The inaugural Edinburgh Bar Show (EBS) will launch in the Scottish capital this spring. Founded by Iain McPherson, the award-winning bartender behind Edinburgh’s Panda & Sons (recently awarded number 39 in the list of World’s 50 Best Bars), and the organisers of Edinburgh Cocktail Week, Jamie Faulds and Gary Anderson, the three-day event, will take place from April 8th to April 10th.
Promising a distinctly Scottish slant championing world-class spirits, drinks brands, bars and talent, it will feature leading industry innovators, global brand advocacy teams and Scotland’s best known bar operators, in a full events calendar of “unique and memorable bar takeovers, seminars, collaborations, demonstrations and tastings.
Gary Anderson said, ‘This is what differentiates Edinburgh Bar Show from others. Scotland has so much to offer; the spirits created here are unique and should be celebrated and our bar scene has a different story and provenance to other places. We want to infuse all of that into Edinburgh Bar Show at the same time as bringing together and showcasing international talent.’
Iain McPherson adds, ‘This is a chance to bring a new generation of bartenders together to experience quality from all over the world. It’s an opportunity to share knowledge and network.’
A central hub will operate from The Voodoo Rooms with a daily seminar programme as well as a dedicated tasting and experience room. Throughout the city, guests can expect Distillery tours, numerous offshoot events and activities by day, and by night, they’ll enjoy a whirlwind series of exciting bar takeovers and parties across the capital’s most celebrated venues.
Headline events already confirmed include a high profile launch with Aberfeldy, Craigellachie and Royal Brackla, a Kwānt and House of Suntory bar takeover and seminar with multi-award winning, industry legend Erik Lorincz, an Absolut bar takeover and seminar with Roda Huset (no.31 on The World’s Top 50 Bars and winner of 2023 Sustainable Bar Award), a Remy Cointreau day-two wrap party featuring Bruichladdich and The Botanist, Campari Academy showcasing highlights from their seminar programme and launching Art of Hospitality 2024 with Satan’s Whiskers, and a show-stopping closing party with Hendrick’s Gin.
EBS say that all activities will have an inclusive, authentic core, ensuring integral value for all attendees. Whether it’s sustainability solutions, new and inspiring techniques or resilience in hospitality with Manchester-based LGBTQ+ bar, Red Light; EBS will draw the very best, forward-thinking individuals in the industry for a high quality, international bar show feel.
The EBS team are also offering a daily programme of accessible wellness to support bartenders in finding a healthy work/life balance.
‘EBS will offer a daily roster of activities in conjunction with brand partners that will look to include wellness, meditation, yoga, fitness and many other aspects that are increasingly relevant, and important, to bar professionals in 2024’, explains Jamie Faulds.
To register for updates, head to www.edinburghbarshow.co.uk.
