Best rooftop bars in London

CLAP, Knightsbridge

Tucked away from the flurry of shoppers in Knightsbridge, guests can enjoy a slower pace from the rooftop of Japanese restaurant Clap. Expect to be whisked up seven floors to enjoy the gleam of the city below and a cocktail menu well suited to any hedonist. The menu boasts an impressive 26 cocktails, with each one celebrating Japanese aroma and fragrant twists on timeless classics. While it would be very easy to get stuck into the libations, it’s certainly worth pairing a couple of Shibuya Shakedowns, Clap’s herbal version of a picante margarita, with some light bar snacks from the new bar menu. Indulge in the zesty black cod with citrus miso, rock shrimp tempura and a selection of sashimi and signature hand rolls. If that’s not quite enough to sustain you, venture one floor down to access the full Clap dining experience in a setting designed to transport you to the beating heart of Tokyo. claprestaurant.com/london/

The Rooftop at The Standard, King's Cross

The Standard’s rooftop bar offers wrap-around views of King’s Cross and beyond, with trendy cocktails on tap and pizza by the slice. The retro-looking bar is punctuated by primary colours – from the electric-blue tables, to the vibrant AstroTurf and yellow food trays – while large heaters, parasols and blankets ensure guests stay warm and dry. Big hitters, such as a spicy tommy’s margarita, espresso martini and aperol spritz, are available on tap, while cocktails by the jug (New York lemonade, Pimm’s royale and Big Apple mojito) are perfect for groups up to six. The pizza list is kept short – a margarita, pepperoni and vegan offering – served either by the slice or as 16-inch pies. Dips are essential for dunking blistered crusts, and you can choose from scotch bonnet mayo, spicy hot honey or rosemary aïoli. You could also mix and match the bar snacks, which include spiced cuzco corn and salchichon and pimento olives. standardhotels.com/the-rooftop-bar-standard-london

Frank’s Café, Peckham

This is about as trendy and hipster as you get, but in the best possible way. On top of a multi-storey car park in Peckham, there's a pithy list of on-trend drinks, from negronis, margaritas and cucumber gimlets to jug cocktails like white port and tonic, and fruity rum punch. Snacks include brown sugar hot wings, deep-fried mackerel in a bun, and lamb breast kebab with burnt chilli yogurt. boldtendencies.com/franks-cafe/

The Culpeper Rooftop Garden, Spitalfields

It’s hard to imagine there could be a better summer spot for sipping frozen margaritas than The Culpeper's rooftop. On arrival, you’ll walk through their stylish pub-restaurant, climbing several floors to the top where you’re rewarded with breath-taking views of the London city skyline.

The restaurant here is intimate and focuses on regenerative farming. Which means many of the ingredients on the cocktail menu have been grown on the rooftop itself or come from verified sustainable producers. Our favourites include the satisfyingly bitter Sacred Spritz, made with organic rosehip cup, prosecco and soda. And the refreshing whisky smash, made with lemon and rooftop mint.

The wines, sourced from sustainable artisan growers, really hit the spot, too. The Lluerna from Penedes, Catalunys, is dry with just a touch of saltiness and stands up perfectly to the big, bold flavours of their fantastic menu. theculpeper.com/rooftop

Boundary Rooftop, Shoreditch

Boundary Rooftop is the ideal spot to rise above the streetside hustle and sip cocktails as the sun sets over a slightly hushed, 360-degree view of London. Shelter under the pergola and a string of fairy lights with a seasonal cocktail and a sharing plates cooked on a robata grill – think grilled harissa mushroom and aubergine skewers with fregola tabbouleh and baba ghanoush. Or just head up after dinner and sit by the outdoor fireplace nursing a digestif. boundary.london