by London in the sun is difficult to beat. In order to cross one of his many respected bridges, the light strikes on the Thames and towers that throw the shadows on the river banks, means to feel part of the city. The comfortable sitting in a pub garden or on a sun-drenched roof could also be worthwhile.
But so many pubs in the city were not built with sunshine. They were not built as rework, places for pints and cakes, and not long on Sunday afternoon after a brunch. For this purpose it is helpful to know where the sun catches.
Below you will find ten pubs and bars on the roof that are well suited for drinking summer. The list is the work of Andrew Wright, who has developed an app, pubs in the sun, that users show which pub is best at all times of the day. With a canny algorithm, Wright has also recorded which pubs maintain the most sunlight on average and found the best times for a maximum tan.
wagtail
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Average sun: 95%
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Best Sun Times: 3-4pm
Roof restaurant and bar in the city, not far from the monument station, serve modern cocktails and small plates. Excellent views of the city.
68 King William Street, EC4N 7HR, etmcollection.co.uk
Tamesis dock
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Average sun: 91%
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Best sunny times: 4-4:30 p.m.
The Dutch load bar from the 1930s was permanently fixed between Lambeth and Vauxhall Bridge with good pints, live music and simple meals.
Albert embankment, SE1 7ty, tdock.co.uk
Oysters
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Average sun: 89%
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Best Sun Times: 3-4pm
Speving Riverside Pub with panoramic views over the river, pints from Young’s Brewery and classic seafood.
1 Angel Lane, EC4R 3ab, oystershed.co.uk
The globe
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Average sun: 88%
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Best Sun Times: 3-3:30 p.m.
Old boozer for city workers with a decent selection of real ales, an extensive list of gins and pub classics. Always busy in the late afternoon, especially towards the end of the week.
83 Moorgate, EC2M 6SA, Nicholsonspubs.co.uk
The Blackfriar
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Average sun: 87%
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Best Sun Times: 3-4pm
Victorian Boozer in class II in the style of an old Frigy and opposite Blackfriar’s station. Very traditional, with corners and angles inside, but plenty of space from the front.
174 Queen Victoria Street, EC4V 4EG, Nicholsonspubs.co.uk
The fence
New bar and dining areas near Smithfield Market and the famous British restaurant St. John. Not old school, but a huge beer garden and many drinkable roses.
67-69 Cowcross Street, EC1M 6BP, Thefenceuk.co.uk
Vinegar
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Average sun: 85%
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Best Sun Times: 3-3:30 p.m.
Street food, beers, wines and cocktails in a parking lot when people actually drove to London Bridge. Boutique shops and art installations too.
72-82 Street, Thomas Street, SE1 3QX, esgaryard.london
The butcher -Hook & Cleaver
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Average sun: 84%
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Best sunny times: 4.30 p.m.
Right next to Smithfield Market, the pub plays in a former bank and an old butcher and is decorated with frescoes and chandeliers. Not so much a local market dealer, more visitors and local specialists.
60-63 Smithfield, EC1A 9DY, Butchershokandcleaver.co.uk
Marquess of Anglesey
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Average sun: 84%
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Best sunny times: 3-4.15 p.m.
In the heart of Theatreland, this is a good pub for those who have one or two drinks before a show. Always busy and rather atmospheric.
39 Bow Street, WC2E 7au, thearquess.co.uk
The city stick
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Average sun: 83%
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Best sunny times: 3.45-4pm
Modern pub with funny services, especially for its rather temporary area scheme. Beers, wines and the like and interesting thanks to a meal menu of Neapolitan pizzas.
28 Farringdon Lane, EC1R 3au, Cityprideclerkenwell.co.uk
