The best rooftop bars in the UK and Ireland

Manchester: Football Hotel

Owned by football legends Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville, the Football Hotel’s spectacular rooftop venue – aptly named Heaven – offers panoramic views of Old Trafford and Greater Manchester. It also comes with a five-a-side football pitch and a retractable roof, ensuring that rain won’t stop play for your event.

Find out about hiring the rooftop at the Football Hotel in Manchester for events.

Dublin: The Anantara Hotel Rooftop 

With a perfect situation overlooking the waterfront of Grand Canal Square, this sleek, contemporary hotel offers up a roof space with 360 degree panoramic views of the city. Usefully, there are two options with this one: reserve an area on the rooftop terrace for up to 50 people with a €50 per person food and beverage spend – or get exclusive use of the rooftop complex for 50-120 people with a €20,000 minimum spend. Available Monday to Thursday, with bespoke cocktails and casual dining.

Find out how to hire the Anantara Hotel rooftop in Dublin for an event.

Edinburgh: SKYBar 

With unrivalled views of Edinburgh Castle and the beautiful city skyline, this rooftop gem offers the full VIP treatment with exclusive window tables, secured when you purchase special drink and food packages. Book ahead for this one. The Friday – Sunday slots open four months in advance and they’re understandably popular.

Explore the Edinburgh SKYBar.

Glasgow: Red Sky Bar 

In the heart of Glasgow’s historic shipyard and commanding awe-inspiring views of the River Clyde, the Red Sky Bar serves tailored cocktails and sumptuous small-plates (including haggis bon-bons) in a stylish space, with options ranging from afternoon tea to bespoke event experiences.

Discover more about Glasgow's Red Sky Bar.

London: The Cross 

Located in London’s King’s Cross, this rooftop oasis boasts a panoramic vista available all the year-round. The private bar offers bespoke cocktails, party food and state-of-the-art sound technology to set the perfect mood. With a capacity for up to 30 seated guests or 70 standing, it’s an intimate yet spacious location for your event. Additional floors of this notable party venue are also available should you need them.

Explore private room hire and the rooftop space at The Cross, London.

Cardiff: Jacobs Roof Garden 

To be honest, you had us at the freshly made pizzas from the on-site oven. But there’s also a fully stocked rooftop bar serving everything from Peroni to espresso martinis, and a ‘Coffi Clwb’, serving a wide range of wraps, bagels and sweet treats. The roof terrace and conservatory can hold a maximum of 120 guests. And in terms of events, they say, “you name it we’ve probably done it (or at least tried)!”

Find out more about Jacobs Roof Garden in Cardiff.

Belfast: The Merchant Hotel 

With wonderful views over the city and Cave Hill (which resembles a sleeping giant and is said to have inspired Jonathan Swift to write Gulliver’s Travels), this one offers a well-stocked private event bar with inside and outside space and its own bathrooms, a landscaped garden that includes espaliered apple trees and festoon lighting, and in-house sound system (bring your own playlist). Packages start from just £47.50 per person.

Find out more about holding rooftop events at The Merchant Hotel in Belfast.