It's hard enough to find a seat in most bars, but fresh air is a rare commodity.
It happens some time in April usually. A splash of blue sky, the temperature approaches the mid 60s and instinctively, the British masses are possessed by the sun god, casting modesty by the wayside and stripping off to expose the maximum surface area of skin that British law allows. And it's then that we suddenly desert the basement bars for which London is famed in desperate search of the open air. But the crowded capital is not overabundant in grassy gardens, so with a bit of careful investigation, we've put together a selection of the tastiest terrazes in the capital and some refreshing cocktails to melt you into the sunset.
93 Feet East
A cobbled bricked up courtyard which catches the sun in mid summer, attracting the indie label-spinners and DJs who flock to Whitechapel for cheap drinks and good company.
Alfresco area holds up to 200-250
Babylon
Delicious almost unbelievable roof gardens cover acres of space and incorporate ponds, luscious growth, real flamingos and one of the most unreal experiences in all of London.
Alfresco area holds up to 150
Bush Bar
A tiny outdoors area with just a couple of tables & benches and precious few hours of sunlight, but hidden away from Shepherds Bush, it’s extremely popular and the only summer cocktail option for miles.
Alfresco area holds 30-60
Cave Austin
In the luxurious landscape of Blackheath, Cave Austin offers a small, but delightful landscaped garden with running stream and luscious greenery. There’s not enough room to swing a cat, but a great space for cooling off from the busy cocktail bar inside.
Alfresco area holds 60-70
Century
Chic private members club in the middle of Shaftesbury Avenue reported to be part-owned by Robbie Williams with a roof-top lounge for private cocktail parties and evenings of true comfort.
Alfresco area holds up to 100
Coq D’Argent
The city restaurant and bar considered to be one of Conran’s greatest successes, Coq D’argent offers a high-up seated balcony which overlooks the City of London with a solid drinks menu ranging from great wines to quality cocktails.
Alfresco area holds up to 50-100
Cubana
A great Cuban restaurant with a decent sized front courtyard where the local after-workers gather in scores to stand and drink Havana cocktails and lime-doused beers through the close evenings.
Alfresco area holds 30-40
Pug
Way out in Chiswick, Pug offers a huge furnished patio with mushroom-heaters to extend the season by a few more weeks. Popular enough in winter, but come summer and you’ll need to diet just to squeeze in.
Alfresco area holds up to 50
Rockwell
High above Trafalgar Square and offering one of the best views in London, the Rockwell’s roof terrace has been sheltered by a modular marquee and heated internally to keep the experience fresh throughout the year.
Alfresco area holds up to 50
Vibe Bar
Another Brick Lane favourite, the expansive courtyard in front of the Old Truman Brewery is a bustling affair come sunshine with regular parties throughout the summer and always full of hip music industry bods and generally creative creatures.
Alfresco area holds up to 100
Zigfrid
The heterogenous, but harmonious design of Zigfrid spills out onto the front patio in the alfresco months offering the über-hip Hoxtonites the only outdoor seating space in the area and a welcome alternative to battling with grass stains and dogs litter in the square itself.
Alfresco area holds up to 40
Jeremy Mascarenhas has been editorial director of the seminal London Bar Guide magazine http://www.londonbarguide.com for 10 years. He is also global editor of The World Bar Guide, an online guide to the best bars in the world http://www.worldbarguide.com , publisher of The Big Directory (a bar industry bible) and a freelance drinks marketing consultant. He has worked with most of the leading drinks groups including Red Bull, Moët Hennessy, Diageo, Brown Foreman, Budweiser, Asahi, Tiger Beer and Grand Marnier. Through his publishing company Scene It, as well as the London Bar Guide, he has published guides to Sherry, UK nightlife, cocktails, Japanese restaurants, the much lauded London Restaurant Guide and much more besides.
