Panda & Sons

Good news, this place has some of the BEST cocktails you will ever have. Bad news, there's no actual barber, so if you're in desperate need of a haircut - this is not the place.

Hidden behind a vintage barber shop, this speakeasy uses a unique technique to make their cocktails. It's thoroughly explained in their menu, where they use a freezing technique to influence the taste of the cocktails and you can truly TASTE the difference. I ordered the Birdcage (Johnnie Walker Gold Label, Aperol, Lemongrass & Rhubarb, Angostura bitters, and Cinnamon/Clove Smoke). This was so incredibly delicious, it was the perfect whiskey drink for me. My friend ordered the Culture Club (Flor De Cana 12yo rum, discarded banana peel rum, biscoff, soy yogurt, maple, lime, & bitters) THIS was probably our favorite drink. It was so smooth, so creamy, and each flavor profile highly complimented the other. I'm not a rum girl but I can drink the Culture Club cocktail for days.

This place made it onto "The World's 50 Best Bars" for 2023. The cocktails are great, customer service was friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere was cozy and dimly lit like a classic speakeasy. I would love to bring more people to this bar!

You want a cocktail like you've never had before? You visit Panda and Sons. They are creative geniuses and absolute innovators in the craft cocktail space.

The atmosphere here is comfortable and welcoming; it's like an old, darkly lit library. I will say, it's much less speakeasy than it used to be in regards to the fun element of finding it. At my most recent visit, there was a host standing right in the barber shop checking to see if people had made bookings (and they weren't letting anyone in who hadn't). They then led us down the stairs where the "secret" door was propped wide open.

The staff here is lovely; the host was friendly, and our server was exceptional. She made great recommendations, helped us research what was plant-based, and when my friend ordered the Instagram drink (the Birdcage; made with Johnnie Walker Gold Label, Aperol, Angostura Bitters, Rhubarb & Lemongrass Shrub, and Cinnamon & Clove smoke) she made sure to slowly remove the glass case and swirl the smoke around for the fully immersive experience.

The menu changes, or at least has changed since my first visit years ago, to now (...I think I read they've even changed it again in the past couple of months). I tried several cocktails, the stand-out being the Culture Club (made with Flor de Cana 12 year old rum, discarded banana peel rum, biscoff, soya yoghurt, maple, lime, and bitters) which tasted like a banoffee pie dessert!

Best drinks I've had in Scotland. I passed by this place a few times and thought nothing of it as it says
Barber shop but the bright red facade is very noticeable. My daughter mentioned this place and told me it was on the top 50 best bars in the world. So when my friends and I went what a surprise to know it is a speakeasy.
We did not have reservations but it was early enough that they accommodated us. We were led down some stairs through a door of books and were surprised at the dark but accommodating space. We we given what looked like a child's story book which was actually the drinks menu. Each chapter denoting the method that section of drinks are made.
The service was great and the drinks were even better. Wish I had time to try them all. This is a must try spot.

I love a speakeasy. We made reservations for 5pm (pre-dinner drinks) and even though I'm pretty sure we didn't have to, I'm glad we did because the place was fairly busy for an early evening. If I were to complain, it's that when you walk in, it's clearly not a speakeasy. The hostess asks you immediately if you have a reservation. Now, this wasn't a problem and I'm not complaining about it but it would be cuter if she had asked if we needed a trim or a shave first.

We descended the stairs and entered through the "bookcase" and were sat near the bar in some very comfortable swivel chairs. The decor was old timey cute with many a panda to look at. I got a few cute coasters to take home which made me very happy indeed.

Our bartender/server was really nice and made fun of us in the nicest way. Apparently they had changed the menu recently, which upset some of the people near us, but we loved this menu and found it super interesting.

The cocktails here are made with a lot of love and precision. Watching them intensely make your cocktail feels slightly voyeuristic but not pretentious at all.

I wish we could have tried more drinks but *Spoiler Alert* we were way past drunk by the end of the evening and I'm so glad we stopped at 2 here.

Wow - what an amazing experience. Cocktails are perfectly crafted and all of them were delicious. I think we had about 4 or 5 of just the espresso martinis! The vibe of the place is dark & intimate yet just the right amount of noise and ambiance. You have got to come here if you're in Edinburgh!

This speakeasy wasn't too far from our hotel and we walked by it everyday and thought nothing of it until someone mentioned it to us. We went on a Thursday night, without a reservation, luckily they had a space available for us. It was pretty busy and I really liked the ambiance and décor. Based on reviews I had read, it seems like they may have changed parts of their cocktail menu. They have so many drink options and the waitress and bartenders are able to help you pick a drink based on your preferences. It was a good time, definitely the place to be.

What a fabulous surprise! We had no idea what we were walking into but boy did we have a great time. The craft cocktails were creative and delicious. And the staff was entertaining, informative and courteous! This is a fabulous "speakeasy " to start your night or end it but be sure to make a reservation. Cheers!! (I've been twice summer 2023)

Went with co-workers to this Fantastic place. From the entrance (speakeasy door) to the service and the drinks it was wonderful. The creations are fantastic and delicious. The servers are very knowledgeable and available to answer all your questions and even help in deciding your best choice(s). The atmosphere was quaint, cozy and relaxed. Great for dates to group fun or even just by yourself and meet people. Will definitely be going back (and taking more friends).

Super cool speakeasy that makes you feel like your transported back to the prohibition era (although there was never prohibition in Scotland). Hidden behind a barbershop front, you go through a bookcase door into a hip, bustling dive that offers swanky drinks. We had Rok the Casbah and Tragic Summer, both very delicious and ingeniously made! It's worth a visit, even for just the experience.

Great spot! The location isn't hard to find either, it's in a nice part of town (multiple cocktail bars around). Their take on the espresso martini was marvelous, seriously order it. Although every cocktail I had was exceptional. I really stuck to the classic menu which includes their most popular cocktails since they opened their doors 9 years ago. I was overall really surprised by the drinking scene in Edinburgh. The server was so kind he even sat down and chatted with me for a bit since I was alone. I loved everything about how the bar was dressed up, lots of beautiful antiques and the furniture was vintage, really lovely. Definitely stop here if you're around.