Rooftop Bars Near London Tube Stations (With the Nearest Stop for Each)

London’s best rooftop bars are almost all within a five-minute walk of a Tube station — you just need to know which exit to take. This guide covers 12 rooftop bars near London Tube stations, each with its nearest stop, the line that gets you there and roughly how long the walk is.

We’ve grouped them by area so you can plan a crawl along one line instead of zig-zagging across zones. We’ve also flagged which ones stay open through winter, because a surprising number do — with heaters, blankets and retractable roofs. Hungry first? Pair a rooftop with one of the best food markets near Tube stations.

Rooftop bars near Tube stations at a glance

Walk times are approximate, from the closest station exit.

The post: the bars, area by area

West End and South Bank rooftop bars

The Rooftop at The Trafalgar St. James — nearest Tube: Charing Cross (Northern, Bakerloo)

Seven floors above Trafalgar Square, this is the closest you’ll get to eye level with Nelson. Take the Trafalgar Square exit at Charing Cross and you’re at the door in two minutes. The terrace has retractable canopies and heaters, so it works year-round, and it runs a winter menu from late autumn. Address: 7th Floor, 2 Spring Gardens, SW1A 2TS.

Radio Rooftop — nearest Tube: Temple (Circle, District)

On the 10th floor of the ME London hotel on the Strand, Radio Rooftop looks across to the London Eye, Big Ben and St Paul’s. It’s glossy and on the pricier side, so it suits a celebration more than a casual pint. A retractable roof keeps it going through winter. From Temple it’s a five-minute walk up to the Strand; Covent Garden (Piccadilly) is about seven minutes. Address: 336–337 Strand, WC2R 1HA.

Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden — nearest Tube: Waterloo (Northern, Bakerloo, Jubilee, Waterloo & City)

Time Out named this its number one rooftop bar for 2026: a lawn, fruit trees and more than 200 plant species on top of a brutalist concert hall. It’s run partly by volunteers from Grounded Ecotherapy, and drinks are cheaper than most on this list. It’s seasonal — open from 1 April to October — and you reach it via the yellow staircase outside the Queen Elizabeth Hall. From Waterloo it’s about seven minutes on foot; from Embankment, cross the Golden Jubilee footbridge.

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City of London rooftop bars (Central, Circle and District lines)

The City has London’s densest cluster of rooftop bars, and five of them sit within a 15-minute walk of each other. Most are busiest on weekday evenings and quieter at weekends.

Madison — nearest Tube: St Paul’s (Central)

Madison sits on the roof of One New Change, with St Paul’s Cathedral close enough to feel like part of the furniture. Lifts take you to the sixth floor, where the heated terrace is one of the largest public roof terraces in Europe. It’s open daily from midday, the dress code is smart casual, and guests must be over 21. Exit St Paul’s station and it’s a two-minute walk. Address: Rooftop Terrace, One New Change, EC4M 9AF.

Wagtail — nearest Tube: Bank or Monument

Tucked into the top of an Art Deco building on King William Street, Wagtail’s terrace frames Tower Bridge, the Shard, the Gherkin and St Paul’s in one sweep. It usually dresses its terrace up for winter. Bank and Monument are effectively one interchange, so use whichever exit is closest to King William Street. Address: 68 King William Street, EC4N 7HR.

Sky Garden — nearest Tube: Monument (Circle, District)

The Sky Garden is free, but it isn’t walk-in. You book a timed slot on the official website, released about three weeks ahead, and you get up to an hour inside. Public hours are 10am–6pm on weekdays and 11am–9pm at weekends. A table booking at one of its bars or restaurants gets you in without a free ticket and lets you stay longer. From October to March, sunset falls inside weekday public hours — the best-kept secret of a winter visit. It’s five minutes from Monument. Address: 1 Sky Garden Walk, 20 Fenchurch Street, EC3M 8AF.

Savage Garden — nearest Tube: Tower Hill (Circle, District)

Twelve floors up in the DoubleTree by Hilton, Savage Garden has two terraces and near-360-degree views of Tower Bridge, the Shard and the Gherkin. The north-facing Wildside Terrace has a retractable roof, so it’s open all year. Expect DJs from Wednesday to Saturday. It’s a two-minute walk from Tower Hill. Address: 7 Pepys Street, EC3N 4AF.

London Bridge Rooftop — nearest Tube: London Bridge (Northern, Jubilee)

It isn’t the tallest roof around — the Shard sees to that — but it overlooks Southwark Cathedral and the station itself, and it’s about as close to a Tube exit as a rooftop gets. It runs a Christmas theme in winter. Address: Colechurch House, Bridge Walk, SE1 2SX.

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East London and Shoreditch rooftop bars

Aviary — nearest Tube: Moorgate (Northern, Circle, Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City)

On the 10th floor of the Montcalm Royal London House, Aviary overlooks Finsbury Square and the City’s towers. Visit London rates it the best winter rooftop bar in the city, largely thanks to the igloos on its terrace. Moorgate is about five minutes away; Old Street (Northern) is similar. Address: 22–25 Finsbury Square, EC2A 1DX.

Sushisamba City — nearest Tube: Liverpool Street (Central, Circle, Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City, Elizabeth)

Visit London names this the best rooftop bar in central London. It sits near the top of Heron Tower, reached by a glass lift on the outside of the building — worth the trip on its own. Most of it is indoors, so the weather barely matters. It’s three minutes from Liverpool Street. Address: Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AY.

The Culpeper — nearest Tube: Aldgate East (District, Hammersmith & City)

A pub with a rooftop garden that grows herbs and vegetables for its kitchen and cocktails. It’s small, relaxed and one of the cosiest winter terraces in London, with blankets and heaters. Aldgate East is three minutes away. Address: 40 Commercial Street, E1 6LP.

Kaso at One Hundred Shoreditch — nearest station: Shoreditch High Street (Overground)

The rooftop bar at One Hundred Shoreditch has views over the East End and a lively, party-leaning crowd. Shoreditch High Street is on the Overground’s Windrush line, two minutes away. The nearest Tube is Old Street (Northern), about ten minutes on foot. Check opening times for winter before you go.

Bonus: worth the Overground trip in summer

Frank’s Cafe, Peckham — nearest station: Peckham Rye (Overground and National Rail)

Frank’s has no Tube stop, but it’s too good to leave out. It sits on the 10th floor of a multi-storey car park on Rye Lane, reached by its famous pink staircase, with near-360-degree views and some of the cheapest rooftop cocktails in London. It’s summer only — the 2026 season ran from 15 May to 12 September — so save it for next year. Address: 95a Rye Lane, SE15 4ST.

The post: practical tips

Tips for visiting London rooftop bars by Tube

• Book ahead for sunset and weekends. The Sky Garden’s free slots, Radio Rooftop and Madison all fill up fast. Walk-ins are easiest on weekday afternoons.
• Check the weather and the season. Several rooftops close terraces in high wind or heavy rain, and summer-only bars such as the Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden and Frank’s shut by autumn.
• Mind the dress codes. Hotel and City rooftops usually ask for smart casual; some, like Madison, are over-21s only. Bring photo ID.
• Plan a one-line crawl. St Paul’s, Bank, Monument and Tower Hill are all close together. You can walk between Madison, Wagtail, the Sky Garden and Savage Garden in under 20 minutes without touching the Tube.
• Tap the same card every time. Contactless and Oyster are capped daily, so hopping between bars won’t cost more than the cap. See our London Tube zones and fares guide.
• Know how you’re getting home. The Night Tube runs on Friday and Saturday nights on some lines only. Check our Night Tube guide before your last drink.

Best rooftop bars for winter

If you’re visiting between November and March, head for the Sky Garden, Sushisamba City, Savage Garden, Aviary, The Rooftop at The Trafalgar St. James or Madison. All have indoor space, covered terraces or heated outdoor areas. Many rooftops also theme their terraces for Christmas — see our Christmas in London by Tube guide.

The post: FAQ

What is the best rooftop bar near a Tube station in London? For a view with almost no walk, Madison at St Paul’s and Savage Garden at Tower Hill are both two minutes from the station. For a free option, book the Sky Garden near Monument.

Which Tube station is nearest to the Sky Garden? Monument (Circle and District lines) is about five minutes’ walk. Bank, Tower Hill and Fenchurch Street are also close.

Are London rooftop bars open in winter? Many are. Madison, Savage Garden, Aviary, Sushisamba City, The Rooftop at The Trafalgar St. James and Radio Rooftop all have heated, covered or indoor areas. The Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden and Frank’s Cafe are summer only.

Do I need to book a London rooftop bar? The Sky Garden always needs a booked ticket or table. Most other rooftops take walk-ins, but book for weekends and sunset.

Which rooftop bar has the best view of St Paul’s Cathedral? Madison, on the roof of One New Change, sits directly opposite the dome and is two minutes from St Paul’s station.