Amazing Destinations Magazine Autumn 2021

TOP 5
LONDON ROOFTOP BARS
ROOFTOP BARS
London weather is temperamental to say the least, but officially, autumn is on its way. Bathed in optimism, if not
sunshine, a number of London’s bars have swept their terraces, opened their rooftops and allocated top-floor space to
provide the capital with new drinking dens. On clear days they’re perfect spots for sun-downer drinks, so make the most of
these fleeting opportunities with our selection of London’s best rooftop bars.
Aqua Kyoto
The Aqua group are panorama
professionals. Aqua Spirit flies the flag for
the company back at their base in Hong
Kong, providing a dizzying lookout from
the 30th floor of a waterside skyscraper,
directly over the technicolour-tinted
harbour. Your surroundings aren’t quite
so impressive at Aqua Kyoto, but they’re
not half bad. Directly in front of the bar
there’s the grand sweep of Regent Street
and the domed, coral-green roof of the
Apple store – it’s surprising how pretty
these buildings actually are when you take
the time to appreciate them. On the terrace
itself, décor’s tastefully muted rather
than garishly overstated: slate tiles cover
the walls; ash-coloured banquettes ring
the open terrace. It’s a restraint that’s in
keeping with Kyoto’s Japanese theme.
The bar leads to an indoor Japanese restaurant decorated in silk and charcoal. The crowd throughout looks the part too. More
locals in the know than tourists clutching guidebooks, it’s full of after-work drinkers, wealthy-looking guys and good-looking
women. Things remain restrained in the restaurant, but can get lively on the rooftop. The focus on drinking – speciality cocktails
and sake – and occasional DJ turns – Café del Mar- and melodic house-style sets – means the atmosphere improves after the sun
goes down.
30 Argyll Street, W1B 3BR; open Mon-Sat 12pm-3pm and 6.30pm-1am - aquakyoto.co.uk/experience
The Rooftop
On the sixth floor of the Trafalgar Hotel, you can’t see very
far from here but you are directly above Trafalgar Square, and
the location’s a showstopper. Tilt your neck to see the National
Gallery; crane over the railing – carefully – and you can gaze
down on the turquoise pools of Trafalgar Square. St Martinin-the-Fields
church is visible too, and this is probably the
closest you’ll come to looking eye to eye at Admiral Nelson
as he stands sentry on his column. Best of all, however, is that
you can enjoy all these sights at your leisure as less-informed
visitors scramble around on ground level. As for the bar itself,
pink roses and pastel cushions come across as slightly mawkish
but otherwise its palette of dark chocolate and soft greys looks
the part.
2 Spring Gardens, Trafalgar Square, SW1A 2TS; open
Mon-Tues: Closed (available for private hire)
Wed-Thu: 12pm-1am Fri-Sat: 12pm-3am (last entry 1am)
Sun: 12pm-7pm - trafalgarstjames.com/the-rooftop
London:
Drink in the views as well as the cocktails
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