Panda & Sons, Edinburgh | Interesting Bars - Interesting Bars

Panda & Sons is a renowned speakeasy-style cocktail bar located at 79 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4NF. Established in 2013 by award-winning bartender Iain McPherson and his family, the bar seamlessly blends the ambiance of a Prohibition-era speakeasy with the nostalgic charm of a vintage barbershop. The entrance masquerades as a traditional barbershop, complete with a false exterior, leading patrons into a dimly lit, subterranean space adorned with whimsical curiosities that enhance its clandestine atmosphere. Panda & Sons is celebrated for its innovative cocktail menu, which showcases advanced techniques developed over years of research. Notably, the 'Transcend' menu delves into freezing methods, offering drinks crafted through processes like 'Switching'—where water content in spirits is replaced with alternative flavors using ultra-low freezers—and 'Sous Pression,' an approach that extracts flavors under pressure during freezing, resulting in smoother taste profiles. The bar's commitment to excellence has earned it significant accolades. In 2024, it secured the 30th spot on the World's 50 Best Bars list and saw its founder, Iain McPherson, honored with the Altos Bartenders' Bartender Award. Additionally, Panda & Sons achieved the second position in the Top 50 Cocktail Bars ranking in 2025, reflecting its esteemed status within the UK's cocktail scene.