London is full of top bars, pubs, and beerhouses so we’ve compiled a list of the best places to grab a drink closest to our stations, bar none. Well, obviously not all of them, but this is a special selection picked for good vibes and great spaces near to our network. After all, they’re no good if you can’t get to them, right?
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Of course, you’re going to be spoilt for choice in the city, but there are a couple of rooftop bars that are right on the station doorstep, with a few slightly further afield too that are all worth a visit.
Top bars in London
Savage Garden, Doubletree by Hilton
Address: 7 Pepys Street, EC3N 4AF
How to get there: Walk 1 minute from our Fenchurch Street station
The self-titled ‘wildest rooftop bar’ in London, Savage Garden doesn’t confess to its sins; it embraces them. Described as a study in experimentation and temptation, this 12 storey high energetic bar has amazing views over the city, theatrical cocktails and food to die for. Savage Garden London encourages all of its patrons to ‘take a walk on the wild side’.
Sky Pod Bar
Sitting atop the ‘Walkie-Talkie’ building is this fun and lively drinking destination. Look out across London and over the Thames towards The Shard, immersing yourself in the sky high garden, photosynthetic decor and live music performances to boot. The dress code is smart casual, so make a proper evening of it.
Address: 1 Sky Garden Walk, EC3M 8AF
How to get there: Walk 6 minutes from our Fenchurch Street station
Sushisamba
Typically when you think of fusion-food, you don’t think of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cuisines. But Sushisamba did, and they obviously got something right. This bar/restaurant spans both the 38th and 39th floors of the Heron Tower, dons the highest outdoors dining terraces in Europe, has a 360 view of the capital and has a giant orange tree in the middle of the room. There’s a reason it’s so popular.
Address: 110 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AY
How to get there: Walk 11 minutes from our Fenchurch Street station
Bar Elba
One of the more up and coming drinking destinations on the list; Bar Elba takes its inspiration from a small Mediterranean island called ‘Elba’. Supposedly, Napoleon (yeah, the Napoleon) was exiled there for 300 days with no more than a few friends, his horse and a lot of booze. Bar Elba aims to bring that party island vibe to a London rooftop, whilst offering an exciting and bouncing atmosphere. Unfortunately, horses aren’t welcome here.
Address:
How to get there: Alight at our West Ham station, then get the Jubilee line to Waterloo
Roof East, Stratford
Probably the most versatile drinking spot on the list; Roof East has a bar, but has also seen a crazy golf course, a roller rink and an open air cinema. You get the idea. This quirky but brilliant community space brings people together to enjoy themselves and try new things. The views over the Olympic Park are particularly great on a sunny, blue-skied day.
Address: Westfield, E15 1XE
How to get there: From our West Ham station, get the Jubilee line to Stratford
The Narrow, Limehouse
>Okay, so this one isn’t technically a rooftop bar. But it does have a huge panoramic terrace that overlooks the Thames. It’s also a Gordon Ramsay owned restaurant (but without the Michelin star prices) which gives it that extra sprinkle of esteem. When the weather’s nice it has an open air BBQ that really livens up the atmosphere, and for that final dash of something extra special, kids eat for free all day, every day.
Address: 44 Narrow Street, E14 8DP
How to get there: Walk 6 minutes from our Limehouse station
Cosy pubs with roaring fires
Here is are some of our favourite cosy pubs in London with a fireplace perfect for those colder days.
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese pub
A cavernous pub that has entertained writers from Charles Dickens to P.G. Woodhouse. It has an open fire and there’s a deliberate absence of clocks and dim lighting to amplify the sense of a place you could lose days in.
Address: 145 Fleet St, London EC4A 2BP
How to get there: Nearest c2c station is Fenchurch Street then a 4 minute tube journey from Tower Hill to Blackfriars (for Fleet Street).
Plume of Feathers pub
This maritime-themed bar is the oldest pub in Greenwich and overlooks the park. Keep warm by the original claygate fireplace, or there’s the option of English and Continental dishes in the candlelit restaurant.
Address: 19 Park Vista, London SE10 9LZ
How to get there: Nearest c2c station is Limehouse then a 13 minute DLR journey to Cutty Sark Greenwich
The Holy Tavern
A short walk from Farringdon is The Holy Tavern, which has a coal-burning fire and is stocked by St. Peter’s Brewery in Suffolk which includes organic beer. It’s been a pub since the 90s but the building has been there since the 1700s.
Address: 55 Britton St, London EC1M 5UQ
How to get there: Get to Fenchurch street station then get the Circle line to Farringdon
Three Kings of Clerkenwell pub
This eccentric pub boasts a coal fire and things you don’t often see in your local, like a plaster Egyptian dog and a fibreglass rhino head. Among other drinks it offers traditional ales and upstairs is a jukebox that plays classic 45s. Cosy and cool.
Address: 7 Clerkenwell Close, London EC1R 0DY
How to get there: Get to Fenchurch street station then get the Circle line to Farringdon
Princess Louise Pub
The Princess Louise in Holborn is a very cosy pub decorated with period features and has an open fire. Booth seating gives it a private feel and the absence of TV screens makes it ideal for conversation to flow along with the drinks.
Address: 208 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EP
How to get there: From Fenchurch Street station walk to Bank and get the Central line to Holborn.
Beerhouses in London
We have a list of London’s best Bavarian Beerhouse hotspots for you and your friends to enjoy.
Bierschenke, Moorgate
If you’re after a truly authentic Bavarian experience then you can’t go wrong with Bierschenke. The fixtures and fittings are imported from Munich, and German staff dressed in lederhosen and dirndls serve you Bavarian Beer, meat and pretzels, and live music bringing joy to your ears.
Address: 50 Earlham St, London WC2H 9LJ
How to get there: From Fenchurch Street station walk to Bank and get the Central line to Tottenham Court Road
Munich Cricket Club, Victoria
A fine Bavarian drinking and dining venue with classic Bavarian food, live Oompah bands, and German beers. There are Munich Cricket Club locations in Tower Hill and Canary Wharf too!
Address: 1 Abbey Orchard St, London SW1P 2LU
How to get there: From Fenchurch Street station, get the District line to St. James’s park
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