Panda & Sons named as one of World’s Best Bars

Edinburgh bar Panda & Sons, has been name as one of the World’s Best 50 bars coming in at an impressive No.30. Founder Iain McPherson was also recognised with the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award.

Now in its 16th edition, the awards, which are voted for by an Academy of more than 700 experts worldwide, recognise the bartenders, bar owners and brands at the forefront of the international cocktail scene, This year it features venues from 28 cities across the world with Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy crowned The World’s Best Bar.

Iain’s award, announced earlier this month, was voted for by the bartenders on this year’s list who were asked to name one peer who pushes the limits of what it means to be a great bartender and who has made a significant impact in the global bar sector over the voting period.  He said at the time, “It’s always a huge honour to be representing bonnie wee Scotland on the international bartending stage and I believe this award also shines a light on what an amazing bar scene we have in Edinburgh.”

The full list of The World’s 50 Best Bars

1. Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City
2. Bar Leone, Hong Kong
3. Barcelona
4. Tayēr + Elementary. London
5. Jigger & Pony, Singapore
6. Line, Athens
7. Tres Monos, Buenos Aires
8. Alquímico, Cartagena
9. Zest, Seoul
10. Paradiso, Barcelona
11. Himkok, Oslo
12. BKK Social Club, Bangkok
13. Connaught Bar, London
14. Double Chicken Please, New York
15. Overstory, New York
16. Lady Bee, Lima
17. Baba au Rum, Athens
18. Coa, Hong Kong
19. The Cambridge Public House, Paris
20. Tlecān, Mexico City
21. Caretaker’s Cottage, Melbourne
22. CoChinChina, Buenos Aires
23. Salmon Guru, Madrid
24. Martiny’s, New York
25. Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo
26. Maybe Sammy, Sydney
27. Superbueno, New York
28. Nutmeg & Clove, Singapore
29. Satan’s Whiskers, London
30. Panda & Sons, Edinburgh
31. Tan Tan, São Paulo
32. Licorería Limantour, Mexico City
33. Drink Kong, Rome
34. Jewel of the South, New Orleans
35. Byrdi, Melbourne
36. Locale Firenze, Florence
37. Scarfes Bar, London
38. Moebius Milano, Milan
39. Bar Nouveau, Paris
40. Mimi Kakushi, Dubai
41. Bar Us, Bangkok
42. Virtù, Tokyo
43. Atlas, Singapore
44. La Sala de Laura, Bogotá
45. Röda Huset, Stockholm
46. Florería Atlántico, Buenos Aires
47. Analogue Initiative, Singapore
48. El Gallo Altanero, Guadalajara
49. Danico, Paris
50. 1930, Milan