Secret Highs
Lebby Eyres reveals the location of some excellent London roof terraces for summer drinks
The other day I was scrolling through Twitter when a post caught my eye. An establishment on Ken High Street was advertising their “secret roof terrace” on a board outside the bar. “Not so secret now,” quipped the Twitter wag.
It turns out this is a bit of a theme. Just type “secret roof terrace” into Twitter and you’ll see what I mean. A photographer tweeted a pic of huge neon sign in a bar in Limehouse emblazoned with the words “Lounge and secret roof terrace”. Subtle. (Location was not confirmed but I suspect it was the Craft Beer Co on Commercial Road).
I was intrigued to find a tweet from my local watering hole, North Nineteen, also claiming to have a “secret roof terrace”. Meanwhile, another furious member of the Twitterati was complaining about Instagram influencers bigging up a secret Parisian rooftop bar - on the top of the Galeries Lafayette. “It’s not exactly hidden,” she complained. Well, quite.
I think we’ve probably established by now that most so-called secret roof terraces are the exact opposite. In fact, they are usually heavily promoted and written about and as a result, probably heaving on a hot summer’s night.
So does the unicorn exist - are there any undiscovered vertically superior watering holes out there? Sian Meades-Williams, author of a weekly journo jobs newsletter, tweeted that she knows of “three secret roof terraces in central London”. Naturally, she did not reveal their names.
Maybe the jet set are still secretly partying at Kensington Roof Gardens, the most famous of the capital’s “secret roof terraces”. It closed in 2018, but it would be nice to think it’s still secretly in operation, having faked its own death rather than continue its slow decline into basic bitch hen night hell. (Apologies to anyone whose hen night I attended there).
Anyway, you all know that the glitterati are having a much better time than you at numerous rooftop terraces which, whether they are secret or not, certainly require you to stump up a hefty membership fee to gain access to them. I’m talking about Shoreditch House, the Century Club, the Ned etc.
But no one should have to pay anything bar the price of a drink to get access to a good view of London’s skyline. So this is a guide to the slightly more down to earth and if not undiscovered then perhaps less well known watering holes with a rooftop.
First up: the Carpenter’s Arms on Whitfield Street, near Tottenham Court Road. The pub reopened after a refurb at the end of last year and sandwiched between it and the neighbouring building is an outside bar area decorated with lanterns and pot plants. And if it rains, the inside of this wood panelled pub is pretty nice too.
Also in central London is the Bow Tavern. Full disclosure: I spent a boozy night here recently on the gin terrace, which is actually a snug semi-covered terrace which runs around the outside of their first floor bar. As I was leaving, I noticed a sign that said “fourth floor roof terrace”. The pub - founded in the 18th century - is right opposite the Royal Opera House and a quick search of Google reveals a lovely if bijou roof top. They have a DJ up there on special occasions such as Pride, and it is available for hire too.
If you are heading out east then make sure you make a stop at the Culpeper in Commercial Street. Frankly, this is a fabulous pub whatever level you are drinking at (AND it has bedrooms for a really late night). But the rooftop is really the pièce de la résistance.
The owners say it’s the reason they acquired the building - and as well as turning it into a drinking space, it’s also where they grow their salad goodies and fresh vegetables. They point out that pollutants will not reach the roof. Their set lunch is £35 per person.
It may not have expansive views of the capital but those Fitzrovians in the know head to the Prince of Wales Feathers in Warren St when they want a bit of al fresco fun. They’re set up in case it rains with large umbrellas and the area is decorated with vintage-style illustrations. It can get crowded, so go early on a hot night!
Finally, if you want to combine some outdoor daytime dining with antique shopping - and who doesn’t? - head to Alfie’s Antique Market where the Rooftop Kitchen has its home. It’s open from 10-6pm with a reasonably priced breakfast and lunch menu.
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And let us know if you think you have a top rooftop recommendation - pop a note in the comments below or send an email to tarteauxpommes@hotmail.com
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