The 8 best East London rooftop bars

What you have to understand about The Solo Bistro & Cocktail Bar is they keep it simple and they do it perfectly. It's everything you want from an East End rooftop bar. Brunch? Check. Cocktails and pizza or maybe pasta? Check. Tunes? Check. Requisite City skyline views from a rooftop in a stunning garden? Check. All across the board it's check marks.

The roof terrace can be hired for just about any occasion – celebration, gathering, work 'do, you name it. The rooftop has a capacity of 100 standing and 50 seated. It's the ideal balance between feeling cosy and intimate but fitting enough people to have a boogie to some chuuunes.

So, when it's high summer and you've got the perfect view of the sun setting in the west, it's The Solo roof terrace you want to be in the company of the people you like, with The Solo Sunset Bliss cocktail to hand and a plate of antipasti before you.

Inspired by the classic New York-style loft space, NT's Loft in Hackney is one of the most sought-after rooftop bars in East London. Consisting of two spaces - Loft Bar and the Terrace, NT's Loft offers full venue hire with a total capacity of 153 guests.

While the Loft bar has a capacity of accommodating 250 guests, the open Terrace has a standing capacity of 120. You get the option to choose whether you want to treat yourself to refreshing drinks at the bar with the view of the sunset through the huge windows or feel the breeze blow through your hair while you sip on your favourite drink on the heated terrace. With both booths and tables available for prior reservations on the Terrace, we recommend you book the Terrace well in advance as the bar confirms bookings on a first-come-first-serve basis.

A leafy rooftop bar, NT's loft hosts resident Jazz bands during the day and converts into a crazy nighttime bar when darkness falls with famous DJs from across the world.

Inspired by the New York High Line in Manhattan, Dalston Roofpark initially started as a rooftop pop-up cocktail bar and has now grown into one of East London’s most famous rooftop bars. From sunrise yoga sessions to funky club nights, the Dalston Roofpark has something for everyone.

Featuring graffiti walls, bright bean bags, deck chairs and lots of greenery, Dalston Roofpark menu features fresh, refreshing summer cocktails as well as the regular all-time favourite beers and spirits. This East London rooftop bar is sure to transport you to Manhattan with the wide range of food and drinks it offers. To make things more interesting, a rotating pop-up food trader is present to offer you delicious food to munch between your round of drinks.

Overlooking the hustle and bustle of East London, Dalston Roofpark is nestled between Hackney’s iconic historic buildings. Bookings are to be done in a jiffy as each table seats around 20 people and gets sold out pretty fast.

What was once a forgotten terrace in London is now a modern-day oasis for Londoners looking to celebrate sundowners with an impeccable view of the London skyline.

Popular for its mainstay at Kingsland Road, TT Liquor expanded to an exclusive brand new rooftop in Shoreditch for guests to soak in the summer sun. However, the terrace is not just fit for the warm summer season. Equipped for the cold winter months as well, TT Liquor rooftop has heated seats and covered booths for those cold nights when all you would want is a cosy nook to enjoy your glass of drink.

Designed by award-winning Finnish designer Taina Suonio, this beautiful East London rooftop bar has a brand new seasonal spritz drinks menu with each drink inspired by the foliage elements used to decorate the outdoor garden.

Featuring panoramic views of East London, TT Liquor can be booked from early afternoon to well in the late hours of the evening. Sip on the classic Venetian Spritz for a refreshing £9 or the Paro Bianco Toscana for a more extravagant £45. Drink your worries away while being surrounded by gorgeous views of East London’s skyline.

A place fit for mates, dates and special occasions, Queen of Hoxton is a bar, club and terrace located in the heart of Shoreditch. We are not kidding when we say that this bar has two alter egos. If you are looking for a place to relax and rewind in the lap of nature, head over to the rooftop beer garden. Be prepared to be welcomed by the mesmerising sight of pink delicate cherry blossoms adorning every part of the rooftop. Sip on a wide range of cool beer starting from £6.30 under the city’s prettiest pink petals (pretty normal, right?).

If the rooftop is a bit too peaceful for you, you can move down to the Queen’s (twisted) alter ego in the basement - two dark rooms with neon lights, laser, smoke and funky music. Choose either the Discotheque or the Club and dance the night away.

If you are on the lookout for an East London rooftop bar that offers you a picturesque view of the city’s skyline, Queen of Hoxton will be right there to welcome you.

Built on a historic 114-year-old Dutch boat, Barge East is situated at the junction of two London waterways. Offering a stunning view of the London skyline with the Olympic Stadium, this sky-high experience offers private hire for around 40 guests on their riverside rooftop. Relish delicious food and drinks from the Flatbread Society’s menu while immersing yourself in the beauty of the marvellous waterside views, peaceful ambient lighting and the general good vibe of the place.

The food is extremely budget friendly and goes as low as £35 for a four-course meal. Every ingredient used to stir up the mouth-watering dishes is sourced from Barge East’s very own garden. Since its debut in 2018, Barge East has gone forward to win many acclaimed awards including the Traveller’s choice 2020 Tripadvisor Awards and London’s #1 Restaurant 2019 - 2020.

One of London’s largest rooftop bars, Barge East works closely with some of London’s best breweries like Trumans Brewery and Hackney brewery to treat their guests to the finest choice of wines, beer, cocktails and bubbles as they come abroad for this very special rooftop experience.

Come aboard London’s only boat that neither sinks nor sails but provides you with an impeccable view of the city’s skyline along with a menu to die for.

A stone's throw away from Liverpool street, Vagabond initially began in 2010 and has gone from being a single bar to a chain of amazing bars across the city. Found all around London, this East London rooftop bar has an outlet in Shoreditch as well. Keeping the Vagabond spirit alive, Vagabond Shoreditch has all the elements of the original chain- interactive content, amazing interiors and a wide range of food and drinks.

In this specific venue, you can select your choice of wine from over 100+ wine options and tapas-style sharing food plates atop the stylish terrace bar nestled in the heart of Shoreditch. Like its counterparts, Vagabond Shoreditch has also installed one of their classic ‘Pour my beer’ walls where you can relish a range of 10 craft beers that are constantly rotating.

Setting the perfect sundowner scene, this terrace bar has a special ‘support bubbles’ scheme where you get a free glass of Prosecco when you order a package before. At £24.50 per head, this package is perfect for your group. Consisting of a glass of Prosecco to kickstart your evening, the package also has a wine flight with each flight including 4x75ml of various types of wine. Treat your tastebuds to a sharing board consisting of a selection of artisan cheeses and charcuterie or a Mediterranean-styled vegan platter.

If you are looking to wine and dine with a view, Vagabond will definitely surpass your expectations with its view of East London’s gorgeous skyline.

Located just around the Old Street Tube Station, the Golden Bee rooftop bar is the perfect place to relax and rewind after a long hard day at work. Relax during the weekdays and dance your tension away on the terrace bar during the weekends with live DJs and funky music.

Consisting of three floors, the cherry on the cake is the terrace bar with a retractable roof on the top making it the perfect all-season spot to relax and party with a view. Come rain or shine, the Golden Bee is one of the few East London rooftop bars to have a terrace bar equipped both for the cold winter months and the warm summer months.

Enjoy the wide range of drinks and cocktails available at this bar, especially during the happy hours - Thursday and Sunday (2-6 pm). While the Golden Bee is free on most Thursdays and Sundays, a charge of £10 is levied if you want to visit it on Friday and Saturday. Dress up in your smart casuals as it is the dress code one has to follow if they want a seat in this iconic rooftop bar overlooking the East London skyline.

The terrace is also available for private hire so make sure to receive it much in advance to avoid any disappointments. Buzz your way up to one of the most picturesque rooftop bars in East London and sip on drinks that won’t burn a hole in your pocket.