Rooftop vs. garden: 7 questions to help you choose your summer party venue

There’s nothing like a summer party, especially when the sun decides to play nice. The real challenge? Locking in the perfect venue to soak up those rare, golden days. When it comes to classic summer celebrations in the UK, you’ve got two standout choices: a rooftop with city views or a garden escape where the drinks flow as easily as the conversation.

Both have their perks – and a few things to keep in mind – but either one can set the stage for an unforgettable summer bash. So, rooftop or garden? We’re here to help you weigh the pros and cons.

1. What’s the mood for your summer party? 

Every party and its guests have their own personality, and your summer party should reflect that. Are you picturing a cocktail-fuelled evening complete with blinking city lights or a more relaxed affair with comfort food at a slower pace?

Our suggestions: 

• Go for a rooftop if you want something a little more modern and effortlessly cool, like Aviary Rooftop. It’s your go-to after-work drinks spot, but elevated with sleek style, skyline views, and sunset cocktails set to live DJ beats.
• Gardens are your go-to for a classic summer picnic vibe with plenty of space for people to spread out and catch up. Think casual afternoon drinks or long summer lunches under the blue sky with the gentle breeze flowing through at a place like The Hurlingham Club.

If your guest list is more espresso martini than Pimm’s in the park, a rooftop will be the way to go. But if your crew loves a long, lazy afternoon outdoors, a garden venue will be a true winner. 

2. Summer venue weather factor: do you need a backup plan?

British summers are a bit unpredictable; one day it’s sunny and the next you’ve got grey clouds forecast all day. The last thing you want after months of planning is to have to postpone your summer party, or worse: cram all your guests into the only covered space in the venue. So, choosing a venue that’s prepared for anything is a must. 

Our suggestions:

• Rooftops often have covered or retractable roofs so they can stay nice and dry in winter, while taking full advantage of those golden rays in summer. Some also have indoor spaces, like the Duck & Waffle, so you can enjoy surrounding city views without worrying about a looming grey cloud off in the distance. 
• Gardens can be a little weather-dependent. It is the UK though, so most places will have covered event spaces at the ready, like the Garden Museum, which has lush outdoor courtyards and unique indoor spaces, ready for whatever the forecast throws your way. 

The last thing you want is a soggy group huddled under one umbrella, so check what wet weather options your venue has just to keep your plan B in solid shape. 

3. Who’s on your guest list? 

Your guest list, like with any venue planning, will determine which places you can and can’t all comfortably fit. 

• Rooftops tend to be a bit smaller so they work best for mid-sized gatherings. The Wagtail Rooftop is one venue that’s small yet cosy, making it perfect for intimate cocktail parties or private dining events with cityline views. 
• For summer parties that want to celebrate with big groups, garden venues are usually best with their expansive lawns and open air courtyards, like Queen’s House Greenwich’s huge 10,000 square metre lawn space. 

4. What will you be serving?

The golden rule to a successful party? Keep the drinks flowing and the food coming. But whether that means classy cocktails or a sit down meal all depends on your venue. 

• Rooftops tend to follow a more luxurious theme and offer fancy bite-sized canapés or sharing plates that pair with their signature drinks, like the pairings on offer from Smiths of Smithfield mixologists. 
• Gardens tend to be a little more relaxed but they’re definitely still just as classy. Because garden venues usually have more room and a more relaxed atmosphere, you can find more fresh and seasonal catering that’s a little more decadent like at Fulham Palace. 

If your team is all about the drinks menu, a rooftop bar’s cocktail focus might be more down your alley. But if you want something more relaxed where guests can grab a bite, sit in the sun and chat away, a garden venue might be a winner.

5. The view: cityscape or greenery? 

One of the biggest factors is the simple question of whether you want to sit down and look out at a glittering skyline, or enjoy the sun warming your back with a peaceful view of plants and lawns. 

• Rooftops, of course, can come with panoramic views, like One Hundred Shoreditch, which will always impress. If you time your event right, you can enjoy the best spots to soak up the sun or the best vantage point to enjoy those dusk skyline views. 
• London’s garden venues can transport you to the countryside while still being a 10 min train ride from home. But it’s not just views of sprawling lawns on offer: some venues like Lincoln’s Inn, pair their perfectly kept gardens with centuries-old architecture, giving your summer party a backdrop that feels both stately and serene. 

Both settings can be equally breathtaking but if you want to escape the rush of the city (without leaving it) a garden could be best, while a rooftop sits in amongst the urban scene with some of the best views out there. 

6. What are the party rules?

Another thing to think about is the noise restrictions and closing times of your event space.

• Rooftops will have a few more neighbours around, so will usually have stricter noise regulations, especially if it’s an open rooftop in a residential area. 
• Gardens usually are a bit more flexible on closing times since some are part of larger estates or country houses. Some might still have earlier quiet hours regardless so make sure to check. 

If you’re planning an all-night event, make sure your chosen venue won’t cut the fun short.

Find the perfect summer party venue with Venue Crew 

Whichever way you’re leaning more towards for your summer celebration, Venue Crew can help. We’ve got some of London’s best rooftops and garden venues in our books, so whether you’re after an impressive sky-high night of city lights and cocktails or alfresco dining with views of rolling lawns, we’ve got you covered. Get in touch with the team today and make the most of the summer social season.