On those rare days that the sun decides to shine from dawn 'til dusk, the people of Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland spring into action. With SPF hastily slapped on and summer dresses dragged from wardrobes, us Brits will do anything to soak up those precious few rays. Luckily for you? We've created a guide to the UK's most beautiful rooftop bars, designed with your sunny day sesh and balmy evening cocktails in mind.
Last edited by Kiera Chapman
Last updated on 30th July 2024
One of the best rooftop restaurants in London has just had a makeover, thanks to a partnership between Aqua Kyoto and Veuve Clicquot. The stunning sunset oasis now boasts a radiant colour scheme and beautiful cascading booms, not to mention a delish menu of Japanese fare with drinks pairings.
The View From The Shard rooftop bar offers jaw-dropping, 3600-degree scenes from its platform. Not only is it one of the most iconic sight-seeing spots in London, but it also hosts an array of incredible drinking and dining destinations inside, such as Bar 31, Hutong, Sky Lounge and Oblix. The former serves an array of beers, wines and cocktails, such as the Passion & Spiced, made with Duppy Share Spiced Rum and prosecco, and the Coco Splice, featuring coconut cream and lime juice.
One of the best rooftops around, The Draper's Arms is a great shout if you're searching for good food and booze. Fronting a menu of crab croquettes, avocado muffins and burgers, the bar is perfect for alfresco eating with a pint to pair.
Located in the heart of Essex, Epping Roof Garden is a fabulous spot for glamorous drinks. Head up to the sky-high space, where you'll get to enjoy top-notch happy hour deals, floral arrangements and panoramic views of the area.
Aside from hosting brunch socials and giving you goes at throwing darts in high-tech oches, Flight Club also has a foliage-covered rooftop terrace. Think trees, ivy, its own bar and more across the outdoor space.
Decked out with fairy lights and cool murals, The Forth is a cool Newcastle boozer whose quirky interiors extend out onto the rooftop terrace. Expect street food-style dishes washed down by plenty of pints at this relaxed haunt.
Patterns is a rooftop party destination like no other. Not only does it have sweeping views of the sea from its terrace, but their roaster of DJs and events is sure to keep you entertained 'til the early hours.
Ready for sun-soaked cocktails with a view? London Bridge Rooftop is the perfect haunt to head to for gorgeous sights of the city while chowing down on lip-smacking burgers. Plus, these folks also host banging brunches and have some killer drink deals.
Your choice of rooftop bar in Manchester doesn't get much better than 20 Stories, which is the highest spot the city has to offer. Head here for an extensive wine list and plenty of creative cocktails, which are best enjoyed with the venue's brasserie dishes or out on the terrace.
The main ingredient for an unforgettable rooftop bar? That view. Sabine is offering St Paul's Cathedral vistas, alongside a rotating list of seasonal small plates and unique cocktails to boot - proving it's not all about looks either.
If you're wondering about where to go in Bristol, Mall Clifton should be on your radar. The cosy boozer is a hugely popular place among locals and students alike. The real draw here is the gorgeous secret garden, which is spread across three levels and regularly plays host to summer BBQs.
Having breathed new life into an old textile mill, Headrow House has become of the most popular rooftop bars in Leeds. Home to craft beer, regular DJs, live music and kebabs from Michelin-recommended Ox Club, it's not to be missed.
On a long hot summer day? Brighton is the place to be. The Mesmerist is the town's number one party spot, offering late-night DJs, street food and 70s-inspired cocktails on its sprawling rooftop hideaway.
After a rooftop bar in Edinburgh? We'd say Chaophraya is pretty unrivalled for views. With sweeping vistas across the city's best landmarks, including the castle and Firth of Forth, this gorgeous Thai eatery has you sorted for drinking or dining in style. Visiting Newcastle instead? There's a sky-high venue there too.
For the best rooftop bars in the world, you'll have to give London's Sky Garden a go. With unrivalled views from its City perch, this space is not only packing plenty of foliage, but delish food and drink to boot.
As a great pick of rooftop bars in Birmingham, Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill is a must-visit. The dazzling den serves a selection of mouthwatering steak dishes, with the city as the backdrop at its 25th floor perch.
For a rooftop bar in Bath, look no further than this boozer. Bath Cider House has you soaking up the sun across a multi-tiered outdoor area, with 14” square pizzas keeping you fed while you're at it.
This Cambridge gem used to be a cinema and it kept its unique, retro-style decor throughout the venue, complete with low ceilings and neon lights. Tivoli comes with two street food halls, three shuffleboard tables, mini-golf courses and a glorious rooftop terrace that might just be the best in the city. The quirky outside area features graffitied walls and strings of fairy lights - it's the ideal spot for a cool down after a spot of lightly competitive gaming. On the menu, you'll find an array of crowd-pleasing grub like burgers, pizzas topped with chorizo or tenderstem broccoli and some top-tier cocktails, like pornstar martinis.
A quaint, but perfectly formed rooftop shaking up 2 for £10 cocktails all day from Sunday to Friday, YOLO Townhouse is a destination for anyone wanting to drink outdoors without breaking the bank. Plus, there are bottomless brunches and gastro grub to boot.
If only the most beautiful of Cardiff watering holes will tempt you, then The Botanist has to be on your radar. Head up for pretty cocktails that are served in plant pots, boasting billowing dry ice clouds, or laced with gin.
Undoubtedly one of the best hotels with rooftop bars in the UK, Montcalm Royal London House Hotel is home to Aviary Rooftop Bar & Restaurant, which offers panoramic views of the City's skyline. As for food? Expect to pair British plates with killer cocktails.
Out of all the rooftops in this Scottish city, Bar Soba is one of our favs. Pop by or book a table to tuck into a range of pan-Asian street food, alongside sipping on some tasty treats from the two cocktail bars on-site.
The Button Factory is bringing a New York edge to sipping in the clouds, thanks to some gorgeous interiors fronting exposed brick walls and slick styling. Make your way out onto the sun-trap of a terrace, where a roster of brunch and cocktails awaits.
If pretty is what you're after, then Urban Garden ought to fit the bill. Not many can rival the leafy views of Lower Gardens that this Bournemouth hotspot boasts, while the kitchen is cooking up burgers, steaks, British dishes and more too.
A magic oasis of wildflowers, Alchemilla is home to a truly gorgeous terrace. A hugely popular hangout in the summer months, the botanical beauty is ideal for a romantic date night, thanks to a menu bursting with fresh seafood, seasonal veg and game meat.
The beaut terrace at the Varsity Hotel will sort you for rooftops in this gorgeous university city. Let the views take your breath away while you munch on everything from whole grilled lobster to BBQ ribs, all accompanied by fine wine.
A true hidden gem, Sky By The Water is the oh-so-gorgeous Resorts World haunt that comes complete with cosy igloos, bright neon lights and Instagrammable flower walls. Swing by to take advantage of the huge array of gins on offer, from the fruit-infused to local picks.
Decorated with bird cages round by the bar and plenty of foliage throughout, The Perch really knows how to stick to a theme - and do it well. Make your way to this Belfast haunt to have a range of fruity tipples with piping hot pizza.
If only the best rooftop bars in the UK will do, The Ivy's Manchester venue should fit the bill. Fronting a sky-high garden area decked out with trees, floral furniture and a retractable glass ceiling, this place really is a gem.
Dublin's best rooftop bar and restaurant, Ryleigh's is perched on the edge of the Docklands, boasting stunning waterside views. Open from dawn 'til late every night of the week, the swish spot specialises in grill dishes, with fresh seafood and sizzling steaks taking centre stage.
Part of the OH ME OH MY café, Goodness Gracious is a watering hole with some serious wow-factor. A guaranteed winner if you're looking to impress, the sky-high gem is home to views of the majestic Royal Liver Building and River Mersey beyond.
The gang at Cold Town House sure know a thing or two about alfresco weekend antics. Nestled next to Edinburgh Castle, the gorgeous city centre bar is a winner when it comes to freshly baked pizzas and tasty Aperol spritzes, with electric heaters once Scotland's colder climes creep in.
Atlas Bar in Deansgate is home to an array of delicious gins - with around 570 types to date, making it the largest in Manchester. It's an iconic spot to spend an afternoon sipping away with friends on its leafy terrace, sporting views of towering city buildings. You'll find some delicious snacks here too, all for £6, such as sesame chicken wings, salt beef croquettes, and brie in chilli and thyme oil. What's more, you can visit between Thursday and Sunday to enjoy a bottomless brunch for only £35 per person, too.
Located on Old King Street in Bath city centre is what was once the Bonhams auctioneers and now the vibrant restaurant and bar, Hall & Woodhouse. Boasting stunning chandeliers, exposed brick walls and set over four floors, this dining destination has made a name for itself by providing award-winning cask ales and a glorious rooftop where you can enjoy a glass of wine among plants and heaters. On the menu, you can expect to find sharing dishes such as charcuterie boards as well as hot steak and mushroom ciabattas, plus their signature shepherd's pie.
