Best & Cool Bars in Waterloo

"The view from Rafael Viñoly’s Sky Garden, also known as the Walkie-Talkie building, is unlike any other in the city. From here you can survey London’s ever-growing sprawl with the city stretching up to the north, Tower Bridge and the Shard to the south, and Canary Wharf to the east. It’s free to explore the tower’s three stories of landscaped public gardens, but make sure to book in advance."

"Located on floor 36 of the iconic Walkie Talkie, the views from the Darwin Brasserie are pretty striking. Although Fenchurch Restaurant – one of Sky Garden’s other offerings – is higher, the Darwin Brasserie has better views thanks to its position further back from the Sky Garden’s atrium roof. A good option if you want to enjoy the sights without the flocks of camera totting tourists."

"Get the lift to the top of 20 Fenchurch Street and let your toddler explore London’s highest public garden. There are 360 degree views of the London skyline, gardens to run around in and a café where you can buy cakes and pastries. Cost – Free, but you need to prebook."

"Occupying what used to be the headquarters of Christian Dior, Sketch is chic, glamorous and trendy. In the Michelin Guide 2020, it was elevated to the maximum three stars, putting it in an elite group alongside Restaurant Gordon Ramsay and Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester. The Lecture Room & Library, at the top of the Grade II listed building, offers haute-cuisine by the extraordinary chef Pierre Gagnaire in a plush setting of studded ivory leather walls, ornate plasterwork ceilings, and rich furnishings in purple and crimson."

"A Narnia-style hub of Instagrammable restaurants, bars and art on Mayfair’s Conduit Street, sketch is a dining emporium like no other. Dreamed up by restauranteur Mourad Mazouz, it’s made up of four uniquely designed restaurants and a bar which sits beneath the pod-style toilets – most likely the most photographed bathroom in the city. Other famous snap spots include the pastel pink Gallery with David Shrigley artwork adorning the walls, and the Swarovski-encrusted bathroom: Instagram gold."

"While the powder pink Gallery restaurant is more instantly recognisable, it’s dinner in the upstairs Lecture Room and Library that will really wow your other half. Pierre Gagnaire’s food has earned it three Michelin stars (and a dazzling price tag to match), while the dining room boasts red and gold surroundings so sumptuous you’re in danger of falling more in love with the room than your date. 9 Conduit Street, W1S 2XG, sketch.london"

"One of London's properly iconic restaurants, Sheeky's have been serving up seafood to Londoners for over 100 years. The setting, tucked in an unassuming passageway linking Charing Cross Road to St Martin's Lane, means it's always been popular with London's theatre folk, popping in here post-performance as well as other A-listers. Here's where you'll find local thespians enjoying the restaurant's classic fish pie and oyster platters."

"Restaurants British Covent Garden. J Sheekey lures lovers in with its red canopies on St Martin’s Court. What could appeal more than the chance to knock back a plate of native oysters overlooked by photos of the finest stars of stage and screen?"

"Large and vibrant alfresco garden and rooftop, with 4 restaurants, 2 bars and capacity for 850 guests. Spread over two levels, with restaurants and picninc style benches along with giant daybeds with capacity for up to 15 people. The service is kind of market style, order BBQ, burgers, Japanese or chicken wings & tenders from one of the vendors, and your choice of beer, wine, sparkles or classic cocktails at one of the two bars."

"Pergola Paddington returns this summer with seasonal food from four restaurants, two bars and lots of laid-back vibes. Relax with drinks under the leafy decor, book day beds, and enjoy DJ sets at weekends at this popular Paddington rooftop. Open almost daily until June, then daily thereafter"

"Let the twilight stream in at Pergola Paddington’s mammoth rooftop terrace. It sticks to a tried-and-tested formula of food stalls, bars with a dependable drinks list, fairy lights and greenery-draped beams. This summer, burgers, bao and rueben sandwiches are among the snacks on offer."

": With floor to ceiling windows giving views out over the Thames and the Tower of London, this restaurant and cafe is gorgeous destination venue for enjoying bottomless Prosecco with a brunch or lunch dish at the weekend."

"Bringing a taste of Latin America to North West London, Las Iguanas are serving up a plethora of empanadas, burritos, ensalatas and more for hungry diners. They're also available for takeaways, so you can tuck into a range of tasty fare in the vibrant restaurant or munch your way through their menu of Argentinian, Brazilian, Cuban and Mexican bites from home."

"For drinks with a little more flare, Las Iguanas' vibrant decor and even more vivacious drinks menu is for you. Their experimental twists on much-loved cocktails and carefully curated list of beers and wines make this Latin American favourite a top pick of ours. And want makes Las Iguana's even better?"

"Walk through the doors of Las Iguanas and find yourself transported to Latin America, full of rich, vibrant colours, quirky features and custom-made wooden mosaic tables made especially for the restaurant from sustainable Brazilian woods."

"Kings College London only recently opened this permanent site for the Science Gallery, a dedicated space for showing contemporary artwork that explores scientific questions. Its inaugural exhibition is all about addiction, called Hooked, and previous shows in its travelling days have investigated blood, food and orifices. Think of it as looking at science through the eyes of an artist."

"Science Gallery London is an art-science-and-health inspired gallery in London. The free museum has been open since 2018 in London Bridge after a series of pop-up exhibits across London. The gallery aims to bring together scientists, artists, and communities with three themed seasons every year."

"A post shared by The Hummingbird Bakery (@hummingbbakery) on Mar 26, 2018 at 8:09am PDT. Home of the red velvet cupcake, succumb to temptation with a visit to the original Hummingbird on Portobello Road in Notting Hill, where you can sample the decadent range of cupcakes, layer cakes, brownies, pies, cheesecakes and more. Hummingbird also has branches in Soho, Islington, Spitalfields, Richmond and South Kensington."

"Finally, the cupcakes at Hummingbird Bakery are also a highlight from London’s baked goodies selection. There are plenty of take-home goodies on offer here, too!. 133 Portobello Road, London"

"Yep, for a limited time, the famous bakehouse are bring ing some of Heinz’s best-loved condiments to the world of cakes. Think baked beans, ketchup. tomato soup and even salad cream."

"Meantime was born & bred in a Greenwich flat over twenty years ago and they’re still crafting beer from alongside the River Thames but in a much swankier tap room. Their first brew, the Union Lager, hit the taps back in 2000 and us Londoners still can’t get enough of it. Since then they’ve introduced us to the likes of tropical IPAs; lively ales that fuse British and German malts; a modern lager straight from London’s back garden; and not forgetting the cheeky Chocolate Porter too, but you’ll always find us raising a bottle of the signature London Pale Ale."

"It is known as the location of the prime meridian and gave its name to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and sits first on the meridian line. The observatory is now maintained as a museum and visitors can learn about the history and discoveries at the observatory, stand on the famous Meridian line, visit Flamsteed House, see a camera obscura, and see the great equatorial telescope. Admission includes an audioguide to make the most of your self-guided visit."

"Located in Greenwich, the Meantime Brewing Company has the mission of demonstrating the full flavour potential that beer has to offer. The commercial brewing house was founded by world-class brewer Alastair Hook, who in 1999 started to invest in it from his flat. The first brew package was made in April 2000, and the first beer brand was called Union, a Vienna-style dark lager."