When the sun shines during British summertime, there’s no better place to host an upscale event than one of the UK’s many, beautifully curated rooftop gardens. Elevated in every sense of the word. Whether planning a private celebration, a chic corporate event, or a luxurious wedding reception, the UK offers a host of venues with spectacular views and a backdrop like no other for your next event. Here is our round-up of ten of the UK’s trendiest rooftop event spaces for your next celebration.
SKY GARDEN, LONDON
We start in The Capital for our choice of the trendiest rooftop event spaces. Widely regarded as one of the best rooftop gardens in London, The Sky Garden is an iconic and vibrant social space. A panoramic point over the city. It offers jaw-droppingly impressive views and two main bars from which to sip cocktails and admire the vista.
Sky Pod Bar is a rooftop space with a brilliant drinks selection, music, and it’s ideal for evening events. While City Garden Bar is daytime to evening dining space with drinks on tap all day long.
TERRACE NQ, MANCHESTER
Located in the Northern Quarter, the coolest part of town, loved by hipsters and creative types for its laid-back artisanal vibes, Terrace NQ has four outside seating areas, including the original leafy garden area. If you’re looking for really good Neapolitan-style pizza, craft ales and DJ sets dappled with sunshine (well sometimes, it is Manchester), then this is the party place for you.
LAMPLIGHTERS, GLENEAGLES TOWNHOUSE ROOFTOP BAR, EDINBURGH
This exclusive rooftop space brings a dose of Highland glamour to the Scottish capital. With rich wood furnishings, tailored floral arrangements, and craft mixology, it’s the perfect spot for intimate VIP gatherings.
‘Lamplighters Bar‘ which has both an indoor and outdoor section. Including the roof terrace looking out over the square over to the Old Town. Lamplighters can host up to sixty guests for a night of irresistible cocktails and enchanting city views.
20 STORIES, MANCHESTER
Back to our home city of Manchester for one of the trendiest rooftop event spaces we love. Fancy a boozy bottomless brunch from one of the highest vantage points above the Mancunian streets? 20 Stories is well known for its glamourous clientele and decadent roof terrace which offers breath taking views of the city. At weekends it’s the perfect place to party with resident DJs and an extensive cocktail list.
MATOU, LIVERPOOL
A ferry terminal may not sound like the most glamourous of settings for a roof top terrace. Yet Matou’s position sitting on top of Liverpool’s pier head terminal offers this pan-Asian restaurant impressive views out over the water and of Liverpool’s historic waterfront. Giving its diners a breezy holiday vibe. The outdoor terrace is a crowning glory and can cater for up to three hundred people for an event.
GREEN ROOM, LEEDS
This rooftop oasis delivers on both style and substance and it’s not just for summertime. An urban space renowned as a meeting place. A dining space with a fabulous selection of food, and drinks. With cosy nooks to while away the hours. The roof terrace is a suntrap in summer and a cosy space in winter when the entire terrace is covered, heated and brings a cosy, welcoming atmosphere to Leeds City Centre.
RED SKY BAR, GLASGOW
Red Sky Bar is a Glasgow-based rooftop bar which celebrates the old shipyards that built the city. With amazing panoramic views of the River Clyde, Squinty Bridge and Finnieston Crane it’s a vibrant vantage point to take in the rooftops and rivers of Glasgow. Enjoy cocktails and small plates with a Glaswegian twist or the venue’s renowned afternoon tea.
GAMBAS, CARGO, WAPPING WHARF, BRISTOL
Gambas Tapas Bar, nestled in Bristol’s vibrant Wapping Wharf, offers a modern Spanish dining experience. Situated in a converted shipping container, the restaurant boasts a lively atmosphere and a terrace that provides scenic views over the harbour, leading some reviewers to liken to venue to a Spanish holiday spot.
THE BUTTON FACTORY, BIRMINGHAM
Button Factory is a historic bar, restaurant and event venue situated in the heart of Birmingham’s iconic Jewellery Quarter not far from the city centre. An industrial dining area with exposed brickwork and floor to ceiling windows, It creates a gorgeous atmosphere but the venue’s crowning glory is its rooftop terrace offering an urban space under the skies for parties, weddings and private events.
KELU, SHEFFIELD
Kelu – a name taken from the Sardinian for the word “Sky” – is Sheffield’s very own slice of Sardinia. Described as an oasis of warmth, mystery and cocktail mastery, where in the space of an evening visitors can enjoy a sense of disconnection from the outside world. It’s a veritable paradise in the skies above the gates of Kelham Island.
DID YOU KNOW?
Not a rooftop but GŎNG, the highest bar in Europe is in the UK. London to be precise on the 52nd floor of the Shangri-La building and also where the UK’s highest pool is located.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/travel/33894093/highest-rooftop-bar-uk-london-hotel/
And again not strictly rooftop but closer to home, but a favourite of the TLC team and clients, Cloud 23 at Hilton Manchester Deansgate. Perfect for a cocktail, or private hire celebration.
And for that al fresco outdoor event space, try the rooftop bat at Great John Street Hotel.
If you prefer your party a little closer to the ground, here’s our pick of the best outdoor dining venues. Or, if you are thinking of planning your own roof top garden? Take a cue from this handy article in House & Garden Magazine.