There's nothing more relaxing than a jolly on the river, and even if you're more of a sipper than a sailor, boats still have their uses - particularly the ones that have been converted into food and drink spots. Wondering where they are? We've rounded up the best floating bars in London right here.
Head down to the Thames or our city's canals and you'll find some of the top spots for drinking and eating on the water; from quirky brunch spots to beer cruises and chilled sun decks.
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Not satisfied with just a bar on a boat and want a whole party instead? Check out our roundup of events, from comedy clubs to high-speed adrenaline adventures, floating hot tubs and private barbecue cruises. There's no better way to spend a sunny day in the city, and we've got experiences to suit all budgets, taking place at all hours of the day. Float right this way.
The Bar At Temple can be found close to Temple tube station, promising a fully stocked bar on board a boat. The warm, cosy interiors invite you in for relaxed drinks with friends or post-work pints, featuring casual seating and traditional circular windows.
Sip draught beers, wines or premium spirits from the bar, paired with all sorts of tasty plates. We're talking juicy burgers, charcuterie boards and three small plates for £22.50.
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After a boat bar on the Thames Embankment? Fronting an onboard bar, dining room and fish and chip shop, The Tattershall Castle is one of the most well-known floating pubs in the city. Whether you're turning up for one of their comedy or jazz nights, or just a few drinks on the suntrap of a deck, this place has something for everyone. And if you're stopping from a bite to eat, you can choose from the likes of glazed chicken skewers, cheesy nachos and hearty beef or plant-based burgers, with a selection of fines to wash it all down.
For an old-school bar on a boat in London, check out Tamesis Dock. With a tasty food menu, a great selection of beers, wines, cocktails and ukulele jam sessions, this cool space is perfect for sunshine chilling or winter snuggling. This two-storey Dutch barge from the 1930s can be found between Lambeth and Vauxhall Bridge, serving up pizzas topped with pepperoni, caramelised onion, vegan chorizo and much more. Topping it off? Crackin' views over the Thames.
Looking to hire out your very own bar on a boat? Whether it's a birthday celebration, hen party or a corporate event, The Copper Quay is a brilliant choice to host your experience. Journey along the beautiful canals of London, seeing the sights of King's Cross, Angel or Camden along the way. You'll even get a skilled captain to guide you through the voyage, completing your experience with a VIP feeling.
Battersea Barge is a spacious bar with three floors, including a large rooftop deck and a further outdoor terrace on another level, promising unbeatable views of Battersea Power Station and the City beyond. The venue is made up of glass and steel, creating a light-filled space that's full of personality. Grab yourself hand-stretched pizzas and wash them down with draught beer, wine or a top-notch selection of spirits. What's more, they host a regular lineup of live music, cabaret, theatre and more, with private hire available too.
With a variety of menus developed by head chef Stefano Camplone, an impressive list of drinks and stunning views over the water, Barge East is the ultimate Hackney destination for amazing food and drinks while floating. This historic 125-year old Dutch boat boasts a lively atmosphere every day of the week, with a menu that ranges from braised ox cheek to spiced cauliflower korma. The drinks are equally enticing, with a huge collection of gins, pints and even a homemade limoncello. Date night? Sorted.
Home to Silent Sounds, this is one of our top choices for London boat trips with drinks. Make your way to Tower Millennium Pier, where the floating silent disco will take you on a voyage past iconic landmarks, with a vibrant soundtrack to top it all off. They host regular and themed cruises down the Thames, with tickets starting from just £26 per person. You can even hire the vessel out for a private party, with space for up to 350 people on board.
If you find yourself walking along Regent's Canal in need of a delicious meal, then be sure to check out Darcie & May Green. This Paddington venue is inspired by Australian culture, and features bold, colourful decor across the interiors and the alfresco upper deck.
They offer a wide variety of cocktails and wines, as well as an all-day menu. Tuck into tasty brunch dishes like the Bondi breakfast or a fancy bacon roll, while evening plates range from hearty cheeseburgers to miso-roasted aubergine.
The ultimate for quirky dining, Peggy Jean is a unique bar and restaurant found on top of a boat that's moored in the heart of Richmond. Their gorgeous dining area is made up of comfy sofas under ink umbrellas, lined with plants and even boasting a wood-fired oven on board.
You can hire sections of this venue, or even the entire thing, as well as taking advantage of scrumptious dishes like crispy buttermilk chicken burgers, seasonal green risotto and seabream ceviche. That's not all though, as they've also got sister sites on or next to the canal in Paddington: Darcie & May Green, Bondi Green and Beany Green.
Moored at Royal Victoria Beach in East London, The Oiler Bar offers a one-of-a-kind floating drinking experience aboard a repurposed Royal Navy refuelling barge. With panoramic views of the Royal Docks and the iconic Canary Wharf skyline, this quirky venue combines industrial maritime charm with a relaxed, summery vibe.
Below deck, steel fixtures and exposed piping create an intimate bar atmosphere, while the open-air deck serves as a floating beer garden - complete with picnic tables and twinkling string lights - perfect for watching planes glide overhead or wakeboarders slicing through the water. The small menu features casual bar food, including freshly made pizzas from the onboard kitchen. Dog-friendly and independently run, this seasonal hotspot is a must-visit for anyone craving a relaxed, offbeat outing in East London.
It depends on what you want to look at. For iconic central London views, The Tattershall Castle on the Victoria Embankment offers sightlines of the Southbank, London Eye, and Big Ben. Battersea Barge delivers unbeatable views of Battersea Power Station and the City skyline from its rooftop deck. For something more industrial and offbeat, The Oiler Bar at Royal Victoria Beach looks out over the Royal Docks and the Canary Wharf skyline. Tamesis Dock, moored between Lambeth and Vauxhall Bridge, frames the Houses of Parliament beautifully.
Most do. Food offerings vary by venue, but many boat bars serve proper menus alongside drinks. The Tattershall Castle has an onboard dining room and fish and chip shop, with options including glazed chicken skewers, nachos, and burgers. Tamesis Dock serves pizzas from its two-storey Dutch barge. Battersea Barge offers hand-stretched pizzas with draught beer, wine, and spirits. The Bar At Temple pairs draught beers and spirits with juicy burgers, charcuterie boards, and small plates. The Oiler Bar serves freshly made pizzas from its onboard kitchen.
Yes — several of the boat bars in this guide offer private hire. The Copper Quay is a standout option for private events, catering for birthdays, hen parties, and corporate occasions, with guided canal journeys taking in King's Cross, Angel, and Camden. The silent disco vessel featured in this guide can also be hired privately, with space for up to 350 people on board. Battersea Barge is another option, hosting events, live music, cabaret, and weddings across its three levels.
Most of the boat bars in this guide are open year-round, though the experience naturally shifts with the seasons. Venues like Tamesis Dock — a converted 1930s Dutch barge moored between Lambeth and Vauxhall Bridge — are designed for both sunshine chilling and winter snuggling, with cosy indoor spaces when the weather turns. The Tattershall Castle on the Thames Embankment is also open throughout the year. That said, some outdoor deck areas are more enjoyable in warmer months, so summer visits tend to offer the best of both worlds.
