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Culture Whisper’s guide to the best hotels with outdoor bars in London

By Holly O'Mahony on 4/6/2018

If you think London’s hotels are exclusively the dwelling places of businessmen and rich tourists, it’s time to think again. Because not only do some of them boast a few of the city’s finest outdoor watering holes, many hotel bars are open to the public, too. Whether you like your tipple sky high or in a shrouded botanical haven, get ready – because we’re about to lift the lid on the best outdoor bars hidden across the capital’s hotels.

The May Fair Hotel, Mayfair

Tucked away up high in London’s luxury quarter is The May Fair Terrace. It’s a refined affair, ideal for those who want to enjoy a quiet conversation and while away an evening sipping sophisticated cocktails. In celebration of the Chelsea Flower Show, the bar is serving a range of limited edition cocktails among favourites such as the Campi di Viola – lavender, elderflower, lemon and prosecco – which also sounds like a welcome nod to the recent Royal Wedding cake.

WHEN

Tuesday - Saturday: 6:00 PM - 11:15 PM

WHERE

Stratton Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 8LT

Radio Rooftop Bar, Covent Garden

Situated on the 10th floor of the ME London Hotel, Radio Rooftop Bar offers panoramic views of the city. The brunch menu is largely seasonal, while tapas and sharing plates form the bulk of the afternoon and evening offering. It’s a smart location, perfect for after work celebrations.

WHEN

Monday - Wednesday 12:00 PM - 1:00 AM, Thursday & Friday 12:00 PM - 2:00 AM, Saturday 11:00 AM - 2:00 AM, Sunday 11:00 AM - midnight

WHERE

ME London, 336-337 Strand, London, WC2R 1HA

Number Sixteen

The garden through the Orangery at Number Sixteen really is a botanical paradise. From its tranquil pond to tucked-away seating areas, this tree-filled space in the heart of Kensington is ideal for unwinding in. Decked out in Kit Kemp's stylish design, you can sit back and enjoy afternoon tea or order of the hotel's a la carte menu.

WHEN

Times vary

WHERE

16 Sumner Place, Kensington, London, SW7 3EG

Rumpus Room, Southbank

Situated on the 12th floor of the iconic Sea Containers site, since its refurb last spring, the Rumpus Room at the Mondrian Hotel has become a bright and foliage-filled rooftop bar with iconic views of the River Thames and St Paul's. Cocktail fans can sip safe in the knowledge the rooftop offering comes from renowned mixologist Ryan 'Mr Lyan' Chetiyawardana of downstairs bar Dandelyan, while beers, wines and champagne by the glass are available, too. Hotel guests and walk-ins can enjoy live music on Wednesdays or DJ sets Thursday – Saturday; just remember the dress code is smart-casual, so leave the flip-flops and sportswear at home.

WHEN

Tuesday - Saturday, 5:00 PM - 1:00/2:00 AM

WHERE

20 Upper Ground, London, SE1 9PD

Ace Hotel, Shoreditch

Ace Hotel is one of London’s trendiest hangouts, from the ground floor with its hive of stylish millennials working away on laptops up to the rooftop where the same cool crowd let loose and enjoy the lineup of DJs, drinks and dancing. Plus, there’s a giant purple telescope to get a better view of the city with (or simply pose next to, we won’t judge).

WHEN

Varies

WHERE

100 Shoreditch High St, London, E1 6JQ

Ham Yard Hotel roof terrace, Soho

Open year round and home to various pop-ups during that time, Ham Yard Hotel’s leafy fourth-floor rooftop is a chance to escape the crowds below and find a bit of inner-city tranquility among the flowers, herbs and vegetables grown up here but used in the hotel kitchen. The garden also boasts two bee hives, but before you worry about them buzzing in your ears and around your drink, the hives are manned by the hotel’s on-site beekeeper. Unfortunately this is not a bar you can just rock up to; the roof terrace is exclusively available to hotel guests, but can be hired for private events, too.

WHEN

Varies

WHERE

1 Ham Yard, Soho, London, W1D 7DT

The Trafalgar St. James, West End

The rooftop of the Trafalgar St. James hotel is designed with determination to allow guests to enjoy its unrivalled views of Trafalgar Square below all year round. But with summer upon us, guests can shrug off the blankets, switch off the outdoor heaters and step out from underneath the canopy (at least some of the time) to enjoy a cocktail in the sun. The Asian-influenced menu serving the likes of steamed buns and sashimi is also worth a look.

WHEN

Monday - Thursday 12:00 PM - 2:00 AM, Friday & Saturday 12:00 PM - 3:00 AM, Sunday 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM

WHERE

2 Spring Gardens, Trafalgar Square, London, SW1A 2TS

St. James' Courtyard, a Taj Hotel, Victoria

A taste of old-world lavish luxury in central London, while not a rooftop bar, St. James’ Court is well worth a look-in for those in search of a hotel to enjoy a summery drink outside. The courtyard is a celebration of British heritage with its turn-of-the-century red brick frieze, depicting scenes from Shakespeare’s Sylvan plays which overlook a cherub-adorned Victorian fountain. Whether a coffee or a cocktail is more to your liking, the venue offers a chance to admire the artistry of its turrets, balconies and arches, and escape the modernity beyond its walls.

WHEN

Varies

WHERE

St. James' Court, A Taj Hotel, 54 Buckingham Gate, London, SW1E 6AF

Eccleston Square Hotel, Pimlico

Cultivated as a market garden in the 19th century, today Eccleston Square is reserved exclusively for residents and hotel guests. Flowers such as Mimosas, Camellias, Ceanothus and Tea Roses bloom here, as do more exotic plants including Cabbage Trees and Kaka Beak. The garden offers hotels guests the chance to relax and enjoy a horticultural haven, play a game of tennis, or sip a refreshing drink from the bar in a floral retreat.

WHEN

Varies

WHERE

37 Eccleston Square, Pimlico, London, SW1V 1PB

Devonshire Club Garden Room

Formerly exclusive to members, the Devonshire Club Garden Room is now open to non-members too from Friday evening till Sunday. Thanks to the greenhouse-esque Garden Room lounge, this secluded members’ club is a weather-safe spot to enjoy the British summer and all it brings. Sample a cocktail fit to suit the surroundings from the menu championing quintessentially English ingredients (think cucumber, dill and gin) or glide into the champagne bar perched on the edge of the garden for a glass of premium fizz.

WHEN

Open to non-members Friday evening - Sunday

WHERE

5 Devonshire Square, London, EC2M 4YD

Shoreditch Sky Terrace at the Courthouse Hotel, Old Street

Boasting a panoramic view overlooking the City of London skyline, the Shoreditch Sky Terrace on top of the five star Courthouse hotel can cater for up to 200 guests at a time. It’s all about comfortable seating, table service, BBQ bites and breezy beats here.

WHEN

Monday - Friday 3:00 PM - 11:00 PM, Saturday & Sunday 12:00PM - 11:00PM

WHERE

335-337 Old St, London, EC1V 9LL

The Skylounge, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London, Tower Hill

On the 12th floor of the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel is its Skylounge bar. Here, guests plus London locals can enjoy 360-degree views of the city from the terraces, which overlook the likes of Tower Bridge, the Shard, the Tower of London and St. Paul’s. Popular with the business crowd, seating on the terrace works on a first-come-first-serve basis, so try to avoid the after-work rush if you want to bag a spot. The tipples here range from fun takes on gin and tonics to Skylounge’s own signature concoctions; most of these have mysterious names but the Black Widow (fresh basil, agave syrup, blackberries, Casco Viejo Tequila and fresh lime) has piqued our interest.

WHEN

Times vary

WHERE

7 Pepys Street, London, EC3N 4AF

The Goring, Victoria

Whether you’re on the hunt for afternoon tea in an exquisite setting or a glass of champers on the veranda of a 5 star hotel, the Goring has old-school finery covered. You’ll leave the city as you know it behind when you enter the Goring; for an afternoon drink bathed in luxury, it gets our vote.

WHEN

8:00 PM - 11:00 PM

WHERE

15 Beeston Place, London, SW1W 0JW

Culture Whisper’s guide to the best hotels with outdoor bars in London

The May Fair Hotel, Mayfair

Radio Rooftop Bar, Covent Garden

Number Sixteen

Rumpus Room, Southbank

Ace Hotel, Shoreditch

Ham Yard Hotel roof terrace, Soho

The Trafalgar St. James, West End

St. James' Courtyard, a Taj Hotel, Victoria

Eccleston Square Hotel, Pimlico

Devonshire Club Garden Room

Shoreditch Sky Terrace at the Courthouse Hotel, Old Street

The Skylounge, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London, Tower Hill

The Goring, Victoria

Summer 2018

drinking in London

things to do

Rooftop Film Club 2018

Wholefoods 'Cold Brew Coffee & Cocktail Masterclass' with Sandows

Film4 Summer Screen 2018, Somerset House

Culture Whisper’s guide to the best hotels with outdoor bars in London

The May Fair Hotel, Mayfair

Radio Rooftop Bar, Covent Garden

Number Sixteen

Rumpus Room, Southbank

Ace Hotel, Shoreditch

Ham Yard Hotel roof terrace, Soho

The Trafalgar St. James, West End

St. James' Courtyard, a Taj Hotel, Victoria

Eccleston Square Hotel, Pimlico

Devonshire Club Garden Room

Shoreditch Sky Terrace at the Courthouse Hotel, Old Street

The Skylounge, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London, Tower Hill

The Goring, Victoria

Summer 2018

drinking in London

things to do

Rooftop Film Club 2018

Wholefoods 'Cold Brew Coffee & Cocktail Masterclass' with Sandows

Film4 Summer Screen 2018, Somerset House

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