A former police box on Edinburgh’s Hope Street has been reimagined as The Johnnie Walker Booth, a new pop-up destination celebrating flavour, discovery and contemporary Scottish creative talent.
Located directly outside The Johnnie Walker Experience, the Booth will extend the whisky visitor attraction beyond its walls with a programme of tastings, live music, samplings and special events throughout the year.
The venue will officially launch on Saturday 19 September, from 1pm to 4pm, with an afternoon of live performances curated by independent Scottish record label Lost Map Records.
Visitors will also be able to try the Harbour Gimlet, a new cocktail from the team at the recently relaunched 1820 Rooftop Bar. The light pink serve combines Johnnie Walker Black Label with Grocer’s Cordial, yellow pepper and lime zest.
The cocktail takes inspiration from the trading ports through which Scottish goods, including whisky from John Walker & Sons, travelled around the world. John Walker & Sons was awarded a Royal Warrant by King George V in 1934.
Alongside the cocktail, guests will have the opportunity to sample Johnnie Walker drams and access an exclusive offer for the Johnnie Walker Experience retail store and 1820 Rooftop Bar.
Live music line-up
Lost Map Records will bring four emerging artists from its catalogue to the Hope Street site during the launch event.
The performances are scheduled as follows:
1.15pm – L.T. Leif: The Glasgow-based Canadian singer-songwriter will bring a blend of folk, experimental and DIY influences.
2pm – Isa Gordon: The Ayrshire-raised, Glasgow-based producer and multi-instrumentalist combines traditional Scottish song with electronics, club music and experimental pop.
2.45pm – Faith Eliott: The Minneapolis-born, Edinburgh-based singer-songwriter’s work blends contemporary folk, atmospheric electronics and poetic storytelling.
3.30pm – Acolyte: Led by award-winning poet and performer Iona Lee, the Edinburgh ensemble combines spoken word with bass loops, synths and percussion.
New look for historic box
The former police box has been given a new exterior designed by Scottish artist Gabriella Marcella, whose colourful work can also be seen at Glasgow Queen Street station and in Inverness.
Marcella’s bespoke design aims to present a contemporary vision of Scotland, setting the visual tone for the Booth’s forthcoming programme of food, drink and cultural activations.
Following the launch, The Johnnie Walker Booth is expected to host further installations and events, including tastings, live performances and special pop-up moments.
Extending the Johnnie Walker experience
The opening comes as the nearby 1820 Rooftop Bar continues its relaunch, offering globally inspired cocktails created by Mr Lyan Studios alongside a sharing-style menu from award-winning Scottish chef Scott Smith.
The Johnnie Walker Experience opened in Edinburgh in 2021 and has since become a major visitor attraction on Princes Street, combining whisky tastings, storytelling and immersive experiences.
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The venue has also been named World’s Leading Spirit Tourism Experience for three consecutive years. The new Booth is intended to bring that experience directly onto the street, creating another reason for residents and visitors to stop by Hope Street.
For updates, follow @JohnnieWalkerExperience on Instagram or visit JohnnieWalkerExperience.com.
