Iain McPherson

The Path

Today, Iain McPherson is the founder of Panda & Sons. The title is plain; the practice behind it is not. What it points to is a bar built through steady authorship, where the identity is held with care and the room reflects that discipline. Panda & Sons sits as the expression of that approach, with McPherson as the source of its direction.

The Work Today

He remains the owner and founder there. At Panda & Sons, McPherson’s presence reads as continuity of taste and control, not a temporary phase. The point is not reinvention for its own sake, but the maintenance of character, tone, and method.

Signature

Iain's signature dishes include Malted Affogato, Styles, Coconut Drop, Panda Martini, and Stone of Destiny. The list is compact but distinct, with each name carrying a clear identity. Together, the signatures show a body of work that is intentional in its naming and measured in its presentation, built to be recognized without needing explanation.

In Their Words “It took us a while to absorb winning first place. For a bar from Scotland, it was simply unbelievable.” “We won't change things under pressure from our surroundings.” Taken together, the two lines show recognition met by restraint. One records the scale of the result; the other states the working principle that keeps the result from dictating the bar’s direction.

Acclaim

Iain's honors include Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award 2024 (2024). As a field marker, it places the work in view and acknowledges the standing that Panda & Sons has built under McPherson’s name.