Brainstorming discussions between Iain McPherson of award-winning cocktail bar Panda & Sons, and Jamie Faulds and Gary Anderson, the team behind Edinburgh Cocktail Week, will bear fruit this Spring in the shape of a brand new trade event for Scotland.
The three are launching the Edinburgh Bar Show (EBS) a three-day, ‘community-focused’ event for the trade, which will run from April 8th to April 10th in the capital.
It promises to showcase the best of worldwide, modern hospitality with a ‘full calendar of unique and memorable bar takeovers, seminars, collaborations, demonstrations and tastings’.
The intention is to assemble a cast of renowned industry leading innovators, global brand advocacy teams and Scotland’s most renowned bar operators, and then make all their seminars free to attend for bar, hospitality and drinks trade delegates.
McPherson, Faulds and Anderson stressed that the EBS will have a ‘distinctly Scottish slant’, championing the world-class spirits, drinks brands, bars and talent which Scotland has in abundance.
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.”
McPherson added: “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 of the EBS will be popular Edinburgh haunt, The Voodoo Rooms, with a daily seminar programme as well as a dedicated tasting and experience room. But throughout the city, guests can expect distillery tours, and numerous offshoot events and activities by day.
By night, the organisers promise that guests will 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.
The intention is that all these 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 team intend EBS to include 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,” said Faulds.
In this inaugural year, EBS has secured support from a wide selection of local and global brand partners, including,The Botanist; Bruichladdich, Ardbeg, Hendrick’s Gin, Aberfeldy, Craigellachie, Royal Brackla, Absolut, Spearhead Whisky, Campari Academy, House of Suntory, Edinburgh Gin, Smokehead, Axia, Patron and Eminente Rum, amongst others.
Such is their confidence that the concept will prove a hit, the team are already planning for future years as the event grows and becomes more established.
Those wishing to attend should register via www.edinburghbarshow.co.uk
