London is one of the busiest and most diverse cities in the world, with so much to do and so much to see. But one of the best ways to see the city is from above! London Bridge is kind of like the epicentre of London, in between the likes of Westminster and Canary Wharf, and sitting on the Thames. It has such an iconic skyline, that you need to head to one of the rooftop bars to get a good view of it all…and have a drink or two while you’re at it. These are some of my favourite rootop bars in London Bridge, offering stunning views to take in. So, if you’re looking for somewhere to go with friends or on a date with some beautiful views, this article has got you covered.
1. London Bridge Rooftop Bar
London Bridge Rooftop Bar is one of the best rooftop bars in London Bridge, because, well, that’s literally its name. It’s a fully covered venue, meaning that you don’t have to worry about the highly predictable (sarcasm) London weather. You’ll find it at the top of Colechurch House, open from 12pm most days (save from Monday, which opens at 4pm). It offers a wide range of drinks, from cocktails and spirits to beers and wine. There’s a small food menu consisting mainly of burgers, if you’re looking for something to eat alongside your drinks.
Address: Colechurch House, SE1 2SX
2. Gŏng
Located in The Shard, Gŏng is the highest hotel bar in the entire of Western Europe. With this height, you’ll experience stunning views of the whole city. It’s a little more high-end than some of the options on the list, with soft drinks coming in at £6, a bottle of beer setting you back a tenner and the cheapest of their shots of vodka cost £16 (for a double). So, it’s probably not gonna be somewhere you visit often. However, for a special occasion, it can make for a magical experience.
Address: The Shard, SE1 9QU
3. Wagtail
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Just along the north side of London Bridge, you will find Wagtail. It’s a rooftop bar and restaurant with views of iconic landmarks like Tower Bridge, St Pauls and The Shard. It’s open until 1:30am four nights a week (Wednesday to Saturday), meaning you can keep the party going all night long. They have a wide range of drinks on offer at their rooftop bar, alongside a small selection of food, mainly snacks. The full restaurant is inside, should you need a little more sustenance. It’s marketed and priced as a luxury experience, so again, may not be a place you frequent, but for special occasions.
Address: 68 King William Street, EC4N 7HR
4. Sky Pod Bar
While it’s a little bit further from London Bridge, the Sky Pod Bar makes for one of the best rooftop bars in the city. It’s a unique venue in the sense that it is within the gardens. The venue offers an all-day drinking and dining rooftop experience, live music venue and rooftop destination. It’s another fairly expensive bar, as most drinks will set you back at least £10, however, it’s London. Unfortunately, it’s expensive no matter where you go. However, the green setting makes for a unique experience.
Address: Sky Garden Walk, EC3M 8AF
5. CloudM
Located within the Tower of London, you can find CloudM. Open from 3pm to midnight each night of the week, making it the perfect venue for a post-work/uni drink or celebration. Their selling point is their range of gin cocktails inspired by various London views – the Waterloo sunset, the shard, and more. If that’s not your thing, then there is also a wide range of drinks available at reasonable (for London) prices. However, it’s not somewhere you can just impulsively decide to visit. As it’s part of the citizenM hotel, booking beforehand is essential. So, make sure you plan ahead.
Address: 40 Trinity Square, EC3N 4DJ
6. Florattica
While a little bit of a way out in Aldgate, Florattica is one of the best rooftop bars in London Bridge. It’s inspired by East London’s textiles industry and you can find it on the 11th floor of the Hilton Canopy London City, meaning you’ll get some great views of central London. As the name may suggest, the menu is based on the bespoke floral patterns within the interior of the venue. Drinks, specifically cocktails, are their speciality, though they also have a small food and brunch menu.
Address: 15 Minories, EC3N 1AX
7. 12th Knot
12th Knot is a vibrant rooftop bar in the Sea Containers on the Southbank. Bookings are generally advised, but not essential. On top of that, the dress code for the venue is smart casual, so make sure to dress appropriately. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, there will be DJs performing each night, giving your night a fun twist. Alongside this, they host a number of unique events throughout the year. Like many of the other options on this list, they have a wide range of drinks and a small but tasty food menu alongside it.
Address: 20 Upper Ground, SE1 9PD
8. Mercer Roof Terrace
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Mercer Roof Terrace is a chic venue in the heart of the city of London, providing you with stunning views of The Shard and St Paul’s Cathedral. They offer drinks from noon to 11pm each day, making it a perfect option for a variety of events. Whether you’re looking for a lunchtime spot, a quick drink post work/uni or an evening activity, this can be an option. Their drinks are unique in the sense that they use several spirit brands as a base then add the alchemy of plants and fruit to create some truly unique drinks.
Address: 19-20 Garlick Hill, EC4V 2AU
So, these are eight of the best rooftop bars in London Bridge. While not an extensive list, this should hopefully give you at least a few new options to try out. Some bars are a little more expensive than others, but that’s to be expected in London. It’s an expensive city, but there are options that can allow you to have a fun night out without spending too much. Happy exploring!
If you’re looking for a bar to keep the party going into the early hours of the morning, check out this article of some of the best late-night bars in London.
A student from University of Nottingham.
