Panda & Sons

Panda & Sons is a speakeasy-style cocktail bar at 79 Queen Street in Edinburgh's New Town, Scotland, entered through a fake barbershop front. Visitors walk past the barber's chairs and shelves of grooming products and pass through a concealed door into the bar behind, a piece of theatre that is part of the appeal. The venue draws a mixed adult crowd, mostly in their twenties to forties, including couples, small groups of friends and visitors seeking something more unusual than a standard hotel bar. There is no formal dress code; casual and smart-casual clothes are both common.

The atmosphere is quirky and playful, with a speakeasy mood rather than a nightclub one. Music is kept at a volume that supports conversation and there is no dancefloor, so the evening revolves around the drinks. The cocktail menu is inventive and theatrical, with drinks that are often presented with props, smoke or unusual garnishes, and with flavours that draw on a mix of classic technique and creative infusions. Cocktails generally cost about £11 to £15 (roughly $15 to $20), and the list is long enough that groups often order several different drinks to share and compare.

There is no cover charge, but reservations are the safest way to secure a table and are strongly advisable at weekends. The bar typically opens in the evening and runs until about 1am; as with other small venues, it is wise to confirm current hours, because they may change seasonally or for private events. Weeknights are usually easier for walk-ins, while Friday and Saturday evenings can be fully booked well in advance, especially during the Edinburgh festivals in August and over the Hogmanay period. There are no bottle-service norms: guests order by the round from table service, and groups can set up a tab.

Queen Street is on the northern edge of the New Town, a short walk from George Street and Princes Street, and the area has a cluster of well-regarded cocktail bars, which makes Panda & Sons a natural stop on a longer evening. Visitors who want the hidden-entrance experience should look for the barbershop frontage rather than a standard bar sign.