Rooftop Bars That Locals Swear By in London - Avoid the Crowds

Most tourists line up at the same five rooftop bars in London, hoping for a view and a drink. But if you want real atmosphere, fewer people, and a drink that actually tastes good, you need to know where locals go. The best rooftop bars in London aren’t the ones with Instagram influencers posing by the pool. They’re the ones tucked behind unmarked doors, up narrow staircases, and past quiet courtyards-places where the bartenders remember your name and the skyline still feels like yours.

Find the Right Rooftop: It’s Not About Height, It’s About Vibe

The tallest rooftop doesn’t always have the best view-or the best crowd.

Many of London’s most popular rooftop bars sit on top of hotels or shopping centers, packed with visitors on weekend nights. You’ll pay £18 for a gin and tonic, wait 20 minutes to order, and still be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers. Locals avoid these spots. Instead, they head to places where the focus is on the drink, the conversation, and the quiet hum of the city below-not the photo op.

Look for bars that don’t advertise heavily online. If it’s not on the first page of Google Maps when you search “rooftop bar London,” it’s probably the one locals know about. Many don’t even have websites. You find them by word of mouth, by asking a bartender at a pub you like, or by wandering around Clerkenwell, Shoreditch, or Peckham after dark.

Bar 1: The Garden at 120

Hidden above a bookstore in Clerkenwell, The Garden at 120 is a quiet escape with real greenery, wooden benches, and no loud music.

It’s not on any “top 10” lists. The sign outside is small. The entrance is through a bookshop called Frances Lincoln, up a narrow staircase. Once you’re up top, you’re greeted by ivy-covered walls, string lights, and a cocktail menu that changes weekly. Their London Fog Negroni-a twist on the classic with Earl Grey syrup and lavender-is the drink locals come back for. You can sit with a group of four or slip into a corner alone. No one rushes you. No one takes your photo without asking. It opens at 5 p.m. and fills slowly. If you arrive before 7 p.m., you’ll likely have your pick of seats.

Bar 2: The Hideout at 129

On a quiet street in Peckham, above a Thai restaurant, lies a rooftop that feels like a secret.

Peckham isn’t the first place tourists think of for rooftop drinks. But locals know it’s where the real energy is. The Hideout at 129 has no fancy name on the door. Just a wooden sign with a number. Inside, the space is small-maybe 20 seats total. The bar is made from reclaimed wood. The cocktails are made with local gin, foraged herbs, and house-made syrups. Their Blackberry & Rosemary Smash is the best in the city, hands down.

They don’t take reservations. But you don’t need one. Come on a Tuesday or Wednesday, and you’ll have the whole place to yourself. Even on weekends, the crowd is local-artists, writers, teachers. No bachelorette parties. No loud groups. Just good drinks and the glow of the London skyline from the south.

Bar 3: The Attic at The Old Vic Tunnels

Underneath Waterloo Station, hidden behind a brick wall and a metal door, is a rooftop that feels like a forgotten garden.

This one is tricky to find. You need to walk through the Old Vic Tunnels-a network of underground passageways used during WWII. Follow the signs for “The Attic.” The climb up the narrow staircase is steep, but worth it. The space is open-air, with old brick walls, hanging plants, and a single long table where strangers become friends by midnight.

The drinks are simple: gin and tonic with local botanicals, whisky neat, or a perfectly balanced Old Fashioned. The price? £12. The view? The dome of St. Thomas’ Hospital, the River Thames, and the lights of Southwark-all without a single selfie stick in sight. It’s open only on Thursday to Saturday, and only until 1 a.m. Locals know to come early. By 11 p.m., it’s full.

Bar 4: The Sky Room at The Hoxton, Shoreditch

Yes, it’s on a hotel. But this one’s different.

The Hoxton’s Sky Room is often crowded, but only on Friday and Saturday nights. Go on a Sunday evening, and you’ll find it half-empty. The staff know the regulars. The cocktails are crafted with care, not just poured from a bottle. Their Smoked Maple Old Fashioned comes with a clove-studded orange peel and a whisper of smoke from a hand-held smoker.

Unlike other hotel rooftops, this one doesn’t play Top 40 hits. It plays jazz, soul, or vinyl from the 70s. The seating is cozy, not stiff. You can sit on a velvet sofa with a friend and talk for hours. Locals come here on slow nights-not because it’s trendy, but because it’s quiet, thoughtful, and feels like home.

Bar 5: The Glasshouse on Hackney Road

It’s not in the center. It’s not even in a fancy building. But the view from The Glasshouse is unmatched.

Perched above a vintage furniture shop on Hackney Road, this rooftop is all glass and steel, with a wraparound view of the city from Tower Bridge to the Shard. It’s open-air, heated in winter, and has no cover charge. The drinks are cheap-£9 for a craft beer, £11 for a cocktail. The music? Low-fi beats and indie rock.

Locals come here after work, on dates, or just to sit and watch the sun set over the East End. It’s not Instagram-famous. You won’t find it on TikTok. But every Friday at 5:30 p.m., the place fills with people who know exactly what they’re doing here: escaping the noise, without leaving the city.

How to Avoid the Crowds: Timing Is Everything

Most rooftop bars are packed between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. on weekends. That’s when the tourists arrive. Locals know the sweet spot: between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Go early, and you’ll get the best seats. You’ll catch the sunset. You’ll have the bartender’s full attention. You’ll pay less for your drink-some places offer happy hour specials until 7 p.m.

Weekdays are your secret weapon. Tuesday and Wednesday are quietest. Even in winter, these places stay open. The air is crisp, the lights are warm, and the city looks different at night without the crowds.

Also, avoid holidays. Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and bank holidays turn rooftops into party zones. Skip them. Go on a random Thursday in January. You’ll feel like you’ve discovered London all over again.

What to Order: Skip the Standard

Don’t order a mojito or a gin and tonic unless you know it’s made well.

At these local spots, bartenders take pride in their craft. Ask for the signature drink. Ask what’s fresh. Ask what the bartender is drinking tonight. You’ll get something you’ve never tasted before.

Try:

• A Spiced Pear & Black Pepper Gin Sour at The Garden at 120
• A Smoked Honey Mezcal Margarita at The Hideout
• A London Dry Martini with Damson Plum at The Attic
• A Maple & Sage Old Fashioned at The Sky Room
• A Local Lager with Lime & Sea Salt at The Glasshouse

These aren’t menu staples-they’re seasonal, experimental, and made with ingredients from local suppliers. That’s what makes them special.

Final Tip: Dress Like You Belong

These places don’t have dress codes. But they have vibes.

You won’t see people in suits or heels. You’ll see jeans, boots, wool coats, and scarves. A nice shirt. A good watch. Nothing flashy. Locals dress like they’re going to dinner with a friend-not to be seen.

If you show up in a glittery dress or a baseball cap, you’ll stand out. Not in a good way. Blend in. Sit quietly. Order slowly. Enjoy the view. That’s how you know you’ve found the right place.

Why These Rooftops Work

They’re not trying to be the biggest. They’re not trying to be the loudest. They’re trying to be the best place to sit, think, talk, and watch the city breathe.

London has hundreds of rooftops. Most are forgettable. These five? They’re the ones people come back to. Again and again. Not because they’re famous. But because they feel real.

If you want to experience London’s real nightlife-not the version sold to tourists-skip the crowded rooftops. Head to these five. Arrive early. Order something unusual. Sit back. Let the city unfold beneath you. That’s how you find the London locals know.