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The pub’s story
Lochrin Rooftop Bar is a modern cocktail bar on the top floor of Moxy Edinburgh Fountainbridge at 2 Freer Gait. It launched in May 2024, three years after the hotel opened, and is a contemporary response to the area’s industrial past rather than an old pub. The name looks back to the nearby Lochrin gin distillery, founded in 1780 by James Haig, but that is local inspiration rather than a claim that this new bar occupies the original site. Inside, cocktails, whisky, spirits and small plates sit alongside a dark, lounge-like interior; outside, its rooftop terrace gives a broad view toward Edinburgh Castle. The venue also appeared in the 2024 Fringe programme, reflecting its event potential. It suits sunset cocktails or a booking-led evening in Fountainbridge, with indoor seating providing a useful alternative when the terrace is not the attraction.
What to notice
- 01
Lochrin is a modern Moxy hotel bar, not a historic pub; the 1780 distillery story is only the name’s local inspiration.
- 02
It has both indoor lounge seating and an outdoor terrace, making it more weather-resilient than an exposed roof alone.
- 03
Reserve for sunset or events. Private-hire activity can affect space, while walk-in availability is not guaranteed.
The time rail
The building, the pub and its interior may date from different periods. The timeline keeps documented dates separate from tradition.
Lochrin’s launch material traces its name to James Haig’s Lochrin gin distillery, founded nearby in 1780; this is local inspiration, not the present building’s history.
Moxy Edinburgh Fountainbridge opened, creating the hotel building that would later house Lochrin.
Lochrin launched on the top floor of Moxy Edinburgh Fountainbridge, with a rooftop terrace and Castle-facing views.
Lochrin was listed as Fringe venue 328, documenting its use for public cultural programming in its first summer.
The operator currently describes Lochrin as established in 2024 and publishes its Sunday. Thursday and Friday. Saturday service pattern.
Sources & confidence
Lochrin’s own current website supports its 2024 establishment, twelfth-floor position, cocktails, indoor/outdoor configuration, public booking approach, address and published hours. Postcodes.io supplies the map coordinate.
Research reviewed
- Lochrin Rooftop BarLochrin Rooftop Barofficial
SupportsCurrent name, 2024 establishment, panoramic Castle view, drinks character, reservation link and published hours.
- Lochrin Rooftop BarMarriott Bonvoyofficial
SupportsCurrent Moxy/Marriott association, Scottish-drinks positioning, terrace view and a separate current listing of the bar’s hours.
- A trendy new rooftop bar opens in Edinburgh City CentreWhat's On Edinburgheditorial
Supports16 May 2024 launch, top-floor Moxy location, rooftop terrace, indoor bar, Castle view, local-history naming context and events plan.
- New rooftop bar Lochrin opens in Edinburgh’s FountainbridgeScottish Licensed Trade Newseditorial
SupportsIndependent opening report and the rooftop bar’s Fountainbridge/Moxy setting.
- Scotland’s Hotel Market OverviewAvison Youngspecialist
SupportsFebruary 2021 opening of Moxy Edinburgh Fountainbridge, which predates the rooftop bar.
- Edinburgh Fringe 2024: Lochrin Rooftop BarBritish Comedy Guideeditorial
SupportsLochrin’s 2024 Fringe venue listing, indoor/outdoor seating and Castle-view context.
