A wonderful themed offering amongst these rooftop bars, Bar Elba is the companion bar of the ultra-glam Tonight Josephine. Honouring Napoleon’s exile on his party isle of Elba, you won’t need 600 mates and a horse to enjoy this place. Unless, you know, you want to. This summer, their rooftop bottomless brunch and dreamy film nights are already drumming up a lot of excitement.

An expansive space in Stratford, Roof East’s playground for adults offers exactly that: lawn bowls, baseball batting cages, and crazy golf are all popping up there this summer, along with street food to gorge yourself on, and screenings from Rooftop Film Club.

Peckham really is blessed with rooftop bars, as this one sits across the Overground tracks from Frank’s Cafe. Whilst the views are special, don’t let them distract you from your mission: sampling the best frozen fruity cocktails south of the river.

This hidden space had never been seen or used by the public before its opening in 2019. It’s accessed via a secret staircase in a corner of Brixton Village Market. At the top of the stairs you’ll discover a 440 capacity venue decked out with jungle greenery and a retractable roof — and there's a strong emphasis on tropical cocktails.

Charmingly rustic, and all the more popular for it, this is one of east London’s favourite rooftop bars. A great list of craft beers (from east London, naturally) adds to the laidback atmosphere of Netil 360, which also boasts a cafe, gallery, and workspace.

Officially the only rooftop bar in London to offer a croquet course (although it’s on hold for the moment due to social distancing measures), Skylight sits above Tobacco Dock, and also opens in the winter season with an adorable rooftop ice rink.

Soaring above a stylish shopping centre is this terrace, which makes its way onto a rooftop bars roundup by virtue of Madison’s, the adjoining restaurant and bar. The ace in the hole here is so obvious that we really don’t need to say it. Do we? (Hint: check the photo background for a clue.)

Sip on fancy botanical cocktails and book igloo dining packages featuring classics from steak and oysters, to plant-based options such as their roast ironbark pumpkin and wild rice ‘Wellington’. Cosy up with faux fur throws (come on, we all know what England can be like!) beneath twinkling fairy lights surrounded by sweeping views of London.

This radio won’t play the latest beats, but it will bring you cocktails, nibbles, and views of Somerset House and the river… for a not-so-modest per-person minimum spend. Booking was essential even before the pandemic, so you can be sure that it is extremely necessary now.

Queen of Hoxton, everyone’s favourite Shoreditch rooftop bar, usually delivers the goods with their summer and winter pop-ups. Previously themes have included the Wizard of Oz, Mexican female wrestling, and a dystopian Las Vegas, although for summer 2021 they appear to have settled for “Look! We’re actually open!”, which is a fine theme after the year we’ve had.

Part bar, part urban garden, you won’t find many rooftop bars like this in London. Especially ones with views of the City. The roof terrace of lovely east London boozer The Culpeper is an utterly charming collision of modern and rustic — and it's just been voted ‘Europe’s Best Rooftop Bar'.

Situated on the 11th floor of The Standard hotel, above Decimo restaurant, The Standard Rooftop aims to bring “the vibe of New York’s iconic rooftop bars to London”. While you may not get to bump heads with the Empire State Building as you look out, you will get a beautiful view of our iconic city, including a pretty spectacular backdrop of the city’s famous St Pancras Clock Tower.

A classic amongst London rooftop bars, Frank’s Cafe has served Campari-based cocktails and outstanding cooking for years now—and it’s only been enhanced by the creation of Peckham Levels. The drinks here face a fight for supremacy with the lush views, and the insanely Instagrammable bubblegum pink stairs.

Perched on the seventh floor of the Leonardo Royal Hotel, Sabine’s retractable roof will unfurl on summer days to catch the sunlight glinting off the dome of St Paul’s. Not that the interior views are to be sniffed at, mind you: hanging baskets and artfully draped plants provide a botanical interior accented by wood and tiles.