Beautiful old buildings, great parks, a castle – Edinburgh really has it all. And what better way to enjoy the cities’ beauty than with a delicious meal, some drinks and a phenomenal view from a rooftop bar? If you are in Edinburgh and fancy a night out, you should check out these rooftop bars in Edinburgh!
1. Nor’ Loft
Nor’ Loft is a Champagne lounge on the seventh floor of Market Street Hotel, offering Champagne from both small and major labels. It is named after Nor’ Loch, which used to be located at the foot of the castle rock and was part of the natural defences of the Old Town against invaders. Today, in its place, there is Princes Street Gardens, a beautiful park which can be overlooked from the venue. Nor’ Loft was created to be a lounge representing its historic context while providing guests with a modern experience, which is evident in the unique interior design.
2. SKYBar
Located at the top of the DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh in Bread Street Brasserie, this exclusive venue is only open to the public for one night per month. The rest of the time, it is available for private hire. The venue is a popular location for private and corporate events, as well as silent discos and fresco barbecues. The highlight of the bar certainly is the view of Edinburgh castle through a floor-to-ceiling glass wall, which you can enjoy while sipping cool cocktails and fizzy drinks. To celebrate its reopening after lockdown, the SKYBar is currently open for public every Friday and Saturday until Christmas, so if you want to visit, now might be the ideal time to go to one of Edinburgh’s most sought-after rooftop bars!
3. Chaophraya’s luxury rooftop
This Thai-concept restaurant can be found above Edinburgh’s premium shopping district. It offers a wide range of drinks, including exotic Asian-inspired cocktails as well as several culinary delicacies. The restaurant prides itself on its refined atmosphere and the authentic Thai furniture. In order to experience all of this, you may have to pay a relatively high price for the food and drinks, but the unbeatable panorama view of Edinburgh from this rooftop bar certainly makes up for that!
4. Cold Town House
Cold Town House is a venue on Grassmarket, at the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town. It is owned and run by the local brewery Old Town Beer. The brewery’s own craft beers, as well as prosecco and several whiskeys, are served in a relaxed urban atmosphere with a spectacular view of the castle. If you get hungry, you may also want to order a pizza from the vintage van parked on the rooftop of the venue.
5. Cask Smugglers
Cask Smugglers is located in an old tourist information centre at the top of Waverley train station, between the New and the Old Town. It intends to be an “everyman’s cocktail bar”, with an extensive menu of cocktails, whiskeys and craft beers from Scotland and other parts of the UK. Food, in particular Peruvian street food, is also available. The interior is characterised by a vintage look. The inspiration behind this décor originated from Scottish whiskey smuggling in the 18th century, which became frequent after Scotland had introduced new duties on alcohol. There is also sometimes live music, which contributes to the overall great atmosphere.
Whether you fancy an exclusive Champagne lounge or a bar inspired by 18th-century smuggling, whether you are a local or are visiting Edinburgh, you are certain to find a rooftop bar that suits you. So go there, grab a drink and simply enjoy the beauty of Edinburgh!
