The great and the good of Scotland’s hospitality industry gathered for the Scottish Bar & Pub Awards 2021 last night (7th September) at Glasgow’s Hilton Hotel with an after-party at The Radisson Red. Among the winners were Sandy Fraser of The Oak Tree Inn, Balmaha, who walked away with the Lifetime Achievement Award, while The Kings Arms in Fenwick was named Sunday Mail Pub of the Year.
Said Sandy Fraser, “I was completely taken by surprise, moved and humbled to get this award. It was a great night and Susan Young, as usual, brought it all together so incredibly well.
“The award reflects the input from my wife Lucy who’s been a great inspiration to me, and my kids, and I am delighted that they’ve followed me into hospitality. The Oak Tree Inn has enabled the family to work together and it’s great to see my kids fulfilling their ambitions.”
Showbiz journalist Bev Lyons compered the evening with entertainment throughout dinner from Roberto Enzo. Guests also enjoyed an after-party at The Radisson Red Sky Bar with Michael Kilkie and Jon Mancini, plus Guilty Pleasures.
DRAM publisher and Scottish Bar & Pub Awards organiser Susan Young said, “They were all such worthy winners and the standard was so incredibly high that I want to congratulate all the finalists too.
“It was wonderful seeing so many pub, bar, restaurant, and hotel owners having a night off with their staff and being honoured for steering their businesses through the pandemic as hospitality gradually gets back on its feet.
“The awards also allowed industry peers to catch up with one another, and for many, this was the first opportunity to do so in over 18 months. As well as individual excellence, the awards also demonstrated just how Scottish hospitality businesses pulled together and supported one another and continue to do so.”
Full list of Scottish Bar & Pub Awards 2021 winners
Lifetime Achievement
Sandy Fraser
Oak Tree Inn
Balmaha
Antos Dog Friendly Pub of the Year
Forth Inn, Aberfoyle
Best or Most Improved Outside Area sponsored by Kopparberg
The Buf, Prestwick
BII Customer Service Award
Siberia, Aberdeen
Buzzworks Montpeliers Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year
Billy Milligan
Finsbay
Milngavie
Carling Community Pub of the Year
The Palais
Glasgow
Deanston Whisky Guru of the Year
Derek Mather
Artisan
Wishaw
Discarded Cocktail Bar of the Year
Lido
Troon
DRAM Sales Rep of the Year
Harry Olorunda
Halewood International
DRUM
Social Media Award
Radisson Red
Glasgow
G&M Connoisseurs Choice
Whisky Bar of the Year
The Malt Room
Inverness
WM Grant Bar Apprentice 2021
Alanna Beattie
Hillhead Book Club, Glasgow
Hospo Talent
Bar Manager of the Year
Tony Craig
Black Ivy, Edinburgh
Hotel Scotland
Charity Endeavour of the Year
Manorview Hotels & Leisure Group
DRAM Rising Star Award
Macmerry 300
Dundee
Inverarity Morton
Restaurant of the Year
The Fox & Willow
Ayr
Kopparberg New Bar of the Year
Coast
The Gailes Hotel
Irvine
Molson Coors Evolution Award
The Fort
Broughty Ferry
Old Tom Gin 1821
Hotel Bar of the Year
The Cave Bar
Meldrum House Hotel
Oldmeldrum
Open Ear Independent Pub Group of the Year
St Luke’s & the Winged Ox, Glasgow
SGL Inspirational Employee of the year
Scott Henderson
The Record Factory, Glasgow
Stolichnaya Award for Sustainability
Derby Lane, Glasgow
Sunday Mail Pub of the Year
The Kings Arms, Fenwick