Looking for the best rooftop bars in East London? We’ve got it covered. From rollerblading bars to steak houses, make the most of the fleeting British summer with our 2017 guide to the best East London rooftops:

Rooftop Bars in East London: Wapping

1. For Lawn Games: Skylight

Top 10: Rooftop Bars in East London 2017

Top 10: Rooftop Bars in East London 2017

The Lowdown: Skylight is one of London’s most imaginative new rooftop destinations sat atop Tobacco Dock. Themed around a British urban lawn club, Skylight combines croquet and petanque with cocktails and street food. Occupying the top three levels of a former car park in the heart of East London, the 600 capacity Skylight features multiple bars, 3 croquet lawns, petanque courts and street food stalls, all set against some of the finest views in the city.

Eat and Drink: Refreshing cocktails and summer pitchers sit alongside signature spritzes and bubbles by the glass and bottle from Laurent Perrier, while ice cold ciders and beers quench thirsty throats on hot summer nights. The raised Blue Moon bar and lounge sky terrace boasts the most incredible views, and is the perfect spot to enjoy a drink while watching the sun set and the moon rise. Featuring some of the most exciting names in street food, Skylight is a foodie’s paradise. East London burger maestros, We Serve Humans, have been serving up their famous Chairman burger, Kra Pow are on hand as Thai street food specialists and Greek street food brand, Yiro produce souvlaki all night long.

Where: Pennington St. Car Park Entrance, Wapping, London E1W 2SF

Photo Credit: Steve Dunlop 

Rooftop Bars in East London: Stratford

2. For Rollerblading: Social Fun and Games Club 

Top 10: Rooftop Bars in East London 2017

The Lowdown: Where else can you watch the sun set over an Olympic Park as you play a round of crazy golf, dance with the stars, hit home runs like Babe Ruth and bowl to a hip hop beat while sipping cocktails and dining on London’s finest street food? A Stratford rooftop, obviously.

Eat and Drink: Work up an appetite on London’s first rooftop roller disco, or play a game of boules on the hip hop inspired lawns. Pizza Shack is on hand to curb hunger pangs with their authentic wood-fired stone pizzas, made using the freshest ingredients. Jimmy Garcia, the creator of Jimmy’s Pop-Up, and the popular BBQ Club in Southbank, has set up shop serving chorizo hot dogs and Galician beef burgers.

Where: 45a Broadway, London E15 1XD

Rooftop Bars in East London: Farringdon

3. For Steak: Smiths of Smithfield 

Top 10: Rooftop Bars in East London 2017

Top 10: Rooftop Bars in East London 2017

The Lowdown: Far more than a mere balcony, the outdoor terrace at Smiths of Smithfield offers escapism from the London hustle and bustle, with undisturbed panoramic views across the city including The Shard, Old Bailey and the beautiful St Paul’s.

Eat and Drink: The menu offers the best of British rare-breed beef (all butchered on site by their executive chef) and fresh line-caught fish, all seasonally produced, alongside cocktails and a wide selection of more than 150 wines to choose from. The steaks are without doubt the restaurant’s crowning glory – including large cuts for sharing, and a whole selection of lesser known cuts.

Where: 67-77 Charterhouse St, Clerkenwell, London EC1M 6HJ

Rooftop Bars in East London: Liverpool Street

4. For Quirky Cocktails: SUSHISAMBA 

Top 10: Rooftop Bars in East London 2017

The Lowdown: Located on the 38th and 39th floors at 110 Bishopsgate, SUSHISAMBA delivers a unique blend of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cuisine, culture, music and striking design to our fair city. And if you didn’t know, SUSHISAMBA is home to the highest outdoor dining terraces in Europe, offering unparalleled, 360 degree views of the City.

Eat and Drink: Come for the cocktails, but stay for the views. Cocktails include the likes of the Lychee Cooler made with Grey Goose, St. Germain and vanilla sugar, shaken with lychee juice and coconut milk, and our favourite, the Nina Fresa – an updated SUSHISAMBA classic with Ketel One vodka, strawberry, grapefruit and guava shaken with rhubarb bitters, lime and sugar. If you’re feeling peckish, the snack menu has been given a makeover and now includes Kobe sliders with horseradish mayo, tomato and lettuce; salt and pepper squid with sea salt, crispy garlic and smoked soy; and potato crisps topped with truffle.

Where: Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY

4. For Italian Bites: Angler Terrace at South Place Hotel

Top 10: Rooftop Bars in East London 2017

Top 10: Rooftop Bars in East London 2017

The Lowdown: South Place Hotel’s Angler Terrace is a sun trap and east London’s answer to European vibes. This summer, Caffè Torino has brought a slice of vintage Italy to the terrace with their special Martini Riserva cocktails and tasty bar snacks.

Eat and Drink: The drinks menu has been given a big Italian twist, and features tipples such as the Southern Negroni with Martini Rubino, Martini Bitter and Gin, and the excellent Vermouth Cocktail with Martini Ambrato, Maraschino liquer and orange bitters. For eats, there’s Puglian buratta served with grilled sourdough, olive oil and smoked anchovies, and the Sicilian arancini stuffed with crisp bolognese and aged parmesan risotto, served with summer truffle mayonnaise is outstanding.

Where: South Place Hotel, 3 South Pl, London EC2M 2AF

Rooftop Bars in East London: Moorgate

5. For a Boozy Brunch: Aviary

Top 10: Rooftop Bars in East London 2017

Top 10: Rooftop Bars in East London 2017

The Lowdown: Aviary is a newbie on the London rooftop scene having opened at the start of the year. Nestling on the 10th floor of the brand new Montcalm Royal London House Hotel, bordering the City and Shoreditch on Finsbury Square, Aviary is an ornithological paradise soaring above London’s busy streets.

Eat and Drink: Start with something light from the raw section, like the chalk stream trout with taramasalata, celeriac, apple and rye; beef tartare with oyster dressing, shallots and radish, or a platter of oysters, cherrystone clams, trout, tuna, scallop and mackerel to share. For the main event, the coal oven offers prime meat cuts and wild fish on the bone cooked over live charcoal. Select from the daily changing ‘butchers cut’, retired dairy cow sirloin on the bone, or one of the impressive larger cuts to share such as the Ayrshire rose veal T-bone, Old Spot double chop or Shorthorn chateaubriand. Leave plenty of room for dessert with choices such as: After Eight Arctic roll; milk chocolate mousse with salted caramel; almonds and malt ice cream; and sticky toffee pudding.

Where: The Montcalm Royal London House Hotel 22-25 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1DX

Rooftop Bars in East London: Aldgate

6. For a Rum Pop-Up: Sky Lounge

Top 10: Rooftop Bars in East London 2017

Top 10: Rooftop Bars in East London 2017

The Lowdown: Rooftop bar Skylounge has gone all Cuban on us with the launch of their latest Casa Havana pop-up. Casa Havana have remodelled the Skylounge rooftop bar terrace into a Cuban retreat, allowing everyone to immerse themselves within the relaxed Cuban vibe and feel as if they have travelled to Old Havana.

Eat and Drink: Unique traditional Cuban food and incredible Cuban cocktails are up for grabs, including classics such as Cuba Libres, Mojitos and Daiquiris. Along with the new future classics created by Havana’s own Brand Ambassadors including Shaquiri, Silver Pineapple and Mouse’s Ear, a winning cocktail from last year’s Havana Club Cocktail Grand Prix, which includes Havana Club Especial, Ramazotti amaro, peanut orgeat, chocolate bitters with a peanut brittle garnish.

Where: 7 Pepys St, London EC3N 4AF

Rooftop Bars in East London: The City

7. For South American Fare: Madison

Top 10: Rooftop Bars in East London 2017

Top 10: Rooftop Bars in East London 2017

The Lowdown: Madison atop of One New Change is London’s worst kept secret. People flock from far and wide to nab a table and drink in the London views. Prepare for a wait on Friday nights and at weekends, but believe us – it’s worth it. There’s banging beats, heady cocktails and an all round great vibe. What’s a twenty minute queue between friends? Nothing.

Eat and Drink: Madison is currently playing host to a New Orleans pop-up. Featuring an infusion of flavours, dishes include deep fried buttermilk chicken with Old Bay spice; mini cajun duck boudins; BBQ asparagus with a smoked avocado mayonnaise; and for dessert, Beignets served with cinnamon icing sugar. Six limited edition cocktails have been especially created by Madison’s expert mixologists using classic Southern Bourbon and rich Cognacs. Cocktails include ​The Mississippi​, a ​Strawberry Louisiana – a twist on the traditional rich serve, ​The Bourbon Street and many more.

Where: Rooftop Terrace, 1 New Change, St Paul’s, London, EC4M 9AF

Second Image Credit: Justine Trickett

8. For Parisian Vibes: Coq d’Argent

Top 10: Rooftop Bars in East London 2017

Top 10: Rooftop Bars in East London 2017

The Lowdown: Coq d’Argent has undergone a snazzy makeover inspired by the chic style of Paris. The renowned rooftop restaurant is now home to striking aged brass, bronze glass, and concealed lighting designed to illuminate the bottles on display, housing an extensive selection of whisky from around the world.

Eat and Drink: The cocktail list is inspired by 1920’s Paris with creations such as the Parisienne, made with Hendricks gin infused with dry herbs, St Germain elderflower liqueur, white grapes, lemon juice, egg white, topped with soda and finished with a dash of Absinthe, and La Belle Epoque, featuring Cointreau mixed with Aperol, grapefruit juice, homemade star anise syrup and topped with Champagne. These sit alongside French classics such as the Sidecar, French Blonde, French 75, and French Martini.

Where: Coq d’Argent, No.1 Poultry, London EC2R 8EJ

Rooftop Bars in East London: Old Street

9. For DJs and Street Food: The Magic Roundabout

The Lowdown: Located literally in the middle of Old Street Roundabout and accessed via a secret staircase in the tube station, The Magic Roundabout is London’s most unique party space, offering award winning street food, artisan coffee, killer cocktails and craft beers.

Eat and Drink: White Men Can’t Jerk are on hand for all your white meat needs. Tackle the likes of their epic jerk chicken burger slathered in their vibes sauce with fresh salad, and served with a little pineapple and mango salsa and a big dollop of Coleman’s coleslaw on the side. And Burger Bear’s grizzly bear burger (a cheeseburger with bacon and bacon jam) is out of this world. If carbs are your thing – the crew at Loaded Potato Skins will hit you up with a variety of carb-based goods.

Where: Middle of Old Street Roundabout, London EC1Y 1BE

Rooftop Bars in East London: Shoreditch

10. For Cider: The Owl and The Pussycat

Top 10: Rooftop Bars in East London 2017

The Lowdown: A proper old battlecruiser slap bang in the middle of Shoreditch, The Owl and Pussycat is a laid-back palace of booze, British classics and Sunday Roasts. The Out Cider’ garden terrace features not only a fantastic cider menu, but also a summer-long programme of music events.

Eat and Drink: The menu read like a classic Britsh gastro pub – think sausage and mash,chunky chips, steak and ale pie, and plenty of burgers. Of course, they have sticky toffee pudding with lashings of the cream on the menu. Dreamy.

Where: 34 Redchurch Street, London E2 7DP

11. For a New Rooftop: Golden Bee

The Lowdown: Golden Bee has launched an incredible new, split-level rooftop terrace – and it’s massive. Enjoy sensational views across the London skyline, and if the London weather isn’t playing ball – the team have also installed a retractable canopy.

Eat and Drink: The rooftop has its own bar serving up seasonal, as well as classic cocktails. We’re talking about Expresso Martinis, Mojitos, Pornstar Martinis and many more. Try their self titled cocktail, a blend of Jose Cuervo reposado tequila, Pisang Ambon liqueur, passion fruit puree, passion fruit syrup, apple and lemon juice.

Where: Singer Street, Shoreditch, London EC1V 9DD

12. For a Green Space: Boundary

The Lowdown: Boundary’s Rooftop is a calming garden spot in the heart of east London. The orangery is filled with a variety of citrus trees including lemon, clementine, and calamondin, as well as mimosa trees. One of the most unbeatable rooftop hangout in Shoreditch.

Eat and Drink: The all-day menu offers fuits de mer, chargrilled steaks, fish and bar finger food – all with a touch of influence from la Méditerranée. From the robata grill, dishes include 28 day dry-aged rib-eye with béarnaise sauce and fries; chicken brochette with tzatziki and spring onions; sashimi grade yellow-fin tuna with a Niçoise salad; and lamb cutlets with roasted Provençale vegetables.

Where: Boundary St, London E2 7JE

13. For a Peter Pan Themed Rooftop: Queen of Hoxton

Rooftop Bars in East London

The Lowdown: The Queen of Hoxton twice-yearly transform their rooftop into something pretty special. Think warm log fires and teepees in winter, and an urban garden in summer. This year, the rooftop has transformed itself into Bangarang – Queen of Hoxton’s very own never never land, where dreams are born and time is never planned.

Eat and Drink: The menu has also had a themed makeover. Take down the Never Never Land Ribs with a sticky marmalade glaze, or the Bangarang Burger featuring handmade crispy lentil, Fontina cheese and cannellini bean veggie burger served in a brioche bun. Keep hydrated with the Blue Lagoon with gin, lemon and blueberries, or go the whole nine yards with the Mermaid Slushie – layered frosecco (frozen Prosecco) fruit juice peach liquor, orange juice, cranberry juice and blue curaçao.

Where: 1 Curtain Rd, London EC2A 3JX

Rooftop Bars in East London: Dalston

14. For Burgers and Tiki Cocktails: Dalston Roof Park

The Lowdown: Nestled amongst Hackney’s Victorian buildings and overlooking London’s skyscrapers, Dalston’s only rooftop venue is an opportunity to soak up the London rays, pint in hand. Newly refurbished for 2017, Dalston Rooftop Park now boasts two bars, in house catering, a state of the art retractable roofing system and so much more.

Eat and Drink: New for 2017, Dalston Roof Park welcomes back the amazing Far Out Food for a range of foodie experiences on the roof. There’s everything from wings to burgers and plenty of side. Another new addition is the tiki bar dishing up heady cocktails, ciders and other alcoholic beverages.

Where: The Print House, 18-22 Ashwin St, London E8 3DL

Rooftop Bars in East London: Hackney

15. For an All-Day Hangout: Netil 360 

Rooftop Bars in East London

The Lowdown: Netil 360 d0esn’t do a lot of things; you can’t book, there’s no guest lists, and they don’t believe in exclusivity. Here, everyone is welcome – an inclusive rooftop where you can start your day with a coffee browsing your emails, and move onto cocktails when the sun sets.

Eat and Drink: Hackney Pizza man the kitchen knocking up doughy wonders topped with a range of absurdly delicious ingredients. Try their margarita – you can’t beat a classic. The bar is stocked with local craft favourites, raw draught beer and cider from Trumans, spirits from East London Liquor Company and fine wines from around the world.

Where: 1 Westgate Street, Hackney, London E8 3RL