No matter what the weather, London’s roof top bars remain popular venues all year round. Wherever you are in west or north London, there is a rooftop bar nearby.
By the far the best-known rooftop bar is the Kensington Roof Gardens which is just a short tube ride away from elegant Presidential Apartments Kensington. This has been around for over fifty years now and has a spectacular garden. Don’t expect just a few planters when you visit the Kensington Roof Gardens – it’s home to flamingo’s in their lake, flower beds and mature trees.
Moving further westwards there is the Pergola on the Roof located at the Television Centre in Wood Lane. A new venue, it has attracted rave reviews for its food and drink. A large, weather proof dome is being erected to provide shelter in the winter so that visitors staying in Holiday Apartments London can enjoy the beautiful Nordic style forest experience on the roof.
The Lyric Hammersmith is well known as a concert venue, but it also has a flourishing rooftop bar with an excellent reputation. Seasonal sharing platters are popular here, especially with the after-work crowd. Given its location, it is a great place to stop for a drink before or after attending one of the many concerts held in the auditorium below.
Music too is available regularly at The Lock Tavern in Camden where many big names often take part. For a slightly different approach to music, stop off at Proud, a burlesque bar and club. Even the setting is somewhat unusual since the building used to be a horse hospital, and reminders of those days can still be seen. The Big Chill House bar is a very laid back bar with a pretty rooftop terrace area selling a wide range of craft beers. DJ’s play an eclectic range of music between Thursday to Sunday nights.
Gastro pubs are guaranteed to offer great food as well as drinks while a resident at the Self-Catering Apartments London. Worth considering in the Kings Cross area is, The Driver, which has a decked rooftop terrace and vertical garden, making it a very pleasant place to stop off for a drink and a light meal. The Castle at Islington is another nice venue and comes with a fascinating story for anyone who likes to know about the criminal past of Londoners. This is where the notorious Hatton Garden jewel robbery was planned!
Also in north London are the Faltering Fullback, Finsbury Park and the Abbey Tavern in Kentish Town. Both are friendly local pubs which attract a regular clientele from people living in the area. Vivo in Islington has a more contemporary style, with lots of wood, cool stone and natural materials. As it forms part of an Italian Restaurant you can expect some good food and wine here.
If you are looking for a good rooftop venue in East London, head out to Hoxton. The Red Lion has one of the most vibrant, and lively, bar cultures in London. Popular with the creative types who live in the area, it is a place where you can chill out on loungers and sofas while trying the latest
