Rooftop bars in London

Get your skates on and zip over to Tobacco Dock’s Skylight Rooftop before all the cosy igloos are taken. The London rooftop ice rink returns this winter, along with tempting street food. Nestle up in blankets while sipping on cocktails or take the action up a notch as you try your luck at an ice-hockey shoot out. Open Thursday to Sunday until January

Step into your best red slippers and Emerald City at the Queen of Hoxton. This winter the Shoreditch rooftop bar transforms into a bewitching realm filled with fire pits and green cocktails. Take part in eco-friendly craft workshops to feel as virtuous as Glinda the Good or indulge in wickedly decadent hot chocolate. Open daily

Wander up the stairs to Pergola Olympia and discover a glittering botanical paradise. Sample the easy life and lounge on day beds under tumbling ivy and twinkling winter lights – perfect for the 'gram. Open Wednesday to Sunday

Sample a taste of America at John Lewis & Partners’ rooftop terrace on Oxford Street. Serving up corn dogs, cheesecake bites and loaded fries at his diner, street food hero Jimmy Garcia ensures no one leaves The Winter Carnival with an empty belly. After eating your fill, jump on a fairground horse and race your mates in the bumper cars. Open daily until 5 January 

Find Lost in Brixton in foodie heaven Brixton Village and be treated to a feast with a backdrop of winter foliage and Christmas tunes. You can order anything you fancy from multiple restaurants downstairs and have it brought straight to your table, so you don't have to choose between scrumptious dumplings or slices of pizza. Who said you couldn't have it all?  Open Tuesdays to Sundays

Get into the festive spirit at Radio Rooftop bar in London this winter, as the ME London Hotel's year-round terrace serves up Christmas cocktails and seasonal bites to eat. Arrive at sunset to soak up the stunning views and stay to party through the night. Open daily

If adulting is all too much, head to Roof East in Stratford, where you can release your inner child. Battle your friends over crazy golf, find out who's top dog over table-top curling or test out VR table football. Keep the fun vibes going with live music singalongs paired with jaw-dropping views of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Open Wednesday to Saturday until 21 December

Dust off your lederhosen and head to Savage Schloss for steins of beer, Europop and a raucously good time. The Savage Garden, high above the City of London in the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London - Tower of London has been transformed into an Alpine dream, complete with gingham curtains and hearty Austrian fare. Open Saturdays and Sundays until 22 March 

Enter The Enchanted Woodlands at Madison's rooftop bar and be dazzled by twinkling lights, alongside some of the most Instagrammable views of London. Snuggle with a hot water bottle and savour a glass of bubbly as you gaze on neighbouring St Paul's Cathedral. Open daily year-round

With design mogul Terence Conran overseeing its creation, it's no wonder Boundary Rooftop looks so good and it becomes even sleeker for the festive season with the opening of the Winter Terrace. Sit among silver birch trees at the Shoreditch rooftop bar, with sheepskin rugs, terrarium lights and frosted foliage completing the white winter aesthetic. Open daily year-round

Set on the 12th floor of the Sea Containers London is 12th Knot. The hotel’s rooftop lounge and terrace has spectacular views of the river Thames, St Paul’s Cathedral and the City’s skyline; so grab a seasonal cocktail and hit up your feed with the obligatory selfie. Open Tuesday to Saturday year-round

Find a slice of Italy at the rooftop garden of world-famous department store Selfridges. Head up in the unassuming lift from the fragrance section and you'll encounter lemon trees, cocktails, wines and seasonal Italian fare, including fresh pasta, seafood and meat dishes. Open daily year-round

There’s no need to travel all the way to southern France when you can unwind at Angler Terrace. Relax under retractable roof or savour gin cocktails among the foliage on the seventh floor of the City's South Place Hotel. Afterwards, tuck into delicious seafood from its restaurant. Open Monday to Saturday year-round

Enjoy cocktails and spot the Coca-Cola London Eye and The Gherkin from Aqua Nueva's stylish terrace overlooking Regent Street. If you're keen to make a whole evening of it, take a few steps to the adjoining Aqua Spirit cocktail bar or Aqua Kyoto Japanese restaurant. Open daily year-round

Soak up the sun at new Art Yard Bar and Kitchen in art-focused Bankside Hotel. Cause serious FOMO as you share snaps sipping on English sparkling wine, spritzes and bellinis in this tranquil Bankside oasis offering views towards St Paul's Cathedral. Open Tuesday to Saturday year-round

If you're enjoying an evening wander through the dazzling lights of Leicester Square, venture into The Empire Casino and head upstairs to the glitzy Icon Balcony Bar. One of the more hidden rooftop bars in central London, it's the perfect spot to do some people-watching or for dancing to DJ sets at weekends. Open daily year-round

An independent cafe and informal workspace during the day, Netil 360 gradually transforms into a hip and lively rooftop bar as evening falls. Visit this Hackney institution for craft beers, outdoor movie screenings and a range of hipster eccentricities. Open Thursday to Sunday until December

Experience breathtaking views from the 14th floor of Aldgate's Dorsett City Hotel, at Asian-themed Jin Bo Law Skybar. Indulge in a range of creative cocktails from a drinks menu that takes inspiration from the favourite tipples of Japan, China, Vietnam and more. Open daily year-round

Relax on the comfy sofas, cocktail in hand, at luxurious Karma Sanctum Soho's roof terrace. This Soho rooftop hosts a hot tub and special events throughout the year, and is open to non-residents until 1am upon reservation only. Open daily year-round

Board a glass lift to the top of 110 Bishopsgate for high-end fusion dishes and cocktails. Bringing together the flavours of Japan, Peru and Brazil, Sushisamba City is one of London’s top restaurants, as well as one of the highest. Mingle with City workers over a cocktail and take in the views from the terrace. Open daily year-round

Soak up sweeping vistas of the river Thames from the terrace of Oxo Tower Restaurant, Bar and Brasserie. Savour refined British dishes at the restaurant, enjoy live music at the brasserie and admire the view of St Paul’s Cathedral from the bar's balcony on the eighth floor of this South Bank icon. Open daily year-round

Sprawl out under the retractable roof of The Golden Bee rooftop bar in fun-loving Shoreditch. Choose from the long list of martinis and classic cocktails, wines and spirits. Come the weekend, dance to house and club classics at the over-21s venue is transformed into a nightclub. Open Tuesday to Saturday year-round

Take in the tranquility of the almost secret rooftop bar in The Trafalgar St James hotel, safe in the knowledge that nobody in Trafalgar Square below is as lucky as you. Grab a premium cocktail at The Rooftop and settle back into the cosy seating, as you see eye to eye with Nelson. Open daily year-round