Edinburgh Bar Show (EBS); a three-day, community focused event for trade, will launch in Edinburgh this year. From April 8th to April 10th, the city will host the best of worldwide, modern hospitality with a full calendar of unique and memorable bar takeovers, seminars, collaborations, demonstrations and tastings. Featuring renowned industry leading innovators, global brand advocacy teams and Scotland’s most renowned bar operators, all EBS seminars will be free to attend for bar, hospitality and drinks trade delegates.
Founded by Iain McPherson, the award-winning bartender behind Edinburgh’s legendary Panda & Sons (recently awarded number 39 in the list of World’s 50 Best Bars) alongside the industry insiders who bring the hugely popular Edinburgh Cocktail Week to life each year, Jamie Faulds and Gary Anderson.
EBS will have a distinctly Scottish slant and will champion the world-class spirits, drinks brands, bars and talent which Scotland has in abundance.
Gary Anderson comments, ‘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 popular Edinburgh haunt, 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.
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 team have established themselves as pro-active thought leaders and advocates for the hospitality community and 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’, explains Jamie Faulds.
In their inaugural year, EBS are delighted to have 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.
With this, Edinburgh Bar Show proves it is lined up for success with the team already planning for future years as the event grows and becomes more established. While spaces at EBS are now limited, opportunities are still open for brands, visiting bars and potential partners. To register for updates, head to www.edinburghbarshow.co.uk.
