1. 12TH KNOT
Best for: πΉπΈπ·π₯
Nearest tube: Blackfriars – 8 mins πΆββοΈor Southwark – 8 mins πΆπ»ββοΈor Waterloo – 11 minsπΆπ»ββοΈπΆββοΈ
Location: In the Mondrain Hotel Sea Containers building.
View: St Paulβs & The Thames
Dress code: Smart/ casual or dress it up as itβs a sexy, classy venue!π ππ
Vibe: A mixed crowd but mainly a fun bustling atmosphere
Prosecco price: πΎπΎπΎ (no actual Prosecco β sparking wine tho and gorgeous cocktails!)
Food available: Menu has grazing and sharing light bites
Booking needed? No but advisable
Warm/dry weather only? Technically yes but the terrace would still be ok for nipping out on to and if the weather isnβt 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: 2019
Rooftop review: The rooftop terrace is just that β 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 itβs very small and quite cramped but worth it for the view! Itβs often a place I wind up at for a post lunch treat drink on a weekend.
Address: 2th floor of Sea Containers, Mondrain Hotel, 20 Upper Ground, Southbank, SE1 9PD
Website: Click here









Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: 270 in Valencia
2. 601 Queens Road



Best for: π₯π·π½βοΈ
Nearest tube: Wimbledon – 1 min πΆπ»ββοΈπΆββοΈ
Location: Right by the tube and shopping Center.
View: Sky! Buildings
Dress code: Smart casual πππ
Vibe: Classy, chilled, brunch & dates
Prosecco price: πΎπΎ
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 Rd
Centre Court Shopping Centre
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
3. Auberge



Best for: π·π½π₯ππ₯
Nearest tube: Waterloo – 2 mins πΆπ»ββοΈπΆββοΈ
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 πππ / after work geer also!
Vibe: Chill
Prosecco price: πΎπΎ
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.
Not the swanky wanky vibe at all. 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
4. Bar Elba



Best for: π₯π»π·πΈπΉπΊπ
Nearest tube: Waterloo – 2 min walk πΆπ»ββοΈπΆββοΈ
Location: A few minutes from Waterloo – Old Vic theatre way.
View: Not much
Dress code: Casual or dress up if you fancy ππππ
Vibe: Young, fun, party π₯³
Prosecco price: πΎπΎ
Food available? Yes – snacks, chips etc
Booking available? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2019
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
5. Bussey Rooftop Bar



Best for: πΉπΈπ₯
Nearest tube: Peckham Rye – 2 mins πΆπ»ββοΈ
Location: Just off the high street
View: The city
Dress code: Whatever you fancy! πππππ
Vibe: Chilled tunes, fun times
Prosecco price: πΎ
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: Upper 5th in Shoreditch
6. Bussey rooftop cinema



Best for: π₯ π₯€ πΏ π¦ π₯πΉ
Nearest tube: Peckham Rye – 2 mins πΆπ»ββοΈ
Location: On the Bussey building
View: The City (and the film π)
Dress code: Casual – blankets provided but bring layers
Vibe: π€
Prosecco price: πΎ
Food available? Snacks and we got a free ice cream π
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)
7. Forza Win



Best for: π½πΈπΉπ»π·
Nearest tube: Peckham Rye – 2 mins πΆπ»ββοΈ
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: πΎπΎπΎ
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 youβd 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
8. Franks cafe



Best for: π₯π½πΊ
Nearest tube: Peckham Rye – 3 mins πΆββοΈ
Location: On top of a car park
View: The city
Dress code: Casual
Vibe: Sunday afternoon chilling
Prosecco price: πΎ
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 π ββοΈ (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
9. Mezemiso



Best for: π½π·π₯
Nearest tube: Vauxhall – 9 min πΆπ»ββοΈor Lambeth North – 15 min πΆββοΈ
Location: In the Crown Plaza Embankment hotel.
View: The river, House of Parliament
Dress code: Smart Casual up! ππππ
Vibe: Classy
Prosecco price: πΎπΎπΎ
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: Smithβs of Smithfield in Farringdon
10. No 32 The Old Town



Best for: π»π½π·
Nearest tube: Clapham Common – 4 mins πΆπ»ββοΈπΆββοΈ
Location: By a little green
View: Clapham – not much!
Dress code: Casual πππ
Vibe: Gastro pub
Prosecco price: πΎπΎ
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
11. Oxo Tower



Best for: π½π₯πΉπΈ
Nearest tube: Blackfriars – 10 mins πΆββοΈWaterloo – 11 minsπΆπ»ββοΈ
Location: Above the Oxo Tower building
View: St Paul’s, the river & the City
Dress code: Smart Casual – dress up a bit! ππ (and take a cardy!)
Vibe: Bustling restaurant yet really relaxed. A complete mix of ages and people.
Prosecco price: No Prosecco – just the original π₯ at πΎπΎπΎ
Food available? Yes – the reason to come!
Booking available? Yes and recommended
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2019
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! π









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
12. Peckham Rye Society



Best for: πΊπ·πΉπΊπ·πΉπΊπ·
Nearest tube: Peckham Rye – 3 mins πΆπ»ββοΈ
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 ππ
Vibe: Fun and chill depending!
Prosecco price: πΎπΎ
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 itβs raining in the day it wonβt be open in the evening and isnβt 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
13. Prince of Wales (POW)



Best for: πΉπΈππ―ββοΈπΊπΌ
Nearest tube: Brixton – 2 mins πΆββοΈ
Location: On the corner of the main street
View: Nothing much
Dress code: π trendy
Vibe: Party
Prosecco price: πΎπΎ
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
14. Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden



Best for: π₯πΉπΊβοΈ
Nearest tube: Waterloo – 5 mins πΆββοΈ
Location: Above the Southbank Center – follow the yellow stairsπ
View: Waterloo bridge, Somerset House, St Paulβs, London eye.
Dress code: Casual πππ
Vibe: By day coffee meet ups and chats, by night after work drinks.
Prosecco price: πΎπΎ
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 thereβs often an after work queue – so get there early. Perfect for a sunny afternoon. βοΈ
Address: Southbank Centre, Belverdere Road, SE1 8XX
Website: Click here









Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: St James Cafe in central London
15. Seabird



Best for: π½ π€π£π₯π π
Nearest tube: Southwark – 3 mins πΆββοΈWaterloo – 8 minsπΆπ»ββοΈBlackfriars – 10 mins πΆββοΈ
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: πΎπΎπΎ
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: 2019
Warm/dry weather only? No… but as they are very new they arenβt 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 thatβs right, a raw fish bar! The views are available in or outside…
Address: 40 Blackfriars Rod, SE1 8PB
Website: Click here









Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: Soho House white city in West London
16. SKY BAR



Best for: πΉπΈπ·π₯
Nearest tube: Lambeth North – 6 mins πΆπ»ββοΈor Waterloo – 9 mins πΆββοΈ
Location: On top of the H10 Hotel
View: London Eye, Shard and general London roofs.
Dress code: Anything went! We went in dresses πππππ π‘
Vibe: Quiet. Good for a drink. Good to take parents to. No tunes.
Prosecco price: πΎπΎπΎ
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.
*** Due to COVID-19 this rooftop will open but will only be available for guests of the hotel until further notice ***
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
17. The Loft



Best for: π½πΉπ·π₯βοΈ
Nearest tube: Wimbledon – 3 mins πΆπ»ββοΈπΆββοΈ
View: Buildings
Dress code: Casual πππ
Vibe: Pub, chilled, fun
Prosecco price: πΎπΎ
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
18. The Tankard



Best for: π½π·πΊ
Nearest tube: Lambeth North – 6 mins πΆπ»ββοΈπΆββοΈ – right by the Imperial War Museum
View: Just roads and a park
Dress code: Casual ππππ
Vibe: Fun and chilled pub
Prosecco price: πΎ
Food available? Yes π₯π
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)
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