Best Rooftop Bars in Covent Garden

With its central piazza surrounded by a stream of shops, restaurants and theatres, Covent Garden is one of London’s most famous districts, popular with tourists and locals alike. Naturally, it can get busy – but you can seek refuge from the madness by heading upwards, to one of the area’s rooftop bars. Whether you’re after a post-shopping cocktail, a pre-theatre glass of fizz or just somewhere for drinks in central London, these rooftop bars in Covent Garden are sure to fit the bill.

Roof Terraces In The West End

The Naked Wines Terrace at The Lane

Catching a show at Theatre Royal Drury Lane? Beforehand, be sure to grab a drink at the venue’s new rooftop bar. Running in partnership with Naked Wines, the terrace overlooks Covent Garden, offering an array of nibbles and light bites (think charcuterie, cheeseboards and sweet boards featuring banana bread and strawberries and cream). There’s also a weekend brunch menu featuring crispy waffles, smashed avocado on toast with poached eggs, and Cornish yoghurt with summer berries and pecan granola. All this can be enjoyed alongside an exclusive selection of premium wines, alongside champagne and cocktails including The Prince’s Punch, a mix of No. 3 Gin, yellow chartreuse and peppermint.

Catherine St, London WC2B 5JF, thelane.co.uk

Radio Rooftop

You’ll find one of the capital’s glitziest rooftop bars on the 10th floor of ME London. Radio Rooftop boasts impressive vistas of the city skyline, with the River Thames, the Shard, St Paul’s, the London Eye and Big Ben all within view. The terrace is a popular spot year-round: patio heaters and blankets keep things cosy during winter, while during the summer months it transforms into a Ibiza-style hangout. It’s looking particularly stylish right now thanks to an extensive refurbishment led by renowned designer Bernard Caroll, complete with Eastern-inspired detailing and coral reef wallpaper from Adam Ellis Studio. The food and drink menu has also been revamped, focusing on modern Asian fare and expertly crafted cocktails like the Tokyo Rose, a blend of Ukiyo Blossom gin, Lanique Spirit of Rose, lychee and watermelon. Prices are undeniably high here, but the view is unparalleled. 

336-337 Strand, London WC2R 1HA, radiorooftop.com

Garden Rooftop

The Assembly hotel in Leicester Square isn’t particularly fancy, but it does have a lovely rooftop bar. Garden Rooftop is an airy, botanical-inspired space with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto the city skyline, open from breakfast to late at night. There’s a Mediterranean-inspired menu of platters, nibbles and larger mains, to be enjoyed alongside cocktails like The Lady: Grey Goose strawberry and lemongrass vodka mixed with creme de mure, St. Germain liqueur and sugar syrup. Visit on a Thursday or Friday to enjoy live music – or go on a Saturday to try its bottomless brunch, featuring free-flowing rose and prosecco.

Above Assembly Hotel, 31 Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0LS, gardenrooftop.uk

The Rooftop, The Trafalgar St. James

See bustling Trafalgar Square in a different light from the rooftop of the Trafalgar St. James hotel. The terrace isn’t huge, but those lucky enough to nab a table will be rewarded with views of some of the city’s most famous landmarks. Tuck into small plates of halloumi fries, BBQ chicken tenders and vegetable gyoza, alongside mains of burgers, meat and fish dishes, and sip on cocktails like the Going Out Out: a twist on the Pornstar Martini made with Ketel One vodka, peach, passion fruit and lychee. There’s also a wide range of wine, champagne and spirits.

7th Floor, 2 Spring Gardens, St. James’s, London SW1A 2TS, trafalgarstjames.com

LSQ Rooftop

As addresses go, it doesn’t get much more iconic than 1 Leicester Square, where you’ll find a fittingly swish bar, LSQ Rooftop. It sits at the top of Hotel Indigo, offering panoramic views of the city – both from its al fresco terrace, and through floor-to-ceiling windows in the indoor lounge. The bar serves breakfast, platters and nibbles alongside an a la carte menu – and on Saturdays, things are kicked up a notch with a free-flowing brunch experience. Signature cocktails are inspired by the local area: The Walkie Talkie, for instance, is a blend of Whitley Neill Grapefruit Gin, Cointreau, strawberry syrup and champagne, while the Leicester Square blends rose tequila, coconut liqueur and lime juice.

1 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7NA, lsqrooftop.com

AMANO Rooftop Bar

Opened in the heart of the West End in 2022, Hotel AMANO Covent Garden is the first international opening from the German hotel group AMANO. It’s a vibrant spot with dramatic interiors throughout – but the hotel’s pièce de résistance has to be its seventh floor bar. The terrace offers excellent views of the city, with the London Eye right there in front of you, and inside is a stylish space complete with mirrored walls and blue banquette seating. Cocktails are unique and feature surprising flavour combinations: Intuition blends Roku gin with wasabi and sake, while Confusion is a mix of Ojo de Dios Mezcal, spiced Cointreau salted caramel and marshmallow foam. Enjoy alongside tapas like Israeli-style mezze and ham croquettes.

Drury House, 34-43 Russell St, London WC2B 5HA, amanogroup.de

Featured image: Amano Rooftop Bar