This week, London’s hospitality scene finally reopened its doors after the long winter lockdown, albeit only those venues that have outdoor spaces can start welcoming guests this week. Luckily there are plenty of outdoor spaces for those keen to reconnect with friends, family or colleagues as soon as possible. We round up six of the best…

The Dorchester Rooftop

For the first time in its 90-year history, The Dorchester Hotel is opening a rooftop bar and restaurant. Offering stunning views over Hyde Park, The Dorchester Rooftop will be host to a series of al fresco culinary pop-ups led by executive chef Mario Perera, featuring a British summertime menu by Tom Booton, followed by modern and informal French dining by Jean-Philippe Blondet. It will be open daily for lunch and dinner, with a lounge area to relax with a cocktail, glass of Champagne or a cigar.

The new rooftop gives the property a third outdoor dining option alongside The Dorchester Terrace & Garden for cocktails and Italian light bites, and the garden globes, which have had a spring makeover for private dining.

The Macallan Manor House, Rosewood London

A bit of the Scottish Highlands is coming to Holborn this Spring as Rosewood London opens The Macallan Manor House in the courtyard. Launched in partnership with renowned whisky brand The Macallan and taking inspiration from the rolling Scottish hills and The Macallan Estate, the terrace entrance will be adorned with beautiful blue heather and purple thistles, as well as elegant pine trees.

Guests will be able to sip on The Macallan whisky cocktails and enjoy two special dishes created in collaboration with the Roca brothers and food from Holborn Dining Room. The terrace will evolve throughout the seasons, reflecting the estate’s countryside setting so that guests can enjoy al fresco dining all year round.

St Felix Place, Borough

Opening today (14 April) in Borough, St Felix Place is a brand-new outdoor drinking and dining space in Borough from Venue Group, the team behind Flat Iron Square and Goods Way in King’s Cross. Located under two railway arches on SE1’s lowline, St Felix Place will feature an onsite brewery and taproom in association with the Lagunitas Brewing Company, with food provided by street food operators Texas Joe’s Adobe and The Good Slice

The alfresco venue will also host regular events, such as local DJs, live acoustic sessions, a book swap programme, an independent music and publishers’ market, a summer music festival and a permanent new busking pitch.

Seabird at The Hoxton, Southwark

Just round the corner in Southwark, Seabird at The Hoxton (main image) has a great outdoor terrace with panoramic views across the Thames, the Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s and the city.

Positioned on the hotel’s 14th floor, the seafood restaurant boasts a marble bar, palm trees, heaters and a retractable awning for wet days.

Guests can sip on cocktails while watching the sun set, while the menu features a tempting array of sea-to-table offerings with Spanish & Portuguese influences including London’s longest oyster list, as well as dishes such as Iberico pork, rib-eye steak and spiced aubergine.

The Wigmore Summer Terrace and Garden

The Langham, London’s gastropub, The Wigmore is already a popular venue for alfresco drinks and dining. And this Spring, the terrace has been connected with the The Langham hotel’s courtyard garden area to form one larger alfresco space – complete with beautiful wooden benches and a newly erected pergola, adorned with climbing vines and fresh greenery.

An outdoor bar serves refreshing Hendricks G&Ts and cold beers on tap. The food offering includes some classics as well some new specials, all overseen by Michel Roux Jr. Tuck into favourites such as the XXL Stovetop three cheese & mustard toastie; the masala spiced scotch egg with dahl relish and a buttered lobster roll, served with buttermilk onion rings.

 Rooftop Bar, The Londoner

Another new rooftop terrace is set to open when The Londoner, owned and operated by Edwardian Hotels London this June. Set on the eighth floor, the rooftop features a stunning fire pit beneath the London sky. From early afternoon till late at night, this theatre of sensory virtues plays host to exclusive cocktails and refined contemporary Japanese dining.   Located on Leicester Square, the 350-roomed property dubbed the capital’s first “iceberg hotel”, was originally due to open in 2020.