Skylight, Wapping’s gorgeous rooftop bar, is gearing up for a slightly different summer of fun.
Well, coronavirus rather upended our summer plans, didn’t it? But if there’s even the slightest chance of Londoners taking to the rooftops to sip Negronis as the sun sets, you can be damn sure we’re going to take it. Current government guidance indicates that outdoor bars and restaurants may be able to return on July 4, and firm favourite Skylight will waste no time by aiming to reopen on that date for belated summer antics.
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The sizzling rooftop spot spent the winter hosting ice skating and fondue, but plans for their usual summer makeover were nixed by the coronavirus outbreak. Naturally, this means Skylight’s 2020 season will look somewhat different to years past, as they’ve aimed to create a “COVID-secure operational system”, per their press release. Whilst rooftops and other outdoor spaces are safer than enclosed ones in preventing the spread of the virus, Skylight are taking further precautions to keep visitors safe, including a one-way system throughout the venue, enhanced cleaning regimes, drinks collection points, and contactless payment throughout.
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To ensure social distancing, the usual cohort of rooftop lawn games – which has in the past featured croquet lawns and pétanque courts – have been temporarily excluded to make space for distanced tables, and guests will need to book a table in advance to get onto the rooftop, a measure which will keep visitor numbers down.
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Social distancing measures aren’t the only new arrival at Skylight this year, mind you. New for 2020 is a tropical beer terrace that’s being run by Mexican lager Corona (yes, really), complete with garden booths, swing sets, and lashings of tropical foliage. You’ll also see new street food vendors up on the roof; Hikari will specialise in fresh Asian cuisine, whilst State Side lean heavily into American indulgence. Finally, a seasonal cocktail menu will offer the perfect libation for those unforgettable London sunsets – because life on the rooftop is all about feasting and drinking.
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It’ll be different, for sure, but you can almost smell the fresh summer air with this news! Skylight draws in the crowds with food, drink, and gorgeous views of the city, and since they’ll all be here in abundance, it’s finally time to perch on the sky terrace with a drink in hand and watch the sunset. Summer. It’s finally coming, people.
Location: Tobacco Quay, Pennington Street, St Katharine’s & Wapping, E1W 2SF. Nearest station is Shadwell. See it on Google Maps.
Opening hours: It opens on July 4 at 12pm. Skylight’s hours will be 12pm-11pm (Thursday to Sunday).
Price: table bookings start at £10, and due to COVID-19 guidelines, you won’t get in without one. You can make a booking here.
More information: from their website.
Featured image: @johnathonpu
Also published on Medium.