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Thrilling Rooftop Bars in Glasgow: All Glam, No Sham!

A short glass filled with a pink cocktail and ice sits on a weathered wooden table at sunset. Orange slices garnish the drink while a blurred city skyline glows in the background with pink and purple evening light.

Is there anything more thrilling than a rooftop bar? You get the adrenaline pumping, all while enjoying a nice drink and stunning views. (Just stay away from the edge to avoid vertigo!) Of course, unlike Hong Kong, which seems to have a swanky speakeasy on top of every other building, genuine rooftop bars in Glasgow are a bit harder to come by. So we’re stretching the definition a bit to include high-up, outdoor terraces, even if they’re not technically on a roof. Honestly, it probably suits me a little better. All the fresh air and fun without any of that pesky fear of heights to put a damper on things.

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Where To Stay in Glasgow

Home to the bar with the best view, Radisson RED Glasgow is where you want to stay if you want a leg up on your libations. (Not to be confused with Radisson Blu on Argyle Street.)

While it’s a bit far from the most popular tourist spots in Glasgow, it also gets all the benefits of being a bit away from the bustle: quieter, better views. Reviewers also overwhelmingly praised the staff for their helpfulness, particularly whenever travel plans hit a snag.

Modern rooftop bar interior with floor to ceiling windows overlooking a city skyline at night. Black chairs and tables line the space while a long illuminated bar with red stools stretches along one side beneath an industrial style ceiling.
Bright modern bathroom with white tiled walls and a walk in shower featuring a red pixel style wall design. Two round illuminated mirrors hang above double sinks on a sleek vanity, creating a clean and contemporary look.
Modern hotel building illuminated at dusk with colorful lighting reflecting across glass windows and red exterior panels. Long light trails from passing traffic stretch across the street while a pink and blue sunset sky fills the background.
Modern lounge space with a red felt pool table at the center surrounded by black leather seating and orange bench accents. Shelves filled with books and plants line the walls while hanging lights and exposed ceiling details create an industrial style atmosphere.
Modern hotel bedroom with a large white bed positioned against a wall mural featuring detailed line art illustrations. A desk and chairs sit beside a large window overlooking nearby city buildings and an urban skyline.

PHOTO CREDITS: RADISSON RED GLASGOW VIA HOTELS.COM

PLANNING A TRIP TO GLASGOW SOON?

Below are some of the best tours, hotels, and more to kickstart your plans!

Popular Tours & Activities in Glasgow:

Top Places to Stay in Glasgow:

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Rooftop Bars in Glasgow with Must See Views

Finding a true rooftop bar in Glasgow can feel a bit like hunting for Nessie. You hear the rumors, but spotting one takes some effort. To make the search easier, we’ve mapped them all out below so you can spend less time wandering and more time sipping cocktails with a view.

The One With the Best View: Red Sky Bar

One of the main reasons people love sipping drinks from a rooftop is for the view – and Red Sky Bar is a slam dunk for the best view in Glasgow. The cocktails also come highly recommended. Their pornstar martini has a nice tropical punch and they also have frozen cocktail specials for those hot summer days.

A few reviewers complained of slow service, so try to avoid late afternoon (roughly 2-4 pm) when it’s at its busiest.

Ubiquitous Chip for a Cozy Rooftop Hideaway

If you read my post on spending one day in Glasgow, you might remember me mentioning a little underrated gem called Ashton Lane. Among its many secret treats is Ubiquitous Chip, a Scottish restaurant with multiple levels, including – of course – a rooftop terrace.

I haven’t been there myself yet, but the pictures make it seem like a cross between a greenhouse and a cozy hippie cafรฉ. It stakes its claim as the only rooftop bar in the West End, probably thanks to all the rain that Glasgow gets. Still, I’m not one to complain. More daring heights to enjoy, amiright?

  • Closed Monday
  • Restaurant open Tue-Sun 11 am until 1 am, but the rooftop terrace is only open from noon until 10 pm.
  • Address: 12 Ashton Ln, Glasgow

Bird’s Eye View of St George’s Tron Church from Windows

Honestly, the views from Windows is also pretty decent, especially if you like old churches with clock towers. A lot of people praised the attentive service, which should come as no surprise – this particular restaurant sits on top of the Carlton George in Glasgow.

The only problem is, I’m not sure this really counts as a rooftop bar. It’s definitely a rooftop restaurant, and I saw other sites calling it a bar, buuuut it isn’t really? It’s on a rooftop and serves alcohol, though, so, eh. Close enough.

1051 GWR for Rooftop Bars in Glasgow with a Unique Seating Experience

I like looking for unusual and offbeat locales, so you know I couldn’t resist a place set in a former railway station. This one’s more “restaurant” than bar, since it’s only open until 10 pm. But on the bright side, it has a really nice outdoor terrace on the second floor.

It comes complete with a plastic canopy to keep you dry when it’s raining, decorated with lights and some nice hanging flowers. It also has some cool outdoor domes you can book that are especially dazzling at night, with lights and cozy couches. If only the domes were on the rooftop instead of the lawn. Then it would be perfect!

The Mackintosh Tearooms – Chic & in Style

Though more of a tea shop, they also serve wine, and you can drink on the rooftop, so it counts! This particular spot is also a bit of a tourist attraction-cafรฉ-gift-shop combo. Tons of reviewers raved about the tour they got through the historic location founded in 1903 before settling down in their seats.

As you might guess from the name, they specialize in tea, from black to green to fruit infusions… and my personal favorite, a whisky-infused black tea.

But don’t be fooled – their list of spirits, cocktails, and wines is impressive. They’ve got a separate menu for their roof terrace, so keep that in mind when booking!

Looking for Epic Rooftops to Party All Night? Try Malone’s Irish Bar

Most of the bars and restaurants on this list are pretty tame, but Malone’s knows how to party. This place frequently hosts live music until the wee hours of the morning, and throws a full-on, floor-stomping party every St. Patrick’s Day.

And don’t think for a second that just because it’s an Irish bar, they have some stereotypical Irish tradition of bar brawls. All the vibes are popping in all the right ways, with friendly staff and a casual, feel-good atmosphere.

What to Do After Rooftop Drinks in Glasgow

If you’re looking for the best rooftop bars in Glasgow, you might notice the city gets a little creative with the definition. True rooftop bars can be hard to find, but hidden terraces, elevated views, and cocktails with a side of fresh air still make the climb worthwhile.

If Glasgow has you in the mood for more drinks and nightlife, keep the momentum going with more Glasgow cocktail bars and a few free things to do in Glasgow to balance out all those expensive martinis. Your wallet deserves a little self-care too.

Cheers, Jordan

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