Sky-High Sips: The Best Rooftop Bars in Oxford for a Drink with a View
- Lilian Ariss
- Jun 15
- 3 min read
There’s just something about a rooftop drink that hits differently. Maybe it’s the novelty of seeing a city from above, or maybe it’s the golden-hour light catching the rim of your spritz as you laugh with friends and forget everything just for a second. In Oxford, a city layered with spires, courtyards and centuries of stories, drinking al fresco on a rooftop feels especially magical. We don't have that many rooftop spots and the truth is the ones we have are mostly atop the Westgate. So what. A rooftop is a rooftop and this summer we want to try them all.
1. The Roof Terrace at The Varsity Club
Let’s start with the icon. The Varsity Club—known affectionately as TVC—is the place for rooftop cocktails in Oxford. Tucked above the High Street, this four-floor bar and restaurant is crowned by a rooftop terrace with unbeatable views over the spires of the University Church and the Covered Market. It’s buzzy, atmospheric, and comes alive at sunset when the whole place glows golden. Expect espresso martinis, Negronis, and a young, sociable crowd. Pro tip: arrive early on weekends—it fills up fast.
2. Ashmolean Rooftop Restaurant & Terrace
📍 ashmolean.org/rooftop Elegant, cultural, and undeniably Oxford, the rooftop at the Ashmolean Museum is a well-kept secret among locals in the know. Open for lunch, afternoon tea, and evening drinks (check seasonal hours), it’s a calm oasis above the hustle of Beaumont Street. Sip a crisp white wine or a G&T with a side of sophistication. It’s the kind of place where a linen shirt and a clever book wouldn’t feel out of place. Bonus: the terrace overlooks one of the oldest museums in the world.
3. The Alchemist Oxford
Alchemy meets altitude at this glitzy rooftop spot in the Westgate Centre. Known for its theatrical, science-lab-style cocktails (think smoking flasks and colour-changing elixirs), The Alchemist is pure drama in the best way. The rooftop terrace has a sleek, urban edge and looks out over Oxford’s more modern architecture, making it a popular spot for post-shopping pick-me-ups and evening drinks with friends. Try the ‘Bubblebath’ cocktail—it’s fun, fizzy, and absolutely made for Instagram.
4. The Rooftop at Victors
Also perched within the Westgate’s open-air terrace scene, Victors is a floral-draped, Hamptons-inspired hideaway serving up cocktails, sushi, and elegant bites. The aesthetic? Think lilac wisteria hanging from the ceiling, plush seating, and vibes that scream “rosé all day.” It's effortlessly cool and great for date nights, birthdays, or just feeling fancy on a Tuesday. Pair your panoramic skyline with a lychee martini and you’re golden.
5. Westgate Oxford Roof Terrace (Bonus round: multiple spots, one epic view)
The Westgate Centre has become Oxford’s unofficial rooftop district, and for good reason. Its upper level is home to several restaurants and bars with terraces overlooking the city. In addition to The Alchemist and Victors, check out:
Pizza Pilgrims for Aperol spritz and slices under string lights.
Mowgli Street Food for Indian-inspired cocktails and laid-back street eats.
Turtle Bay for reggae vibes and rum punch with a Caribbean twist. You could do a whole rooftop crawl here, hopping between views and flavours without ever leaving the level.
Flight Club for great summer drinks and a chance to work on your 180
6. Dirty Bones
Also in Westgate but deserving its own shoutout, Dirty Bones brings NYC cool to Oxford with bold cocktails, hip-hop beats, and a sun-trap terrace perfect for summer sipping. Their rooftop area is slightly more tucked away, making it feel like a little secret spot above the city buzz. Try their signature Dirty Mary (a spicy twist on the classic Bloody) or the Rum Baby Rum for something punchy and playful.
7. Rooftop at The Randolph Hotel (coming soon...)
Word on the street is that a rooftop development at the historic Randolph Hotel is on the cards, and if it happens, it’s bound to be spectacular. The hotel has already transformed into one of the city’s chicest stays thanks to Graduate Hotels, and a rooftop bar would complete the picture. Watch this space.
Oxford’s rooftops might not be sky-scraping like London's, but that’s part of the charm. Here, you sip among spires, toast beneath the bells of centuries-old churches, and watch the city shift from day to night. Whether you’re craving a playful cocktail with friends or a serene sunset glass of wine, the city's rooftops deliver the goods—stylishly.
So next time the sun’s out (or even when it’s not... cause it is Oxford after all, blankets and heaters are a thing), take your plans up a level. Literally.
🍸 For more food and drink guides in the city of spires, stick with Discover Oxford—we know where the good stuff’s poured.
