3 rooftop bars in Edinburgh our editors have drunk at, sorted by score. All Edinburgh nightlife.
Cold Town House ★ 4.4
Old Town · 4 Grassmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2JU
The 4 Grassmarket rooftop with a retractable glass roof and uninterrupted view of Edinburgh Castle reopened in 2024 after a half-million-pound refurbishment by the team.
Tip: Book the rooftop in advance for a sunset slot, the gondola booths take four guests and are the warmest seat when the roof closes.
Harvey Nichols Forth Floor ★ 4.3
New Town · 30-34 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2AD
The fourth-floor bar and brasserie above Harvey Nichols on St Andrew Square has an outdoor terrace with the most polished view in the New Town across to the Firth of Forth.
Tip: The terrace shuts when the wind picks up, the indoor cocktail bar keeps the same view through the floor-to-ceiling glass.
Heights at Apex Grassmarket ★ 4.3
Old Town · 31-35 Grassmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2HS
The fifth-floor restaurant and bar on top of the Apex Grassmarket hotel runs a modern Scottish cocktail menu with a floor-to-ceiling view straight across to Edinburgh Castle.
Tip: Book a window table 90 minutes before sunset for the castle floodlights coming on, the bar drinks are also served at the dining tables.