Mayfair isn’t shy about showing off. Between the Georgian squares and glossy boutiques, it’s an area with many quirks, with enough tiny courtyards, unexpected cut-throughs, and glimpses of greenery to keep it interesting. Additionally, some of London’s most famous green spaces are on its doorstep, with Green Park on one side and Hyde Park just beyond it, which are as much a part of the neighbourhood as the shops and restaurants.
Mayfair is also, somewhat surprisingly, an excellent place to drink outdoors. One just has to know where to look. Mayfair doesn’t do sprawling beer gardens or rooftop bars that tower above the skyline. Outdoor drinking here is quieter and a little more low-key, with tucked-away courtyards and a few tables on a terrace. You just need to know where to pull up a chair.
The Terrace at the Athenaeum Hotel & Residences
Located at 116 Piccadilly opposite the grounds of Green Park, The Terrace at the Athenaeum Hotel & Residences, offers an al-fresco spot for drinks, dining and people watching. The terrace is open year-round and gives the feel of a garden lounge rather than a rooftop spectacle. Cushioned seating is arranged under large white parasols, with warm blankets and heaters available when necessary. A striking feature is the hotel’s vertical Living Wall, a large façade of greenery that adds a calm, botanical backdrop to the city-buzz of Piccadilly.
True to the hotel’s contemporary British credentials, the menu on The Terrace features small plates and mains from Executive Chef Kevin Fawkes, who works with often-overlooked ingredients, with a focus on zero-waste cooking. A summer-led spritz menu in collaboration with Hayman’s Gin features fruit-garnished cocktails, each served with a mini charcuterie board. Whether you’re after a three-course meal, a snack with a glass of wine, or a cocktail whilst watching city traffic pass by, The Terrace at the Athenaeum Hotel adapts.
Annabel’s
Annabel’s sits inside a Grade I listed Georgian townhouse on Berkeley Square and belongs to the Birley Clubs, a selective family of members’ spots that also includes George, Mark’s Club and Harry’s Bar. Although the décor of the club itself is famously over the top, the garden terrace is the calmer corner. Steps away from the maximalist interiors is an outdoor space designed by Cameron Gardens with plenty of plants, trees, comfortable seating, and even a retractable glass roof. At night, the planting comes alive under soft, clever lighting, and the terrace embraces Annabel’s flair whilst still sitting comfortably alongside the Palladian building.
The club’s dining options range from The Japanese, with plates such as grilled Wagyu sirloin and tuna tataki, to a Mexican-inspired restaurant serving dishes like eel on corn cake and avocado with green-bean tahini. For drinks, expect martinis, signature house cocktails, drinks built on premium spirits, and champagne flowing freely across the terrace. The charm of Annabel’s terrace is how low-key it feels for a club that’s anything but. It’s one of London’s most talked-about private clubs, just with more plants and a lighter mood.
Windmill Mayfair
If Mayfair had a “locals-only” rooftop, it would probably look like The Windmill’s terrace, an easy-going outdoor space situated just above the noise of Mill Street and the pub itself. The terrace mixes exposed brick and timber decking, whilst plants and a hint of greenery break up the city lines. Guests can sit at café-style tables or cushioned benches, and when the temperature drops, heaters and blankets make it feel like a snug outdoor room.
Food-wise, the Windmill’s calling card is its award-winning pies alongside a solid lineup of British dishes, snacks and sharing party boards. The bar is exactly what you’d hope for in a local pub with cask ales, plenty of craft beer, and wines. Mayfair has no shortage of sleek outdoor spots, but The Windmill keeps things cosy and straightforward.
Soho Mews House
Found within 8 Lancashire Court in Mayfair, The Soho Mews House is a fresh chapter for the Soho House group. The three-storey members’ club is set along a cobbled mews street, and the terrace is found behind the building with exposed brick, large windows, and privacy screens intended to craft an intimate outdoor sanctuary.
The food and drink offering follows the signature Soho House approach. Menus are designed for all-day eating and drinking rather than formal dining, with fresh salads, flatbreads and sharing plates. The bar focuses on classic, house, and signature cocktails, a strong selection of wines by the glass, and a chilled rosé that feels right at home on a courtyard terrace. For anyone in the know (and with the right invitation), Soho Mews House offers an outdoor experience in Mayfair that’s subtle, stylish and club-calm.
Mayfair’s outdoor establishments know just how to make the most of the space they’ve got. A terrace here doesn’t need sky-high views to feel special, and the courtyards don’t require neon signs or thumping music to earn their place. Instead, the appeal comes from the sense of being tucked away, even when you’re only a few steps from a busy street. Whether it’s a discreet rooftop over a local pub, a hotel terrace facing one of London’s most famous parks, or a private garden hidden behind an exclusive front door, Mayfair’s outdoor spaces are ready whenever the weather cooperates, or even when it doesn’t.
