The Roof Gardens
/ About
Perched 100 feet above Kensington High Street on the rooftop of the former Derry & Toms building, The Roof Gardens is one of London's most distinctive private members' clubs. Landscape architect Ralph Hancock planted these 6,000 square metres of rooftop gardens in 1938 — a Grade II-listed ensemble of three distinct themed gardens (Spanish, Tudor, and English Woodland) that has outlasted department stores, Biba, Richard Branson, and now hosts a new chapter under Stephen Fitzpatrick. The club reopened in July 2024 with a roster of restaurants, bars, and event spaces woven between mature trees, a flamingo pond, and the kind of London view that takes the city entirely off guard.
The buildings framing the gardens read as an exercise in theatrical contrast: the Moorish pink pavilion of the Spanish Garden, with its octagonal tiled fountain, spiral stone columns, and striped arched loggia, sits alongside the cool modernism of Komorebi — a Japanese restaurant on the seventh floor designed by Roman and Williams, its Art Deco ceiling beams and velvet banquettes drawing from both the building's 1930s heritage and traditional Japanese aesthetics. Below, the Sun Pavilion lounge anchors the sixth floor with a circular coffered ceiling, amber glass chandelier, and curved cream sofas angled toward floor-to-ceiling windows opening onto the garden.
For private events, the club offers a range of hireable spaces across both floors and all three gardens, from Esme's intimate standalone villa to the Biba Bar — named in homage to the fashion house that briefly occupied this building in the 1970s. The Biba Bar is the club's primary evening entertainment space, fitted with a DJ setup and club-grade sound throughout. Events receive the club's full service team, late-night licensing until 3am Thursday through Saturday, and the remarkable backdrop of a rooftop that has never quite looked like anywhere else in London.
/ Rooms Available
Mura
Exclusive HireThe Italian Walled Garden restaurant: an outdoor courtyard setting with arched gothic windows and garden views on all sides. Tables are arranged around the central walled space for up to 100 seated guests, or opened out for cocktail receptions. The adjacent Winter Garden greenhouse extension accommodates overflow for drinks.
Komorebi
Exclusive HireRoman and Williams' Japanese restaurant on the seventh floor — a serious room with Art Deco ceiling beams picked out in warm light, velvet banquettes, and an eight-seat omakase counter in black marble at the centre. The chef-director menu moves through Edomae-style sushi and binchotan-grilled mains. Floor-to-ceiling windows give the room a London panorama that shifts from daylight through to the city's night reflection. Suitable for full-restaurant private hire.
The Sun Pavilion
Exclusive HireThe signature social lounge of the club, anchored by a dramatic circular coffered ceiling and an amber globe chandelier. Curved cream sofas wrap around the room's perimeter, with floor-to-ceiling windows on all sides opening onto the garden. A bar occupies one end. The terrace attached to the pavilion closes at 11pm; the interior runs to the club's full licence hours.
The Winter Garden
Semi PrivateAn ornate glazed greenhouse-style space connected to the Walled Garden, with arched concrete pillars and a conservatory aesthetic. Used for long-table dinners and overflow drinks for larger events. Seats around 60 with room for up to 100 standing.
The Biba Bar
Exclusive HireThe club's principal late-night space, housed in what was originally the Art Deco tea pavilion and later named for the fashion house that defined this building's wildest era. The Biba Bar occupies the far end of the sixth floor with a DJ booth, club-grade sound system, and lighting rig. Available for private hire on select nights with a capacity of up to 60 guests.
Esme's
PrivateA standalone villa set within the gardens, used for intimate celebrations and private dining. Accommodates 16 to 20 guests seated in a room with its own entrance and dedicated service.
Komo
PrivateThe private dining room within Komorebi, tucked behind sliding doors with its own dedicated bar. An intimate space for up to 20 guests, fully separated from the main restaurant floor with private service throughout.
/ Perfect For
/ Features
AV Equipment
- – Sound System
- – DJ Booth
- – Lighting Rig
Catering
- – In-House Luxury Dining
- – Private Bar
- – Bespoke Menus
- – Cocktail Programme
Licensing
- – Late Licence until 3am
- – Full Alcohol Licence
- – Music Licence
Venue Specs
- – Private Entrance
- – Dedicated Events Team
- – Outdoor Terrace
- – Air Conditioned
- – Cloakroom
- – Load-In Access
/ Getting Here
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