12th Knot
Bankside, London
Bar in London, United Kingdom
Book with PearlWhy go
12th Knot is a view-led South Bank bar choice for Friday or Saturday nights, especially for dates or small groups who care more about setting than a food-led meal. It is not the value-first pick; compare Lyaness for a stronger cocktail focus and The Anchor & Hope for a more casual, pub-like night.
About 12th Knot
12th Knot is a London venue with a narrow opening window: Friday 5 PM–12:30 AM and Saturday 8 PM–12:30 AM. It is closed Monday through Thursday and Sunday, so it is best considered only when those two time slots fit your plan.
The right expectation matters. If the plan needs a food-first booking, use our full London restaurants guide instead, or compare with Ikoyi Restaurant or The Anchor & Hope as other London options. Lyaness or Dandelyan may also be worth comparing.
Choose it when the hours and dress code fit
The strongest reason to keep 12th Knot on a shortlist is simple: its schedule works for Friday and Saturday plans only. The dress code is smart casual, so plan accordingly and check current venue details before you go.
If value, food depth, or a more flexible schedule is the main filter, compare with other London options such as The Anchor & Hope, Lyaness, or The Drawing Room depending on the kind of outing you want.
How to use it in a London plan
For a wider night out, keep 12th Knot as a London option with limited service days. Start with our full London venue guide if you are comparing venues, use our full London hotels guide if you are building a fuller itinerary around the city.
The short version: choose 12th Knot only when a Friday or Saturday slot and smart-casual dress code suit your plan; choose elsewhere when you need food details, pricing, or all-week availability.
Planning details
- Location
- 20 Upper Ground, London SE1 9PD, United Kingdom
- Website
- seacontainerslondon.com/eat-drink/12th-knot
- Phone
- +44 20 3747 1063
Venue details
Ambiance
Vibrant and polished, with bright striking décor, an open-plan layout, stylish seating, and a skyline-focused rooftop atmosphere.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
View
Accessibility
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Rooftop Bar
- Late Night
- Closes by Midnight
- Music
- Dj Sets and Curated Contemporary Music
- Live Music
- Yes
Signature Pours
- Coconut Dream
- Southbank Spritz
- Lost Summer
- Mezcal Fling
- Palomita
Planning details
Location
20 Upper Ground, London SE1 9PD, United Kingdom · Directions
Also consider
Where to go if this does not fit
If the priority is cocktails over skyline, cross-shop Lyaness. If the group wants a more casual, food-friendly night with less emphasis on a polished rooftop mood, choose The Anchor & Hope.
Bar context
How 12th Knot compares in London
Choose 12th Knot over The Anchor & Hope when the night needs height, river-adjacent polish, a date-friendly setting. Choose The Anchor & Hope when value, casual food, a less dressed-up mood matter more. 12th Knot is easier to understand as a setting-led bar; The Anchor & Hope is the better fit for a relaxed local-feeling meal and drinks plan.
Against Lyaness and Dandelyan, 12th Knot is the pick when the view is the point. Lyaness is the stronger cross-shop for readers prioritising cocktail credibility and a more bar-program-led experience. Dandelyan works as a reference point for the same South Bank drinking circuit, but 12th Knot is the more direct choice when the room, skyline, weekend-night energy are carrying the decision.
The Drawing Room is a better match for a calmer hotel-lounge mood, while Ikoyi Restaurant belongs in a different decision set entirely: go there when dinner is the reason for the night and the spend is built around food. For a drinks-first plan with a view, 12th Knot stays the cleaner choice.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full 12th Knot guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare 12th Knot
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| 12th Knot | London | No published awards |
| Lyaness | London | Top 50 Cocktail Bars UK 2026 · #25Top 500 Bars 2026 · #402026 Pinnacle GuideCLASS Bar Awards 2026 Winners - Cocktail of the YearCLASS Bar Awards 2026 Winners - Hotel Bar of the YearCLASS Bar Awards 2026 Winners - Front of House Star2023 World's 50 Best Bars · #542020 World's 50 Best Bars · #292019 World's 50 Best Bars · #39 |
| Dandelyan | London | No published awards |
| The Anchor & Hope | London | No published awards |
| The Drawing Room | London | No published awards |
| Ikoyi Restaurant | London | No published awards |
How 12th Knot London compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 12th Knot good for a date?
It may fit a planned Friday or Saturday evening in London if the hours work for you. The dress code is smart casual; for menu, pricing, seating, or booking details, check the venue directly.
Is the food good at 12th Knot?
If food is the main reason for going out, compare with Ikoyi Restaurant or The Anchor & Hope.
What's the best time to go to 12th Knot?
The opening window is limited to Friday 5 PM–12:30 AM and Saturday 8 PM–12:30 AM. Choose the time that best fits your London plan, remember that the venue is closed Sunday through Thursday.
