The Palmerston and Newbarns to Open the Cooper’s Rest, a New Pub in Edinburgh
- Guild Secretary
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
The teams behind Edinburgh-based brewery Newbarns and restaurant The Palmerston have confirmed their plans to open a pub, The Cooper’s Rest, in Edinburgh.
The Cooper’s Rest will be a joint venture between Gordon McKenzie and Emma McIntosh
(co-owners of Newbarns) and Lloyd Morse and James Snowdon (co-owners of The Palmerston), bringing a new pub to Scotland’s capital. The project will revive the existing The Cooper’s Rest pub on Easter Road, Leith, which has been closed since 2015.
The Cooper’s Rest will merge the warmth and welcoming atmosphere of a pub with quality drinks and food. The menu will be focused on modern takes on classic comfort dishes, with the team working closely with farmers and producers to source the best local and seasonal produce available. Beers will come from Newbarns, spirits from Leith-based brands including Woodrow’s of Edinburgh, Blind Summit, Electric Spirit Co. and Fragrant Drops, and wines from The Palmerston’s cellar.
Of the launch, co-owner James Snowdon said: “The seed for the pub was planted way back in 2022. Through getting to know Gordon and the team at Newbarns, we realised we're all gagging for Edinburgh to have a proper pub which serves proper pub food. Edinburgh is a city full of great pubs, but every ‘gastropub’ in the city is really a restaurant - you can't go into them and sit at the bar all afternoon drinking pints. During the last few years we've discovered we have similar ideas of what we love in a pub and want to bring that to Edinburgh: exceptional food, quality drinks and a welcoming atmosphere for locals and visitors alike”.
Gordon McKenzie added: “At Newbarns, everything we do starts with that feeling you get around a pub table with friends – the easy camaraderie, the good conversation. So often those friendships, and those tables, have included the brilliant people from The Palmerston so this collaboration at The Cooper’s just feels right. We can't wait to share our passion for exceptional food, great beer, and truly good company, bringing everyone together under one roof.”
The Cooper’s Rest plans to open early-2026 at 295 Easter Road, Edinburgh EH6 8LH.
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About The Palmerston
The Palmerston opened in Edinburgh’s West End in August 2021, and is the first restaurant from Lloyd Morse and James Snowdon. The Palmerston champions whole-animal cookery and local produce, offering a daily-changing menu that celebrates the best and freshest produce available on the day. The 60-cover restaurant is housed in a former 19th century bank, and includes an in-house bakery. The drinks offering includes a far-reaching list of world wines - including an extensive Champagne and sparkling list - sharing bottles of beer, a concise seasonally-changing cocktail list, and an extensive selection of whiskies. It was nominated for ‘Best Breakthrough’ in GQ’s Food and Drink Awards in 2023, and has placed in the National Restaurant Awards top 100 restaurants list in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
About Newbarns
Established in 2019, Newbarns Brewery is a brewery based in Leith, Edinburgh. Co-founded by experienced brewers Gordon McKenzie and Emma McIntosh (formerly of The Kernel Brewery) alongside Jonny Hamilton and Freddie Bjerkseth (formerly of Beavertown Brewery), Newbarns combines a wealth of brewing experience and expertise with a shared passion for exceptional beer. Drawing inspiration from both traditional and innovative brewing techniques, Newbarns Brewery crafts a diverse line-up of beers that seamlessly blend the best of old and new. By prioritising quality and sustainability, Newbarns has quickly made a name for itself in the craft beer scene, offering a range of expertly crafted brews that cater to all tastes.
In 2022, Newbarns opened its long-anticipated taproom in Leith. It also operates an online shop, offering cans, cases and merchandise for delivery across the UK.
Contact: Georgina georgina@toniccomms.co.uk
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