2026 Update: Set on the shores of the Solent, Southampton is a maritime city steeped in history, famously known as the departure point for the ill-fated Titanic. While its maritime legacy may take centre stage, I’ve found there’s another side to Southampton worth exploring: some of the South’s most fun rooftop bars, with cocktails galore and hangovers waiting to happen!
I’ve personally visited the rooftops featured here, and even stayed at the hotel of one of them, so I’ve got plenty of first-hand experience to help you find the right rooftop for you. Including away from the city and to the near by countryside, where you’ll find quintessentially British villages with their own rather unexpected rooftop escapes.
Harbar on 6th Rooftop
Best for: 🍸🥂🍽🍹
Nearest train station: Southampton
Location: On the marina, on top of the Harbour Hotel (map)
View: The marina
Vibe: Tunes, chill and fun
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2021 (info updated 2026)
Warm/dry weather only? No
Rooftop review roundup: What a slice of heaven this rooftop is. The rooftop terrace is to the far right and is bookable. There are DJs on the weekends, a pizza oven and a floral, botanical feel, but it does lack the views. In the middle of this floor is an indoor bar filled with quirky seating and signs. Then there is the indoor restaurant to the left that leads out onto another rooftop terrace with stunning marina views. This isn’t bookable as it can be quite windy on this side. But if it is calm, then you can’t miss sunrise and sunset here. It is spectacular. I was also staying at their hotel, so for more on the rest of the hotel, including the sensational restaurant on the ground floor, read my hotel review..
Website: Harbour Hotel Southampton
Funky Flamingo
Best for: 🍽🍸🥂
Location: North of the city (map)
View: Nothing
Vibe: Flamingo fun factor!
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes but inside
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2021 (info updated 2026)
Warm/dry weather only? If there was a full-on downpour then no, but a drizzle and the big umbrellas would be fine for that.
Rooftop review roundup: A great little party rooftop on top of a fabulous fun bar. Inside is full of neon signs and a more boujee vibe. This is your go-to before hitting next door at Buddha for dancing, or just for summer afternoons taking in the tunes and amazing cocktails.
Website: Funky Flamingo
Barbara’s Bier Haus Rooftop
(formerly Revolution Rooftop Bar)
Best for: 🍸🥂🍹
Location: North of the city (map)
View: None
Vibe: Quiet by day, party by night
Prosecco price: 🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Not for the rooftop
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2021 (Info updated 2026)
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: When I visited a few years ago, this was a great little rooftop for escaping the city as part of the Revolution Bar brand. But August 2026 has seen new owners, a new name and a new vibe.
Full disclosure: I haven’t been back yet, but I have done some super sleuthing! Whilst the inside has totally changed – now après-ski themed – the rooftop is only slightly different. This website isn’t a directory where I am paid to promote places. I only include rooftops I have genuinely, and usually independently, visited. So I am keeping this review here because I have actually visited this rooftop in the past and know it could be helpful to someone looking for fun in Southampton!
From my research, this new bar seems to be a student haven of après ski sensation but not exclusively. So whilst I can’t yet give you a first-hand review of the new incarnation, the rooftop itself hasn’t disappeared and I liked it then. And with cheap bubbles (yes, £25), I will be back to like it again I am sure!
Website: Barbara’s Bier Haus and for up
Rooftop Bars and Restaurants Near Southampton
Even out in the country, I can find a rooftop! So, if you are staying in Southampton and fancy a short drive into the countryside, these two English villages are quintessentially British and each has a rooftop!
Regginas Italian Restaurant, Botley
Best for: 🍕🍾
Location: In Botley Village (map)
How far is Regginas from Southampton? A 20-minute drive or 30 minutes by train
View: Not much when sat down
Vibe: Quiet
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Lift available? No
Children allowed? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2026
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: Regginas rooftop was a very welcome retreat to find some shade outside during the UK’s heatwave this summer. I was staying with family nearby and I was reliably informed that this is one of the best pizza places they have ever been to (and they are very well travelled!), with gluten-free options! The rest of the menu wasn’t as great. Though I had purely stopped in to enjoy some prosecco as it was officially ‘Prosecco Day’ (any excuse!). So an Italian restaurant with a rooftop in the countryside – it couldn’t have been more appropriate!
And whilst their prices aren’t countryside cheap, they are more fitting with what London rooftops were charging 5 years ago, including 90 minutes of Bottomless Prosecco and Pizza on a Saturday for just £30.
The rooftop space was the right balance of being spacious and yet feeling cosy. Flower boxes built around the fencing create a garden-esque feel. Only one floor up and with slightly strange opening times (for a Londoner!), it is adorable and I need to go back to try this amazing pizza! I would suggest making that your priority food-wise too.
Website: Regginas Italian Restaurant
Ellonies Refine & Dine
Best for: 🌅 🧃🥤🧋
Location: Bishop (map)
How far is Ellonies from Southampton? 30-minute drive or an hour by train
View: English country rooftops!
Vibe: Relaxed
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Lift available? No – and it’s up on the 3rd floor
Children allowed? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2026
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: Ellonies Refine and Dine’s name intrigued me before I went and discovered it is part of a salon next door. So you can refine your body then dine! I quite loved this. But after many treatments you are always told you ‘shouldn’t drink’ as they have a detox effect. And to cater to that, they have a healthy menu and smoothies so you can really feel virtuous on the rooftop! Offering breakfast through to dinner, this rooftop is a little find in the countryside.
I went on a Thursday evening in the UK heatwave and inside was empty! Everyone was up on the rooftop, ready for the golden glow of sunset. There was high-chair seating for those just in for a drink, which I could see was a local staple for a sunset. I had seen on the website a request, to be kind to their staff as they are young and still learning. So I was expecting pretty poor service, but actually the young lady, Ava, handled the evening like a pro. Even when the padrón peppers caused some drama as they were on fire. I even wondered if they had been green chillies. But she was warning all the guests ordering them as soon as one customer had sent theirs back. Otherwise, the food wasn’t particularly notable but was decent. I would definitely return for the rooftop.
Website: Ellonies
