The spiritual home of sunset Negronis, with the staircase that launched a thousand Instagrams, Frank’s Cafe in Peckham is a smashing summer spot. And every year when it closes for the season, South London’s denizens are left eagerly awaiting its return. But now they’re back, allowing us to make use of some delightfully sunnier and warmer weather.
When Frank’s Café first opened over a decade ago, it seemed like a bit of a punt. Believe it or not, back in 2009, inviting punters up a piss-stained stairwell to the top of a multi-storey car park in Peckham didn’t necessarily scream ‘bang on-trend.’ But the drinks were great, the views epic, and the space expansive, and soon enough Frank Boxer and the Bold Tendencies crew had a bit of a hit on their hands. The rest, as they say, is history.
What to eat, drink, and do
While rival rooftop bars play to the masses with crazy golf and street food stalls, Frank’s has stayed to true to its left-field roots. The bar is actually just one part of the Bold Tendencies art gallery. In fact, when it opened, the wooden structure was considered an artwork itself and won an architecture prize.
That means that the venue is surrounded by a whole cluster of site-specific installations to appreciate. These include Richard Wentworth’s snaking, silvery ‘Agora’, which still graces the rooftop floor, and a variety of other sculptures and artworks. 2023 sees the launch of a new art programme, Bold Tendencies 2023: Crisis, which features works by Emory Douglas, Jenny Holzer, Kahlil Robert Irving, Sandra Poulson, and Abbas Zahedi.
Accompanying the new art this summer is a programme of exciting live events. These include orchestral and operatic performances and plenty more. And on top of all that, they’re also revamping their food menu for the new season. The menu ranges all the way from a Pastrami Brisket Bun to Coal Roasted Artichokes and Grilled Prawns with Lemon & Herb Butter and Salsa as well as brunch dishes such as Vada Pav (deep-fried spiced potato patty in a bun), and Scotch Bonnet Butter Scrambled Eggs on Toast. The food at Frank’s Cafe ain’t your typical rooftop grub!
To wash it all down, and sip through the night, they serve classic and contemporary cocktails, plenty of beers, and a range of wines. The Negroni is, however, almost always the way to go. It just fits with the vibe perfectly. Groups can share cocktail jugs that will find them sipping such delights as white sangria, sitting in the London sun. What bliss…
The sights at Frank’s Cafe
As you may have already guessed, the sunsets are pretty bloody special. The views out across the city are so good, in fact, that we even popped the car park rooftop in our guide to the best places to take in panoramic views of London.
And of course, any write-up of Frank’s just has to mention THAT staircase:
The unadorned stairwell was given a fresh lick of paint – well, more than a lick, if we’re honest – by artist Simon Whybray, back in 2016 as one of the site’s commissioned artworks. And every year, it returns to our Instagram feeds without fail. But we’re totally fine with that, to be honest.
With the full complement of Peckham Levels’ bars and restaurants on the lower floors, a rendezvous at Frank’s Cafe now comes with a handy Plan B if the weather betrays you. To be Frank, it’s a must-visit for any trendy south Londoner’s summer.
Frank's Cafe
Also published on Medium.