Skylark Roof Garden

Skylark’s one of those places where – after gazing out at the views of Notting Hill and Hyde Park – you’ll sit back and think, “yes, this is what I willingly spend £800 a month on an underwhelming bedroom for.”

Ticking all three boxes on the usually unrealistic London dining checklist (picturesque setting, approachable prices and the ability to actually get a table), Skylark’s the kind of spot you’ll reserve for those surprisingly sunny weekends when you’d prefer your G&T served by a mixologist rather than out of an M&S can. Live DJs and a range of sky-themed drinking events (ranging from “Sky Angel” wine afternoons to “Cocktails Of The World Brunch”) keep things ever-changing at this 10-storeys-high rooftop bar.

Drinks run a long list of easy-pleaser pours with just-as-pleasing liberal measures of alcohol. Cocktails range from spritzers and sangria to mojitos and margaritas, right the way through to their famed Dark Chocolate Espresso Martini – and a lot are available by the pitcher. Or, if you’re serious about your cost-benefit ratio of alcohol, set yourself up under one of the striped parasol-shaded tables and order the “Tiki Zombie Killer” which comes with a maximum order of two per person. Wine, Prosecco and a separate G&T menu keep everyone happy: there’s a lot to get through.

Food is just as crowd-pleasing and ranges from vibrant, zingy salads through to “posh fries” (complete with pecorino, truffle and wasabi) and fillet steak. It’s a bit of a globally mixed bag, with a menu spanning Italy and Spain through to Mexico, Korea and Thailand. The hidden gem of Skylark? The oversized, wafer-stuffed, sprinkle-coated ice cream sundaes. Sure – perhaps not a typical pairing to enjoy with your G&T, but definitely the best way to fulfil all those summertime drinking cliches. Edible flowers and artful decoration almost compete with the blue and white Riviera-styled decor – and the panoramic views around you.

A word of warning before you dash down there: Skylark’s reserved for the building’s office workers only during the week, but it’s open to the public every weekend.

Which is probably for the best – a Tiki Zombie Killer cocktail is definitely not something to tackle on a school night.

Words by Georgie Darling

NOTE: Skylark Roof Garden is open to the public on weekends from 11am. You can find out more, and book a table, HERE.

Skylark Roof Garden | 10th Floor, 4 Kingdom Street, Paddington Central, London W2 6BD

Like high-altitude drinking? Check out our run-down of London’s best rooftop bars