Nestled along the banks of the River Thames in southwest London, the neighborhood of Chelsea dates back to the Anglo-Saxon period, when it was a small village. It eventually grew, and today is an affluent, trendy area with around 41,000 residents. It’s known for being an artsy hub, with writers like Oscar Wilde and artists like Eduardo Paolozzi calling the area home during their lifetimes. You can visit the Saatchi Gallery to get your fill of contemporary art. Or catch a play at The Royal Court Theatre, which features new work by playwrights. You can also check out the Vrbo rentals and houseboat rentals nearby for your accommodation needs. And sometimes you just want to sit with a drink, and there are plenty of places to do that! We’ve compiled a list of the best rooftop bars in Chelsea, London, the UK. Feel free to browse below.
1. The Ivy Chelsea Garden
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
For a visually stunning location, look no further than the The Ivy Chelsea Garden. Even before you enter, you’ll be greeted with foliage-lined exterior walls of this restaurant. Inside, you’ll find plenty of green plants, beautiful tiled floors, and striking orange furniture. And of course, they’ve got a lovely outdoor space as well, from where you can see even more plants, a fountain, and the surrounding buildings. This place is the perfect retreat for greenery in London! The menu is filled with a wide range of British and international dishes, including sweet potato curry, fish and chips, and lobster linguine. This Chelsea rooftop restaurant also do afternoon teas and brunch on the weekends.
The Ivy Chelsea Garden
Address: 195, 197 King’s Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 5EQ
Website: he Ivy Chelsea Garden
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 8am - 12:30am; Sun: 9am - 12:30am
2. The Chelsea Courtyard
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Next up we have The Chelsea Courtyard, and it’s a beauty! Inside, you’ll find a rustic interior, complete with unique wooden furniture, beautiful lighting, and plenty of plants placed throughout. But the courtyard is where they really shine. You’ll have comfortable seating to enjoy, along with plenty of greenery around. And they offer more than just pretty surroundings. The Chelsea Courtyard pride themselves on serving up delicious homemade food, as well as, a list of signature cocktails. So you can enjoy Japanese fish and chips or Catalan fish stew with a nice cocktail.
The Chelsea Courtyard
Address: 151 Sydney St, Chelsea, London SW3 6NT
Website: The Chelsea Courtyard
Opening hours: Tue - Wed: 11am - 8pm; Thu: 11am - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 9am - 9pm; Sun: 10am - 8pm (closed on Mon)
3. Embargo Republica
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
At Embargo Republica, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to Cuba. This ultra-hip club has exposed brick walls and vintage furniture —perfect for getting that perfect Instagram shot. And if you like to dance, then you’ll be pleased to know they have a regular rotation of DJs spinning beats to get you off your feet. And they wouldn’t be on this list if they didn’t have an amazing outdoor space. Their rooftop terrace is a beautiful space, with long striped sofas, tiled floors, and greenery lining the walls.
Embargo Republica
Address: 533b King’s Rd, Chelsea, London SW10 0TZ
Website: Embargo Republica
Opening hours: Wed - Thu: 9pm - 2am; Fri - Sat: 8pm - 3am (closed on Mon, Tue & Sun)
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
Nearby rooftop bars
4. Harbour Bar and Terrace
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Our list starts off with Harbour Bar and Terrace. Their menu is full of Italian-inspired dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. Their speciality is stone-baked pizzas, but they also offer burgers, salads, and a variety of small plates. And if you’re looking to unwind with a beverage, this Chelsea rooftop bar have an excellent selection of drinks, and even an impressive selection of cigars. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating, and we highly recommend sitting outside when the weather is nice. You’ll have views over Chelsea harbour and River Thames.
Harbour Bar and Terrace
Address: The Chelsea Harbour Hotel, Harbour Ave, Fulham, London SW10 0XG
Website: Harbour Bar and Terrace
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 7am - 12am; Sat: 8am - 1am; Sun: 8am - 10am
5. Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden Bar & Cafe
With wildflowers, trees, and other foliage, this bar, nestled along the River Thames, offers a green oasis in the heart of bustling London town. There’s a bar area, where you can order beer, wine, and soft drinks along with snacks if you’re hungry. And, of course, one of the best things about this rooftop bar is the view: you can look out and see landmarks like the London Eye and Parliament.
Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden Bar & Cafe
Address: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, Bishop’s, London SE1 8XX
Website: Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden Bar & Cafe
Opening hours: 10am - 10:30pm (daily)
6. Aqua Spirit Bar
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Up next we have Aqua Spirit Bar, a cocktail bar located on the popular and bustling Regent Street. Inside it’s got mood lighting and sleek modern furniture, so you can feel glitzy and glamorous on a night out. They offer a wide range of cocktails created in-house, as well as a few non-alcoholic options, and they also have Japanese snacks if you want to nibble while you drink. From their rooftop space, you can look out onto the SoHo neighbourhood and see one of London’s most popular areas from above.
Aqua Spirit Bar
Address: 5th, 240 Regent St, Soho, London W1B 3BR
Website: Aqua Spirit Bar
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 12pm - 1am; Sun: 12pm - 8pm
7. Toy Roof at Courthourse Hotel SoHo
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Toy Roof London on Thursday, May 25, 2017
Located in the heart of SoHo, Toy Roof at Courthourse Hotel SoHo offers an excellent outdoor space to unwind. With modern furniture, heaters to keep you warm, and umbrellas to keep the sun out of your eyes, you can enjoy a drink or a meal and look out over this busy and vibrant part of London. They offer food like pizzas, sandwiches, and burgers, and also have an extensive drinks menu to choose from. They also have a coffee and tea menu if you want to sip some caffeinated.
Toy Roof at Courthourse Hotel SoHo
Address: 19 - 21 Great Marlborough St, Soho, London W1F 7HL
Website: Toy Roof at Courthourse Hotel SoHo
Opening hours: 3pm - 11pm (daily)
8. The Driver
The Driver is located on Kings Cross, and offers modern pub fare. You can try dishes like beer battered cod fillet, a halloumi burger, and mushroom risotto. Inside the restaurant, you’ll find shabby chic vibes: rustic wooden tables, sleek yet cosy furniture, and interesting vintage decor lining the walls. But their outdoor space is the place to be on a nice day. With views over central London, you’ll find cosy sofas to lounge on and charming fairy lights, making for a comfortable space to hang out and catch up with friends.
The Driver
Address: 2-4 Wharfdale Rd, Islington, London N1 9RY
Website: The Driver
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 5pm - 12am; Fri - Sat: 6pm - 12am (closed on Sun)
9. The Trafalgar St. James Rooftop Bar
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
If you’re looking for view of some of London’s most important buildings and attractions, then pay a visit to The Trafalgar St. James Roof Top Bar. From its position in the St. James’ neighbourhood, you can see the London Eye, Nelson’s Column, and the Shard. And there’s more than just the view to take in. They offer signature cocktails to sip while you spy on Londoners below, as well as plenty of small bits and sharing plates to enjoy. They also do a bottomless brunch.
The Trafalgar St. James Rooftop Bar
Address: 7th Floor, 2 Spring Gardens, St. James’s, London SW1A 2TS
Website: The Trafalgar St. James Rooftop Bar
Opening hours: Fri: 5pm - 1am; Sat: 12pm - 1am (closed on Sun - Thu)
10. Queen of Hoxton
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Our list finishes off with Queen of Hoxton, located in east London. This trendy bar and club hosts DJs and live music, and serves up an eclectic selection of cocktails. But it’s perhaps best known for its rooftop bar. In the summer, this rooftop is an excellent spot to enjoy some sunshine along with your drink. You can sit and relax, but they also host events like outdoor cinemas. You can enjoy the rooftop in the winter, too. They erect a wigwam over the roof and install a fire pit, so you can stay warm and cosy, roast up some marshmallows, and enjoy the twinkling fairy lights and a hot cocktail. This is certainly one of the hippest rooftop bars in London.
Queen of Hoxton
Address: 1-5 Curtain Rd, Hackney, London EC2A 3JX
Website: Queen of Hoxton
Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 4pm - 12am; Thu - Sat: 4pm - 2am; Sun: 2pm - 12am
So many rooftop bars to try in London
Whether you want to look out onto the Chelsea harbour or take in some of London’s most iconic sites, there’s a rooftop bar just waiting for you! And with excellent drinks and food on offer, you can be sure you’ll enjoy your time. So, make a booking at your favourite one, and plan to have a great time at one of the rooftop bars in Chelsea, London, the UK. You’ll go home to your hotel or vacation rental fulfilled and contented!
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to