still enjoy the views safe and dry!

Visited / photos taken: 2018

Rooftop review: Its just opened so not yet busy for a Saturday in the hub of London however the staff were also very busy. Table service was available on a small strip terrace (though a little slow) and the main bar is inside. If you can get a table on the terrace then wow – spectacular views. And the bonus is they currently open early (most rooftops don’t) so morning coffees meetings with a view is the dream!

Address: Indigo Hotel, 1 Leicester Sq, WC2H 7NA

Website: Click here

Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: 12 Knot – Southbank

8. Plaza Terrace Bar

Best for: 🥂🥜🧀🥓🍷

Nearest tube: Covent Garden 2 mins 🚶‍♀️

Location: On top of the Royal Opera House

View: Covent Garden square & London eye in the distance

Dress code: Anything (but at night Smart casual)

Vibe: Quiet when no performance is on, theatre audience vibe when is

Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾

Food available? Snacks and a few plates

Booking available? No

Smoking allowed? No

Last visited /photos taken: 2019

Warm/dry weather only? No

Rooftop review roundup: A hidden hideaway in such a tourist trap of Covent Garden. Debated whether it would count as a rooftop as there is a roof and windows but the latter gets pulled right back (don’t attempt this yourself or you’ll get your thumb trapped like me!) or stays is lashing with rain – the consensus was yes it passed as one! Perfect for a pre theatre drink or just to escape the craziness of this super popular part of town. (Tho once you’ve taken in the plaza of Covent Garden, I’d also stop by their Paul Hamlyn Hall Champagne Bar for a decadent glass of something bubbly surrounded by history).

Address: 55 Bow St, Covent Garden, WC2E 7AT

Website: Click here

Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: B&H Garden Room at Leicester Square (no 4 above)

9. Prince of Wales Feathers

Best for: 🍺

Nearest tube: Warren Street – 30 Secs 🚶‍♀️Euston Sq – 4 mins 🚶🏻‍♂️

Location: Above the pub

View: nothing

Dress code: Casual

Vibe: Pub!

Prosecco price: 🍾

Food available? Yes

Booking available? No

Smoking allowed? Yes

Last visited /photos taken: 2019

Warm/dry weather only? Yes

Rooftop review roundup: A great little pub in the busy area that’s reasonably priced and an outdoor space to breath or have a smoke. Not the glamour of sweeping London views but an outdoor space in summer that’s welcomed

Address: 8 Warren St, W1T 5LD

Website: Click here

Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like The Scottish Stores in Kings Cross

10. Radio Rooftop

Best for: 🥂🍽🍸

Nearest tube: Temple – 7 mins 🚶🏻‍♂️or Covent Garden – 7 mins 🚶‍♀️

View: Somerset House & Shard

Dress code: 👗👕👔

Vibe: Swanky and night chilled by day.

Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾

Food available? Yes

Booking available? Yes

Last visited /photos taken: 2018

Warm/dry weather only? No – heaters and covered area

Rooftop review roundup: A firm fav for great views, great location and party vibe. By day lovely sofas to chill with champers on. (For dining those tables are inside)

Address: 10th Floor ME Hotel, 336-337 Strand, WC2R 1HA

Website: Click here

Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: Golden Bee in Old Street

11. St James Cafe

Best for: ☕️🥂🍷🍽🍰

Nearest tube: St James Park- 5 min🚶‍♀️or Westminster – 8 mins🚶🏻‍♂️or Piccadilly Circus – 16 mins🚶‍♀️

View: St James palace, the London eye & the park.

Dress code: Causal 👕👚👖

Vibe: Super chill cafe

Prosecco price: 🍾

Food available? Yes

Booking available? No but it’s fast turn around of visitors

Last visited /photos taken: 2019

Warm/dry weather only? Yes (the cafe underneath is enclosed should you need it!)

Rooftop review roundup: Not what you usually expect from a ‘rooftop’ but it is indeed on top of the cafe, open with views so one for families, a quiet read of a book, a pit stop whilst park walking or just to while away the day. Very tranquil.

Address: St James Park, SW1A 2BJ

Website: Click here

Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: Hollyhock Cafe in Richmond (not a rooftop but an awesome alternative)

12. The Nest

Best for: 🍾☕️🥂🍸🍷

Nearest tube: Oxford Street – 4 mins 🚶🏻‍♂️Great Portland Street – 9 mins 🚶‍♀️

Location: On top of the Treehouse Hotel, opposite the BBC

View: All of London! 🤩

Dress code: Smart casual 👚👔👗👖

Vibe: Piano bar, elegant

Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾+

Food available? Snacks, small plates and sharing plates (or there is a restaurant on the floor below)

Booking available? Yes

Smoking allowed? Yes (outside)

Last visited /photos taken: 2019

Warm/dry weather only? Yes but

Rooftop review roundup: A much needed addition to rooftops this side of London. Perfect for post shopping champers with Oxford and Regent Street just below. The staff are warm and welcoming and the views are some of the best in London. It’s not catered for winter outside but they have created a gorgeous treehouse vibe bar on the inside. In the summer I can see this being ridiculously popular as you step outside you can walk around the bar in the middle – providing 360 views of the city! From BT tower, to the shard to the famous shopping street below! Currently it’s only open to the public in the day so do call ahead to check it will be open when you are planning to go. I will definitely be back!

Address: 14-15 Langham Place, W1B 2QS

Website: Click here

Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: 12th Knot on Southbank

13. The Rooftop, St James (formally Vista)

Best for: 🥂🍹🍸🍷

Nearest tube: Charing Cross – 6 mins 🚶🏻‍♂️or Piccadilly Circus – 7 mins 🚶‍♀️

View: Trafalgar Square & London Eye

Dress code: Evening – dress it up but not because you have to but you will want to 👗👠

Vibe: Date night, sophisticated

Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾

Food available? Yes

Booking available? Yes – rarely for a place like this so do!

Visited / photos taken on: 2018 (been many time when it was Vista but all pics are from last visit)

Warm/dry weather only? NO – the beauty with the refurbish is it now will be open all year

Rooftop review: Always was a big fav in it’s ‘Vista’ days and whilst the vibe is now less tea parties more champers at sunset – I still love it! The booking option is amazing, the staff and atmosphere, great – it’s just probably a little more dressy now. BUT the pay off for all year round and having and area with a retractable roof – genius!

Address: 7th Floor, Trafalgar Hotel, 2 Spring Gardens, Trafalgar Sq, SW1A 2TS

Website: Click here

Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: La Dolce Vita in Barcelona

14. The Roof Terrace – Ham Yard

Best for: 🥂🍸🍹🍻🍷

Nearest tube: Piccadilly Circus – 3 mins 🚶‍♀️

Location: On top on Ham Yard Hotel

View: London buildings

Dress code: Smart Casual 👕👚👖👗

Vibe: Chilled yet bustling

Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾

Food available? Snacks only

Booking available? Yes and a must as this rooftop is for pop ups and hire only

Smoking allowed? Yes

Last visited /photos taken: 2019

Warm/dry weather only? No

Rooftop review roundup: This is a private terrace but they put on a lot of pop ups – rose on the roof & yoga in the summer to hot gin and heaters in the winter. I’ve done the latter a few times and most recently came to a private hire drinks event. The weather has never been kind when I have been – usually grey and rainy (hence the pics are a little dull) but there is a cover over the sofas so still totally doable. Staff couldn’t be more helpful, as it’s a hotel there’s also a cloakroom and worse case there’s a gorgeous bar and resturant downstairs if you just wanted to swing by the terrace for one drink.

Address: 1 Ham Yard, Soho, W1D 7DT

Website: Click here

Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: John Lewis Rooftop – no 6 above

15. Toy Roof

Best for: 🍹🍾🍷

Nearest tube: Oxford Circus – 3 mins 🚶‍♀️

Location: 6th floor of the Courthouse Hotel, opposite to Liberty store and next door to the Paladium theatre

View: Nothing iconic except Liberty store

Dress code: smart casual 👚👕

Vibe: Chilled tunes, young and fun

Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾

Food available? Yes – finger food, 🍔 and 🍕

Booking available? Yes but it’s min spend of £50pp

Smoking allowed? Yes

Last visited /photos taken: 2019

Warm/dry weather only? No – open all year round with heaters, plastic side sheeting for the winter.

Rooftop review roundup: Like many rooftops it’s only open from 3 though unlike many its open every day which is a bonus in central. It’s a small terrace with a big personality – great for post work, pre theatre, post shopping drinks.

Address: 19-21 Great Marlborough Street, W1F 7HL

Website: Click here

Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: Chiringuito in Bethnal Green

16. The Windmill Mayfair

Best for: 🍷🥂🍺🥃🍸🍹

Nearest tube: Oxford Circus – 5 mins 🚶🏻‍♂️🚶‍♀️

View: None

Dress code: 👚👔👕👟

Vibe: Traditional pub

Prosecco price: 🍾🍾

Food available? Yes

Booking available? No

Last visited /photos taken: 2018

Warm/dry weather only? No – heaters and umbrellas

Rooftop review roundup: A little corner to come up for air in busy bustling area. Though it’s popular and as no booking means you have to take your luck. Summer heaving and Winter has hot gin! (Oh and inside the also a room called the pie room! 🥧)

Address: 6/8 Mill Street, London, W1S 2AZ

Website: Click here