In 2006, a BBC poll voted The Tower Hotel the second most hated building in London. Yet from its upper floor, you get one of the best views of Tower Bridge in the whole city!
Up there sits VU from The Tower, a cocktail bar and restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the bridge, right next to St Katharine Docks.
Today, DOYOUSPEAKLONDON takes you to a cosy table by the window, on a very rainy London day!
From London's old docks to a bar with a Tower Bridge view
The Tower Hotel stands on the edge of St Katharine Docks. It took just three years to build. It was opened on 19 September 1973 by the Constable of the Tower of London, its very famous neighbour!
Fun fact: the hotel's upper foyer used to be home to the Xi Bar. After a full makeover, it reopened as VU from The Tower in August 2024.
The team took inspiration from the gin palaces of Georgian London, full of ornate fittings and buzz. No wonder there are ten different gins on the menu!
Inside VU from The Tower: cocktails, comfort food and a view
Flowers, velvet armchairs and Tower Bridge
I went with a friend on a grey, rainy day. But as soon as we sat down by the window, the mood lifted!
The windows are framed with columns of orange and red flowers, and every round table has its own little brass lamp. And Tower Bridge is right in front of you!
Look closely and you'll even spot The Shard peeking out behind the bridge. The à la carte menu is served from midday to 10pm every day, with small plates, big plates and sharers.
The Painkiller, a cocktail with a show
Every cocktail at VU is served "with theatre", and some come with dry ice.
I couldn't resist the Painkiller: Havana Club 3-year-old rum, orange and pineapple juice, mango purée, Goslings Black Seal rum and a hint of Amaretto.
It arrived with a little mist escaping from the glass and a syringe of liquid to pour in yourself. Fruity, smooth and fun: the perfect mood-lifter on a rainy day!
Smoked salmon, penne alla vodka and crispy bites
We started with the Smoked Salmon Crostini, with smashed avocado, roquette and a lemon dressing. A light start before the main event!
Then came my favourite: the Penne Alla Vodka. The pasta comes in a spicy vodka, tomato and cream sauce, topped with smoked salmon, salmon caviar and chives. Rich, creamy and so comforting!
Our table also had the Mac and Cheese Bites, crispy croquettes topped with pickles, and a burger with fries.
Why VU from The Tower is a treat, rain or shine
Rainy days in London can feel long. Here, you watch the drops on the glass and the umbrellas on the riverside from a velvet armchair, with Tower Bridge just outside!
Got friends visiting London? Bring them here after the Tower of London, for the city's most famous bridge with a cocktail in hand. And for a catch-up between Londoners, those cosy armchairs by the window are hard to beat!
Little tip: keep an eye on the river. When a tall ship comes by, Tower Bridge lifts right in front of your table!
Outside, walk round the hotel to find Girl with a Dolphin, a bronze fountain by David Wynne that has stood next to Tower Bridge since 1973. When I went, little Christmas market huts were set up right beside it!
Then carry on to St Katharine Docks for a stroll among the boats, maybe ending at Poplars at The Dickens Inn. Or cross the river with my complete guide to Tower Bridge!
A Painkiller in hand, flowers all around and Tower Bridge through the glass: even the greyest London day looks good from VU!
Feeling inspired? If you're planning a visit to VU from The Tower, I'd love to hear how it goes on DOYOUSPEAKLONDON!
EXPLORE MORE OF MY FAVOURITE RESTAURANTS HERE!
FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE INSPIRATION!
Everything you need to know about VU from The Tower:
Address: VU from The Tower, upper foyer of The Tower Hotel, St Katharine's Way, London E1W 1LD
Nearest station: Tower Hill (District and Circle lines), about 5 minutes' walk. Tower Gateway (DLR) is also close by.
Prices: Smoked Salmon Crostini £13, Penne Alla Vodka £23, Mac and Cheese Bites £10, VU Burger £22. Painkiller £17 (VU Signature Cocktails). A discretionary 13.5% service charge is added to the bill.
Opening hours: Sunday to Wednesday 11am to midnight, Thursday to Saturday 11am to 1am. À la carte menu 12pm to 10pm every day, afternoon tea 12pm to 5pm.
Booking: Online via OpenTable, or call +44 (0)20 7206 7562
Website: vufromthetower.com
