Skylight rooftop bar re-opens for the summer at Tobacco Dock with canopies, croquet and killer mojitos

As the sun sets in the west, London life rises in the east. Skylight reopens at Tobacco Dock in the shadow of the Shard and the Gherkin for its summer incarnation. Set unassumingly within the twisting floors of a multi-storey car park, the venue also happens to boast a huge outdoor expanse. Most rooftop hangouts may see you elbowing around for space and fresh air as the last of the sunset shines through your glass, but this terrace will have you sipping in peace in no time.  

There’s an unmistakable summer vibe at work that runs through the pop-up decor. Bars in cargo containers and canopies of colourful plastic make the surroundings feel mobile and light. But a great deal of thought has gone into this seemingly casual look. It screams “the giant multi-storey garden you always wanted”. This is the real rarity of Skylight: the spot radiates a quiet positivity, somewhere to sit and talk for hours with friends and listen to music through the city’s long summer evenings.

When you run out of things to say to your friends or your date, the bar also has plenty of outdoor activities to offer. Get French with some pétanque or British with croquet; maybe have a go at the virtual penalty shoot-out. Everyone thinks they could have been a professional after a couple of tequilas. As far as alcohol goes, the drinks menu sticks to refreshing twists on classics, with killer watermelon mojitos worth queueing for. Peckish patrons can dive into halloumi fries or burgers to soak these up.

But remember, this isn’t just any summer; this is a World Cup summer and the terrace will occasionally be screening football and tennis (as if you needed more reasons to come). Best of all, there’s no need to book and entry is free. Head down to Skylight and bask in the sunshine before its next shape-shift in mid-September. Shadwell and Wapping are just a stone’s throw from the city on the DLR or overground, so you have no excuse not to head here straight from work and while the night away.    

Daniel Amir
Photos: Filippo L’Astorina

To book a table (groups of ten or more) or games at Skylight, Pennington Street Car Park Entrance Wapping London E1W 2SF, enquire on their website here.