Here we go again: The best roof terrace for yet another heatwave
Just when you thought you’d got out… they drag you back in. Or up: up to London’s roof terraces to bask in yet another spell of 30 degree heat. We round up some of the top spots up top to make the most of this most clement of summers.
Madison
Where else to start but one of our Toast the City Awards finalists. Madison has a cool, laid-back vibe with views of the City and a cocktail list to rival any in the land. It’s the Square Mile’s favourite suntrap and one of the top picks for a boozy City AM night out. That table in the corner with the lairy people dancing on the table? That’s probably us. Go to madisonlondon.net
Broadwick Soho
Broadwick Soho brings a bold, maximalist energy to Soho. The fairly new hotel and rooftop bar and restaurant attracts the A-List, and a media crowd. Live DJs play at weekends on their panorama bar Flute, which serves excellent cocktails and shareable platters from ceviche to steak and chips. This summer sees an El Fenn Marrakech residency, running until 31 August bringing a Moroccan theme and matching menus, including lamb briouats and spiced tofu. Furniture, in mismatched shades of oranges and reds, hums with louche late night potential. Indoors it’s leopard print detailing and mirrored ceilings. For more information go to broadwicksoho.com
The Devonshire
Granted, when you picture The Devonshire — London’s most in-demand gastropub – you hardly picture the great outdoors. Separate to their dining room though is a rooftop terrace, and if two of life’s great things are superlative British pub food and rooftop bars, The Devonshire might have just hit on something rather good. The best thing about the rooftop is that it is entirely reserved for walk-ins, and given the waitlist for a table indoors on a Friday night can span months, this really is the ticket. Go to devonshiresoho.co.uk
Amano rooftop
A stone’s throw from the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in the heart of Covent Garden, the Amano hotel and rooftop bar opened a couple of years ago to quiet fanfare, although it deserves more attention. The hotel features bathtubs in windows with Drury Lane views, but the real treat is on the rooftop, where a terrace offers expansive Soho views. Better, though, is the line-up of international DJs who play the indoor bar (also on the rooftop). Too many of these spots have bad sound and are designed for the ‘gram, but Amano’s is decked out perfectly, and has the sort of loose, hedonistic vibe that’s very hard to find in central London these days. It’s a real treat. Go to amanogroup.com
Ham Yard
Find seating between olive bushes and lemon trees on the rooftop of Ham Yard Soho, which brings fragrances, colour and a dialled-down atmosphere above the chaotic streets, adjacent to the Windmill burlesque bar. The terrace will be open to the public for a Rosé on the Roof pop-up from 6-29 August. Part of the Firmdale Hotels group, which operates the Haymarket, Soho and Charlotte Street hotels, the latter also has a delightful terrace, which, set opposite the red brick townhouses of the titular street, is a whimsical – and quintessentially London – place for an evening meal. Go to firmdalehotels.com
Radio Rooftop
The vibe here is more mainstream (the bridge-and-tunnel Essex brigade found out about Radio but don’t they deserve rooftops too?) but it’s worth it for the views. Unlike most West End bars, which have obstructed sightlines due to the high rises surrounding them, the Radio Rooftop has a surprisingly amazing panorama of the river and towards the west and east. This is definitely the best view from a rooftop bar in central London. There is the usual range of cocktails and shareable food plus live DJs at weekends and on popular summer nights. It’s best to book to guarantee a decent space. Go to melia.com.
Yasmin
Counter to the British and Mediterranean vibe that seems to be everywhere, Yasmin specialises in Middle Eastern cooking from its wrap-around central Soho terrace. Although this is the rooftop of the 1 Warwick private members’ club, the rooftop terrace is open to non-members. Executive chef Tom Cenci has designed dishes including flatbread with sheep’s cheese and hot honey and Turkish manti dumplings with guindilla peppers. Enter via the Nessa restaurant on Warwick Street. Go to yasminsoho.com
1864 Rooftop Bar & Kitchen
This is an easy up-and-out escape route away from the Oxford Circus hordes. 1864 Rooftop Bar & Kitchen brings country garden-style serenity to the capital’s most chaotic quarter. Think small plates – chorizo croquetas, cod arancini, oyster-mushroom shawarma – and cocktails infused with herbs grown in the garden. On top of the John Lewis department store, there are panoramic views, although don’t get too excited: some of the sightlines are obstructed by neighbouring buildings. Go to 1864rooftopbar.co.uk
Kutir
It’s rare to find truly superb food at a London rooftop bar – but Chelsea Indian restaurant Kutir has a rooftop upon which Michelin starred chef Rohit Ghai is serving his tasting menu. Using the best of British summer ingredients but giving them an Indian twist, the food is paired with fragrant wines and Indian-inspired cocktails. kutir.co.uk; 020 7581 1144
Kitty Hawk
Page 8 hotel that borders Trafalgar Square doesn’t stand out against the prominent historical architecture on all sides that it competes with, like its neighbours the National Gallery and The Criterion. But the hotel is home to a rooftop inspired by the beach clubs of the French Riviera. Go for less of the crowds and more of the sophistication: the rooftop has touches of the Mediterranean, from the lemon trees to the cocktail menu. etmcollection.co.uk; 0207 100 0234
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The Culpeper
With so many London roof terraces embracing Mediterranean themes, it’s refreshing that The Culpeper has a British Woodland theme, which has been playing out through cocktails and small plates. Silver birch and hazel trees have been planted on the rooftop alongside a range of edible plants from the rooftop garden, bringing the “sights, scents, and flavours” of British woodlands to central London. theculpeper.com; 020 7247 5371
Pergola Brixton
The roof terrace at Pergola offers R&B Fridays and weekend DJs, which we imagine will bring the sunshine even if the weather doesn’t hold. Expect the usual range of cocktails at some seriously competitive prices, and the Pergola Lates series every Friday night, with DJs and dancefloor vibes. pergolabrixton.co.uk; 020 8187 1038
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Sabine
Sabine, on the highest floor of the Leonardo Royal Hotel, has views to compete with any in London with a sophisticated, chilled vibe. There are DJs in the evenings, and food that surpasses expectations. The lime and sesame chicken toast is a sensational dish, perfect for sharing with the spiced lamb cutlets and one of the strong cocktails. Sabinelondon.co.uk; sabinestpauls@leonardohotels.co.uk
Capri in the City
The roof terrace at The Berkeley, with views over Hyde Park, is a supremely classy spot for an aperitif – especially with their seasonally changing poolside concept. This year the hotel is going to Italy (thematically, of course) for Capri in the City, a colourful pop up with spritzes, pizzas, and sunset views. Pop next door to new hotel The Emory while you’re in that part of town for a snoop around London’s first all-suites hotel, and a bite to eat at the incredible Abc Kitchens restaurant on the ground floor. the-berkeley.co.uk; 020 7235 6000
Queen of Hoxton
Queen of Hoxton has always been the best shape-shifter of all the London roof terraces. Every season for over a decade, it has completely revamped its rooftop offering to offer an entirely fresh immersive experience. Last year the space was reimagined as Mexico but this year there’s a Caribbean-inspired takeover, with a Rum Shack bar, Bajan food, frozen margaritas, rum punch, piña coladas and outdoor DJs. It’s all change at Shoreditch’s most famous rooftop bar. queenofhoxton.com; 020 7422 0958
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Los Mochis City
If you like your roof terrace with a biting margarita, you could do far worse than a visit to Los Mochis, home to one of the largest tequila collections in Europe as well as some generous chilli-salt garnishing mixologists. Work your way through their stash while admiring the view of St Paul’s, and retreat to the large indoor bar when the sun goes down. The decor’s a little glitzy but there’s a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Plus the space is huge so you shouldn’t have to fight for a seat. losmochis.co.uk; 020 7225 2502