The Southbank Centre is delighted to unveil its new destination bar, the Seventy5th Balcony Bar. Named in honour of the Southbank Centre’s 75th anniversary in 2026 and the bar’s location on the fifth floor of the Grade I listed Royal Festival Hall, the elegant bar is centred around the balcony with panoramic views of the River Thames and the central London skyline.
Open Tuesday – Sunday from 10am – 11pm, the Seventy5th Balcony Bar is run by Company of Cooks. As well as being the ideal spot for pre and aftershow drinks, the Seventy5th Balcony Bar serves fantastic food all day accompanied with an extensive menu of cocktails, mocktails and wine.
Susan Johnston, Chief Operating Officer of the Southbank Centre, says: “As we prepare to celebrate the Royal Festival Hall’s 75th anniversary, we’re thrilled to open the Seventy5th Balcony Bar making the spectacular balcony bar accessible for Southbank Centre audiences and visitors alike. It’s the perfect hidden gem to enjoy food and drink above the bustle of the city.”
The terrace bar on Level 5 of the Royal Festival Hall was originally completed in 1964 as part of an architectural extension, and has been used primarily for interval drinks, and drinks receptions during large-scale events. The new Seventy5th Balcony Bar takes this further, opening up for visitors to enjoy all day with its own kitchen serving a range of sharing and small plates, freshly prepared on site. With friendly table service and spectacular views, the Seventy5th Balcony Bar is perfect for pre-show light dining and drinks as well as breakfast, brunch and lunch.
For brunch, served between 10am – 12 noon, the menu includes fresh granola, fruit and hot plates including eggs, bacon and avocado as well as hot drinks. For light dining and lunch, there is an extensive menu of small plates, sharing platters and bites including croquettes, cheese boards and antipasti. There is also a children’s menu including macaroni cheese and homemade fish goujons. By supporting local growers and producers, Company of Cooks ensures the highest quality ingredients for its dishes and also contributes to the sustainability of the local food ecosystem.
The drinks menu includes signature cocktails such as hibiscus margarita and non-alcoholic cocktails such as basil lemonade. Seventy5th Balcony Bar also has an extensive wine list, including English sparkling wines from Ridgeview Wine Estate and organic Verdejo from La Mancha. The perfect pre-show accompaniment or to sip at sunset on the balcony.
The Seventy5th Balcony Bar is finished in materials that are sympathetic to the original interiors with a colour palette originally designed by Peter Moro. The new bar has a thick terrazzo stone top and a bronze kick plate and trims, clad in grey/ blue reed ceramic tiles with a bronze tinted mirror back. The interior is furnished with relaxed sofa seating, bar stools and banquettes with outdoor sheltered seating on the terrace.
Southbank Centre thanks the following companies for their work on this refurbishment project. Interior designers Sedley Place; architects Allies and Morrison; planning consultants The Planning Lab, project managers Avison Young; heritage consultant Alan Baxter Ltd.; building services engineers Max Fordham; fit-out and building contractor GF Holding; restaurant design and build specialists IFSE, and visual identity developed by Jo Jones.
The Seventy5th Balcony Bar is also available for Private Hire, please contact events@southbankcentre.co.uk for further information.
