After an entire summer without rain, Londoners may have forgotten the drill. In this city, you should normally be prepared for anything the British weather throws at you. To help with that we've drawn up a shortlist of restaurants and bars, most of which have retractable roofs, so they're great come rain or shine.
The Emory Rooftop Bar
Belgravia - Old Barrack Yard, London SW1X 7NP
Up on the top floor of the Emory hotel in Belgravia (sister hotel to The Berkeley) they have a rather beautiful rooftop bar, with glorious views across Hyde Park. It also has a fully retractable roof making it the perfect space to come for a cocktail inspired by those views. And when the bar food menu is by chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, you know you're in safe hands.
OMA
London Bridge - 2-4 Bedale St, London SE1 9AL
Already one of the best restaurants at London Bridge, the Greek-inspired OMA usefully has a great terrace at the back of the restaurant. Head out there, and you’re out in the open but completely covered by the Borough Market roof, making it an ideal spot if the temperature’s good but the rains have arrived. The full OMA menu is available out there, and their oxtail giouvetsi is always a must-have.
Mour 
Marylebone - 13 Seymour St, London W1H 7JW
Mour is a recent relaunch of the restaurant inside The Leonard hotel, all set within a Georgian house. It’s now an all-day Mediterranean restaurant, with dishes like seabass tataki and chicken Milanese. One of its greatest assets is the hidden courtyard at the heart of the restaurant, complete with a retractable roof. With a design inspired by the southern Med, on a great day you might even think you’re there yourself.
The Compton Arms
Islington - 4 Compton Ave, London N1 2XD
This perfect iteration of a London pub sits tucked away in Canonbury and as of this summer, has been fully weatherproofed for whatever the British summer (or winter) can throw at it. Inside, the Victorian pub has freshly installed air con, but it's outside in the tiny walled garden where they really cover all bases. Here there's both a retractable roof and heaters. On the food front, the pub is known for its top-tier residencies. Currently manning the kitchen here is Rake with their modern spin on old school seafood.
The Canopy at Olympia
West Kensington- Hammersmith Rd, London W14 8UX
There are three restaurants and bars up on the rooftop at the rather spangly, newly revamped Olympia, all of which boast heating and a retractable roof. Choose from Japanese-style diner and bar Wolves of Tokyo, British wine bar and restaurant Lillie's and the Mexican-inspired Bar Arriba.
Dovetale
Mayfair - 1 Dover Yard, London W1J 8NE
The restaurant at the 1 Hotel Mayfair boasts a massive terrace that’s perfect no matter what the weather - the retractable roof and fireplace covers all options. It's a Euro-centric, seasonal menu so if you're having seafood linguine, the crab will be from Dorset and if you want something super fresh, go for the 'made this morning' burrata salad.
Luca
Clerkenwell - 88 St John St, London EC1M 4EH
Hidden away at the back of this gorgeous modern Italian in the heart of Clerkenwell, you’ll find their garden terrace, half of which has a retractable roof. It’s an incredibly pretty spot to enjoy a quiet lunch or dinner in the heart of the city.
Il Gattopardo
Mayfair - 27 Albemarle St, London W1S 4HZ
Go straight through the first dining room at this Mayfair Italian and you’ll find yourself in The Terrazza - a tucked-away conservatory with a retractable glass roof in the heart of the restaurant. It’s a particularly good place to enjoy a Negroni Sbagliato this summer.
Jacuzzi
Kensington - 94 Kensington High St, London W8 4SH
Every part of this Big Mamma restaurant in Kensington has something to catch the eye, but you need to book a table in the Sicilian dining room on the mezzanine floor which is a space that can be opened to the elements. Enjoy dining under the stars while tucking into the spaghetti al tartufo.
The Hawks Nest
Shepherd's Bush - Goldhawk Rd, Shepherd's Bush Market, London W12 8DF
Tucked away underneath the railway arches beside Shepherd’s Bush Market, The Hawk’s Nest says it’s got the largest retractable roof of its kind in the UK. That means that there’s space for up to 300 Londoners to book a table here knowing the weather won’t get in the way. High on the list if you do get a seat is their early bird Margarita deal of pizza and cocktails.
Clos Maggiore
Covent Garden - 33 King St, London WC2E 8JD
All year long the conservatory dining room of this self-proclaimed ‘most romantic restaurant in London’ is festooned with flowers. During the winter the roof remains closed and the open fires burn, but come the summer months the glass roof is fully retractable making this the perfect spot for a summer proposal or anniversary lunch.
Light Bar & Dining
Shoreditch - 233 Shoreditch High St, London E1 6PJ
You’d never know you were moments away from the craziness of Shoreditch High Street when you step out into Backyard, the Light Bar’s capacious garden space. When the sky is clear, it’s a total suntrap - perfect for enjoying a margarita - but it can also be covered and heated too on cooler evenings.
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