No matter where in London you find yourself, here are the best terraces and rooftop spots for a cosy, wintery time.
1 Pantechnicon, Belgravia
A snug, heated rooftop terrace filled with foliage hugging the delightful top floor of this west London destination. While the rest of Pantechnicon’s venues take their cues from Japan, the rooftop garden is more Italian flavoured, with fresh pasta, fish and meat dishes.
Address: 9 Motcomb Street, Belgravia SW1X 8LB
Website: pantechnicon.com
2 Forza Wines, Southbank
Forza Wines’ second venue has opened up right on South Bank at the National Theatre and comes with a terrace overlooking the Thames. Similar to its sibling venue in Peckham (which also has a terrace with a view), this wine bar pours natural wines and dish up Italian-ish small plates.
Address: Upper Ground, South Bank, SE1 9PX
Website: nationaltheatre.org.uk
3 Skylight, Peckham
The sister venue to the Wapping Skylight, the Peckham outpost pulls a young fun crowd who come for the drag brunches, BBQs, Djs and s much of the same – a young vibey crowd, and parties.
Address: Theatre Walk, 120 Peckham Hill Street, Peckham SE15 5JT
Website: skylightbars.com
4 Fire and Fromage pop up, South Bank
South Bank’s Alpine-inspired igloos return for the festive season, along with a raclette bar and a winter street food kitchen. Boasting full après-ski vibes, the private dining snow globes fit up to 10 people, come heated and with views looking across the Thames. The menu focuses on dishes such as fondue and raclette, and there’s also sharing steaks, and vegan options are available. Runs November 2 – December 31
Address: Queens Walk, under Waterloo Bridge, Southbank SE1 8XX
Website: jimmyspopup.com
5 Coq d’Argent, City
Upmarket Coq d’Argent in the City has a poplar rooftop terrace complete with heaters to keep the chill at bay as you enjoy cocktails and bar snacks. Usually you’ll find some sort of Alpine-themed festivities come winter, like the Lodge d’Argent chalets, bookable for just you and your friends.
Address: No.1 Poultry, London EC2R 8EJ
Website: coqdargent.co.uk
6 Queen of Hoxton, Shoreditch
Popular with hip young things, the rooftop at Shoreditch favourite Queen of Hoxton is open all year round. Lavish themes come and go with the seasons, and there’s both standing room and seating. Walk-ins are welcome, but you’d be daft not to book ahead to get your spot in this rooftop chalet.
Address: 1 Curtain Road, Shoreditch EC2A 3JX
Website: queenofhoxton.com
7 The Prince, West Brompton
Outside it may seem like an unassuming pub, but inside, The Prince offers three huge bars serving warming winter beverages, four independent restaurants offering up tasty street food dishes and a cosy pub – all connected to a giant woodland garden. The Prince’s hidden garden transforms for winter with autumnal flowers and foliage, while the retractable roof is in place to keep everyone cosy and dry.
Address: 14 Lillie Road, Earls Court SW6 1TT
Website: theprincelondon.com
8 Radio Rooftop Bar, The Strand
Radio Rooftop’s north-facing and south-facing terraces are an enviable destination all year round, with striking views over central London and space heaters to keep things toasty. Located on the 10th floor of ME London, winter often sees ski lodges pop up, decked out with cosy blankets and flickering lanterns. Seasonal menus often include Alpine treats and boozy hot chocolates.
Address: 336-337 Strand WC2R 1HA
Website: radiorooftop.com
9 The Churchill Bar & Terrace, Marylebone
Somewhat of a secreted treasure, Churchill Bar’s award-winning alfresco terrace at Hyatt Regency London offers up faux fur rugs and blankets, winter cocktails and dishes that Sir Winston Churchill would certainly approve of. There’s a small plates and nibbles menu to graze on while you’re there.
Address: Hyatt Regency, 30 Portman Square, Marylebone W1H 7BH
Website: thechurchillbar.co.uk
10 Rosewood London, Holborn
Rosewood London’s courtyard winter transformations are constantly of wonderland proportions and come with Highland twangs. Fairy lights, faux fur, cushions and velvet throws make things feel cosy as mulled wine and cool cocktails set the tone for a menu of winter dishes by Holborn Dining Room.
Address: 252 High Holborn WC1V 7EN
Website: rosewoodhotels.com
11 Madison, St Paul’s
Madison’s famous party party rooftop terrace comes with cracking views of St Pauls’ Cathedral, and is just as lively in winter as it is in summer – it’s one for the brave. For winter, find warming cocktail specials, wintery foliage, festive decorations, heated seats, DJs every night and that rockstar view of St. Paul’s.
Address: Rooftop Terrace, One New Change, St Paul’s EC4M 9AF
Website: madisonlondon.net
12 Skylight at Tobacco Dock, Wapping
Skylight Rooftop has a string of skyline-facing pods and a handful of huts for you to warm yourself up in. They’re heated, there’s table service (tables are also heated) and you can quaff warm mulled wine, while you bask in the glory of London’s skyline. There’s also an ice-skating rink and indoor croquet too.
Address: Tobacco Dock, E1W 2SF
Website: skylightlondon.com
13 Flat Iron Square, London Bridge
Flat Iron Square is made up of a series of outdoor spaces, covered and heated for winter. There’s a number of street food traders, multiple bars, DJs, live music and one-off events.
Address: 45 Southwark Street, London Bridge SE1 1RU
Website: flatironsquare.co.uk
14 Aviary, City
Aviary has one of the top rooftop drinking spots in the city, and when the igloos arrive, well, things get even better. Slinky yet snug, igloos can be booked for dining or drinks. Expect winter warmer cocktails, cosy cushions and blankets and a seasonal three-course set menu.
Address: 10th Floor Montcalm, 22-25 Finsbury Square EC2A 1DX
Website: aviarylondon.com
15 Sky Garden’s Sky Pod Bar, City
As the temperature drops, it’s time to head to the top – 155 metres up, that is – as Sky Garden cosies up for the winter. While covered, Sky Garden is a naturally ventilated space, so you’ll need to dress appropriately for winter. Does that make it an indoor or outdoor venue? Technically, it’s indoors, but it’s also a garden so it has outside vibes. Open Tuesday to Sunday with DJ nights from Wednesday to Sunday. Walk-ins are permitted but you’d be wise to book.
Address: 1 Sky Garden Walk, EC3M 8AF
Website: skygarden.london
16 Sabine, City
Overlooking St Paul’s Cathedral, this botanical rooftop is an ideal escape from London’s concrete jungle. It offers breath-taking views of the cathedral from every angle against a backdrop of vibrant foliage and contemporary design. There’s a light bite menu and herbaceous cocktails to enjoy on one of the two outside terraces, nestled into blankets under heaters.
Address: 7th Floor, Leonardo Royal Hotel London, St Paul’s, 10 Godliman Street, EC4V 5AJ
Website: sabinelondon.co.uk
17 Le Pont de la Tour, Shad Thames
The grand fine-dining French restaurant Le Pont de la Tour gives its terrace a cosy yet glamorous makeover for winter complete with heaters, furs and blankets. With one of the best views of Tower Bridge as a backdrop, soak the sight up with champagne and oysters, or a seafood platter or lobster even.
Address: 6D Shad Thames, SE1 2YE
Website: lepontdelatour.co.uk
18 The Rooftop at The Trafalgar St. James
Another cracking view, The Rooftop at The Trafalgar overlooks the iconic square and West End hubbub. Seven floors up, the restaurant and bar serves European dishes, cocktails and various tipples, however space is limited so it’s best to book ahead for this one.
Address: 2 Spring Gardens, SW1 2TS
Website: trafalgarstjames.com
19 The Garden at Corinthia London, Whitehall Place
The winter iteration of The Garden is very cosy indeed. The semi-covered courtyard features elegant seasonal planting, festive lights, warm blankets and hot water bottles, two fireplaces, and a charming traditional cuckoo clock to boot. For this winter season, while you’re here you can dine on a decadent Italian dishes.
Address: Whitehall Place, SW1A 2BD
Website: corinthia.com
20 Dalloway Terrace, Bloomsbury
The highly Instagrammable Dalloway Terrace is an ever-popular spot to grab a cocktail, lunch, dinner, brunch or a boozy afternoon tea surrounded by a seasonal maximalist floral display. Named after the eponymous character penned by Virginia Woolf, it is elegant, poetic and quintessentially English, and comes with a retractable roof and heating.
Address: 16-22 Great Russell Street, Fitzrovia WC1B 3NN
Website: dallowayterrace.com
21 Pergola Paddington
Pergola Paddington changes with the seasons and one Octoberfest frivolities are done and dusted, the west London venue turns into a wintery, festive space. Always ready for a party, you’ll find a forest of Christmas trees, DJs, brunches, festive events like the Christmas singalong and plenty to eat and drink.
Address: 5 Kingdom Street, Paddington Central W2 6PY
Website: pergolapaddington.com
22 Coppa Club igloos, Tower Bridge & Putney
With prime position overlooking the Thames, the riverside igloos at Coppa Club Tower Bridge are hugely popular so get in quick to book. They also pop up between Putney and Fulham Railway bridges, to everyone’s delight. Both locations serve up European plates, from breakfast to dinner and leisurely brunches on the weekend.
Address: 3 Three Quays Walk, Lower Thames Street EC3R 6AH; 29 Brewhouse Lane, SW15 2JK
Website: coppaclub.co.uk
23 The Alpine Club at Winterland Fulham
Fulham Beach Club transforms into the Winterland Alpine Club every year as temperatures drop. Choose from a series of snuggly spots to hang out with friends, from Forest Cabins and Igloos for six people to Ski Lift Bubbles for four, tables for two and fur-covered sofas for six. There’s a cocktail bar, gin bar and restaurant, as well as arcade games to play and a DJ to dance to. Food is served throughout the venue, so wherever you are, feast on sourdough pizza and sharing platters and festive treats and tipples.
Address: Wandsworth Bridge Road, Fulham SW6 2TY
Website: neverlandlondon.com
24 Stanley’s, Chelsea
Formerly The Chelsea Courtyard, this tranquil oasis is found just metres from the King’s Road. The large alfresco courtyard is covered over by a giant canopy for winter, but the space remains open on both sides – and warmed up with space heaters and rugs. Enjoy elegant modern British dishes and a couple of cocktails, or come for pudding and wine.
Address: 151 Sydney Street, Chelsea SW3 6NT
Website: stanleyschelsea.co.uk
25 Orrery, Marylebone
Orrery, the French restaurant in the heart of Marylebone, has a beautiful terrace that transforms with the seasons. Come the winter months, the sheltered space is usually adorned with sheepskin rugs and luxury cashmere throws, while a seasonal menu featuring treats like truffles and festive cocktails should keep the doom and gloom of winter at bay.
Address: 55 Marylebone High Street, Marylebone W1U 5RB
Website: orrery-restaurant.co.uk
26 London Secret Garden, South Kensington
London Secret Garden in South Kensington offers temperature-controlled igloo dining with cosy faux furs, a winter warming food and cocktail menu, and an afternoon tea that takes on a festive twist come Christmas. The unique space, by a beautiful church where poet T. S. Eliot was Warden for 20 years, has five igloos, each named after an iconic singer from recent times (Bowie and Freddie Mercury are among the honoured). Order from the set menu or try the pod tasting menu instead.
Address: 100 Cromwell Road, South Kensington SW7 4ER
Website: londonsecretgarden.co.uk
27 Selfridges Rooftop
Run by the San Carlo group, Selfridge’s rooftop restaurant, Alto, brings a little bit of Italian chicness to the glamourous department store. Come for a cocktail and some Venetian-style small plates as a break from an Oxford Street shopping blitz, or settle in for the evening or afternoon over a leisurely, carb heavy meal.
Address: Selfridges Rooftop, 400 Oxford Street W1A 1AB
Website: sancarloalto.co.uk
https://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/23160587.londons-best-alfresco-winter-terraces-rooftop-bars/
