A drinks writer shares 14 summer drinking spots in London
- Hannah Guinness
Published: August 17, 2026 at 12:57 PM
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It's a hot, sunny day in London and you're craving a cold drink – where do you go? Hannah Guinness shares her go-to places, from rooftop bars to neighbourhood gems
Two things are true about summer drinking in London. Number one is that sipping on a cold lager or chilled rosé (or summer water as I like to call it) on a warm, sunny day in the city is maybe one of the nicest things you can do. Number two is that there's a high chance that many, many other people are doing exactly the same thing as you, probably in the exact same location. Which is why selecting somewhere for alfresco drinks can take a bit of planning, if you want to avoid six-deep queues at the bar or being jostled by masses of sweaty people on an overcrowded terrace.
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Rooftop bars? There needs to be lots of space and/or really great views. Pub gardens? I make sure I'm there early to grab a seat. City centre location? I want to be lured in by a superlative drinks list (no overpriced Pimm's for me) to justify the trek. I'm also quite lazy – often I would rather amble down to my local for a pint in the sun, and the list below also includes some of my favourite neighbourhood spots in north London, although there are a few south of the river, too. So what are you waiting for? Grab some SPF, a hat and head outside!
Explore these summer drinking spots in London, then explore the best rooftop bars in London, and London's best outdoor restaurants and terraces. If you like your cocktail served with a stellar sound system, discover our favourite listening bars in London.
A drinks writer shares 14 summer drinking spots in London
CRATE Brewery, Hackney Wick – for beer and pizza in the sun
It can get packed when the sun comes out, but this canalside brewery and taproom is one of the nicest spots for an outdoor brew (and pizza) in the city, with a choice setting by the banks of the River Lea Navigation and plentiful outdoor space, including a garden and waterside terrace shaded by fig trees. I live in Tottenham and one of my favourite things to do on a sunny day is take a long walk or run along the river down to Hackney, where I can rock up to somewhere like Crate, order a pint (I favour their juicy, tropical Haze), a stone-baked pie and drink in the sunshine.
Pressure Drop Taproom, Tottenham – for a post-run pint
Tottenham Marshes is my go-to running destination, which makes Pressure Drop ideally situated for a post-exercise sharpener. Located deep in an industrial estate just 5 minutes from Tottenham Hale station, it’s got loads of communal seating, pétanque courts and an excellent selection of crisps (plus, you can get Yard Sale delivered there). And the beers? You’ll be spoiled for choice – favourites include its juicy, tropical Pale Fire pale, but I’ve recently been enjoying the lighter session brews, including its 3.2% Ja! and the thirst-quenching Little Squeeze lemon radler. Insider tip? Locals with N17, N15 and E17 postcodes get 10% off draft beer.
The Faltering Fullback, Finsbury Park – for an unusual pub garden
London doesn’t lack for great Irish pubs but what makes this Finsbury Park favourite – hidden down a side street off Stroud Green Road – particularly special is the glorious garden hidden behind the pub’s ivy-clad exterior; a maze-like, multi-level arrangement of terraces bedecked with greenery. It can fill up very quickly, so arrive early to grab a table.
The Narrowboat, Islington – for canalside drinking
A Regent’s Canal gem, this two-storey pub looks right over the water. There’s a lovely upstairs overhanging balcony, but space is limited, so you might have to take your pint out onto the towpath – but that’s no bad thing when the setting is so lovely, and you can still watch the boats go by.
Five Points Taproom & Courtyard, Hackney, London
When the sun makes an appearance in east London, every available terrace, beer garden and rooftop becomes jam-packed – which is why this sprawling brewery, situated under the railway arches, is a useful go-to in summer, with a massive 450-seater garden where you can sip tank-fresh pints. Open Thursday to Sunday (with brewery tours on Saturdays), food comes in the form of open-fire barbecue courtesy of From the Ashes – expect smoked beef short rib, savoury pork and ’nduja doughnuts, plus whole animal roasts on Sundays.
Frank’s Café, Peckham – for panoramic city views and affordable drinks
While the capital has many sunny pub gardens to soak up the rays, decent rooftop bars are harder to find. Located on top of a 10-storey car park in Peckham, Frank’s Café opens up every summer and is by no means a hidden gem – it’s been open for more than 15 years – but remains a cult destination thanks to its unbeatable views of the London skyline, masses of space and affordable drinks, from £3.50 glasses of Estrella to mint daiquiris.
Photograph copyright and courtesy Frank's Cafe
The Culpeper Rooftop Garden, Spitalfields – for woodland cocktails in the City
Stylish Spitalfields pub The Culpeper turned its rooftop into a sylvan haven, complete with apple, silver birch and hazel trees, plus edible plants such as mint, sweet cicely, honeysuckle and wild strawberries, all against a backdrop of soaring skyscrapers. Open seasonally, the latest menu includes a roster of botanical spritzes – we like the sound of the seasonal gorse spritz made with homemade gorse syrup and a lemon balm hugo spritz.
The Anchor & Hope, Clapton – for riverside beers
One of Clapton’s best-kept secrets, this tiny Victorian pub is a proper local’s place (it used to keep a truckle of cheese on the bar for punters to help themselves) with an enviable riverside setting next to the Lea, a hop, skip and jump away from Walthamstow Marshes. While it doesn’t have a beer garden, there are plenty of tables right by the water that make it a particularly idyllic setting to while away a sunny afternoon, watching the ducks and the rowers pass by.
Blackhorse Beer Mile, Walthamstow – for lots of choice and space
This collection of breweries, taprooms (plus a winery and brandy house) is easily accessible via Blackhorse Road underground station but a far nicer route is to approach it via a lazy wander through the greenery of Tottenham Marshes. London’s alfresco drinking spots can quickly get congested in summer but there always seems to be plenty of outdoor space and seating here on the Beer Mile – highlights include Big Penny Social with its massive beer garden and mini ‘beach’ complete with deckchairs; fun seasonal brews from Pretty Decent Beer; and urban winery Renegade. Our top tip? Don’t leave without grabbing a sourdough loaf from nearby heritage grain bakery Wild Grains.
Photograph by Anne Berentsen
Godet, Islington - for a tucked-away courtyard oasis
Godet, a self-proclaimed 'wine pub' on Essex Road, reimagines the classic Victorian boozer with chic peach and sage interiors, a high-fidelity sound system and a relaxed, neighbourhood feel. Godet stands out for its equal devotion to low-intervention wines, frequently French, courtesy of Parisian owner Sylvain Bertozzi, and a strong line-up of nine beers on tap from London and beyond.
The terrace, newly refreshed for summer, is an inviting, leafy space ideal for escaping the London heatwave with a glass of something refreshing. With burnt orange painted brick walls, terracotta furniture and a lively buzz as the sun goes down, you would be forgiven for thinking you'd swapped the backstreets of Islington for Italy.
Netil 360, London Fields – for the best views of east London
Yes you have to climb up MANY flights of stairs (and sometimes the queue can snake right back down) but this buzzy rooftop bar offers panoramic city views that make it a must in summer, with DJ sets at the weekend and the likes of papaya mezcalitas, natural wine and local Five Points beer on tap.
The Ferry Boat Inn, Tottenham – for a waterside beer garden
Located on the edge of Walthamstow Wetlands, this feels very much like a countryside pub, albeit just minutes away from Tottenham Hale station. The staff are friendly and the beer is reliable, but the Inn’s prize feature is the sprawling yet serene garden at the rear of the pub, bordering the Coppermill Stream and with plenty of seating. An under-the-radar spot for a sunny pint in north east London.
Spaniards Inn, Hampstead – for drinks on the Heath
A famous, centuries-old London pub, built in 1585, patronised by the likes of Keats and Dickens and full of ghost stories (hello Dick Turpin), the Spaniards enjoys the dual privilege of being both a fantastic winter pub (think log fires, cosy nooks with dark panelling and low beams) and a great summer drinking spot – its expansive, leafy walled beer garden is the perfect place to collapse with a pint or two after a yomp across the Heath.
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Sessa, Herne Hill
This intimate all-day café and restaurant runs a service from breakfast through to dinner, but it’s aperitivo hour you should make a beeline for in summer – the £7 house martinis and superlative bar snacks can take the edge off the day. Its pretty streetside terrace is the perfect spot for soaking in golden hour.
Authors
Hannah GuinnessSenior sub editor and drinks writer
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