Rooftop bars bring the high life to London: Six hidden watering holes that supply amazing views of the town that even locals don’t learn about, from Covent Garden to Waterloo
- DJs play chill-out sets because the sun goes down at Radio Rooftop Bar on the sting of Covent Garden
- Skylight Bar in Wapping has a croquet lawn and serves up dishes comparable to churros with chocolate sauce
- Admire the view of St Paul’s Cathedral when you dine on the top-floor terrace of the Vintry & Mercer hotel
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Every week our Holiday Hero Neil Simpson takes an in-depth take a look at a vacation topic, doing all of the legwork so that you don’t must. This week: Rooftop bars in London.
Head upwards to see a London few other visitors get to enjoy – that’s the recommendation that Blue Badge-qualified tour guide Paul Metcalfe gives his guests.
‘There at the moment are dozens of rooftop bars and restaurants in London, each with a distinct atmosphere and every with views even locals don’t learn about,’ he says.
Head upwards to see a London few other visitors get to enjoy at the town’s rooftop bars. One option is The Rooftop bar at The Standard hotel (pictured) – it’s positioned by St Pancras and King’s Cross stations so it makes a fantastic first or last pit stop in the event you’re visiting London by train
Sip on cocktails by night at Radio Rooftop Bar on the tenth floor of the ME hotel within the West End
A top tip is Radio Rooftop Bar, perched on the tenth floor of the ME hotel on the sting of Covent Garden within the West End.
The ‘big 4’ sights of St Paul’s Cathedral, the Shard, the London Eye and Big Ben are all in view from the terrace. Non residents can book tables for every thing from eggs benedict at breakfast to champagne cocktails at night. DJs play chill-out sets because the sun goes down (radiorooftop.com).
Even closer to the guts of town is Hotel Indigo on Leicester Square. Up on the ninth floor there’s a sleek bar and dining room plus a wrap-around terrace with tables looking down on the bustle below. Service begins with mid-morning brunch and runs through to candlelit, post-theatre dinner (lsqrooftop.com).
A livelier rooftop experience is on offer just south of the River Thames and National Theatre near Waterloo. As much as 600 guests can squeeze on to the large terrace of Bar Elba where vibrant awnings and strings of fairy-lights make nights seem magical.
Up on the ninth floor of Hotel Indigo on Leicester Square there’s a sleek bar and dining room plus a wrap-around terrace with tables looking down on the bustle below
Service at Hotel Indigo’s bar and dining room (pictured) begins with mid-morning brunch and runs through to candlelit, post-theatre dinner
As much as 600 guests can squeeze on to the large terrace of Bar Elba, above, where vibrant awnings and strings of fairy-lights make nights seem magical
At weekends, live music and stand-up comedy compete with views of the Shard and London Eye, and groups can book a ‘cocktail tree’ with drinks ready for once you arrive (bar-elba.co.uk).
Take a brief walk through the cobbled streets of Wapping, just east of Tower Bridge, to search out a fair more imaginative rooftop bar. On the Skylight Bar on the old Tobacco Dock there’s a croquet lawn plus shuffle board, table tennis and petanque areas. The menu is described as ‘street meets comfort food’ with every thing from tacos to churros with chocolate sauce (skylightbars.com).
The (fake) grass is equally green at The Rooftop bar at The Standard hotel. It’s positioned by St Pancras and King’s Cross stations so it makes a fantastic first or last pit stop in the event you’re visiting London by train.
Head to the Skylight Bar on the old Tobacco Dock (pictured) and you may discover a croquet lawn plus shuffle board, table tennis and petanque areas
Margaritas are the preferred drinks at The Rooftop bar at The Standard hotel, which is open until 11pm
What’s said to be the capital’s highest taco truck (pictured) provides snacks at The Rooftop bar at The Standard hotel
It’s open till 11pm and the Victorian clock tower of St Pancras station looms alongside it while the BT Tower shines in the gap. Margaritas are the preferred drinks while what’s said to be the capital’s highest taco truck provides snacks (standardhotels.com).
Positive dining with a view of the grey dome of St Paul’s Cathedral is on offer on the top-floor terrace of the Vintry & Mercer hotel in the guts of the old City of London.
Near the Thames, yet lost amid a rabbit warren of old wine warehouses and livery halls, the menu has a ‘better of British’ flavour. Roasted Orkney scallops and Cornish lamb are favourites (vintryandmercer.com).
Positive dining with a view of the grey dome of St Paul’s Cathedral is on offer on the top-floor terrace of the Vintry & Mercer hotel (pictured) in the guts of the old City of London
The menu on the top-floor terrace of the Vintry & Mercer hotel has a ‘better of British’ flavour – roasted Orkney scallops and Cornish lamb are favourites
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