Search venues...

Hero image
Summer Parties

9 Of The Best Bars To Soak Up The Summer Sun

London, get ready: here comes the sun! Summer's finally showing its face, and we're getting ready to make the most of it with trips to the best summer bars in London!

We’ve rounded up 9 of our favourite spots for those precious good-weather days, so whether you’re after a classic cold beer or a cocktail concoction, crack out your sunglasses and get ready to soak up the sun in one of these stunning settings.

1. Trafalgar St James

The rooftop at the Trafalgar St James is the perfect destination for those looking to soak up some sun and city sights this summer. With a stunning rooftop, centrally located above the hustle and bustle of the city, the heated terrace ensures that whatever the weather may bring, you'll be able to enjoy yourself in comfort. Meanwhile, an expertly-curated drinks menu will help you create the perfect summer evening, that guests won't forget in a hurry!

Location: Trafalgar Square

Capacity: 138 reception

Enquire Now

Trafalgar St James Rooftop

2. Century Club

Boasting a sky-scraping rooftop bar, Century Club gives guests a taste of the high life. Revel on the decking, recline on the comfy chairs, and if it starts to rain? Relax, there's a retractable cover! This venue's set to make sure you have the gathering of the century (or at least, the summer) so sit back, chill out, and drink in the view!

Location: Soho

Capacity: 60 standing

Enquire Now

Century Club

3. OXO2

OXO2 is a stylish venue on the South Bank with stunning views of the River Thames and London skyline which is perfect for summer drinks with friends or larger groups. Available for exclusive hire, the space makes for a magnificent backdrop for a day or evening soiree, where guests can indulge in drinks and nibbles as they soak up the breathtaking surroundings, making it the ideal spot to celebrate special occasions this summer.

Location: Waterloo

Capacity: 400 reception

Enquire Now

OXO2

4. The Oyster Shed

Situated just beside London Bridge, The Oyster Shed enjoys unparalleled views over the Thames and The Shard, cementing its reputation as a sought-after summer spot. There's plenty of space for large parties in the venue's open plan ground floor, and the private Captain's Table and raised Observation Deck provide an exclusive setting for more intimate events.

Location: Monument, City of London

Capacity: 350 standing; 140 seated

Enquire Now

oyster shed

5. Smith's of Smithfield

With sliding doors primed to let in the sun (or - heaven forbid - shut out the rain), Smith's of Smithfield have you covered for all eventualities. Famous for their food, and lauded for their lush views, it's easy to see why Smith's are a staple of summertime in the city. Crack open a beer - or something posher if you're in the mood - and get ready to bask in the restaurant's radiant glow.

Location: Farringdon

Capacity: 80 seated

Enquire Now

smiths of smithfield

6. Pergola Paddington

With 3 bars, 4 restaurants, and a whole lot of plant power, Pergola Paddington is the perfect setting for a sun-soaked afternoon. Shake off the past 18 months of lockdown with a cocktail or 3, and treat yourself to a taste of summer with a meal from Pergola's mouth-watering menu. With capacity for more than 800 people, this is the place to bring everyone together.

Location: Paddington

Capacity: 850 sitting

Enquire Now

pergola

7. Hope and Anchor

Offering a floral oasis amidst the bustle of Brixton's streets, the Hope and Anchor is a spectacular spot for a sunny afternoon. With a backdrop taking you from street to sanctuary in seconds, this midsummer's dream location is a little bit magical. And with soul food on the menu, and Insta-worthy Tiki huts on tap, summer events here are guaranteed to be blooming marvellous.

Location: Brixton

Capacity: 500 reception

Enquire Now

hope and anchor

8. NT’s loft

Dreaming of an LA vacation? Take a quarantine-free trip across the pond with NT's palm trees and rooftop cocktail bar - that's right, this terrace comes with its very own cocktail bar to cater to your every whim! A music venue by night, you'll find sun-seekers soaking up the rays with a Sangria here through the summer - go on, you know you want to join them!

Location: Hackney

Capacity: 70 standing

Enquire Now

night tales

9. Barrio Shoreditch

Barrio Shoreditch is the perfect spot to enjoy summer drinks with friends. This vibrant, East London neighbourhood bar boasts an extensive selection of craft cocktails and delicious beers on tap. There's also a great range of wines, gins and vodka from around the globe. With outdoor seating, lively music, and fun decorations, Barrio Shoreditch is a cool spot to hang out and enjoy summer drinks with friends.

Location: Shoreditch

Capacity: 400 reception

Enquire Now

Barrio Shoreditch

Don't waste a second of good weather when it finally arrives this summer! Get in touch with one of our venue experts today to stake your claim to the hottest seats in the house, or check out some of our other super summer bars here.

 

Browse more venues

Find the perfect venue for your summer event today!

Browse summer venues

 


Author

Author Jessamy Cowie profile image

Jessamy Cowie

Jessamy channels her passion for sustainability and cultural events into shining a spotlight on innovation and inspiration in the events world, and heading up Hire Space's sustainability committee.

Read more
  • #SummerParties
  • #Bars
  • #BeerGardens
  • #BirthdayInspiration
  • #CocktailInspiration
  • #CoolVenues
  • #DrinksReceptions
  • #Outdoors
  • #OfficeParties
  • #RooftopVenues
  • #ReceptionVenues
  • #LondonVenues
  • All tags...
Follow us on social
Hire Space Blog

Summer Parties

  • The Top 3 London Venues With Great Gardens
  • 8 Super Summer Party Venues
  • Enchanting Outdoor Summer Party Venues
See all 60 posts →
Blog post feature image

Office Parties

7 Spectacular Venues to Host the Perfect Office Party

Embarking on a quest for the perfect venue to host an office party in London can often feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. We've curated a list of 7 stunning venues to get you started. So, let's dive in and discover the perfect backdrop for your next office party extravaganza!

Author profile image for Gemma Baker

4 min read

Blog post feature image

Summer Parties

5 Tips For Organising Summer Parties

Organising a company summer party can be daunting... Luckily, we've put together our top tips to set the tone for a summer party that knocks your guests' socks (and sandals) off!

Author profile image for Gemma Baker

3 min read