With summer finally upon Britain, outdoor bars in London are charged with a new zest for life. Littered with rooftop bars overlooking the city’s breathtaking skylines and bosky beer gardens celebrating the country's seasonal ales, al fresco drinking is in vogue in London. Read on to discover the best outdoor bars in London.
1. Jurema at The Mandrake
Jurema at The Mandrake is an elegant bar decked out in fragrant creepers and luxuriant foliage – it was adjudged the “Global Winner of Outdoor Space” by the AHEAD Awards.
Tucked away in the establishment’s first-floor terrace, the open-air alcove is built with exposed timbre and draped in curtains of jasmine and passionflower. The sweet-scented terrace bar hovers over the courtyard, teeming with sky-scraping Tasmanian ferns. The floor above is a greenhouse, hosting a variety of medicinal plants. Furnished with bamboo seats and a cushioned swing, guests are ensconced in the wooded embrace of Jurema’s verdure.
Jurema is renowned for its South American cuisine and botanical cocktails. The signature drinks include Yagé (rum, aperol, and tropical fruits); Heka (marigold tea, gin, ginger liqueur, and mango juice); and Wicca (Veuve Clicquot Champagne and violet liqueur). These elixirs pair brilliantly with their premium oysters and parmesan tapioca.
2. London Bridge Rooftop Bar
Perched on London Bridge Walk in Colechurch House, this rooftop bar is an unmissable tippling destination.
Overlooking the Thames in all its glory, the bar is fringed by all of the city’s icons, from the Shard to the London Eye. Situated at the mouth of London Bridge, the city’s pivot and most significant landmark, the entire capital is at your feet. The unfussed, industrial aesthetic of the bar allows the spotlight to shine on the showstopper – the city of London itself. After sunset, the bar shines brightly in the irradiance of fairy lights.
British pub fare, including beef burgers, vegan burgers, and loaded fries, is on the menu. For the real London bar experience, guests may sample their exclusive champagnes, lagers, and premiere spirits. The bar also has elevated takes on classic cocktails, such as the “Hennessy On The Roof” (a Hennessy mojito with a surprise zing).
3. 14 Hills
14 Hills, a lush rooftop woodland, is a contemporary European restaurant in east London
Described as a “colonial-style jungle,” the bar is a thickly forested enclave, littered with pergolas, trees, and blankets of evergreen creepers and seasonal plants. Coupled with boldly printed furniture and lampshades, the rooftop bar is a cacophony of lusty designs. Sprawling the 14th floor of Fen Court, guests can feast on views of the Shard, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and River Thames.
Cocktails and wines paired with oysters or caviar are a go-to order at 14 Hills. Octopus, sea bream, and ribeye grill are also on offer for an elegant wine-and-dine affair.
4. The Aviary
The Aviary presents a sophisticated cocktail extravaganza on the 10th floor of the Montcalm Royal London House.
Enveloped by central London’s revered skyline, the Aviary’s richly embellished interiors set the scene for a perfect night-out. Brightly coloured, sumptuous baguettes, leaf-fringed lamp pendants, and intricate partition screens adorn the Aviary. Chevron-patterned flooring and the symmetrically panelled bar tie up the modish chic of the bar.
As an elevated gastropub, guests are in store for elaborate dishes such as thrice-cooked chips with Hodson sauce, crispy duck noodle salad, and roast aubergine gnocchi. While Aviary boasts an enviable wine collection and British pub classics, it is the cocktails that really shine. A highly recommended signature cocktail is the “Samba,” a mixture of Abelha cachaça, marshmallow, strawberry cordial, vanilla, and lime.
5. The Magic Garden
Aglow in soft fairy lights, the Magic Garden is a fantastical garden cocktail lounge residing in the heart of south-west London.
Hippie flamboyance defines the Magic Garden’s aesthetic, with its florid tapestries, jungle-themed graffiti, and tent-like sheds. The bar is cluttered with offbeat memorabilia, such as a spray-painted rundown car and random beanbags. The neon hues, teepee lights, and eccentric artistry make for a rather fanciful haunt.
Hearty meals, such as a wagyu burger, venison, fried pigeon breast, and mushroom Wellington, are on the menu. Guests are treated to delicious sangrias and Bloody Marys.
6. Strongroom
Strongroom, Shoreditch’s biggest beer garden, is the ultimate destination for full-bodied pints.
Overhanging trees shelter Strongroom’s massive courtyard, littered with tent-covered booths designed to create a communal ambience. Exposed brick walls and cobble-stoned pathways characterise the beer garden, and the darkly-wooded interiors are decked out to resemble a traditional English alehouse.
Traditional pub grub, including burgers, steaks, chips, and nachos, may be enjoyed with locally brewed beers. Established beer labels and popular spirits are also on the menu.
7. Tattu
Tattu is an opulently decked-out Chinese restaurant, serving spiffy cocktails and Cantonese fare.
Tattu has replicated an authentic Chinese “dragon courtyard,” with a generous dash of extra zhuzh. Buxom chandeliers and blossom-ridden canopies overlook the showstopping steel blossom sculpture, marble flooring, and velvet furniture. Lavished with blossom petals and gilded nooks, Tattu has been described as a “luxury playground.”
Much like the decor, the food, drinks, and cutlery they are served in are extraordinary in their own right. The beautifully dressed Szechuan pork belly and the chocolate dragon egg sitting in a smoking cloche are some of the luxurious offerings guests are in for.
Tattu’s cocktails are nothing short of couture pieces. Their most popular cocktails are “Celestial Dragon,” a gin-based elixir served in a crystal dragon, and the vodka-based “Skull Candy,” a smoke-exuding libation served in a glass skull.
8. Founders Arms
Sitting on the banks of the River Thames, Founders Arms presents a wholesome Sunday roast with spectacular views of the capital’s river and St. Paul's Cathedral.
Wooden flooring, asymmetrically paired chairs, chevron panels, iridescent blue tables, and banners of flags from different countries tastefully create a laid-back ambience, reminiscent of the tranquility of riverside life. The rippling cadence of the River Thames and distinguished views of the city make for a memorable day out.
British classics such as cod and chips, chicken, ham and leek pie, and pub burgers are on offer. Locally produced ales, wines, and Bloody Marys are highly rated by visitors.
9. Serpentine Bar and Kitchen
Located in the heart of Hyde Park, Serpentine Bar and Kitchen is ensconced on the banks of Serpentine Lake.
The structure is one of the rare surviving gems of British modernist architect Patrick Gwynne. Its most striking feature is the glass pyramid-shaped nooks that protrude into the terraces. Abstract furnishings, also designed by Gwynne, harmoniously create a chic, swanky vibe. The expansive terraces, filled with sleek furniture, overlook the duck-ridden lakes, making it a splendid al fresco watering hole.
Pizzas, burgers, fish and chips, and salads grace the menu. Guests typically opt for the champagne afternoon tea affair, which features pastries, scones, and, of course, premium champagne.
There’s nothing like unwinding with a drink or two at an outdoor bar in London. With breathtaking skylines, unabashed extravagance, and sun-soaked air, it is time to indulge your summer fancies at London’s best outdoor bars.
