Situated on the terrace of one of its luxury private residences, the pop up bar which is open Thursday to Saturday evenings until September, overlooks some of London’s most impressive sights, from the Tower of London to the Shard. As well as a vast drinks menu, Asian inspired light bites will be available including a selection of sushi rolls and colourful summer salads.
I loved every minute of my visit with some friends for pre-dinner cocktails. From walking into the luxurious suite with a beautiful bar adorned with flowers, to admiring the breathtaking views and enjoying the amazingly warm and welcoming service. It’s sure to be one of London’s hotspots for locals and visitors alike this summer.
For more information or to book a table contact: +44 (0)203 297 3799 or diningreservations.tri@fourseasons.com
Working in the city, rooftop bars are the perfect way of escaping the crowds and taking in the beautiful London skyline, and although this summer has been a bit wetter than we would have liked, London’s rooftop (or sky bars) are definitely the place to be. There are so many to choose from, but here are my top five in no particular order, I love them all equally!
Radio Rooftop Bar
Nearly seven years old, Radio Rooftop on the 10th floor of the ME London hotel near Covent Garden, hasn’t lost any of its swagger – if you want view, vibe and uber glamorous drinking companions this is the place to be and to be seen!
(10th floor, ME London Hotel, 336-337 Strand, London WC2R 1HA)
Aviary Rooftop Bar
As this was only a few minutes walk from my old offices, Aviary has been my first choice for the last few year for after work drinks and we also had our work summer party there which was absolutely incredible. Perched on the 10th floor of the Montcalm Royal London Hotel in Finsbury Square in London’s square mile, the Aviary bar terrace offers space and incredible views and the most gorgeous sunsets. It does get very busy over the summer, so get there early or you might have to queue!
(10th floor, Montcalm Royal London Hotel, 22-25 Finsbury Square, London, EC2A 1DX)
Jin Bo Law
A fairly new addition to the London scene, is the fabulous Jin Bo Law bar perched on the 14th floor of the Dorsett City Hotel in Aldgate with spectacular views across to the Gherkin and Tower Bridge. With a nod to the Orient, the opulent interior is breathtaking as are the views.
(14th Floor Dorsett City Hotel, 9 Aldgate High Street, London EC3N 1AH)
Upper 5th Shoreditch
With the backdrop of the elegant facade of Shoreditch Town Hall and its Progress statue Upper 5th Shoreditch sitting on the top of the Courthouse Shoreditch Hotel is a fabulous East London rooftop bar. A huge impressive terrace with a BBQ kitchen during the summer months (weather permitting), and floral decorated hanging basket chairs, this rooftop bar is sure to take pride of place on many insta feeds this summer.
(5th floor, Courthouse Shoreditch Hotel, 335–337 Old Street, London EC1V 9LL)
Mercer Roof Terrace
And last but certainly not least, the newest addition to the city rooftop scene is Mercer Roof Terrace, a charming rooftop restaurant and bar just a few minutes walk from Mansion House tube station. With views of St Paul’s Cathedral Dome and the Shard, the beautiful interior and stylish terrace are perfect to spend an evening sipping rosé with a loved one.
I have always been a fan of the Hotel Café Royal for afternoon tea and drinks, but found it strange that their main restaurant Ten was situated on the ground floor surrounded by passing traffic of people en route to the Green Bar or guests checking in, so was very intrigued to visit their new restaurant, Laurent at Café Royal, on the first floor following the hotel’s £5 million refurbishment.
With an interior designed by Piero Lissoni, Laurent is contemporary yet nods to the hotel’s rich heritage retaining grandeur and elegance and is headed by French chef extraordinaire Laurent Tourondel, and offers an international menu including both steak and sushi all prepared to perfection. I was interested to learn that Chef Tourondel actually worked weekend shifts at Hotel Café Royal when he started out as a young chef, so its absolutely fitting he returns at the helm thirty years later for his first European restaurant opening.
With an open “parilla grill” kitchen and sushi bar, you can choose between the small sexy dining room with its glittering bar facing Regent Street or the intimate balcony tables overlooking the fabulous Italian Murano chandelier taking centre stage in the refurbished hotel lobby.
I have eaten at Laurent a few times now and absolutely love the giant cheesy Yorkshire pudding which is served instead of bread, the in-house cured gin-salmon California rolls and (melt in the mouth) USA Creek Stone Farm beef fillet steak with salt and vinegar chips. And the desserts are simply exquisite.
London has an incredible repertoire of high-end eateries to choose from, but I have to say Laurent will be featuring high up on my list for both business and personal dining for the foreseeable future. Glamorous interiors, incredibly delicious food and warm knowledgeable staff are an unbeatable combination. I simply cannot wait to return! For more information or to reserve a table visit the website.
Michael Achenbaum’s private members club and hotel The Curtain opened its doors last May and has been a fabulous addition to the Shoreditch scene, so I was excited to learn that a gorgeous new cocktail bar The Green Room has been added to the offering. A number of people I had recommended stay at The Curtain had fed back that the hotel (including the gorgeous rooftop restaurant the Lido) was fabulous, but they felt it needed a hotel bar. It seems as if a number of guests must had relayed the same, and hats off to a business that listens and adapts. Although the cute Taqueria ‘La Tienda’ has had to close to make way for the Green Room, you can still enjoy its delicious tacos in the courtyard at the Red Rooster downstairs.
Designed by Ellie Horwell, the interior of the Green Room bar has a stylish modern feel capturing the local Shoreditch hipster vibe perfectly, as does the cocktail menu using local products such as East London Liquor Company Rum and London Turmeric Honey.
I am very much looking forward to an after-work cocktail there very soon!
I Don’t Want to Belong to Any Club That Will Accept Me as a Member
I don’t think the newly opened Curtain Club in Shoreditch, East London will have the same problem. To be honest I think it will be the reverse. As the hottest new opening in the area, it is set to rival Shoreditch House and give the eclectic local residents and workers a fabulous new space to work and play in.
Having walked past the building works on my way to the offices every day over the last year, I was intrigued to see the inside of the Curtain Club and so was delighted when it finally opened and I was offered the chance to go in and have a snoop!
The wow factor clearly comes from the rooftop restaurant and bar, The Lido, set in front of a year-round heated swimming pool and sun loungers, but all the spaces have been carefully and beautifully curated, and will transport you away from the, at times, gritty city surroundings.
Interestingly, it was the area that attracted New York hotelier Michael Achenbaum (of the acclaimed Gansvoort brand) to build his club in this area. As he says : “We spent almost 10 years seeking locations throughout London, with the last 7 years specifically focused on the emerging East London area. It’s in our DNA to create hotels in neighbourhoods that are not only ahead of the curve but also in areas that are growing. The Curtain is that vision come to life in Europe.”
In addition to The Lido, members have access to private club club spaces and bars as well as a 24 hr gym, spa and live performance space.
And foodies, both club members and the general public, can enjoy the delights of Marcus Samuelson’s iconic Red Rooster restaurant, bringing its Harlem cool to London, as well as an all-day taqueria and bar, La Tienda, which are both also on site.
Finally, the Club also offers 120 guest rooms, including five suites, but more on that next time!
Check their website for more information about the club and about applying for membership.
The White Diaries
