Rooftop bars in Edinburgh are a relatively new development that the Everything Edinburgh writing team cannot get enough of!
Whether you are browsing for romantic date ideas, cocktails with pals, special occasion drinks or city views, this guide recommends the best bars in Edinburgh with rooftops and includes details on what they offer.
Looking around Scotland’s capital, you might be surprised to see that while the layered spires and roofs are interesting, they aren’t actually that tall!
Since the city has kept natural heritage at the heart of planning, you won’t find skyscrapers like in London.
In fact, many of Edinburgh’s coolest bars are underground and in basements!
Since the number of bars with views in Edinburgh is limited, be sure to make reservations to avoid disappointment.
Updated September 2026
Rooftop Bars in Edinburgh Old Town and Southside
Nor’ Loft for Scott Monument Views & Small Plates
Nor’ Loft Rooftop and Champagne Bar (6 Market St) is located at the top of Market Street Hotel, across from the back exit of the Waverley Train Station.
This is ideal for those who don’t want to stumble far!
The small, slender rooftop offers views over Princes Street Gardens and the Scott Monument.
An aptly named cocktail is on the menu dedicated to Sir Walter Scott.
Nor’ Loft is a nod to the Nor’ Loch, which used to sit where Princes Street Gardens is today.
The inside bar is relaxed, simple, and chic.
The menu includes small plates such as mussels, pork, and salad, perfect for soaking up the alcohol without feeling horribly full.
A great choice of rooftop restaurants in Edinburgh for date night or pal time.
Lochrin Rooftop Bar for Edinburgh Castle Views & Award-Winning Cocktails
Lochrin Rooftop Bar (2 Freer Gait, EH3 9FR) sits atop the Moxy Hotel in Fountainbridge, having rebranded from Rooftop 51 in May 2024 after an extensive refurbishment. Named after the Lochrin gin distillery that James Haig built on the site in 1780—the first purpose-built gin distillery in Scotland—the bar won Molinari Hotel Bar of the Year at the 2024 Scottish Bar and Pub Awards.
The indoor lounge has a warm, candlelit speakeasy feel, while the outdoor terrace offers panoramic views towards Edinburgh Castle. The cocktail menu draws on Scottish legends, with signature mixes alongside local and international spirits.
Lochrin has an indoor lounge as well as an outdoor terrace, both with castle views. The bar is open Sunday to Thursday 5pm–11pm and Friday to Saturday 4pm—midnight.
The bar is a 10-minute walk from Haymarket Train Station in the West End.
SKYbar for an Exclusive Rooftop Edinburgh Experience
SKYbar Edinburgh at Doubletree Hilton (34 Bread St) is predominately an events and wedding venue that opens to the public a couple of days per week.
You know what they say: scarcity breeds desire, so you have to reserve a table a couple of months in advance.
On Sundays, you can enjoy afternoon tea with sweeping views of Edinburgh Castle from those West End windows.
Cold Town House for Craft Beer, Frose & Pizza
One of the coolest and most relaxed rooftop bars in Edinburgh is Cold Town House (4 Grassmarket), where craft beer is brewed and pizzas are stone-baked.
Drink the afternoon under the shadow of Edinburgh Castle while sitting in a ski lift or around a bothy-style fire.
If there’s a chill because, let’s face it, it’s Scotland, hit the heater button for a wee glow and toasty rays.
If visiting in a beer-loving group, go for the tower, which packs in six pints.
The frose is decent, too.
Cold Town House is also featured in our beer garden guide.
Rooftop Bars in Edinburgh’s New Town
Juniper Bar for Edinburgh Christmas Market Views
Juniper Bar is across the road from the Princes Street exit of Waverley Train Station.
At 20 Princes Street, Juniper is a secret bar people walk past daily.
It shares an entrance with the Twenty Twenty and Hotel Indio.
However, this hidden gem has Old Town views that are unbeknown to them, so if you don’t like the crowds at the Edinburgh Christmas market but still enjoy looking at the festive lights, reserve a window seat.
Juniper has a cocktail menu and does a mean espresso martini.
Believe me, I’ve tried many in Edinburgh!
They are also known for their smoking teapot tipsy teas—a scroll-stopping hit for social media fans.
Harvey Nichols Brasserie and Bar for St Andrew Square Views
The Forth Floor Brasserie (30-34 St Andrew Square), and no, that’s not a spelling mistake, it’s a pun celebrating the Forth River, is a casual bar and restaurant.
Guests enjoy food and drink from 11am, including popular afternoon teas.
Rooftop views peer over St Andrews Square, a thoroughfare from the upmarket Multrees Walk to George Street.
On warm days, locals laze on the grass in this garden, hiding tinnies undercoats, and you can people-watch them from the Forth Floor Brasserie.
Indoor and roof-covered outside seating is available.
The Forth Floor is open to corporate and event bookings.
Harvey Nichols Window Bar for Forth Views & Private Parties
The Window Bar offers a different view than the other Edinburgh rooftop bars!
Uniquely, you can see over to the Firth of Forth, so if you don’t want to hike up Arthur’s Seat or Calton Hill to take in these sights, head to Harvey Nics instead.
The Window Bar is available for private hire.
W Hotel’s Lounge
Take the elevator to the 11th floor for floor-to-ceiling windows that curve the ribbon-shaped hotel, ushering in views of every Edinburgh landmark.
The bar feels so close to the Balmoral Clock; it’s as if you could touch it!
A Scottish drinks menu leans into local creatures, and cocktails feature items such as Scottish abysnth.
Once you’ve ordered drinks, take a quick trip up to the 12th floor, the outdoor rooftop, for unobstructed views over Edinburgh and Fife.
W Deck for 360° Views Over the Edinburgh Skyline
W Deck occupies the 12th floor of the W Edinburgh (1 St James Square, EH1 3AX) and holds the broadest open-air panorama in the city—a full 360° sweep from Edinburgh Castle across Calton Hill to Arthur’s Seat. The seasonal terrace bar opens Friday to Sunday from early April (spring/summer 2026 season launched 3 April), with signature cocktails around £14–£16 and DJs on weekend evenings. Outside the bar season, the deck is open daily from 12 noon for viewing, weather permitting. Heated glass pods are available year-round for private hire, making this a viable rooftop even on a chilly evening. The dress code is smart casual, and reservations open just seven days in advance—book via the W Edinburgh website. Arrive before sunset for a rail spot; keep dinner two floors down at SUSHISAMBA.
SUSHISAMBA for Japanese-Brazilian-Peruvian Plates & Terrace Views
Two floors below W Deck, SUSHISAMBA Edinburgh (10th floor, W Edinburgh, 1 St James Square, EH1 3AX) brings its signature Japanese-Brazilian-Peruvian fusion to the Scottish capital. The restaurant features sushi, robata-grilled dishes and ceviche across a dining room, lounge and outdoor terraces with sweeping skyline views. A three-course set menu runs from around £35 at lunch, with a fuller à la carte card at night. Book a window or terrace table and arrive before sunset for the best panorama. This is one of the splashiest rooms in the city, and the food holds its own against the views. Reserve via sushisamba.com.
Joao’s Place
W Hotel’s sister bar is a speakeasy that goes by the name Joao’s Place.
The decor is brighter and exudes energy, giving off a bit of a 90s teenage bedroom feel.
The Liberdade neighbourhood of São Paulo, Brazil, inspires the secret bar.
The menu includes their take on an espresso martini, which features a huge slab of honeycomb for dunking.
Drinks are delivered with an entire bowl of seasoned nuts and crisps.
There’s no skimping on views that stretch over to Calton Hill either.
Chaophraya
It’s not quite a bar as Chaophraya is a stylish Thai restaurant.
Still, it deserves mention for being one of the few city rooftops before thirsty social media fans demanded prime location views!
Reserve a table on the rooftop and indicate in the notes that you’d like views of Edinburgh Castle.
Dine on Pad Thai or Massaman curry, and don’t forget to order a cocktail from the extensive menu with cute drawings.
Chaophraya is the perfect date night dining experience and features in our guide to the most romantic restaurants in Edinburgh and hen party ideas.
Johnnie Walker Rooftop Bar, Edinburgh’s ‘Living’ Rooftop
The 1820 rooftop at the Johnnie Walker Experience (145 Princes St) is a bar that represents the saying ‘no holds barred’.
The rooftop is a living space where flowers encourage biodiversity by attracting bees.
So, while you sip on the sweet nectar of the gods, the sedum rooftop is summoning nature around you.
The menu naturally introduces patrons to Johnnie Walker, and while you might not love the nation’s drink, whisky, there is a highball cocktail for everyone.
1820 puts on events such as Hogmanay on New Year’s Eve.
They sell out, so reserve a ticket if anything takes your fancy.
Why not combine a rooftop visit with an immersive tour of the property?
Learn about the Johnnie Walker story and try three whiskies or highballs before finishing the day with Edinburgh Castle views at 1820.
Johnnie Walker is also featured in our guide to whisky experiences in the city.
Our Food and Drink Guides
Edinburgh Rooftop Bars at a Glance
| Venue | Area | View | Price | Postcode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nor’ Loft | Old Town | Scott Monument & Princes Street Gardens | Cocktails from ~£10 | EH1 1DE |
| Lochrin Rooftop Bar | Fountainbridge | Edinburgh Castle panorama | Cocktails ~£12–£14 | EH3 9FR |
| SKYbar | West End | Castle & Firth of Forth | Cocktails ~£12 | EH3 9AF |
| Cold Town House | Old Town | Edinburgh Castle | Pints from ~£6 | EH1 1ES |
| Juniper Bar | Princes Street | Old Town & Christmas Market | Cocktails ~£12 | EH2 2AN |
| Harvey Nichols Brasserie | New Town | St Andrew Square | Afternoon tea ~£35 | EH2 2AR |
| Harvey Nichols Window Bar | New Town | Firth of Forth | Private hire | EH2 2AR |
| W Lounge | New Town | Balmoral Clock & city landmarks | Cocktails ~£14 | EH1 3AX |
| W Deck | New Town | 360° panoramic (castle to Arthur’s Seat) | Cocktails ~£14–£16 | EH1 3AX |
| SUSHISAMBA | New Town | 360° skyline from terrace | Set menu from ~£35 | EH1 3AX |
| Joao’s Place | New Town | Calton Hill | Cocktails ~£12 | EH1 3AX |
| Chaophraya | New Town | Edinburgh Castle | Cocktails ~£12–£14 | EH2 4EH |
| Johnnie Walker 1820 | Princes Street | Edinburgh Castle | Highballs ~£12 | EH2 4BL |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Edinburgh rooftop bars open in winter?
Some, yes. Chaophraya has a retractable roof that keeps it going year-round, and Cold Town House heats its terrace through winter. Lochrin Rooftop Bar has both an indoor lounge and an outdoor terrace that stays open all year. The W Deck is seasonal, typically reopening from early April to autumn. SKYbar opens on selected weekends throughout the year. Always check opening times before visiting, as many rooftop venues reduce hours or close on weekdays in colder months.
Which rooftop bars have Edinburgh Castle views?
Most of Edinburgh’s rooftop bars offer castle views thanks to the city’s compact layout. The best for direct, head-on castle panoramas are Lochrin Rooftop Bar, Cold Town House, Chaophraya, SKYbar and Johnnie Walker 1820. W Deck and SUSHISAMBA include the castle in their 360° sweep alongside Calton Hill and Arthur’s Seat. Nor’ Loft looks over Princes Street Gardens with the castle visible in the background.
Do I need to reserve a rooftop bar in Edinburgh?
Yes, especially at weekends and during festival season (August). W Deck reservations open just seven days in advance and sell out quickly on clear evenings. SKYbar is primarily an events venue and requires booking for public openings. Harvey Nichols Forth Floor, SUSHISAMBA and Chaophraya all accept reservations and recommend booking a week or two ahead for terrace tables at sunset. Lochrin and Cold Town House are more walk-in friendly but still benefit from booking at peak times.
What is the best rooftop bar for sunset in Edinburgh?
W Deck offers the widest 360° panorama and is the top pick for sunset on a clear evening, with the sun dropping behind the castle while you see Arthur’s Seat and Calton Hill lit up. Lochrin Rooftop Bar faces west towards the castle and is excellent for golden hour. Nor’ Loft, perched above Market Street, catches the Scott Monument in warm light. Arrive at least 30 minutes before sunset to secure a rail spot at any of these venues.
Are Edinburgh rooftop bars child-friendly?
It depends on the venue. Cold Town House is the most family-friendly, with a relaxed pub atmosphere, pizza, craft beer and a beer tower for groups. Harvey Nichols Brasserie welcomes families during daytime and afternoon tea. Chaophraya accepts children during restaurant service hours. Most other rooftop bars—including W Deck, Lochrin, SKYbar and Joao’s Place—lean towards an adult crowd, especially in the evenings, and some enforce a smart casual dress code.