Outdoor bars in London: 17 al-fresco favourites to visit right now

Address: St. Pancras Terrace by Booking Office 1869, St. Pancras London Hotel, Euston Road, London NW1 2AR
Website: booking-office.co.uk

Peckham ArchesRaitis Petrovs

Peckham Arches

Peckham Arches is a lovely little outdoor bar tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the main road. Between two railway arches, their talented bartenders are slinging out delicious cocktails (we recommend the Picante). The picnic-style seating gives way to chit-chat with strangers and people-watching as some head into their fourth or fifth cocktail of the day. Hungry? No problem. Peckham Arches offers perfectly nice stone-fired pizzas, crunchy salads, and sharing plates, so you can have a bite. There’s an indoor area for events, and a charming art gallery next door, so take a peek inside on your next visit. Keep an eye on the jam-packed schedule online to secure a spot at one of the venue’s buzzy supper clubs or a Sofar Sounds evening, where a series of emerging artists play to an intimate crowd.

Address: Peckham Arches, Unit 4-5 Dovedale Trading Estate, SE15 4QN
Website: peckhamarches.com

Vicinity

“Just so London,” was how the revellers at the table beside ours encapsulated Vicinity, a laid-back bar and restaurant in the heart of Tower Hill. And, as it turns out, the description is a hard one to fault, given the prime views over Tower Bridge and the distinctive skyline of the capital beyond, separated from the outdoor terrace only by the River Thames itself. At sunset, table-side fire pits illuminate the space and cast a feeling of magic across the water. At the same time, during the day, the inviting collection of sofas and cushion-stacked chairs makes for a welcome respite from city life.

Address: St Katharine’s Way, London E1W 1LD
Website: vicinitylondon.co.uk

Crate BreweryMatt Russell

Crate Brewery

Head to Hackney Wick’s buzziest canalside hideout when the sun’s shining and you’ll soon see what all the fuss is about. If you’re lucky enough to grab an al-fresco table beside the brewery on a balmy afternoon, you’ll want to stake your claim and take turns collecting pints of craft beer from the bar inside. As the sun descends over the capital, homemade pizzas – costing from less than a tenner – scent the air and DJs turn things up a notch as the firepit illuminates arrivals as they arrive at the next stop on their East London bar crawl.