Rooftop Bars in Glasgow: 7 Places to Drink with a View

Published by: BouncePosted
Bars with a view in Glasgow

The largest city in Scotland, Glasgow, is a popular tourist destination due to its many museums, art galleries, and architecturally significant buildings. Visitors to Glasgow can enjoy its lively atmosphere, diverse culture, and rich history. There are plenty of things to see and do in Glasgow, so it is a great place to visit for a short break or a longer holiday.

Some of the most popular tourist attractions in Glasgow include the Glasgow Cathedral, the Riverside Museum, and the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. The Glasgow Cathedral is a beautiful medieval building that dates back to the 12th century. The Riverside Museum is a modern museum that houses a collection of transport and shipping artifacts, and the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is one of the most popular art museums in the country. It contains a large collection of paintings, sculptures, and other works of art from around the world.

Glasgow is also home to many excellent shopping opportunities. The city center has a wide variety of high street shops, department stores, and designer boutiques. Glasgow also has a number of lively markets where visitors can find fresh produce, handmade goods, and unique gifts.

In order to make the most of this charming and historic city, make sure you keep your hands free when walking around. Visit a Bounce luggage locker in Glasgow to store your suitcases so you can make the most of your trip.

Once you've done sightseeing and exploring, it will be time to take a break. There's no better place to take a load off and enjoy spectacular city views than at one of the rooftop bars in Glasgow.

Whether you are looking for culture, history, shopping, or just a good time, Glasgow has something to offer everyone. So, why not come and explore this vibrant city for yourself?

Pub-style beer gardens in Glasgow

Best Rooftop Bars in Glasgow

No matter how you have arrived in Glasgow, whether you flew in via the Glasgow Airport or arrived from somewhere else nearby, you will probably want to head out to have fun right away. You might have a list of lovely roof terrace locations in mind to get a drink and enjoy a great meal, and you are probably eager to visit them. Just don't forget to store your luggage first!

From locations that serve classic pub grub to places with dancing and live music, there are so many great places to eat and enjoy a drink with a view in Glasgow. You will love these stunning places for excellent table service in neighborhoods like Merchant City and Glasgow's West End. And that's not even mentioning the vibrant Glasgow City Centre.

Red Sky Bar

What It's Like:

Located atop the Radisson Red Hotel, this bar is one of the best rooftop bar options in the city. This is a spacious traditional-style bar with amazing views and an even better menu. The Red Sky Bar is an excellent place to head for shareable plates, and their drinks menu screams fun. This is the only rooftop restaurant in the city with such an expansive drinks menu and a great set of dining options. The views are incredible here, and this is a great choice for your first fun meal in the city.

Our Recommendation:

Make sure you head here in time for the sunset because Red Sky Bar offers access to one of the best rooftop bar settings to catch the shift from day to night. This is also one of the only rooftop bars in Glasgow that is known for serving incredible Scottish cuisine along with fusion plates. Happy hour pricing is great here as well, so you can save a little money if your sit down at Red Sky Bar in time to take advantage of this part of the menu.

Location:

25 Tunnel St, Finnieston Quay, Glasgow

Rooftop bars in Glasgow

Chinaski's

What It's Like

This literary-themed bar is dedicated to Charles Bukowski and offers one of the most unique rooftop terrace dining locations in the city. This is the place for good bourbon and an even better meal, and you will love the comfort of the location as well as the excellent service. This is also a really good bar to catch some rays during the summer because you will be able to soak up all the sun in their lovely garden. The wooden tables are comfortable and cozy, and you will love the laid-back feel of this spot from the moment you sit down.

Our Recommendation:

There are great vegan options on the menu here, and this is another one of the best rooftop bars in Glasgow for traditional Scottish cuisine. If you love cocktails and bourbon, in particular, this will be one of your favourite rooftop bars that you have ever been to. You can enjoy a great lunch or dinner here as well, so you might want to sit down here for a few hours and just relax and chat.

Location:

239 North Street, Glasgow

Mackintosh at the Willow 

What It's Like:

One of the only south-facing rooftop terrace choices in the city, this is one of the best rooftop bars in Glasgow for a quiet meal and excellent drinks. The floral decor and the cozy seating make this an ideal location to sit down in comfort and enjoy a leisurely drink or snack. In fact, this is actually a tea room more than a bar, but don't fret - they also have lots of alcoholic drinks.

Mackintosh at the Willow has a lovely outdoor space, and you will love the classic Irish bar vibes paired with some modern menu and cocktail options. While not an intimate candle-lit bar, this is a great place to have a nice ice-cold pint or a delicious glass of wine and enjoy the later afternoon light.

Our Recommendation:

Because tea is their specialty, our recommendation for this restaurant is to go for the afternoon tea. Themed by the iconic film The Wizard of Oz, the afternoon tea here is something special. The cakes have fun names, like "Follow the Yellow Brick Road," and there are both vegetarian and vegan items to suit any diet. Want to add a boozy spin to your afternoon? For a few more pounds, you can opt for the prosecco afternoon tea, whiskey afternoon tea, or champagne afternoon tea.

Location:

215-217 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow

Drinks with a view at night in Glasgow

Malones Irish Bar 

What It's Like:

This is a classic pub grub kind of location and one of the best Irish bars in the city. The live music here is always a hit, and the overall atmosphere is friendly and welcoming. You will feel like this location is your favorite local pub that you come to all the time, where everyone knows you. This is also one of the very best beer gardens in the city, so if you love a good pint, you will have picked the right place for your meal and drinks.

Malones is super close to Mackintosh at the Willow, so you could easily do your afternoon tea first and then pop over here to keep the rooftop bar theme going.

Our Recommendation:

The chili dogs and the burgers here are definitely recommended, and you will love the extensive beer menu. This is also a great place to enjoy some comfort food and good appetizers. You can also just hang out with a beer and chat as the sun sets and the lights come on over the city. The seating is comfortable, and the staff is laid back, which means that this location will be the right choice if you want to avoid a more of a swanky sky bar and just want to be comfortable.

Location:

57-59 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow

Windows at The Carlton George 

What It's Like:

This restaurant and rooftop bar is on the 17th floor of the Carlton George Hotel, and it is one of the most exclusive outdoor drinking spots in the city. This is technically the only true rooftop bar in Glasgow, and the views from this spot are incredible, as well as being 360 degrees. You will be treated to excellent drinks as well as tasty food here, and the service is top-notch. This is a trendy yet comfortable location to sit down for a drink or a snack, or even a full meal.

Our Recommendation:

This is another place to go for afternoon tea in the city. Although, they also serve lunch and dinner. Due to its popularity, it's best to try to get a reservation before you arrive to sample their fine wines or excellent craft cocktails. This is definitely one of the best rooftop bars in Glasgow for its view, but also their take on sourcing their meat and produce locally, whenever possible. The menu is carefully curated using Scottish beef combined with fruit and vegetables from the best supplier in Scotland.

Location:

44 W George St, Glasgow

Glasgow rooftop bars

Record Factory

What It's Like:

This is an excellent beer garden location in Glasgow, and the fun, pub-style atmosphere is certainly memorable. You can head here for a great lunch, a good snack, or an enjoyable afternoon pint. The grub pub dining menu is excellent as well, and you will find something for everyone on offer here. The pricing here is also favorable, which means you will not have to spend a ton of money to have a really good meal.

Our Recommendation:

The tacos and nachos are a favourite, and you will love that the plates are so large. You can order almost anything on the menu and share it, or pick from the appetizers on offer for slightly smaller portions. The list of beers on tap is excellent, as well as extensive, and you will love this spot if you are a beer expert. Consider heading to Record Factory when there is live music to enjoy since the talented local artists are sure to put on a lively show.

Location:

17 Byres Rd, Partick, Glasgow

1051 GWR 

What It's Like:

This cool terrace location is actually a railroad car that has been repurposed as a restaurant and bar. While not technically a rooftop bar location, this spot still offers excellent views and a unique vibe. You will get an entirely different experience here than you would at Windows Restaurant, but the sunshine, the drinks, and the food menu are every bit as good. There are no bad tables to sit at here either, so you can take the first seat that comes open without worries.

Our Recommendation:

The combination menu is what we recommend at 1051 GWR. You can get a few plates of food along with paired pints or other house drinks, all for a great price. There are many kinds of appetizers and shareable plates on the menu as well, so you can order anything that your heart desires. This fab outdoor space is an experience all by itself, and you will love this little gem of Glasgow's food scene.

Location:

1051 Great Western Rd, Glasgow

Conclusion

There are many rooftop bars in Glasgow that offer a great view of the city. If you are looking for a place to enjoy a drink with a view, then one of these bars is sure to meet your needs. Whether you want to enjoy a cocktail or two while watching the sunset over the cityscape or dance the night away under the stars, Glasgow's rooftop bars have you covered. And, since it's Scotland, you can also find plenty of pubs with outdoor beer gardens that offer a relaxed and welcoming vibe.

Remember that you don't want to be trekking to these rooftop bars with your heavy bags, so a visit to a Bounce locker is always a good idea. Once your bags are stored, there'll be nothing holding you back. So, what are you waiting for? Head on up to one of Glasgow's rooftop bars and start enjoying the view!

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