What better way to escape the sweaty underground and enjoy Britain's good weather than with a rooftop bar? The best rooftop bars in London, to our mind, are the ones that you don't have to queue to get in to, but some of them have such staggering views that vying for the best spot at the balustrade won't put you off.
Radio Rooftop Bar - Central London
Radio Rooftop Bar, which sits on top of the ME Hotel, on London's The Strand, is the worst kept secret in the centre of town.
Sitting across from Somerset House, the hotel is a regular haunt of the fashion set, owing to its proximity to fashion week shows and exhibitions. Which mean, yes you guessed it, that the rooftop bar is pretty popular. But don't let that put you off.
ME Hotel is triangular-shaped (it's London's answer to the Flatiron Building), so take your pick from sweeping views towards Big Ben and Covent Garden on one side, or the Thames and The Shard and St Pauls on the other. Snuggle under a furry throw on one of the plush white banquettes and sip a margarita as you watch sunset creep across the city. Open till 3am, 7 days a week.
Address: Radio Rooftop Bar, ME Hotel, 336-337 The Strand, London WC2R 1HA
The Trafalgar rooftop - Central London
Another London rooftop bar that's a favourite of ours lives high above the hubbub that is Trafalgar Square at the Trafalgar St James Hotel, which was refurbished in 2012.
It's a stylish maze of shrubbery and chic seating and, come sunset, the whole of London is illuminated (you can see from Nelson's Column to Big Ben to the London Eye).
With weather like this, it's the ultimate way to feel like you're on holiday without even leaving the city.
Address: The Vista at the Trafalgar, Spring Gardens, Trafalgar Square, SW1A 2TS
Check Out The Rooftop At Trafalgar St James
Boundary - Shoreditch
With its trendy location, just a stone's throw from the other famous East London rooftop bar at Shoreditch House, and the laid-back Owl and the Pussycat, the Boundary is a definitely an ELLE fave. Why? It's super-chic for starters.
The space has a sail-like canopy and festoon lighting, over its 48-seat grill restaurant and tons of smart-white seating around the huge fireplace. You can relax with a glass of something and soak up the 360-degree panoramic views from Canary Wharf to the Barbican.
Address: 2-4 Boundary Street, City of London, E2 7DD, 020 7729 1051, theboundary.co.uk
Check Out Boundary Rooftop Bar
Frank's Café by Bold Tendencies - South East London
If Radio Rooftop was central London's worst kept secret, then Frank's Café is South East London's.
Located on the rooftop of a multi-storey carpark in Peckham, Frank's is an enormous expanse of happy outdoor drinkers. With a small canopy over a festival-chic wooden bar (this place thrives on its basic-but-cool vibe, beware the long drop toilets), the rest of the bar space is taken up with long rows of picnic tables.
Frank's shares the rooftop with a regular art exhibition, so you can peruse the installations, Aperl Spritz in hand, as you look out over the entirety of south London.
Address: 7th - 10th Floors Multi-Storey Car Park, 95a Rye Lane, London, SE15 4TG
Check Out Frank's Café
Netil360 - East London
If you're looking for upscale (worthy of a cute outfit and a posed-but-totally-candid Insta snap) then you'd be well advised to stick to the North and Central London haunts. However, if paired-down and laid-back, but stunning 360 degree views are what you're after, then check out Netil360 at Netil House.
The drinks list is relatively basic, so don't hold out hope of fancy cocktails, but spectacular views and a cool atmosphere make up for it.
Address: 1 Westgate Street, Hackney, London E8 3RL
