Radio Rooftop Bar, ME London Hotel, Aldwych
One of London's most scenic places to nurse a cocktail or two, Radio Rooftop Bar, above, is up on the tenth floor of ME London Hotel in Aldwych. Expect twinkly night-time views over St Paul's, The Shard, the Gherkin and the London Eye, mellow tunes, and a summer-in-the-city vibe.
Radio Rooftop Bar, 336-337 The Strand, WC2R 1HA; 0207 395 3400.
Opening times: Sunday to Wednesday: 11am - late; Thursday to Saturday 11am – 2pm
Soho Sky Terrace, Soho
On the 6th floor of the Courthouse hotel, behind the chaos of Oxford Street, the Soho Sky Terrace is just the escape for a balmy night. With views over Carnaby street, and plenty of space (80 people standing or 60 sitting), it is our go-to for impromptu parties on sunny evenings. Order a Champagne Granite (Campari and pink grapefruit granite topped with champagne), which has to be the world's most refreshing cocktail, and fill up on prawns with chilli coriander and chicken tikka wraps with mint chutney. Even on warm nights it can get breezy up there but they have that covered, too, with patio heaters and fake fur throws to snuggle under in the candlelight.
Soho Sky Terrace, 19-21 Marlborough St, London W1F 7HL, 020 7297 5555
Opening times: Mon - Wed 3pm - 10:30pm; Thurs - Sun 12pm - 10:30pm
A la Carte BBQ menu is served from 12pm to 3pm. Prices from £5.95
Boundary, Shoreditch
This old Victorian warehouse has been lovingly converted into restaurants, bars, hotel, and a British food store - but the big draw is the beautiful rooftop space. With a weatherproof pergola, a heated orangery of lemon, clementine and mimosa trees, 360 degree views over east London, and an all-day menu, it's pretty special. They've even got Welsh blankets to wrap up in if it gets nippy.
Boundary, 2-4 Boundary Street, Shoreditch, London E2 7DD, 020 7729 1051
Opening times: daily 10 am - around 11:30pm
Notch, West End
We loved the shabby chic, street-shack style of last summer's Roofnic, at the top end of Oxford Street, and its new incarnation as Notch is just as atmospheric. With swings, school-room-style tables you're encouraged to draw on (crayons provided), almost ready-made cocktails in jam jars ( our favourite was the Kool Aid with Bulldog Gin, elderflower, apple and lemon juice, and lavender Bitters ), and a festival pop-up feel, it is way more East London than West. And if you're hungry, the Shack menu is short and sweet: tacos, amazing sashimi, and spicy wings.
Notch, 535 Oxford St, London W1C 2QW
Opening times: Mon - Fri noon-10pm, Sat & Sun 10am-10pm
Queen of Hoxton, Hoxton
An old East London favourite, the Queen of Hoxton pulls out all the stops for its summer (and winter) terraces. This summer's theme is A Tribute to Dr Strange, which, of course, calls for all manner of hippy psychedelia, as well as the usual barbecue, DJs, and a film club where you sit in director's chairs, with blankets and headphones.
Queen of Hoxton, 1-5 Curtain Rd, EC2A 3JX, 020 7422 0958
Rooftop opening times: 12pm -10 pm ( weather permitting)
