SKYLIGHT ROOFTOP

A review by Tanya Howard

Rooftop bars have become a very popular destination for the summer season, taking in the panoramic views of the City with a cocktail in hand, food from a street food vendor, and dependant on the location partaking in some form of game. All with the strong hope that it will be a glorious sunny day and another excuse to work on the tan.

Skylight Rooftop, situated at Tobacco Docks in Wapping, takes over the top three floors of a former car park and is now open for their 2019 season. A rooftop playground complete with Astroturf, colourful pergolas and the cutest garland lighting, the decorating screams summer and relaxation at you.

New for 2019, the raised platform bar has had an upgrade with all-new day beds and private garden booths, perfect for large groups and occasions. Each both is available to book from £70 for up to 10 people, and this includes table service and a drink on arrival. There’s also bespoke drink packages available so I would definitely recommend if a large group is attending.

On the second level you will find a large pergola area, one of the bars and a large sheltered area, perfect for the temperamental weather before summer truly kicks in. There are two pitches right next to the pergola set up for a quick game of croquet with the rules and equipment set up for you. We had a quick game and with a bit of beginner’s luck I realised I’m not too shabby at croquet.

On the lower level there is a sheltered area hosting the street food vendors and the weekly rotas of DJs ready to help you dance the night away. There are more croquet pitches in this area as well as pétanque, a French village game, but booking is required in advance for all lawn games with prices starting at £15.

The street food vendors include Flip Side, a burger vendor who have vegetarian options, who sell the most delicious sweet potato fries, and this is coming from the girl who wouldn’t usually even look at a vegetable. They also have Yiro, a Greek vendor, who cater for vegans and vegetarians, and sell halloumi fries, need I say more.

Skylight has three bars, one on each floor, and serve a variety of seasonal cocktails and I would recommend the Raspberry Rum Margherita, a classic glass of Prosecco or a pitcher of English Garden, which has Hendriks Mid Summer Solstice, St Germain, Apple Juice, Lime Juice, Peach Syrup and Plum Bitters.

With street food, cocktails, lawn games, a DJ and a whole lot of relaxing areas Skylight Rooftop is definitely somewhere to add to your summer bucket list as really what more do you need to enjoy the inevitable heatwave that I refuse to give up on arriving.