{"id":130600,"date":"2026-05-04T09:23:16","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T08:23:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theluxuryeditor.com\/?post_type=review&p=130600"},"modified":"2026-05-07T12:01:32","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T11:01:32","slug":"joaos-place-speakeasy-edinburgh-review","status":"publish","type":"review","link":"https:\/\/theluxuryeditor.com\/review\/joaos-place-speakeasy-edinburgh-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Jo\u00e3o’s Place, Speakeasy Edinburgh – Review"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There’s a Japanese word, iki \u7c8b, which translates to stylish and effortlessly chic, and it’s exactly the word I would use to describe Jo\u00e3o’s Place, the clandestine speakeasy that sits hidden behind a gold door on the 11th floor of the W Edinburgh. Last week, the bar unveiled its newly redesigned space and menu, taking its cue from Liberdade, the S\u00e3o Paulo neighbourhood famed for its Japanese diaspora and the cultural fusion that defines it. Ross from The Luxury Editor was kindly asked to attend an intimate gathering of guests and friends to celebrate the launch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hovering almost angelically above the city, with wraparound 360-degree views of Edinburgh\u2019s skyline, Jo\u00e3o’s Place has always felt like one of the city’s better-kept secrets. Named Cocktail Bar of the Year in 2025 at the Scottish Hotel Awards and listed among Cond\u00e9 Nast Traveller\u2019s best rooftop bars in the city. The redesign has almost doubled the floor space, turning what was formerly the W Lounge’s chef’s table into an enhanced lounge area within the bar. Outside, the wraparound terrace offers views that stretch over Princes Street on one side, round to Arthur’s Seat and across to Calton Hill, and on a clear night like the night I was there, the Firth of Forth and its bridges glint faintly from the other side of the terrace. And fear not, gas fires take the edge off even the sharpest Scottish chill, keeping you comfortably outside well into the night. On the evening I was there, the sun was setting on one side while a full moon rose on the other, a truly magical moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The cocktail menu is where the Liberdade story comes to life. Rare Japanese whiskies feature Yamazaki 18, Hakushu 18 Peated Malt, and the extraordinarily exclusive Highland Park 30, while those marking a milestone can choose to open an evening with a bottle of Laurent-Perrier Grand Si\u00e8cle Edition #26. Signature cocktails embrace the S\u00e3o Paulo-Tokyo concept. Evening at Liberdade is a layered composition of Nikka whisky, Kahl\u00faa and Mozart liqueur, dark and rounded. Margarita Piquant is its opposite, bright and zesty, built on Patr\u00f3n Reposado, Illegal Mezcal and a jalape\u00f1o padron pepper soda. And if you go, make sure to try what ended up my favourite, the Maria, Pierre Ferrand 1840 Cognac, Port of Leith white port and oloroso sherry, coconut syrup and black walnut bitters. It’s bold and almost whisky-like in its delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The food offering has expanded, too, with a larger light-dining selection, designed for sharing. Options now include items like sushi rolls with whisky-cured salmon and snow crab, wagyu empanadas with sweet aj\u00ed panca and California rolls layered with Cornish brown crab, avocado and a drizzle of truffle oil. My personal favourites of the night were the crisp plantain chips served with aj\u00ed amarillo, and warm, pillowy p\u00e3o de queijo paired with a piquillo pepper aioli.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For live music enthusiasts, the bar hosts Sounds of Jo\u00e3o’s, an intimate acoustic session from Scottish-based musicians, running each Sunday from 4 pm to 7 pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The W Edinburgh is one of my favourite spots in the city for a drink and stay (read full hotel review here<\/a>), and this enhancement to Jo\u00e3o’s Place further enhances its appeal. Open Wednesdays to Sundays from 3 pm \u2013 1 am. Pre-booking is advisable, which can be made online here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There’s a Japanese word, iki \u7c8b, which translates to stylish and effortlessly chic, and it’s exactly the word I would use to describe Jo\u00e3o’s Place, the clandestine speakeasy that sits hidden behind a gold door on the 11th floor of the W Edinburgh. Last week, the bar unveiled its newly redesigned space and menu, taking […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":130601,"template":"","categories":[10,20,1147,9],"tags":[],"review-type":[],"class_list":["post-130600","review","type-review","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-edinburgh","category-food-drink","category-restaurant-reviews","category-scotland"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nJo\u00e3o's Place, Speakeasy Edinburgh - Review - The Luxury Editor<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/theluxuryeditor.com\/review\/joaos-place-speakeasy-edinburgh-review\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Jo\u00e3o's Place, Speakeasy Edinburgh - Review - The Luxury Editor\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"There’s a Japanese word, iki \u7c8b, which translates to stylish and effortlessly chic, and it’s exactly the word I would use to describe Jo\u00e3o’s Place, the clandestine speakeasy that sits hidden behind a gold door on the 11th floor of the W Edinburgh. 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