Dalston Roof Park

How in the hell did I forget to review this place?
I was at this venue a few weeks ago for a wild and wet water party! The venue is actually pretty cool! You’ve got the whole fake grass on the floor theme which works really well! It’s spacious and clean!
Now let’s talk about the food I had there! FLAAAAAVOURRRRRR TOWN! I sang that by the way :)
Yes the food delivered which surprised me. I had BBQ haloumi with veggies and pitta bread. I’ve been trying to recreate it ever since! Only thing is that it’s pretty hidden, like my fav pair of blue thongs! If you don’t know about it you won’t find it!

Dalston Roof Park feels like a tiny, well-​kept secret. It sort of is. To get here, one has to navigate a confusing warren of hallways and elevators through what feels like a building full of NGO and charity offices, cross some fire escapes, and then emerge onto the roof. I’d give you directions but I’ve already forgotten the way. Still, it was a fun adventure, and it yielded a neat London space.
There are nice views out across Dalston, south over Haggerston, east to Hackney and London Fields, and north toward Stokey. The roof itself is covered with astroturf and has little planter boxes of herbs and veggies, and a ramshackle bar with an enticing cocktail menu. There are quite a few places to sit and enjoy the fresh air and views. I went in the middle of December with a friend who was ill, so staying to hang out for a while wasn’t an option, but I will definitely be back in summer!

This past weekend was my first time out in Dalston and I’m completely enamoured by the area so I probably have a huge bias. That being said, it’s pretty hard not to love Dalston Roof Park.
Entry:
Went around 2200, there was a slight queue (~5 mins), and a £5 cover charge.
Location:
It was around 4 floors up. No lift unfortunately, but the staircase itself is charming with cute characters/​phrases painted on the wall.
As the name suggests, it’s actually a park up top, with astro turf to boot meaning you don’t need to worry about mud. In my mind, there are 2 distinct areas to the park, each with its own bar. There’s the covered bit to the left (of the entrace). This is where the music was louder, and people were dancing etc. There was also a large screen and they apparently have movie screenings on certain nights.
Then there’s the chilled out area to the right which is pretty much just grass with some seating. I absolutely adore the furniture here. It’s basically tiny plastic chairs, clearly designed for little kids, and things that resemble overturned stools (but not really…) as tables (which can double as chairs). The seating is surprisingly comfy, and just a lot of fun. Sitting on the grass is totally viable as well, and if you’re against a wall such that you can use it as a backrest, ideal almost.
Drinks:
Fairly standard price. First ordered a beer and a double vodka ginger beer and it was 10 and change for both. Got a nice rum based cocktail with watermelon next for 7 pounds which I really liked.
Notes:
Shuts early (midnight on weekends, even earlier on weekdays apparently) which is annoying but at least there’s lots more to do in Dalston. Bar shut around 2330 (I think), and they start to suggest you leave from around 2345. (Said suggestion went from mild to notably stronger within 5 mins)
There was a long toilet queue when I went. They have 4 cubicles (unisex) which is a decent ish amount for the size of the place I would think (it’s not very big) but clearly that isn’t the case. (I might have just picked a bad time)
Love the crowd as well. I’m aching to go back before the summer ends.

Went here on a sunny weekday at around 9pm and the place was not very busy! I can’t understand why! It’s amazing. No longer ‘members only’ as the previous review states; it is a great sunny day location bar. Astroturf and wooden creates, plonk yourself down and enjoy the mellow ambience.

Best place for beers in the sunshine!
Get in!

Right smack dab in the middle of town
I’ve found a paradise that’s trouble proof (up on the roof)
And if this world starts getting you down
There’s room enough for two
Up on the roof (up on the roof)
Up on the roo-​oo-​oof (up on the roof)
Oh, come on, baby (up on the roof)
Oh, come on, honey (up on the roof)
Everything is all right (up on the roof)
I think good old Robson and Jerome were singing about the Dalston Roof Park.
This flat roof paradise is covered with astroturf, grow bags full of herbs and other green plants (I’m no botanist) and a few chairs scattered around — some of which are clearly designed for 3 year olds.
As you’d expect from a roof park, the view is amazing and it’s a great place to see the regeneration of Dalston happening in front of you (the Arcola is building a theatre tent below, the Eastern Curve garden is to your left, the boarded up look poised to become something trendy).
We went for the Virgin Suicides screening which was lovely, the had a huge inflatable arch to protect us from the drizzle. But take a blanket and something to rest your head on.
The bar serves meantime ale and lager, they do frozen margaritas and lageritas (is that a margarita made with lager?) plus Pimms, wine and a few others. They had a BBQ going too with tasty souvlaki.
The movie nights get popular so book in advance (although we didn’t), and if you just want to go for a drink then check the listings on their website to make sure you’re not going to be charged.
It’s only open for the summer so be quick.
Final word, there is no lift, so if you don’t like stairs, don’t go.

This rooftop bar, mini cinema and mini-​allotment is an amazing new London landmark and well worth a visit. Along similar lines to The High Line in New York’s Meatpacking district, it is a long series of roofs covered with turf, plants, white picket fences and places to sit and enjoy the urban skyline.
The view from the top is particularly interesting, as it gives a perspective on London you don’t often see. Dalston’s many crumbling old buildings alongside trendy new flats can be seen as well as more familiar sights in the distance on a clear day.
I’m told there is an outdoor cinema on the roof on certain days, but it looks at present like the owners are still figuring out how best to use the space. Growbags full of germinating strawberries and other fruit and veg are everywhere, while the roof itself is solar powered — and it is clear that they plan to be as self-​sufficient as possible.
At present, the Roof Park operates on a members-​only basis. It will be really interesting to see what happens here!

Dalston Roof Park’s Summer reopening kicks off this Friday (20^th May) as a Midsummer Night’s Screen presents a series of outdoor film screenings with a musical twist — they all feature outstanding soundtracks scored by well-​known musicians. Before the main event itself, an independent short film will also be screened. The first in the series is ‘Half Nelson’ (2006), which features music by Broken Social Scene.
As if that wasn’t enough — there will be an al fesco barbecue, bar, DJ and decorations galore! So don those blankets and head to Dalston for an evening of fantastic Summer-​ry entertainment.
Tickets available from: