6 rooftop bars in London, editor-picked by TableJourney. All London nightlife.
Frank's Cafe ★ 4.6
Peckham · Bold Tendencies, 95A Rye Lane, Peckham, London SE15 4ST
The 10th-floor multi-storey carpark bar built by Practice Architecture for Bold Tendencies in 2009 is the summer fixture, with a Negroni view across south London and zero pretense to anything more.
Tip: Card only, no advance bookings, no table service. Get there before 18:00 on a Friday or you queue down the ramp.
Coq d'Argent ★ 4.2
City of London · No.1 Poultry, City of London, London EC2R 8EJ
The James Stirling postmodern roof garden above No.1 Poultry is the City rooftop institution, with a sunken lawn, a French restaurant and a bar terrace that catches the Bank of England light.
Tip: The garden is the bar, the restaurant is the formal room, sit in the garden for a drink and skip the menu unless you are expensing.
Aviary ★ 4.2
Finsbury · Montcalm Royal London House, 22-25 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1DX
The 10th-floor terrace on Finsbury Square belongs to the Montcalm Royal London House and runs an all-day operation with City skyline views and a weekend Birdsong brunch that gets a DJ in.
Tip: Sunset slot 18:30 to 20:00 is the best light, book the terrace not the indoor section.
12th Knot ★ 4.5
South Bank · Sea Containers London, 20 Upper Ground, South Bank, London SE1 9PD
The Sea Containers 12th-floor cocktail bar on the South Bank looks out at St Paul's and the river, with a cocktail programme that earns its rooftop premium and small plates that justify staying for dinner.
Tip: The window seats book out for sunset, request one when you reserve. The corner with the Blackfriars view is the prize.
Madison ★ 4.1
City of London · 1 New Change, City of London, London EC4M 9AF
The One New Change rooftop bar and restaurant runs eye-level with the St Paul's dome, with a modern American menu downstairs and a long terrace bar that is the closest seat to the cathedral.
Tip: Walk straight through the restaurant to the bar terrace, the queue at the front desk is for diners only.
Radio Rooftop ★ 4.1
Covent Garden · ME London, 336-337 Strand, Covent Garden, London WC2R 1HA
The 10th-floor terrace at ME London is the central rooftop with the 360-degree West End view, and the gin-and-tonic list and modern Asian plates keep it from being only a view bar.
Tip: Book a window banquette on the north side for the Trafalgar and St Martin's view, the south side gives the river.