Edinburgh Bar Show returns
The 2026 edition of Edinburgh Bar Show (EBS) will take place on 13-15 April, with confirmed activations featuring Johnnie Walker and Ryan Chetiyawardana.
As with previous events, the third edition of the show will be completely free for trade professionals and feature seminars, bar takeovers, brand experiences and trade-focused events.
EBS 2026 will continue to spotlight Edinburgh’s bar scene and drinks producers, as well as welcoming international bars, brands and industry voices.
Iain McPherson of Panda & Sons co-founded EBS with Gary Anderson and Jamie Faulds in 2024. The event is intended to educate, inspire, celebrate and connect the global bar community through an accessible, inclusive and bartender-first programme in the Scottish capital.
McPherson said: “Scotland and Edinburgh has such an incredible and mature bar community. We are always so proud to host the bar show in Scotland’s capital, and I can’t believe it is year three already.
“Every year, we are seeing more and more international bartender visitors and the calibre of seminars is getting more and more exciting each year.”
The show’s full programme will be announced in early March, however a number of activations have already been confirmed.
Ryan Chetiyawardana (AKA Mr Lyan) and Johnnie Walker’s brand ambassador, Adam Hussain, will host the Black Ruby Lounge activation at the Scotch whisky brand’s Princes Street visitor experience.
Chetiyawardana will lead a flavour-led creative workshop and host a Q&A. The activation will culminate in a bar takeover at the city’s Bramble, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary.
EBS will also welcome Disaronno UK’s Pitch It Program, with the initiative’s winning bartender delivering their own original seminar topic on 14 April.
Hendrick’s Gin will also host the inaugural evening of its ‘Just Another Takeover Series’. As part of the event, two trade partners will showcase Hendrick’s Original and a yet-to-be-announced new product from the brand. A ‘lucky few’ will also be able to experience a secret takeover inside the activation.
Bacardi will also launch a multi-brand wrap party on the event’s final night, with Aberfeldy, St-Germain and Patrón Tequila at Edinburgh’s Old Pal bar.
Other events include a Brugal Rum coffee collaboration and seminars from The Ada Coleman Project.
Faulds added: “Our core principle to support and encourage the bar community with an event that is totally free to attend seems more relevant than ever in what is a challenging time for the hospitality industry. So, to see Edinburgh Bar Show attract bigger numbers and offer a wider, more diverse and engaging programme each year is brilliant to see.”
In 2025, EBS welcomed more than 1,400 delegates, who attended 25 seminars and 26 bar takeovers.
Gary added: “One of the most rewarding parts of being involved in Edinburgh Bar Show is being able to provide a platform for the bar community to make new connections, and then see those connections organically become friendships and collaborations in the months following the show.
“It’s this openness to collaboration within our community that has helped power Edinburgh to become and remain the world-class drinks destination that it is.”
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