The United Kingdom, the home of pubs and bars. If you'd like your pint with a view, there are some great rooftop bars available here.
Despite the rainy and cold weather that often hits Great Britain, UK is one of the most popular rooftop destinations in the world. Much thanks to London's big popularity, but it’s not only the English capital that can showcase some great rooftops. Many other cities in the UK have a great variety of different places to eat and drink with a view.
Here are the 10 best rooftop bars in the UK according to The Rooftop Guide – the world’s leading resource about rooftops worldwide.
Ask any Londoner where to go for views, and most of them will advise you to check the fantastic Jin Bo Law Skybar.
Opened back in early 2018, Jin Bo Law Skybar features a luxurious cocktail lounge and a spectacular view of the British capital’s skyline. Overlooking a handful of landmarks - Tower Bridge, the Shard, and the Gherking, Jin Bo Law Skybar has mixed the perfect balance of bronze and marble.
With a spacy bar, and a sleek outdoor deck, guests can choose from plenty front row spots. It is safe to say that Jin Bo Law is London’s next viewpoint to take in the old city with all of its beauty and madness.
The bar offers an upscale menu of curated, unique and well-prepared cocktails. Pro tip: try the “Butterfly Punch” - a mix of traditional punch with Jasmine tea.
If you want to mix up with the hip crowd, join the “Moet & Chandon Summer Series” with live house music and high vibes.
JIN BO LAW
Alluring guests from all over, 20 Stories is a mixture of dramatic lights, a canopy of trees and a spectacular outdoor lounge bar.
With a modern outside BBQ and alfresco fireplaces, the terrace cozy atmosphere gets accompanied by the stunning backdrop of Manchester’s majestic skyline.
20 Stories Manchester takes reservations for 10 people or more, so consider this the perfect spot for a group getaway.
While taking in the views of the city, 20 Stories will serve guests a sumptuous array of delicate finger sandwiches and delicious signature treats. We encourage you to try the homemade scones with clotted cream and strawberry and gooseberry jam.
20 STORIES MANCHESTER
Perched on top of the urban and modern Radisson RED Glasgow you find Red Sky Bar, Glasgow’s first official rooftop bar.
Elevated above the Finnieston district, the rooftop features both a sleek interior lounge, as well as a relaxed outside terrace. All around, you are surrounded with panoramic views over both the River Clyde and the city.
To go with the vistas, Red Sky Bar offers a creative and extensive selection of drinks, including crafted signature cocktails with a Glasgow twist, like the 'Glass-Vegas Fizz' and the 'Sky High Sling'. Perfect to pair with some of the local and international small plates, celebrating Glasgow as a cultural melting pot.
Kick back, sip cocktails, enjoy some afternoon tea and just gaze at the view. Or during weekends, kick start the fun with plenty of good vibes and live music from resident DJs.
RED SKY BAR
Experience Leeds’s finest rooftop bar - the luxurious Sky Lounge, at sunset. With a breathtaking panorama of Yorkshire and the city of Leeds, the 13th floor becomes a true urban escape from the busy streets below.
Stop by for an early breakfast and enjoy a chilled morning under the UK sun, or save a spot for a bubbly afternoon teas to live music with Sky@ Night every weekend.
Sky Lounge has a tight, yet very precise menu of delicious bites and fine beverages to ensure a good time.
Once the weekend knocks on the door, Sky Lounge transforms into a lively DJ location and Leeds’s favorite spot to go partying. Perfect for family celebrations, and a casual evening date.
SKY LOUNGE
Located just a short walk from Shakespeare's Birthplace, in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon, The Phoenix is a modern, fun and buzzy neighbourhood bar, with a beautiful rooftop terrace made for sunny days.
Called The Rosé Terrace, the rooftop is a lush and gorgeous venue, where you can settle down under the palm trees and enjoy delicious food and even better cocktails.
The generous Phoenix menu includes everything from snacks & platters, stonebaked sourdough pizzas, salads and burgers, to crafted cocktails, fizz, wines and a full selection of spirits.
Or why not got for a bottle of rosé, and share with some loved ones.
Filled with friendly and feel good vibes all around, the rooftop at The Phoenix is a fantastic spot to relax in a chilled atmosphere, and pretend you’re on holiday for an hour or a day.
THE PHOENIX
Sora Sky Bar is an elevated and seductive rooftop restaurant and cocktail bar, found on top of the lovely boutique hotel Malmaison York, set on the corner of Rougier Street in the heart of York.
Blending a sleek interior dining room with a partly covered / pertly open-air lounge terrace, the rooftop comes surrounded with amazing and panoramic views over York.
Inviting to delicious dining and sassy cocktails, the Sora menu includes an irresistible selection of sushi, Robatayaki and pan-Asian style tapas dishes, complemented with seasonal signature cocktails, as well as a fine selection of wine, champagne and sake.
Paired with exquisite entertainment from resident DJs and guest musicians every weekend, Sora Sky Bar is as fantastic York venue for stylish sunset drinks, a romantic dates, an easy going yet elegant dinner, or a grand night out.
SORA SKY BAR
Found at one of London’s most iconic address – 1 Leicester Square - the 1 Leicester Square Rooftop Bar & Restaurant is a day-to-night venue perfect to enjoy everything from a casual lunch to post-theatre drinks. All served with a view.
Perched on the 9th floor of Hotel Indigo London, high above the vibrant streets of the buzzing West End, the rooftop offers some amazing panoramic views over the city skyline. Both through the floor-to-ceiling windows at the indoor lounge, and even more so at the outdoor terrace..
Here you can indulge in a timeless menu, with both small plates and mains celebrating the vibrant flavors, fresh ingredients, and the artistry of classic recipes. Drink-wise, the bar serves everything from fine signature and classic cocktails, to champagne, wine and beers.
Visit for a sunny lunch, some post work cocktails, weekend drinks with friends or to impress a date.
1 LEICESTER SQUARE ROOFTOP
Set on on the 5th floor of the Quadrangle in Imperial Square, The Nook on Five is Cheltenham's only rooftop restaurant and bar, inviting to Modern British dining and sips, with an iconic vista.
Part elegant, contemporary and bright interior dining room & bar with panoramic windows, and part breezy outdoor rooftop terrace, here you are surrounded with amazing views over Cheltenham and the idyllic Cotswold hills.
The Nook on Five menu features the very best of modern British dining, made with produce from top butchers, fishmongers, grocers, creameries. The food is complemented with a fine selection of artisan cocktails, both classics and unique signatures, as well as an extensive wine list, featuring a special focus on English wines.
From breakfast and lunch, to intimate dinners and sips with friends, The Nook on Five is the perfect spot to enjoy Cheltenham from above. Expect live piano music at weekends, and plenty of special events throughout the year.
THE NOOK ON FIVE
Opened late 2023, the unique and eye-catching W Edinburgh has already become a famous addition to the Edinburgh skyline.
On the top and 12th floor of the swirling building you find W Deck, a beautiful terrace open seven days a week. With an exclusive new summer cocktail menu, live music and unrivalled 360° views of Edinburgh, W Deck is set to be the city's go-to spot when the sun is shining.
The expansive new rooftop bar serves classics and twists, such as the fruity passion fruit martini-inspired 'Sunset Ritual' (Hyland Park 12, Passionfruit & Peach Tea), and the zingy grapefruit option 'Nitro Paloma' (Altos Tequila, Grapefruit, Agave & Saline).
W Deck will also play host to the city's hottest DJs every Thursday night (5pm-10pm), including radio regular Beth and Ilyus from festival headlining duo llyus and Barrientos. And throughout August, guests can enjoy uninterrupted views from the rooftop bar of the nightly festival fireworks display over Edinburgh, with fire pits to keep everyone warm as the city sparkles.
W DECK AT W EDINBURGH
Set on the 7th floor of the fantastic The Trafalgar St. James, The Rooftop rivals Londons’s and UK's finest when it comes to drinking and dining with views of the fantastic London skyline, and the close by Trafalgar Square.
Elegant and impressive, The Rooftop is a perfect spot to enjoy an alfresco crafted cocktail. The drink list contains both well made signatures and classics, complemented with an impressive wine menu.
This is also a London rooftop restaurant that's open all year, complete with blankets and heaters, along with a retractable roof providing a year round experience. Food comes as tasty European-inspired dishes, perfect to share with friends. Served as lunch and dinner, and during weekends also as rooftop brunch.
Grab a table in The Gallery for the most breathtaking views over London. Or relax at the sun-drenched conservatory called The Deck. Reservations are not mandatory, but highly recommended.
THE ROOFTOP ST. JAMES
Hans has visited over 500 rooftop bars, 200 rooftop pools and 300 rooftop restaurants since 2015. This vast experience has made Hans a true rooftop expert, and one of the most knowledgeable in the field. Today, numerous of travel magazines, bloggers and media websites contact Hans to get his expertise on rooftops.
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