Top 3 Rooftop Bars.

This is a post on the Top 3 rooftop bars in London. =)

This post was extracted from here... By the time you read this it could be useless. London weather has been temperamental recently, to say the least, but it is, officially, still summer. 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.

Vista

Calling a rooftop bar Vista asserts you’re proud of the view, but here it’s more about the bar’s position than its height. 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 Martin-in-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-Sun 12pm-1am; entry £5

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 at 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

Coq d’Argent

Lovely, leafy Coq d’Argent is one of the more salubrious addresses in the City, its status and renown in no small part due to its rooftop garden. From the well-tended lawns, you can cast your eyes on Monument and the Gherkin and, from about 5pm, batteries of bankers. There were an isolated number of incidences when stressed-out City workers committed suicide by hurling themselves from the rooftop, but that thankfully seems to have abated. Otherwise, this bar’s the height of sophistication with an exceptional wine list, an extensive range of champagnes and stodgy cigars available to slurp, sip and smoke as applicable. If you’ve got time to linger during the week and money to spare it’s worth dining here too. The Coq d’Argent French restaurant is formal but reliable and popular with those claiming expenses. A better way to experience the setting is to visit during the weekend: the City has quietened; the workers have retreated; the space has opened up; and bargain-price set menus are available.

1 Poultry, EC2R 8EJ; Mon-Sun 11.30am-10pm