The Best Rooftops to Enjoy the Sunrays
WOTC Magazine
Picture this: you, your nearest or dearest (or your work colleagues), a round of ice-cold drinks and some of the best views in the city of London. We think that’s a pretty sweet setup and so we’ve handpicked five of the best rooftops London has to offer, all that’s left for you to do is send the invite and decide who’s picking up the bill. Enjoy!
The Pavilion, Knightsbridge
The private members’ club is housed in a historic property that dates all the way back to 1884. Inside, velvet furniture, mosaic tiling and intricate ironmongery exude a sense of welcoming luxury that marries timeless elegance with modern style. The Pavilion has three luxury buildings across London in Kensington, Cannon Street and St. James. The six-floor Knightsbridge venue opened its doors in July 2021, offering a multi-faceted space in the heart of the city with luxury retail stores, exclusive beauty salons and even antiquities dealers right on the doorstep, its rooftop terrace overlooking Hyde Park.
Aqua, Soho
Just a short walk from Piccadilly Circus, in the heart of Soho, you find the stylish Aqua Spirit rooftop bar — Or Aqua Nueva and Aqua Kyoto rooftop bars, depending on how you look at it.
The two impressive indoors restaurants blend together, and also holds two twin terraces, where you can enjoy drinks from the Aqua Spirit bar, but also a selection of signature Japanese and Spanish bites, taking inspiration from the flavours of the restaurants.
Coq D'argent, The City
Whatever the weather, you can enjoy the relaxing atmosphere and panoramic views at Coq D'argent. A luxurious space, boasting a chic bar, lavish restaurant and one of the most impressive rooftop spaces in the city, it was designed by celebrated landscape garden designer Arabella Lennox-Boyd, and features impressive views of famous London landmarks like St Paul's Cathedral and the Bank of England.
Radio At Me London, The Strand
Impossibly glamorous (and sometimes impossible to get into if you haven't booked), the exclusive rooftop bar at ME London piles on the wow factor with its minimalist monochrome decor and views over the City skyline. On those hot summer days, the prime spots are the white leather sofas by the rooftop edge: perfect for alfresco posing.
Alto By San Carlo At Selfridges Rooftop
If the view over central London from up on the sixth floor wasn’t eye-popping enough, then the space itself ought to do it – the trellises nimbly arching over the dining are are all covered from foot-to-tip with greenery, flowers, lemons, or other such seasonally appropriate goodies. And they’re not just for show either, they actually serve the equally beautiful practical function of holding up the retractable roof, to shield you from the wrath of envious, rain-soaked clouds. There are even a couple of cosy little beach-hut style cabanas, too.