Village Underground Opens New London Rooftop Bar and Train Carriages

Village Underground Opens New London Rooftop Bar and Train Carriagesの全体像を詳しく解説してご紹介します。

Because why the hell not? That’s the energy here. Village Underground has always been about repurposing industrial leftovers—old tube trains used to hang out here too, remember? Now, the new addition is a pair of 1960s British Rail carriages, lovingly restored and plonked on the terrace like they’re about to depart for Margate. Inside, you’ve got booth seating, warm lighting, and that slightly musty smell of old upholstery that oddly feels cozy instead of creepy. It’s like stepping into a Wes Anderson movie, if Wes Anderson had a hangover and a taste for craft beer.

The rooftop itself is the real star, though. It’s not huge—think intimate, not sprawling—but it’s got those 360-degree views of the East London skyline. You can see the Gherkin, the Shard, and—if you squint—the absolute chaos of a Deliveroo driver trying to navigate a one-way street. The vibe is deliberately un-polished: exposed steel, wooden benches, and a bar that looks like it was built by a very ambitious film set designer. And yes, there’s a DJ. Of course there’s a DJ. But the sound isn’t deafening; you can actually have a conversation without shouting about your failed sourdough starter. (Thank you, sound engineers.)

What You’ll Be Sipping Up There

Now, let’s talk drinks, because that’s really why we’re all here, isn’t it? The bar menu is refreshingly short—which I love, because nothing kills a rooftop vibe like a 12-page cocktail novel. Expect natural wines, local craft beers, and a few signature cocktails with names like “The Signal Failure” and “Platform 9 ¾ (But It’s Just Gin).” I tried the “Last Train to Clapham”, which is basically a negroni with a slice of orange so thick it could double as a life raft. Pro tip: bring cash or card; they don’t accept loyalty points from your Pret subscription. (I tried. The bartender looked at me like I’d asked for directions to Narnia.)

The legendary Village Underground is opening a rooftop bar this summer

Food-wise, they’ve kept it simple too: small plates from a rotating roster of street food pop-ups. During my visit, a chap with a magnificent beard was grilling chorizo skewers that smelled like heaven. I overheard someone say they’ll have pizza nights on Thursdays, but I didn’t verify this—I was too busy trying to convince a friend that sitting in the train carriage was indeed cooler than the rooftop. (Spoiler: it’s not. But it’s close.)