Panda & Sons

A very cool little bar! Such cool branding and a great vibe to it. All of the team were friendly and welcoming. Selenia looked after me at the bar, she gave great recommendations and really helped me get settled. I would love to come back here, just such a cool spot!

Had our first visit in this bar and it was brilliant, lovely and helpful staff, atmosphere was really nice I feel like I was in 90’s speakeasy bar back in prohibition. Cocktail was really interesting, I love the techniques and also garnishes of the drinks. 10/10 recommend. Top 30 best bar on the world well deserved.

A very nice and enjoying bar to have a drink. The alchohol and cocktails were good. Overall the environment inside was also very good. However there is a guy that was kinda rushing us while my friends haven't even finish their drink.

WOW. I'll admit I thought this was going to be one of those obnoxious yet trendy molecular mixology speakeasy cocktail bars. It may be trendy, it does use speakeasy kitsch, and does employ fancy technology for their drinks... but something about this particular spot draws it all together in a beautifully cohesive way. I mean, it's also got pandas everywhere. How can you be a hater when you're surrounded by pandas? First up was the woman at the door. She was awesome. We showed up with no reservation (MAKE A RESERVATION) but it was early in the evening so we didn't think we'd need one. It would have been a very good idea to have made one. Despite it being full, she managed to move some things around and squeeze us into a table. All the staff were great. Super helpful and accommodating. The drinks were outstanding. Really interesting flavours, textures, and presentation. I was a doubter until I tasted them. I don't normally even like rum but the Culture Club surprised me in the best way. I do love bananas so that helps. A lot of the cocktails seem simple in the menu when you look at ingredients, but the techniques really bring the drinks to a new level. I think some of the best cocktails are ones that know how to perfectly balance unique combinations of minimal ingredients in new ways. We had only been planning on one drink, but stayed for 2 more rounds. Amazing experience in every aspect. I can see why this place is consistently packed and has won so many accolades. I can't wait to try them again on my next visit.

Unfortunately, I left here rather disappointed. Went in with a party of 3 on a Friday evening, without a reservation, got a table without having to wait, bonus. From the get go, service was short, and not overly welcoming or friendly. We were seated and shortly after our waiter for the table service came over and offered menus and asked which type of water we’d like, confused, as this isn’t standard in any bar, I questioned it and received a short, snippy reply back. Browsing the menu, there were many nice choices, although I think having a flavour profile of each would help understand what you’re ordering fully before you pay circa £15 per drink. We all ordered drinks, which arrived shortly after. Drinks were mediocre, but by no stretch what I’d call a nice cocktail. What astounded me was the use of ice to fill drinks, the cubes put in any glass based drink are HUGE (see photos). Rather reluctant to pay over £40 for another round of drinks for 3, we asked for the bill and left paying £48 including the 10% service charge. I will not rush to return and wouldn’t recommend anyone else to do so either.

Visited after online recommendations! Very good bar, with a good atmosphere and friendly, attentive staff. Nice music played at a good volume - we were sta beneath a speaker and had no problem having a conversation. Drinks were tasty and a good price. Next time we're in Edinburgh, we'll be back!

The staff here are clearly pushing the boundaries of cocktail theory, and it shows in the menu which not only presents a fantastic list of cocktails for you to enjoy, but also goes into detail about the methods used to create the drinks you will be enjoying. The whole experience was phenomenal. As a cocktail design enthusiast myself I enjoyed reading up on the methods and thinking of ways to apply those methods to my own work in the future, but even the cocktail amateur can enjoy the delicious drinks panda & son's has to offer. 11/10, highly recommend, especially as a location for a first date.

Having already visited the best cocktail bars around Europe I have never been to panda & sons which is on my door step. Booked a table early, cocktail were very good something for everyone. Service was 10/10 I will be back for the holiday season. Take care

A top 50 bar in the world for a reason! Panda & Sons is located in the new town area of Edinburgh. On the corner of Queen Street, this "speakeasy" is hidden behind a library of books. Be sure to make a reservation as they've become quite popular given their rating. What makes this place stand out is their unique method- taking a scientific approach to alcohol! They describe their different methods in their menu including a unique process of freezing alcohol to remove the water and replace it with other liquids like coconut water to deepen the flavor. My husband and I both really enjoyed our drinks! He got the red panda that came smoked up and I got a drink from their ice cream section of the menu which was a delicious clarified drink that had a maple flavor. Yum!

This is the place I was most excited to try in Edinburgh -- after all, it's one of the world's 50 best bars! And though I enjoyed it, I feel like it was just good and not great. I shared a bunch of cocktails with my wife and two friends, so we went through quite a bit of the menu. My favorite was the Birdcage -- the presentation is super fun and the flavors were intense and smoky. However, that may have been the only truly great cocktail I tasted that evening. I was excited to try the Coconut Daiquiri as it was mentioned in the World's 50 Best reviews, but I found it to be a bit bland and underwhelming. Another sort of confusing cocktail I had was something whose name I can't remember, but it was essentially a take on a Bloody Mary -- it was good, but honestly not worth the price of a top craft cocktail place like this one. Service was friendly but very slow -- we had empty glasses for about 15 minutes before anyone took our second order, so we rushed a bit to finish our second drinks before their table time limit was over. Overall, a cool experience, but maybe my expectations were a bit too high.

The best bar I went to in Edinburgh! The ambiance is fantastic and the drinks are unique and delicious. Just don't get the drink with Worcester and you'll be happy!

Inventive cocktail spot with some speakeasy vibes. Really unique menu with a variety of libations to satisfy a variety of tastes! Friendly service and super fun music. It's a win win of a spot to check off a spot on this years World's 50 Best Bars list.

This place was not at all what I expected, but in such a good way. They had funky 80 dance music that set such a fun tone. The wait staff were very friendly and happy to make Recommendations. The first cocktail I got was very gin forward, but not bad and the 2nd drink was a coconut daiquiri that you just have to try. Whether you're looking to impress a first date or your getting together with old friends, this place is perfect!

Such a great cocktail bar! Inventive drinks, attentive staff and very cosy speakeasy atmosphere!

5 stars for service alone!!!! A local of Glasgow recommended this spot and after a journey on the train which consisted of wasted coffee all over one's self, this was necessary. I sat at the bar, next to who I later learned was one of the managers and had a really great experience. Let's start with I had no reservations and the menu is slightly intimidating but due to the staff - I survived I started with their version of a martini and should preface I AM VERY SPECIFIC ABOUT MY MARTINI but this was a fantastic choice. I don't remember what was in it but you can look it up serious but not serious ‍ I then went to a shot of Jameson, which I typically wouldn't do buttttt the manager was friendly and I couldn't be rude. I ended with acocktail that consisted of coconut non dairy ice cream and it came with a spoon. Not something I'd typically order but it was tasty and a great finisher to the evening. I'd 100% come back to the panda if in the area, thanks guys and gals for a fantastic first time experience

Not only is this one of the top 50s best bar in the world but this is one of the best experiences that I've had while in Edinburgh. They had so many great options to drink from and they had an awesome booklet describing the processes they have to make the various drinks covered with pandas. The ambiance was amazing. Highly recommend getting reservations because it's always busy and make sure you get them a few days if you can. We got lucky and went last minute and were able to just wait a few minutes before being seated. The service was amazing and our server knew the perfect pairings and gave us the best recommendations including a blend of Scotch smoked up in a glass. I absolutely had an amazing experience and will be back next time I am in Scotland.

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!

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!

Awesome unassuming speakeasy. We came around 4:45pm on Saturday without a reservation. They were all booked, however, a table with a reservation hadn't shown up and was past the hold time, so we were able to get seated. Great vibe and innovative cocktail menu.

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.

Very accommodating, friendly service. Such an interesting story! Everyone was happy with their cocktails. The music is lively but not so loud that you couldn't have conversations. Similarly the lighting is well enough for reading the menu but soft and easy on the eyes. My only tiny problem is the abundance of candles making it difficult for me to breathe.

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.

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).

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.

I was completely blown away by this place. The atmosphere, the decor, the music, the staff, and the cocktails were absolutely top notch. Just walking into the place is an experience on it's own, with its secret door. So unique! The wait staff was so friendly, very helpful, and extremely knowledgeable about every item being sold. If i ever return to Scotland, I will surely visit again

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.

It's hard to find a good cocktail in Scotland. Usually it's straight whiskey or ale. This place is amazing if you are looking for a well made cocktail. You have to have a reservation, book through Google. It has barber shop on the outside but the hostess will take you through a secret passage like a speak easy. The wait staff are patient knowledgeable and helpful. They are so kind. It's hard not to drink everything on the menu. Great atmosphere.

Definitely need reservations, and you're limited as to how much time you are allowed to stay, but this place was fun!! I wish I could remember our waiters name because he was cute AND fun!! Helped us make selections based on our favorite flavors. Entrance is a fun hidden door behind a bookshelf. Decor was interesting (as well as the drink names) Pretty good sized place for a Speakeasy.

If you've read a couple of my reviews, you know that I am not a drinker. I have yet to develop the taste for alcohol, warm beverages, most juices, and soda. But that's another story. Anyway! My friend told me about this place and said that even if I don't drink, this place is worth visiting. She was RIGHT! This place is awesome, unlike any bar I've been to in my life or heard about in my life. It mascarades as a barber shop on the outside but once you find the secret library door, it unlocks a SPEAKEASY (it's not illegal though, it's just the theme) It's so cool! You feel all fancy and old timey. They have an awesome extensive menu of cocktails and alcohols, and FREE POPCORN. My friend and I had like 6 bowls. I ordered one of their ''interactive'' cocktails, a long island ice tea that turns black when they add their special syrup. It was super fun to watch and I did enjoy sipping it for the time we were there. I absolutely recommend this place!

An old friend called this, "One of his favorite bars" in Edinburgh, so it's been on my list to visit ever since I moved here. I dragged a few friends here for drinks, and we were all amused by Panda's unassuming exterior, the only things portending that it was not the barbershop it seemed to be the ajar door at 9pm in the evening. Inside, down the stairs, and through the fake bookshelf entry, Panda presented itself as a dimly lit, tastefully decorated cocktail parlor. We were quickly shown to a table and seated. As other reviewers have noted the menu is a novel, with historical asides about barbers and bartenders intermixed with lists of drinks and anecdotes about the Panda family. For our first round we ordered: Between the Sheets (citrus with a kick) Russian Spring Punch (fruity and refreshing) Stars in your Guise (grapefruit and gin) Then we moved on to the second round, all while enjoying gratis spicy oiled popcorn: Robinson Crusoe (sweetened whisky, but still very strong, not for the faint of heart) Tiki Takeaway (a cocktail served in a Chinese Take-out container. Don't fret over the soy sauce in it, you can't taste it and the drink is overall sweet and refreshing) Overall, it was on the more expensive side for drinks, but they were delicious and strong! The experiance was the really fun part, and it didn't fail to deliver on that. Highly recommended for a special night out in New Town.

Amazing experience and lovely staff who were incredibly helpful and had loads of interesting info. Very cozy place to hang out or meet with friends!

Great place and awesome, inspired cocktails. Service was friendly, fun, and spot on. . If you are looking for someplace serving unique, cool drinks...this is your place!

Straight Up... one of the best bars in the world! Order: We had six drinks... here they are: Robinson Crusoe, Stars in Your Guise, Birdcage, Local Bellezza, Harry Belefonte, and Laguvain 16 yr on the rocks- each superbly crafted and delivered in elegant style. The birdcage is delivered in a glass cage that is infused with smoke and flavors! Environment: when you are outside on the street, this place looks like an old school barbershop, but when you enter there is a staff that will call down and let you know how long it will be. When you walk down the stairs, you see just a wall of books that is the secret entrance to the bar and inside is a staff member that will help you find a seat or place at the bar. The inside is beautifully decorated with an eclectic but classy decorations. Bartenders & Staff: The bartenders are extremely knowledgeable and can make you any drink you want even if you don't know what you want. The staff is also fantastic, they will help you move from the bar to a seat location and will get your tab moved over with an ease. Verdict: This bar has some of the best drinks, amazing staff, and great prices - it is absolutely an amazing speakeasy and a must see if you are visiting Edinburgh! Tip #1: This speakeasy is located in the basement of a "barber shop" Tip #2: go around 4-5pm and you will get a seat Tip #3: the free popcorn is flavored in house Tip #4: great place to start your night, make sure you eat prior :)

Okay first of all, the attention to detail is INCREDIBLE. There are pandas everywhere. On the aprons, on the coasters, on the walls. The menu- it's a fricken library book. It's so detailed and well written. Qudos to the author. Clink clink. The entrance is SICK. It looks like a barbershop, but spoiler alert. It's not. It's a bar. The waiters all have mustaches, it's dope. They're all also really nice and give you free popcorn upon arrival. Each room seems to have a different theme, and each drink chapter has a different theme too which is just so cool of them to think of all that honestly. Another spoiler alert. The prices are not $0.25 as advertised outside and you won't see anyone getting a haircut.

On a tip for inquiring where is a unique pub, I marched through the rain looking for a barber shop on Queen's Street. Upon locating it, I followed the doorman's permission to head down to their skellar. At the foot of the steps, there was a bookcase in front of me. A secret door opened and I went inside to a low ceiling, candle lit room with a bunch of liquor in little cages behind a small bar. Waxed mustachioed, nicely-dressed bartenders were adding tinctures and infusing liquid smoke flavorings into their cocktail concoctions. I was seated at a small table, handed a small binder recipes with anecdotes about a panda family, and told it was a full table service place. I looked around me and all of the beautiful people in town were sitting in assorted groups wearing their Saturday evening best. I ordered two drinks while there. The first was a banana hip-infused Woodford Reserve old fashioned with amarro bitters. It came in the proper thick-walled rocks tumbler with a giant square ice cube and a twist. My next drink, another bourbon-based creation, came to me trapped inside a glass-domed, smoke infuser. After removing the lid, the cloud of smoke inside quickly diffused and a pink cocktail appeared served in a short wine goblet. There was no food, but an endless supply of savory oil-topped popcorn served while I was drinking (three small bowls given to me gratis!). The place was hopping and there was interesting wall art and other adornments to look at. Didn't notice much of a beer selection, but cocktails are the main staple here. Classy, chic, crazy comes to mind. A very esoterically wonderful drinking den in the New Town district. (and New Town is not new by American measurements at all being built 250 years ago!)

Anyone who doesn't give this 5/5 probably couldn't find the door. Situated in a makeshift barber shop, this speakeasy has everything! We came in and sat in the far back, but were immediately greeted with (awesome!) menus and a welcome. Since we were first time visitors (and tourists) we got the whole breakdown. The menu could take a whole afternoon to read but they broke it down quickly while we stuffed our face with (crack) popcorn. I had been drinking bourbon all day so stuck with a bourbon centric and very well presented (more on that later) drink. We each got something different, gin, smooth, banana; you name it. We had a 7pm flight to catch our we would have stayed all night. Not outrageously priced, $10 usd per drink, every drink exceeded expectations. I won't ruin all the drinks, as exploring the menu and learning the back story on each one is half the fun. See the pictures to check out the presentations. One on a book, another in a glass case and another just in a simple can. All sophistically presented and oh so delicious. Please stop here before dinner, after dinner, or just skip dinner and have alcohol for dinner. Ps heard they're coming to Los Angeles, California soon with a similar project. Can't wait to visit.

Stopped by here on a Sunday, unaware of the bank holiday that Monday, to a packed place. While it felt really cool and inspiring, we decided to leave as there weren't any seats available. The set up is a cool speakeasy if you will. We took a photo to prove it.

Only gripe is it can be hard to get into - great cocktails - fair prices and a fun vibe

Some friends and I visited Panda and Sons because we wanted to share drinks and checkout how well they were executing on the "speakeasy" concept. I'm pleased to report that the staff, décor, and cocktails are all spot-on to where they should be for an enjoyable time in a speakeasy. Tip: The night we came the place was so packed that there was a constant stream of people leaving and entering; this interfered with the illusion of a "secret bar" and greatly detracted from the experience. I'd suggest that if possible you visit on a non-weekend to maximize your enjoyment. Kudos to the outstanding staff for an exceptional job of making P&S a fabulous place to visit! The night we were there, the mixologists were all at the top of their game - they all looked the part and were completely "in character" with the vein of the illusion. The wait staff were all friendly and helpful despite the "at capacity" crowd. Our waitress was not only friendly and knowledgeable, but she took the time to run after one of my friends as we left because they had left a cell phone behind! :-) While the drink prices are a bit higher than you'd pay in a normal bar, the extra cost is definitely justified for the enhanced "speakeasy" experience. I look forward to returning here when next I'm in Edinburgh.

This is such a fun speakeasy! It's hidden in the basement of vintage barbershop where the entrance is literally a door of books. Service was some of the best. Our waiter was attentive, knowledgeable and all around helpful! Drinks were so unique, very tasty and a show in themselves (see my video). One of our favorite bars in the UK and anywhere! Definitely recommend.

This place is seriously amazing. When on vacation here in Edinburgh a few months ago this was one of my places "if I don't make it here on this trip I'm seriously going to throw a fit". It did not disappoint. I love the fact that it's designed like a speak easy. It's beautifully decorated and everything about this place is fantastic. It's dark but very comforting. Drinks were high quality and tasty. Loads of local choices (I myself got three different gin drinks because hey when you're in Scotland you drink Whisky or Gin and since I'm obsessed with Gin, I was going to drink as much of the good stuff as I could) The pop corn is just outrageously tasty; I have no idea what it's seasoned with but it's addictive. Hilariously my one friend kept ordering drinks that were served in tins. When we laughed about it to our waiter he then brought more popcorn in a tin. Then when he brought our check over he delivered in it a tin saying "last time I promise!" We just about died laughing. All the staff are very knowledgeable and friendly. I had a fantastic time and I'm so sad I'm so far away that I can't visit more. I only hope the next time I make it back to Scotland I get a chance to visit again.

My first impression was tI this was a real barbershop when I walked by the place until I saw the prices. Clearly, this was something else. I stumbled in and was met by a "doorman" who called me into the staff downstairs. Behind the bookcase was a bustling speakeasy with DJ spinning some trip-hop tunes and a team of bartenders cranking out bespoke cocktails. In my opinion, the drinks were great! Interesting menu items for snacking but the chili popcorn was addictive for sure. The service I experienced was above average. The bartender ("Shan" sp?) was very entertaining and was tolerant of my questions. She made some visually inspiring beverages like the smoked old fashion. I think this is going to be one of my favorite stops in Edinburgh. Nice people, great menu and well-appointed venue. Overall, I would recommend Panda & Sons!

I love this place! Do I need to write more? Oh well let's see. The name was the first thing to catch my attention. I love Pandas and Panda is even the name of my dog so this seemed like an excellent choice for me and my boyfriends vacation. When we found the place though we got slightly confused. Outside it say "Panda barber shop"....and that's it. Oh and some prices for a shave and stuff.... We still went inside and downstairs. There we were met by a dead end of a book shelf, only it was a door looking like a book shelf. So awesome. When I get my own house I am definitely having a secret doorway somewhere! The staff was really nice and we were served directly at the table. The bar looks really relaxed and homey but you still get the classy vibe from it. I started with a Robinson Crusoe. It consisted of a class of whiskey and a bottle of poison (or some kind of juice). The meaning was that you could blend the drink yourself to have it as strong or sweet as you'd like. It looked awesome and was a great idea. In the end a little too strong for me but then again i'm not good at drinking whiskey. The second drink was a shared one: Monet Talks. This one was so creative and really made our day! We were served a bottle of prosecco, two empty glasses, a painyt palet and three tubes of "paint". Here we also had the chance of making our own little masterpiece. So much fun! The menus are a little hard to read, but that was the only "negative" thing I could think of. My new favorite place!

Went here at 4:30 on a Monday, grabbed a few cocktails alone. All three drinks were great, and the bartenders were even better. Very kind young men working. You receive popcorn with your drinks as well, it was good. I would return again!

I always love going to Panda & Sons. It's magical. Suggesting one thing and delivering another far more enjoyable. The attention to detail helps enter the theatre of it all. This isn't just a cocktail bar, it's a must do experience. No spoilers here- just go and live it. Think Alice in Wonderland in a tasty bar full of unique panda expressions everywhere. If you don't want cocktails or any booze, don't worry, there's loads of other things- rich cheese boards, replenishing popcorn and much much more.

I was fortunate to be staying at an apartment across the street from this gem. I mean, when I asked locals where to go, almost all of them recommended this place. I recommend it too! It's a speakeasy with great drinks. They give you popcorn to munch on while you converse with your company. Take the time to read the menu. It's pretty entertaining. If this place was in my neighborhood, I would go pretty frequently. Like most places in Edinburgh, they close at 1am. I learned this the hard way.

In sumary......I like this place a lot!!! From the quirky Barber shop entrance reminicent of China White to the bookcase doorway its sets a great scene. The drinks menu is perhaps a little wordy.......there are a lot of words!!! But the drinks well....the drinks are beautifully crafted and well presented sparks of genuis. The waitress said they are going to have a bar snack menu soon but in the meantime the piri-piri popcorn will do just fine. Knowledgeable staff....nice setting....good drinks...Happy!! Panda & Sons comes highly JD Recommended!!!

I am unashamed in how much love I have for this place. Londoners are spoilt for choice by themed speakeasy bars these days, with pricey cocktail menus and not-so-secret-anymore entrances ('you go through the FRIDGE?!?!'). But I hadn't seen anything in Edinburgh quite like this before. Secret entrance? Check. Look for a barbershop, take the stairs down to the basement, and enter through the bookshelf at the bottom. This stuff tends to overexcite me, so I had to stifle the urge to squeal as I pulled on a book sticking out from the rest, which doubles as a secret door handle to get inside. Quirky theme? Check. It's based around a family of pandas who run a barbershop and wear very smart tartan tweed suits. It's playful without being gimmicky, from the panda family portraits on the walls to the candles in old hair wax tins on the tables. Other vintage props like gramophones and old lamps and books complete the look. Awesome drinks? Check. I spotted a smoke-filled bell-jar being carried past as we sat down so, although the cocktail menu here is a thing of beauty (with more panda pics!), I decided to go for the shameless novelty factor and order that. It's called The Birdcage, and whisky-based too which swung my decision. The waitress lifted the bell-jar in front of us for the cinnamon-infused smoke to escape to reveal the glass. This was much to my two colleagues' amusement, as they attempted to distance themselves from their overexcited visiting London workmate and ordered beers :P All of this combined with attentive table service and knowledgeable barmen with bow ties, flat caps and creatively styled facial hair (it looks like a waxed moustache is a requirement to work here). Not too busy on a Wednesday eve, and it's quite reasonably priced for the whole package with cocktails starting around £7. Well played Edinburgh - I was well and truly charmed :)

First I heard of this place was when visiting the "Wine with a view event" in Ghillie Dhu not so long ago. The 15th November 2013 was their opening night to the general public and I could not resist trying it out. We walked along Queens Street and arrived at a barber shop. "Is this it?" Some really intelligent questions crossed my mind. Luckily, one was enough. The bouncer let us in - old enough, no doubt :-) And down the stairs we went, standing infront of a book shelve. "Where is the entrance? Where are the handles? Eh?" Ahhhh, and that's for you to find out :-) You enter the main room, bar on the right and other rooms spread around the centre. We found our place and settled comfortable into a cozy corner. The interior is chic and classy. I so love the PANDA bear picture hanging from the wall. There are more Pandas in the cocktail menu. Oh yes, the AWESOME cocktail menu. So many choices, you won't believe. Each cocktail tells a story. Yes, you can have a Gin Tonic or a Bloody Mary , but what is so exciting is that all these come with a twist. We started off with MILKY BAR HERO cocktails that serve 6 people. It came served in little pots with pink and white striped paper straws. My personal favourite was the Red Panda (Bloody Mary with a kick), followed by the Emperor New Clothes (Mojito) and Super Tonic (G&T). The personell was lovely. Nikki really knew the cocktails by heart and recommended a few. Apparently the cocktail making bar man is able to make you any cocktail you like. Next time my dear, I might just take him up on the option. I will definitely be back for more tasting and a midnight cup.

LOVE THIS PLACE! Cool little underground dive bar not far from princes street. We could've stayed out all night here, because it was such a good vibe. Try the Copa America cocktail (pictured)- you won't regret it! Obsessed with the panda theme and humorous panda stories throughout the beverage menu. The bartenders were very friendly! Bonus points- they offer a complimentary little popcorn snack that's super yummy!

All the talk among Yelpers these days, we were happy to finally try Panda & Sons out last night. I am not sure what to make of the elaborate panda barbershop speakeasy theme yet, but at least it is amusing. The cocktail menu is a novella of drink descriptions. You basically need to order something to drink while you read through the menu to decide what you want to drink. My Shanghai Paloma came in a plastic lemon with a big bendy straw - clever presentation in theory, but in practice the strong smell of the plastic took away from my enjoyment of the drink (which was otherwise very good). My second cocktail, whose name I have forgotten, came in a regular old glass and was delicious. There were some good beers available as well, for those not delighted by cocktails.

One thing for sure is that the barstaff at panda and sons are highly skilkful cocktail ninjas. Working with subtly tones and flavours in every expertly made drink. The problem I have is not with the place (secret basement bar- perfect), or with the slight wait on the drinks (skill takes time) but actually with the menu. They've taken the old fashioned pokey cocktails (rightly so to match the barbershop decor) but they've not made them accessible to the crowds. When trying several drinks I could appreciate the expertise in making them but the truth of the matter is that after sampling at least 4 cocktails (a few of my boyfriend's as well) I found them all to contain at least one ingredient that I didn't like and I'm not as fussy as most people. If you like bold, hard spirits with a kick behind your drinks, you'll love it. If you're more of a delicate sweet tooth then stick to the pandas at the zoo.

Off the bat you need to get an espresso martini here. They do amazing ones here. I first heard of Panda & Sons at a cocktails in the city event (read more about that here https://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/yelp-masterclass-cocktails-in-the-city-edinburgh) and I remember at the time thinking I'd heard a lot about them, and that I wanted to try it out. Well it has finally happened! I was in here on Good Friday for cocktails and I think this place has their deal down. The staff are firing out the cocktails in super smart time. Despite the bar always been 2/3 deep I never felt like I had to wait ages for my drinks. I feel this is what really makes this place 5 star because I hate feeling like I have to spin my drinks out because ordering them takes bloody ages (I'm looking at you here lebowskis) They give out complimentary popcorn but all the stuff I had was stale, but hey it's free. Cool bar, cool setting, amazing cocktails.

First visit to this new establishiment and it won't be the last! The cocktail list is vast but I choose the "theatrical" Birdcage from the menu after Cressida F mentioned it to me. Wow! That's all I'm gonna say - I don't wanna spoil your moment if you order this cocktail! It's tasted amazing too! The space is small but somewhat well laid and fresh. It was quite busy, but that's a friday night in town. I guess i would come back to experience it all again hopefully on a quieter night as i could barely hear what other folks were saying in conversation as it was super noisy! Defo worth a trip though!