Best Views in London (Where You Can Also Get a Drink!)

Jul 3, 2015
3 min read

London is a gorgeous city. Commonly, tourists flock to the London Eye, or that giant ferris wheel by the River Thames, to catch a view of the city for £20, or $32. But where can you find a great view without breaking the bank?

Well, there are plenty of places in London with a great view, and even more palces to get a drink! Here I combine views at 3 of the top 5 tallest buildings in London, where you can also get a cocktail at a reasonable price.

Here, I'll share some bars at the tallest buildings in London, where you can enter for free, and if you want, spend £5 on a wine or a beer.

So let's start from the top...

1) The Shard.

The Shard is the tallest building in the UK, and also the tallest in the EU.

Named for its shape (like a shard of glass) the Shard features beautiful restaurants with similarly swanky designs to the striking building itself.

Here, you can catch stunning views on the 30th and 31st floors by visiting the bars and restaurans there. You can also pay a fee to go even higher, but this list is about saving money and getting a drink, so grabbing a Chard(onnay) at the Shard is your best bet.

The views can't be beat, and getting a fancing cocktail makes the experience even better!

Next up...

2) The Heron Tower.

The Heron Tower is my personal favorite combo of views and cocktails. It's the tallest building in the City of London financial district, and the third-tallest building in all of London.

The restaurants here are just slightly higher than those at the Shard, and also offer an outdoor space which is just incredible.

3) The Sky Garden.

The Sky Garden is located at 20 Fenchurch Street, better known to Londoners as "The Walkie Talkie" building. Here's why:

View of the Walkie Talkie from the Shard

The photo above was taken at the Shard, but shows a clear view of the Walkie Talkie (it's the kind of ugly building that literally looks like a phone).

Here, you can make a reservation 2-3 days in advance to visit the garden absolutely free, and there's no pressure to buy a drink if that's not what you're into. But if you are, there are bars and resaraunts worth a visit as well.

General Important Tips for These Places:

general tips for these places

DO NOT expect to walk in on a weekend night. Even just to sit at the bar for a drink, expect a wait time of about 45 minutes. The best times to go would be afternoons any day, or evenings on weekdays (though people do come here for after work drinks so it certainly won't be empty).
DO NOT dress like a slob. Feel free to dress casually, but you may be denied entry if you wear something messy-looking. This means no tennis shoes for guys, avoid flip-flops for both genders.
DO make a reservation if you want to eat. Also expect to drop some big £££. Otherwise, just pop in for a quick coffee or cocktail.
DO go at sunset (PROTIP!). That means 5 pm in the winter, 8-9 in the Spring, and as late as 10 or 10:30 in the summer. Check the weather forecast for sunset times.
DO indulge with a drink, but keep in mind the cocktails will be pricey, as much as £15 or $24. Opt for a coffee or glass of wine to save money.
DO prepare yourself for a fun ride. The elevators of these buildings go fast, and I mean fast. They even had to slow down the one at the Heron Tower because for a while, it went too fast.
DO enjoy the view. Once you've taken the perfect instagram photo of your drink and view, don't forget to bask in the views of this beautiful city and live in the moment!