If you have been wondering where London’s most talked-about summer terraces are hiding right now, the answer is above Regent Street. Sister venues Aqua Kyoto and Aqua Nueva have each unveiled their 2026 summer activations, and between them, they cover every occasion from a refined dinner date to an all-day terrace party with a DJ and summer cocktails. Two venues, one postcode, and a very good reason to make a reservation at both.
Aqua Kyoto x Beluga Vodka
This summer, Aqua Kyoto has partnered with Beluga Vodka and transformed its rooftop into a marina-inspired setting that makes you feel like you are in Ibiza rather than above one of London’s busiest streets. The installation consists of teak-style deck panelling lines in the bar and lush tropical greenery alongside white orchid florals that soften the open-air backdrop against the Soho skyline, complete with vintage trunk luggage that is arranged in a way to make its customers feel like they are on holiday.
The centrepiece is a caviar tin-shaped chair, a tribute to Beluga’s signature caviar pairing. Here, you can grab the opportunity to take a photo that earns its place for your social media rather than just existing for content. The overall effect is yacht-club elegance with a Japanese sensibility, and it works beautifully. The setting makes you want to order a second drink (and then another!) simply because you are not ready to leave it yet.
The cocktail menu is designed to fit the terrace’s new design. The Kuro Pearl (£17) brings together Beluga Noble Vodka, matcha, padrón pepper and yuzu into something complex, with the umami of the matcha playing well against the citrus sharpness of the yuzu. The Hinode (£17) takes the same Beluga Noble Vodka and pairs it with Chambord, raspberry, sage and lemon, resulting in something fruitier and ideal for an early evening drink.
For a more elevated moment, the Sakura Martini (£58) is made with Beluga Gold Line and arrives with caviar. Yes, £58. Yes, absolutely worth it. It is a drink that feels ridiculous to order until it arrives, at which point it feels entirely justified – neatly cold and elegant. Personally, it is the most occasion-worthy drink on the menu and the perfect way to end an evening that had already set a very high bar.
Whether you are at Aqua Kyoto for day-drinks or until the evening picks up its pace, its deck rooftop is one of the rare London spots that actually feels like an escape rather than just another rooftop bar with a view.
My Dinner Experience at Aqua Kyoto
Before stepping onto Aqua Kyoto’s terrace, I paid a visit to its main restaurant for dinner. The atmosphere alone is worth lingering for. It’s moody and electric, with low lighting and a palpable sense of energy, and with house music playing throughout the service. Chefs work the sushi counter, and the robata grill is in full view of the dining room. Watching the kitchen in motion is part of the experience. There is a liveliness to the space that never tips into noise, despite the night being busy, a sign of a booming business.
I began with the Scallop and Prawn Tempura Maki served with a dollop of spicy mayo, six pieces of deliciousness that tasted better than they looked. The tempura was light, the scallop was sweet, and the mayo added just enough heat to keep things interesting.
Then the Rock Shrimp came, paired with spicy chilli and garlic mayo which became the dish I would not stop talking about all evening. It was crispy, punchy, completely addictive, and gone in minutes.
For mains, I had the Yakiniku Grilled Chicken breast that came with those precise charred edges that only a proper robata grill delivers. I also ordered the Salmon Katsu with Avocado Ginger dressing and Soy Onion. The plate was balanced; the katsu was so rich and perfectly offset by the brightness of the dressing.
However, dessert was where the kitchen really showed off. The Black Sesame Fondant with Matcha Ice Cream came out with edible Aqua Kyoto writing. The pairing felt obvious in retrospect but takes real skill to executive well. The warm chocolate that melted out of the fondant after the first slice was nutty and sweet, the matcha cuts through it with clean contrast.
The Amatika Chocolate Delice came with spiced lychees, genmai crumble, and lychee sorbet that boasted a layered texture and flavour in a way that felt familiar but also complex. In any case, both are worth ordering. Order both.
Between the food and the terrace, the evening covered a lot of ground in the best possible way. Nicholas Sartore, who managed the floor on the night, told me that Aqua Kyoto is never short of a full house, but since the Beluga terrace launched, weekends have reached a different level altogether. And judging by the buzz in the room, it is not hard to see why.
Aqua Nueva x Casamigos
Where Aqua Kyoto leans into atmosphere and precision, Aqua Nueva brings the vibes. The venue launched its summer terrace in partnership with Casamigos Tequila and the transformation is nothing short of soulful. The rooftop imitates a beach club, donning cabanas, lounge seating, surfboards, and driftwood installations throughout.
On Friday and Saturday nights, resident DJs take over and shift the atmosphere from contemporary Spanish dining into something that feels closer to a destination night out rather than a restaurant terrace. And the crowd reflects just that: young, diverse, and clearly there for a good time.
Aqua Nueva’s cocktail menu showcases the brand’s core expressions and each drink is worth the attention. The Siesta, made with Casamigos Blanco, grapefruit, Campari and lime, is the drink that is tailor-made for a warm evening on a rooftop. It’s bitter and citrusy with a sharp finish. The Cantaritos Andaluz, built with Casamigos Reposado, sweet vermouth, grapefruit soda and lime, is served in a small carafe. Cold to touch and bittersweet to taste. It almost makes you feel like you don’t need to fly to Spain, because you’re already there.
Aqua Nueva is known for its Spanish cuisine, its rooftop positioning and the way it transitions from a dining venue into a late-night destination without missing a beat makes the Casamigos activation make more sense. The rooftop terrace already offers a strong personality; the partnership now just makes it more immersive – wrapping its guests in the environment it is trying to evoke. If you want a night that starts with proper Spanish tapas and ends with the DJ still going strong and another round of tequila on the way, this is where to book.
Two Terraces, One Summer Address
Together, Aqua Kyoto and Aqua Nueva offer something that is rare in London: two genuinely distinct experiences in the same building, each with its own identity and its own reason to visit. Aqua Kyoto is the choice for a dinner that earns its place in your memory, followed by cocktails on a rooftop that feels a long way from the city. Aqua Nueva is where you go when you want the evening to run late, the music to get louder, and the tequila to keep flowing. Both are already drawing a crowd, and both deserve to be on your summer list before everyone else catches on.
Aqua Kyoto
30 Argyll Street, London, W1B 3BR
Book via aquakyoto.co.uk – reservations open on a rolling three-month basis. For groups of seven or more, contact the events team directly through the website. Weekend slots fill fast, so booking well in advance is strongly recommended.
Aqua Nueva
30 Argyll Street, London, W1B 3BR
Book via aquanueva.co.uk
