Expertly mixed, hand crafted and boasting some of the best views in the business? Now, that may seem like a big ask from any other city, but the noble bars of London have found the best rooftop and natural beauty spots in all of the capital. Whether it’s soaring above the city skyline or watching the Thames majestically flow on, we've whittled down some of the best places in London to drink cocktails with a view.
High above Canary Wharf, Qibo is London's latest super sophisticated bar in the sky. With views across the capital, it serves up classic cocktails, signature concoctions and all kinds of fine fizz for groups of 13 or more.
Thanks to its floor to ceiling windows and an elegant central bar, you can drink in the capital's skyline in total comfort. Outside, its two rooftop terraces are perfect for sipping in the sun.
With The Shard looming over it, and a rooftop just seconds from London Bridge, the London Bridge Rooftop does exactly what it says on the tin. When you're not taking snaps, snap up some affordable cocktails on the menu.
cloudM is a City of London rooftop that's delving out all the pretty cocktails to accompany views for days, including being able to see Tower of London and The Shard. With concoctions themed around things like Wimbledon and the Chelsea Flower Show, it's the ultimate experience of our capital.
After cocktail bars with a view in London? Sabine is the place to head, as there's not only an outdoor terrace overlooking St Paul's, but also the delish drinks to match. For when you get peckish, there's also a menu of sumptuous small plates.
Perched on the river, Battersea Barge is a cool bar that fronts steel interiors and great views looking out across South London. If you're looking for sips in the sun, this venue is for you - it accommodates walk-ins but it's definitely worth booking your table in advance. The unique venue whips up freshly made pizzas topped with 'nduja and honey, as well as serving wine, beer and classic cocktails like cosmopolitan and Moscow mules.
No.35 Mackenzie Walk is dishing up tasty food, cocktails and calming waterside views from its gorgeous Canary Wharf spot. Head to the outdoor terrace and recline in one of their comfy chairs as you sip on rhubarb bellinis and relax in the sun.
Bondi Green's suntrap terrace is the perfect spot for cocktail sipping with views across the water. Right on the lively Regent's Canal footpath, there's some prime people-watching to go with your pornstar martini.
As well as the classics, there's a long list of seasonal serves, from the Hibiscus Pop to the Hot Aussie Coffee. Need something to nibble? Tuck into small plates, woodfired pizzas and all kinds of flame grilled creations.
Bringing you craft beers, bottles of wine and cocktails in a pretty stand-up location, Vinegar Yard is a great choice for food and drinks with mates. Round up your crew and head to London Bridge for views of The Shard, vintage markets on the weekend and street food traders.
On the former site of Bar Elba now sits Circe's, a rooftop bar that's got views across Waterloo and boasts a fun Greek theme. Named after the God of Sun's daughter, the venue also boasts yellow, pink and rattan accents alongside Mediterranean small plates, plus an Olympians-inspired cocktail menu spanning cranberry-peach and pear, pineapple and lemon flavours with added caramel.
You're guaranteed stunning views and fabulous drinks at Madison, especially when you visit on a Sunday for their Sundown Sessions which sees resident DJs play tunes until the sun sets over the city. Up on its rooftop, you'll be on eye-level with the famous St Paul's Cathedral and tempted by many an Aperol spritz, as well as signature sips like the melon shrub and banana liqueur-based Pisco Tropical.
For a bit of alfresco sipping? Aqua Nueva over on Regents Street is serving up all kinds of delicious signatures and classics from their rooftop terrace. Highlights include the Sweet Escape, which mixes Pampero Blanc rum with Chambord, peach liqueur, Bergamot, passion fruit and vanilla.
Whether you're after afternoon tea, a British dinner or some bubbly cocktails, Scoff & Banter is a classic and swish restaurant that does it all to a beautiful backdrop of the O2 and river. There's so much greenery surrounding this place as well - you'll almost forget you're in London.
If you fancy admiring the capital's skyline while indulging in unique cocktails, 8 at The Londoner in Leicester Square is the place for you. The sky-high restaurant offers you fantastic views and quirky mixes such as their jasmine and yuzu margarita.
Located atop the Montcalm hotel in Finsbury Square, Aviary Rooftop Bar & Restaurant is a swanky and stylish cocktail bar and restaurant from the renowned ETM group. Head up for incredible views and sleek seating, perfect for a lazy summer's evening, or come winter, snuggling inside or in their igloos. The cocktail menu will have a range of classics and should you feel peckish, there's a delicious British menu to choose from.
For cocktails with a smashing view of the capital, PocketSquare Skyline Bar & Terrace is a firm choice. Located on the ninth floor of Hyatt Place London City East, this gorgeous sky-high retreat is the ideal spot to quaff bespoke concoctions with loved ones.
Open from early til late, Jin Bo Law is one of the coolest drinking spots in the City of London. This party bar (hosting regular DJ events) keeps it cool with beautiful views, as well as sumptuous interiors, a refreshing cocktail list and delicious Asian nibbles.
One of the best cocktail spots in Central London, Miradora Rooftop Restaurant Tequileria is perched high above Charing Cross Road. It offers one of the very best views around, looking out over the West End and beyond from its sun-soaked terrace.
Enjoy a vast selection of cocktails with a focus on tequila, with favourites including the mezcal Mist or a Ruby Sunrise made with Chambord and raspberry. If you're hungry, try out the Mexican-inspired menu of Yucatan pork belly, beef short rib quesadillas, marinated salmon and more.
Craving a bit of booze after work? At the City of London, Vicinity is offering up delicious cocktails and dining over a heated terrace. Drink up, chow down on a few nibbles and enjoy pretty views of Tower Bridge.
Located on the 6th floor of John Lewis Oxford Circus is a gorgeous garden fronting red and white pinstripe furnishings, private wooden booths and elegant trees. 1864 Rooftop Bar is the perfect hideaway for when you're done with the shops and are keen on tucking into light bites, like chorizo croquetas topped with shaved manchego, plus signature sips. The Gypsy Martini, made using Martin Millers infused with raisin and rosemary is a stand-out.
Right on the banks of Thames in Kingston, Sonny's Riverside serves up sensational views of the water with its creative cocktails. With a beautiful terrace and rooftop bar, it's perfect for sundowner drinks or soaking up some sun with a signature serve.
Whatever your tastes, there's a signature serve to suit. We're talking house favourites like the Peach Iced Tea and Gingerbread Sour, plus frozen margaritas and all kinds of spritz.
Gaze out over London's skyline as you sip on 1 Leicester Square Rooftop's signature cocktails. You'll find this swanky spot perched atop Indigo Hotel for views of the Shard, London Eye, Big Ben and more. Whether you're looking to have after work drinks or enjoy a few with a sit-down meal, this is just the place.
Searching for something different in Peckham? Make your nights a little more interesting at Bussey Rooftop Bar. This sky-high boozer fronts an excellent selection of cocktails, as well as delicious pizza to chomp on while taking in the views.
Sitting snugly on 9 Cabot Square, The Cocktail Club's 17th location in Canary Wharf has space for 200 cocktail enthusiasts and is decked out in fancy golds and pinks, along with plenty of fresh plants and funky wall art. They're shaking up some seriously quirky cocktails, like the gin-packed Southside Royal, garnished with a golden butterfly, or you could go old school with a classic Espresso Martini, complete with an Oreo cookie on top. And the best part? This hotspot boasts stunning views to match.
Who doesn't love a creative cocktail from the lofty heights of a rooftop terrace? Wagtail Rooftop Bar & Restaurant has us completely sold, boasting beautiful views that overlook London's most famous landmarks, as well as a range of signature sips made with fresh ingredients to match.
Head up to Bar Arriba for a taste of Mexico with views across the capital. This bright and buzzing rooftop spot in the heart of west London serves up delicious dishes and all kinds of refreshing tipples.
We're talking crisp wines, ice cold beers and casa cocktails. The signature serves here are designed to bring the heat - we're talking Arriba spicy margaritas, Jalisco old fashioneds and classic palomas.
Peggy Jean in Richmond is the perfect destination for cocktails with a view in London. Set aboard a stunning boat on the River Thames, Peggy Jean offers three decks, each providing breathtaking views of the scenic waters.
Whether you're sipping a Very Cherry cocktail or enjoying the fresh air on the top deck, this spot provides the perfect setting for a relaxing drink with a view. The ambience is unbeatable, offering both romance and tranquillity, making it the ideal place for a cocktail experience in London.
On the hunt for fabulous sky-hight haunts? The Rooftop St James is the perfect plot, thanks to its gorgeous views of the city and cosy plush blankets. If that wasn't enough, the cocktails range from signature sangria to the Banana Republic and much more.
The Queen of Shoreditch serves both as a rooftop bar in London and a hub in one of the most interesting parts of the capital. Downstairs is decorated with window etchings, graffiti and ivy, but upstairs, the rooftop bar showcases the unique views of Hoxton. So grab a stool, have a bite to eat and take in the sights.
Known for housing some of the swishest restaurants and bars, One Hundred also boasts a stunning rooftop, complete with pink marble tables, foliage and a sleek bar space. Plus, Kaso Rooftop Bar & Kitchen has a private garden for you and your pals to settle in on your nights out.
With views of Tower Bridge from a lovely terrace that's decked out with foliage and neon lights, All Bar One Butler's Wharf is a great choice of cocktail bars with a view in London. Sip your way through classics or signature concoctions (there's a huge list), all while enjoying brunch or small plates.
Sit back and enjoy both the London skyline and the beauty of the River Thames at the Riverside Bar in Vauxhall. There are two outdoor terraces and both come equipped with heaters, but if that's not your style, they also serve up a mean Old Fashioned to help ease things along.
Stanley's at The Chesterfield Mayfair can never be accused of taking its rooftop spot for granted. The Savour & Sip menu has been thoughtfully crafted to complement the Mayfair skyline.
To wet your whistle, there's all kinds of seasonal spritzes and signature cocktails. If you need some sustenance along the way, light bites of sirloin steak, lobster and chargrilled chicken satay are just an order away.
Ideal for after work drinks in the summer, this stunning Wimbledon bar offers a rooftop terrace you won't want to miss. From its leafy seating areas and food menu, to overlooking the town, it's a must-visit spot when the sun finally decides to show itself.
A cool, historic bar right next to Tower Bridge, The Vault 1894 offers amazing views over the Thames and of several iconic London landmarks. Expect quirky, rustic features throughout and five-foot high ceilings, reflecting the average height of Londoners when it was built.
Sip two-for-one cocktails during their happy hour, ranging from Long Island Iced Tea to margaritas and espresso martinis. Hungry? They also serve classic pub fare like fish and chips or a range of hearty burgers.
Boasting a wrap-around terrace perched on the edge of the canal in King's Cross, The Lighterman is a fabulous drinking destination and restaurant that serves flatbreads topped with Atlantic shrimp and harissa, plus international plates like wagyu burgers. You'll undoubtedly be able to catch a sunset here, as well as overlook all the shoppers making their way through Coal Drops Yard while you have a Paloma spritz in hand.
For cocktails with a view in London, there is no better spot than Radio Rooftop. Located on the top of one of the city's best boutique hotels, you can spot all the sights of London while sipping on some of their stunning cocktail creations.
Perched on the 59th floor of 22 Bishopsgate, Bread Street Kitchen is Gordon Ramsay's all-day bar and restaurant that boasts unbeatable views. Towering over the city, this stylish destination flaunts floor-to-ceiling windows, minimal but sophisticated decor and a lively atmopshere come the evenings.
They serve a wide range of cocktails, both classic and signature, starting from as little as £14. Sip on a jasmine mojito or the hibiscus negroni, while admiring the capital from above. Hungry? The menu ranges from beef Wellington to chickpea tikka masala or the beloved Idiot Sandwich.
