The Best Rooftop Bars In The UK

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




London: The View From The Shard

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.

Cambridge: Tivoli

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.

Liverpool: Goodness Gracious

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.

Manchester: Atlas Bar

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.

Bath: Hall & Woodhouse

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.