12th Knot – Sea Containers
Best for: 🍹🍸🍷🥂
Nearest tube: Blackfriars – 8 mins 🚶♀️or Southwark – 8 mins 🚶🏻♂️or Waterloo – 11 mins🚶🏻♂️🚶♀️
Location: Sea Containers on Southbank.
View: St Paul’s & The Thames
Dress code: Smart/ casual or dress it up as it’s a sexy, classy venue!👠👗👔
Vibe: A mixed crowd but mainly a fun bustling atmosphere
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾 (no actual Prosecco – sparking wine tho and gorgeous cocktails!)
Food available: Menu has grazing and sharing light bites
Booking needed? No but advisable for inside
Warm/dry weather only? Technically yes but the terrace would still be ok for nipping out on to and if the weather isn’t great the terrace has floor to ceiling glass windows so you can sip your champers on a sofa, in the warm (and dry) but still with a view!
Last visited / photos taken: 2022
Rooftop review: The rooftop terrace is just that – more a terrace to pop out onto for some nice photos, taking in the view. If you are lucky enough to bag a seat then perfect but it’s very small and quite cramped but worth it for the view! It’s often a place I wind up at for a post lunch treat drink on a weekend.
Address: Southbank, SE1 9PD
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: 270 in Valencia
601 Queens Road
Best for: 🥂🍷🍽☕️
Nearest tube: Wimbledon – 1 min 🚶🏻♂️🚶♀️
Location: Right by the tube and shopping Center.
View: Sky! Buildings
Dress code: Smart casual 👕👚👖
Vibe: Classy, chilled, brunch & dates
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2018
Warm/dry weather only? No
Rooftop review roundup: Gorgeous airy restaurant with a lovely pretty terrace. Great food and modern feel.
Address 601 Queens Road, Centre Court Shopping Center, No 4 Queens Road, Wimbledon, SW19 8YA
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: The Boundary Project in Hackney
Auberge
Best for: 🍷🍽🥙🍕🥗
Nearest tube: Waterloo – 2 mins 🚶🏻♂️🚶♀️
Location: Round the corner from Waterloo station
View: Not much – a little of the Shard but mainly happy to be outside near Waterloo
Dress code: Anything – it’s a pub 👚👖👕 / after work geer also!
Vibe: Chill
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes advisable but not needed
Last visited / photos taken: 2019
Warm/dry weather only? Has heaters
Rooftop review: Quite little English vibe pub with a terrace. Very chill, good food and the rooftop is low key and fun! Perfect for meets near Waterloo or a last drink before heading home!
Address: 1 Sandell Street, Lambeth, SE1 8UH
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: Grand Central in Brighton
Bar Elba
Best for: 🥂🍻🍷🍸🍹🍺🍔
Nearest tube: Waterloo – 2 min walk 🚶🏻♂️🚶♀️
Location: A few minutes from Waterloo – Old Vic theatre way.
View: Not much
Dress code: Casual or dress up if you fancy 👖👚👕👗
Vibe: Young, fun, party 🥳
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes – snacks, chips etc
Booking available? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2022
Warm/dry weather only? No – has a retractable roof and heaters
Rooftop review roundup: Once you have climbed the many many many stairs (painted with fun insta worthy quotes about the bar’s heritage) Its a great fun young vibe, lots of groups of friends, great location if needing southern overland train home after work!
Address: Mercury House
109-117 Waterloo Road, SE1 8UL
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: Golden Bee in Old Street
Bussey Rooftop Bar
Best for: 🍹🍸🥂
Nearest tube: Peckham Rye – 2 mins 🚶🏻♂️
Location: Just off the high street
View: The city
Dress code: Whatever you fancy! 👗👔👖👕👚
Vibe: Chilled tunes, fun times
Prosecco price: 🍾
Food available? Yes – snacks
Booking available? No
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2019
Warm/dry weather only? No – they have a retractable roof
Rooftop review roundup: Gorgeous pretty insta worthy rooftop. Staff super friendly, great different spaces to sit and they have a cinema next door (see below for more)
Address: Roof B Bussey Building, 133 Rye Lane, SE15 4ST
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: Skylight in Wapping
Bussey rooftop cinema
Best for: 🎥 🥤 🍿 🍦 🥂🍹
Nearest tube: Peckham Rye – 2 mins 🚶🏻♂️
Location: On the Bussey building
View: The City (and the film 😉)
Dress code: Casual – blankets provided but bring layers
Vibe: 🤓
Prosecco price: 🍾
Food available? Snacks and we got a free ice cream 😋
Booking available? Yes though we didn’t as were in the bar next door and spontaneously went as there were seats still available to book there and then
Smoking allowed? No (can next door)
Last visited /photos taken: 2019
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: If you going to the movies then why not make it special and see a fab film with fab views watching the sun set beside you. Perfect night!
Address: Roof B, Bussey building, 133 Rye Lane, SE15 4ST
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: Queen of Hoxton that also does cinema screenings (tho I’ve not been to that one other than drinks)
CLF Art lounge & Roof Garden
Best for: 🍸🍹
Nearest tube: Peckham Rye 30 seconds!
Location: A black door on the street, quite unassuming and quite easy to miss.
View: N/a
Dress code: 👖👚👟👕🩴
Vibe: Arty, creative cool
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? Yes – there’s a designated area
Last visited /photos taken: 2021
Warm/dry weather only? No – there’s a tin roof for the rainy days
Rooftop review roundup: This is a little gem of a rooftop so don’t let the stressed bouncer put you off. We were nearly put off but was worth smiling! If you are looking for something less boujee and with character then this is for you. Eve the interiors as we climbed up were eclectic and quirky – can imagine cosy winter nights downstairs. The actual rooftop had great tunes, which on Sundays has DJs, creative cocktails and full of gorgeous greenery – transporting you to another planet from the area its sat on top of. It is in residence till the end of summer 2022 then its moving next door as the Elizabeth line takes over! So for this location go this year!
Address: 4a Station Way, Peckham, SE15 4RX
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might like Boundary over in Shoreditch
Cubana
Best for: 🍹🍸🍤🍝🥗
Nearest tube: Waterloo 5 mins
Location: On top of their restaurant
View: Nada
Dress code: 👕👚👖🩴
Vibe: Young, fun … Cuban
Prosecco price: 🍾 – cava only… its all about the cocktails
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? Yea
Last visited /photos taken: 2021
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: So my first impressions weren’t great. Made to wait 10 minutes with no one around, then told the rooftop doesn’t open for a couple of hours despite booking it… some drinks comped for the inconvenience but the attitude was very laid back oh well, it’s just poor info and booking system. So would advice anyone to email them. Once up it was a cute fun lil rooftop with great tunes and cheap cocktails. Its also open till 3am so can imagine its a good go to after closing time. For that I’d recommend!
Address: 48 Lower Marsh, SE1 7RG
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this place then you might like Coq Bull in Soho
Corin
Best for: 🍹🥂
Nearest tube: Tooting Broadway 🚶🏻♂️1 min
Location: Opposite the station, sandwiched between to buildings with a small entrance
View: N/A
Vibe: Fun in the sun
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes but limited
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2022
Warm/dry weather only? No
Rooftop review roundup: Opened on April fools day but it’s definitely no joke. A great contender and much needed rooftop bar addition to the south London scene. The bouncer felt a bit overkill but I can imagine as it gets popular will be needed. Lovely decking space, comfy sofas and plenty of blankets and heaters for the chillier days. There’s also a retractable roof for one area so not entirely weather dependant. The food and drink were more limited than I expected which was a shame but could just have been it was the first week it was open. But do check before you go if that’s a deal breaker. If you are just going for drinks and are local this is going to be your new summer go to, for sure!
Address: 54a Tooting High Street, SW17 0RN
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might like Maya in Shoreditch
Forza Win
Best for: 🍽🍸🍹🍻🍷
Nearest tube: Peckham Rye – 2 mins 🚶🏻♂️
Location: On top of the Market Place building – out the station through the passage way ahead, right then cross the road and left down Rye Lane then a few feet on the right… you go up in the lift not the stairs! (note there is another Forza Win on the other side of the building that’s not a rooftop)
View: The whole of London – literally the share even the millennium dome!
Dress code: Casual
Vibe: Chilled yet classy
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Big Snacks – good enough for a small meal
Booking available? Yes 4 people minimum
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2019
Warm/dry weather only? Yes and no. Currently they have no cover outside but watch this space! However they do have seating inside should it be cold and rainy.
Rooftop review roundup: Brand spanking new this extension of their already successful resturant a few 100 yards away this bench sharing tables, good tunes and vibes is as you’d expect from Peckham but this one has a little more shine & polish.
Address: Rye Lane, SE15 4ST
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: Culpeper in the city
Franks cafe
Best for: 🥂🍽🍺
Nearest tube: Peckham Rye – 3 mins 🚶♀️
Location: On top of a car park
View: The city
Dress code: Casual
Vibe: Sunday afternoon chilling
Prosecco price: 🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? No – I usually always get a seat though as it’s big!
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2019
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: Summer only – the original Peckham rooftop open for over a decade. Insta worthy pink stair case and many flights of stairs to climb but worth it to come and chill with a group of friends. Suits all types tho disclaimer they do serve drinks in plastic cups 🙅♀️ (as do many rooftops for health and safety reasons but they provide plastic flutes or wine glasses, a little remiss for the princesses out there but if it doesn’t bother you then probably perfect place for you!
Address: Bold Tendencies, 7-10 floor multistory, 95a Rue Lane, SE15 4ST
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like:Topo in Lisbon
London Bridge Rooftop
Best for: 🍾🍸🍻🍷🍔
Nearest tube: London Bridge 🚶🏻♂️1 min
Location: On top of the Colechurch House building at the end of the bridge
View: Shard, St Paul’s, London eye
Dress code: 👟👕👖🧥🩴
Vibe: Tunes and chill
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes but limited to burgers – brunch coming soon
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2021
Warm/dry weather only? Technically yes as they only have big umbrellas and a few spots for rain cover and no heaters but they are a determined rooftop so rarely close when the weather is bad, so pack your thermals and a brolly!
Rooftop review roundup: Opened end of 2020 with the slogan, ‘here for a good time not a long time’ and how true that was but now we are out again and its back (hopefully for a long time). This is the perfect balance of chilled tunes, reasonably priced booze and with the impressive London views. The staff were flawless in their pursuit to ensure guests had a good time. Even running around in the rain, soaked through, seeing how they could keep us dry as yes this rooftop isn’t wet weather proof but undeterred they power on. Actually created a lot of laughter between tables. For my full write up click here.
Address: Colechurch House, Bridge Walk, SE1 2SX
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like it here then you may also like Franks in Peckham
Lost in Brixton
Best for: 🍸🍾🥂🍷🥃🍻
Nearest tube: Brixton 🚶🏻♂️ 2 mins
Location: Through the market (note there’s more than one in Brixton so follow the address not market signs) and at the back the entrance is next to ‘Artisan stories’ shop.
View: None
Dress code: 👕👟🩴👖
Vibe: Chillax
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes – in carry take away bag you can eat in or take with you on your way.
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2021
Warm/dry weather only? No they retractable roof
Rooftop review roundup: The clue is in the name. You would not feel like you are in south London but a beach club somewhere fabulous – an oasis of floral fun. Smaller in size than anticipated but still a great space for a rooftop bar. The decorative foliage made up for the lack of views. Staff couldn’t be more helpful and the music added to the summer vibes that this place oozes.
Address: Brixton Village, Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8PS
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop you will love Bussey above.
Mezemiso
Best for: 🍽🍷🥂
Nearest tube: Vauxhall – 9 min 🚶🏻♂️or Lambeth North – 15 min 🚶♀️
Location: In the Crown Plaza Embankment hotel.
View: The river, House of Parliament
Dress code: Smart Casual up! 👕👗👔👖
Vibe: Classy
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2019
Warm/dry weather only? No
Rooftop review roundup: Opened early 2019 and a much needed addition to the area. Quite small inside so intimate with stunning views and mostly covered indoors. The actual outdoor terrace is small with a handful of tables – but have heaters and blankets. Makes for a perfect mix of all round weather safe place!
Address: Crowne Plaza London, 10-11 Albert Embankment, SE1 7SP
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: Smith’s of Smithfield in Farringdon
No 32 The Old Town
Best for: 🍻🍽🍷
Nearest tube: Clapham Common – 4 mins 🚶🏻♂️🚶♀️
Location: By a little green
View: Clapham – not much!
Dress code: Casual 👖👚👕
Vibe: Gastro pub
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2018
Warm/dry weather only? No
Rooftop review roundup: A cute little terrace, perfect for a lazy Sunday. We went in the winter and was heaters though we decided to eat inside. Staff were brilliantly helpful.
Address: No 32 The Old Town,
32 The Pavement, SW4 0JE
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: Grand Central in Brighton
Oxo Tower
Best for: 🍽🥂🍹🍸
Nearest tube: Blackfriars – 10 mins 🚶♀️Waterloo – 11 mins🚶🏻♂️
Location: Above the Oxo Tower building
View: St Paul’s, the river & the City
Dress code: Smart Casual – dress up a bit! 👗👔 (and take a cardy!)
Vibe: Bustling restaurant yet really relaxed. A complete mix of ages and people.
Prosecco price: No Prosecco – just the original 🥂 at 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes – the reason to come!
Booking available? Yes and recommended
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2022
Warm/dry weather only? Yes for the terrace but they have floor to ceiling windows should you need to move inside or it’s winter!
Rooftop review roundup: This rooftop was my first! Been a firm favourite for over 20 years! Though since then the rooftop competition in London has grown but it remains a classic. With iconic sweeping London views, good food (if a little pricey), lovely friendly staff and an indoor to dash into if the weather lets you down! One point to note is as it is mostly in the shade and a rooftop it is cooler than you would expect. Perfect on a barmy summer day but usually in the summer I would recommend a cardy or even light jacket, they even do their own champagne so worse case a champagne jacket! 😉
Address: Oxo Tower Wharf, Barge St, SE1 9PH
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: The Mercer Rooftop Terrace over the river
Peckham Rye Society
Best for: 🍺🍷🍹🍺🍷🍹🍺🍷
Nearest tube: Peckham Rye – 3 mins 🚶🏻♂️
Location: Out the station through the passage way ahead, turn right then cross the road and left down Rye Lane and follow the passage way all the way to the end where you will see the sign at the end of the Bussey building
View: South London!
Dress code: Uber casual 👟👖
Vibe: Fun and chill depending!
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? All vegan
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2019
Warm/dry weather only? It is weather permitting! So if it’s raining in the day it won’t be open in the evening and isn’t open for winter… yet! Plans are for 2020!
Rooftop review roundup: Like a pretty beer garden but on a rooftop. Capacity is 250 with lots of benches and then standing room when it gets party vibe on.
Address: Roof D, Bussey Building, Rue Lane, SE15 4ST
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: Dalston Roof Park
Prince of Wales (POW)
Best for: 🍹🍸💃👯♀️🕺🏼
Nearest tube: Brixton – 2 mins 🚶♀️
Location: On the corner of the main street
View: Nothing much
Dress code: 😎 trendy
Vibe: Party
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Snacks
Booking available? Yes for certain nights – and would be needed.
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2019
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: A two tier terrace with several bars dotted around, lacking in seating and what they did have was mostly reserved. I went on a ticketed night so they were expecting huge number of people for standing room only. DJs and party vibe – we arrived when it opened (to get a seat! Doh) so was lacking in any vibe as still too early. Am sure would have been a fun young crowd dancing the night away.
Address: 467-469 Brixton Road, SW9 8HH
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: Queen of Hoxton in Shoreditch
Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden
Best for: 🥂🍹🍺☕️
Nearest tube: Waterloo – 5 mins 🚶♀️
Location: Above the Southbank Center – follow the yellow stairs💛
View: Waterloo bridge, Somerset House, St Paul’s, London eye.
Dress code: Casual 👚👖👕
Vibe: By day coffee meet ups and chats, by night after work drinks.
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2019
Warm/dry weather only? Yes! No cover. Summer opening only.
Rooftop review roundup: Gorgeous Gardens providing an oasis of calm from the bustle below… open all day and night. Perfect for all ages… till summer nights hit then there’s often an after work queue – so get there early. Perfect for a sunny afternoon. ☀️
Address: Southbank Centre, Belverdere Road, SE1 8XX
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: St James Cafe in central London
Seabird
Best for: 🍽 🍤🍣🥂🐠🐟
Nearest tube: Southwark – 3 mins 🚶♀️Waterloo – 8 mins🚶🏻♂️Blackfriars – 10 mins 🚶♀️
Location: 14th floor on top of the newly opened Hoxton hotel
View: The shard, the city,
Dress code: Smart Casual
Vibe: Lounge piano music
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes – seafood including the longest oyster list in London!
Booking available? Not on the terrace but inside yes!
Smoking allowed? Again on the terrace, yes.
Last visited /photos taken: 2022
Warm/dry weather only? No… but as they are very new they aren’t quite equipped for the wind and cold. The heaters are being reviewed! BUT the roof can be covered to protect from rain but the windows are real… with no glass, so wrap up it is worth it!
Rooftop review roundup: A gorgeous rooftop, with its own named lift! 2/3rds it is an indoor restaurant with a raw bar… yes that’s right, a raw fish bar – the largest in London The views are available in or outside… its a definite wow!
Address: 40 Blackfriars Rod, SE1 8PB
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also love Wagtail in the city.
Sky Bar
Best for: 🍹🍸🍷🥂
Nearest tube: Lambeth North – 6 mins 🚶🏻♂️or Waterloo – 9 mins 🚶♀️
Location: On top of the H10 Hotel
View: London Eye, Shard and general London roofs.
Dress code: Anything went! We went in dresses 👗👖👚👕👠👡
Vibe: Quiet. Good for a drink. Good to take parents to. No tunes.
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes though we went just for drinks
Booking needed? No
Warm/ dry weather only? Yes
Visited / photos taken: 2018
Rooftop review: Great table service which considering it’s a small terrace was a bonus when you want to laze in the sun! Recommended as post shopping/ sightseeing pit stop or post dinner nightcap to take in the view.
Address: H10 Hotel, 284 – 302 Waterloo Road, SE1 8RQ
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: De Robertis in Malta
Skylight – Peckham
Best for: 🥂🥯🥬🥗
Nearest tube: Peckham Rye 8 mins
Location: On top of Mountview drama school
View: Shard and most of London
Dress code: 👖👠
Vibe: Chill but I imagine once it’s opened then fun!
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2021
Warm/dry weather only? No
Rooftop review roundup: The second from the Skylight family after their very successful rooftop down on the docks, they have not disappointed with this new addition. A more sophisticated affair with the same stunning views and this one has a proper indoor option – a gorgeous garden themed restaurant with floor to ceiling windows so worse case you can still enjoy the rooftop almost as if you were outside which is what happened on my first visit just a few days after they had opened, read full review here.
Address: 120 Peckham Hill, SE15 5JT
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you will love Sabine over St Pauls. – read full review here
The Loft
Best for: 🍽🍹🍷🥂☕️
Nearest tube: Wimbledon – 3 mins 🚶🏻♂️🚶♀️
View: Buildings
Dress code: Casual 👖👕👚
Vibe: Pub, chilled, fun
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2018
Warm/dry weather only? No
Rooftop review roundup: Cute little terrace a rooftop indoor area to keep warm tho they do have heaters too. Lovely warm fuzzy feeling! Imagine fun in the summer!
Address: The Alexandra Pub, 33 Wimbledon Hill Road, SW19 7NE
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: Topo In Lisbon
The Saxon
Best for: 🥂🥓🍳
Location: On their rather lovely pub
View: Nada
Dress code: 👖👕👚
Vibe: Pub!
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes including bottomless brunch
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2021
Warm/dry weather only? Yes though they do have BIG umbrellas for a light shower
Rooftop review roundup: Gorgeous pub smack bang in the middle of Clapham with a cute pub style rooftop. Jamie was on hand for anything we want – excellent service. Food was good – less pub grub more boujee meals. Just missing some tunes. But a great all rounder.
Address: 50 Clapham High Street, SW4 7UL
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip:If you like this rooftop pub then you will like The Castle in Islington
The Tankard
Best for: 🍽🍷🍺
Nearest tube: Lambeth North – 6 mins 🚶🏻♂️🚶♀️ – right by the Imperial War Museum
View: Just roads and a park
Dress code: Casual 👖👚👕👟
Vibe: Fun and chilled pub
Prosecco price: 🍾
Food available? Yes 🥂😋
Booking available? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2018
Warm/dry weather only? No, part of the roof is inside, part with heaters.
Rooftop review roundup: A great pub rooftop – like a beer garden on a roof! Staff funny and friendly.
Address: 111 Kennington Road, SE11 6SF
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: The Auberge in London (above)