When the sun’s still shining, it’s time to make the most of every chance to enjoy al fresco drinking and dining in London. This city offers a dazzling selection of charming and lively venues and we’ve curated the best outdoor drinking spots in London we recommend you try when staying at one of our luxury London apartment rentals.
Here are our favourite places we love to visit with friends and family, including wine bars and English pubs with beautiful outdoor terraces…
The Engineer
The Engineer is a lovely, friendly pub in Primrose Hill with an inviting outdoor space, as well as two function rooms upstairs for those who want to hire a private space for a celebration. It is also just steps away from the Regent’s Canal towpath, for a leisurely stroll to Kings Cross in one direction, and Regent’s Park and the London Zoo in the other. The historic pub opened in 1849 and is enduringly popular with locals, making this an authentic travel experience. 65 Gloucester Avenue, London NW1 8JH, Tel. +44 (0)20 7483 1890.
The Rooftop at The Standard
Stretching over the 11th floor of The Standard hotel, The Rooftop terrace offers wonderful views of the London skyline. One of the very best outdoor drinking spots in London, it’s located in the heart of Kings Cross, next to the popular Coal Drop’s Yard, with its shops and restaurants. Up on the terrace you can enjoy a mix of excellent cocktails and wine, and even street food surprises, including New York style hot dogs. The rooftop terrace is particularly popular in the summer, but isn’t open in windy or wet weather, so it is worth phoning The Standard before coming if it’s raining. 10 Argyle St, London WC1H 8EG, Tel. +44 (0)203 981 8888.
Gordon’s Wine Bar
Located close to Covent Garden and London’s Theatreland, Gordon’s Wine Bar goes back 130 years (London’s oldest wine bar), and remains one of the best spots for outdoor drinking in London. Close to Covent Garden and London’s Theatreland, Gordon’s is renowned for its history and its lovely vaulted candlelit cellar. Depending on the weather you can also dine outside, or you might prefer to be inside at a romantic cellar table. The food menu offers more than 15 different cheeses, a selection of charcuterie and vegetarian and vegan options, as well as excellent wine. Reservations are not taken in advance, but the staff here will do their best to seat you as soon as they can. 47 Villiers Street, London WC2N 6NE. Tel. +44 (0)207 930 1408.
The Lighterman
The Lighterman is a modern pub with a dining room at Granary Square, on the canal side near King’s Cross. With three stunning floors, it offers a bar overlooking the Regent’s Canal towpath, and offers casual dining and drinking all day. As well as fresh salads and produce from local farms, the bar also offers small plates of mainly Spanish cuisine, as well as cocktails, wines, spirits and beer, and a range of diverse cocktails. 3 Granary Square, London N1C 4BH. Tel: +44 (0)20 3846 3400.
The Nest at The Treehouse
The Nehttps://www.treehousehotels.com/london/eat-drink/nestst, is a rooftop bar and terrace at the Treehouse hotel, right in the centre of the West End of London. It is an easy walk from Regents Street, Bond Street and Oxford Street, and so the area is very good for shopping too. The Nest is open daily from 12pm onwards. Bookings are recommended, but several tables are held for walk-ins. With the spectacular 360-degree skyline views visitors will enjoy the panorama over London, including the London Eye, The Shard, Canary Wharf and Regent’s Park. 14-15 Langham Place, London W1B 2QS. Tel: +44 (0)207 580 0111.
The Windsor Castle
Situated between Notting Hill, Holland Park and Kensington, The Windsor Castle is a lovely popular pub, both in daytime and the evening. It’s a great place for a relaxed lunch, and dinner, including a Sunday roast. There is also an exceptional range of beers, wines and spirits, and the food is sourced locally. The menus use seasonal dishes, which are freshly prepared each day by the Head Chef and Kitchen Team – ranging from lovely snacks, to classic pub dishes, with both meat or meat-free treats. 114 Campden Hill Road, Kensington, London W8 7AR. Tel: +44 (0)207 243 8797.
The Albion
The Albion pub in Islington dates back to Georgian times when the area was fields and farmland. Situated in a small road just off Upper Street, it is in a great location as well as being lovely pub, also with a beer garden. The inside of the pub is appealing with its historic floors, and wood-panelled walls, as well as a mix of varied chairs and tables. The French windows in the restaurant area also opens to a lovely wisteria-filled English country garden. 10 Thornhill Road, Islington, London, N1 1HW. Tel: +44 (0)207 607 7450.
The Spaniard’s Inn
One of our favourite pubs is The Spaniards Inn, a historic pub on the edge of Hampstead Heath. It was built in 1585 as a tollgate, and named after the Spanish Ambassador to James I of England. With its open fire, traditional wood-panelling and comfortable chairs, it is cosy in the winter and, in the summer, there is a walled beer garden with barbecue facilities. Hampstead Heath is great to explore (before or after your pub lunch) with Kenwood House, and also swimming ponds on a sunny day. The pub has a very good food menu, and is particularly known for its Sunday roast. Spaniards Road, Hampstead, London, NW3 7JJ. Tel: +44 (0)7862 131632.
The Aqua Spirit Bar
Right in the centre of London, close to Regent Street and Oxford Street, The Aqua Spirit Bar, is open daily for walk-ins and reservations. It also has the benefit of a beautiful rooftop terrace in the summer months, with views of London’s skyline, as well as a back bar with both a creative menu, as well as a tempting list of wines, beers and spirits. Moreover, an unlimited sushi brunch menu is available at weekends, and also a perfect spot to relax for after-work drinks and catch-ups with friends. 5th Floor, 240 Regent Street (Entrance 30 Argyll Street), London W1B 3BR. Tel: +44 (0)20 748 0540.
Somerset House Terrace Bar
The Somerset House Terrace Bar with San Miguel is nestled in the perfect al fresco riverside spot near Covent Garden, with great views of the city skyline. Moreover, it is close to the River Thames, and the bridge at Waterloo, so visitors can cross the bridge and walk down the side of the river leading to the Tate Modern and the BFI cinema. The bar is known for a lovely selection of small plates with ingredients sourced from Northern Spain, as well as a range of cocktails. Moreover, Somerset House Terrace Bar has other experiences, including cooking masterclasses, and exclusive supper club experiences with live music. Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA. Tel: +44(0)333 320 2836.
Alto by San Carlo
Alto Rooftop Italian Restaurant in Selfridges is one of the finest late-night restaurants in London, opening seven days a week, and continues long after the store has closed. Alto by San Carlo is has an exclusive lift within Selfridges, with guests able to discover the enchanting foliage-laden little Italy, high in the sky. With a fully retractable roof, visitors can dine under the sun or stars, come rain or shine, seven days a week. Outside, our beautifully landscaped terrace and bar offers full table service with uninterrupted views of the London skyline. A perfect setting, visitors can enjoy both an upscale lunch, as well as cocktails and or dinner. The Rooftop, Selfridges, Oxford St, London, W1A 1AB. Tel: +44 (0)207 318 3287.
Private rooftops and terraces
You can also host your own private al fresco drinks parties when you stay at one of our exclusive luxury apartments to rent in London. Many of our properties have elegant terraces and we also feature penthouses with rooftop terraces offering sensational city views. These are the very best spots for outdoor drinking in London — perfect for brunch, lunch and evening gatherings in the summer months.
Take a peek at the stunning Little Venice Penthouse, the Hyde Park Gate Penthouse, and Henry’s Townhouse. And to discover the full portfolio and details of our concierge services, make an enquiry or speak to one of our expert representatives on +44 (0)207 586 5342.
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