The Scottish Bar and Pub Awards was an emotionally charged evening last year – mainly because we were all so glad to be back. The Scottish licensed trade is resilient, forward-thinking and entrepreneurial – so let’s celebrate and how better to do this than get your customer voting for you for the 2022 Scottish Bar and Pub Awards – the original trade awards – celebrating 27 years!
You can nominate your pub, bar, hotel or restaurant, staff or employers, but encourage your customers to get in on the act too.
This year’s event, all going to plan, will take place on the 30th August at The Hilton in William Street in Glasgow so put the date in your diary.
Many thanks to all our sponsors and there will be a couple of more categories which are just being finalised. and of course there will our usual surprises not least our Lifetime Achievement Award.
Take a look at the categories below, and visit the Scottish Bar And Pub Awards website here.
The categories are below:
Antos Dog Friendly Pub of the Year
The Scottish Bar & Pub Awards are hunting for a pub that provides a welcome for pet dogs. Do you know a pub or bar that allow customers to bring their friendly pooches inside? Do they provide a water bowl and the occasional treat? If so, they could be in the running for this accolade. Judges will be bringing their own dogs on mystery visits (volunteers are queuing up!!) If you think you know a pub or hotel that fits the bill – enter it now and if you think you are the most Dog-Friendly Pub in Scotland get your customers voting! The two-legged variety! Vote here.
ARO Procurement Customer Service Award
Customer service is paramount when it comes to running a successful business. Aro Procurement is on the lookout for a pub, restaurant or hotel which fully embraces the customer service ethos. Do you know a business that does this? If so, they could be eligible for this Award. Judges will look at the measures that are in place to ensure staff are well trained in customer service. Short listing will be done by Mystery Shoppers and if necessary this will be followed up with a meeting with the judges. If you want to put a nomination in, do so now. Vote here.
Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year
Benromach comes from the smallest distillery in Speyside, and it is carefully crafted by hand. It hails from the Gordon & MacPhail stable, the family-owned distillers that loves whisky. Now Benromach is looking for a bar that whisky-loving customers love too. The company believes that every whisky has its own character and this year Benromach is looking for a bar with character as well as trained staff who are enthusiastic about whisky and who know how to engage their their customers. If you think you are one, or you know one nominate it for the Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year trophy. Vote here.
The Busker Innovative Cocktail Bar of the Year
The Busker is an innovative ‘new to the world’ Irish Whiskey which is seeking out Scotland’s most innovative Cocktail Bar. It is looking for a bar which marries traditions with a contemporary look and which empowers bartenders to go beyond their limitations and create flavour-curious (great) cocktails. Do you know a cocktail bar that has this story to tell, or are you one? If so enter now… all bars will be mystery shopped and bartenders will be asked to mix up a new Busker cocktail. Vote here.
Buzzworks & Montpeliers Emerging entrepreneur of the year
Buzzworks and Montpeliers are partnering to offer one emerging entrepreneur the opportunity to be mentored by one of the industry’s most experienced and successful individuals over a twelve-month period. Are you successful already, but would hugely benefit from great operational and financial advice, to allow your business to grow to the next level? If so let us know what you think you would benefit. All candidates will be interviewed too. Vote here.
DRAM Community Pub of the Year
Local community pubs are at the heart of the Scottish licensed trade, This year, we are looking for a pub that gets involved in supporting local projects. Whether its charity events, or using local artists or suppliers, getting involved in sponsoring the local football team or backing local musicians – the judges will be looking for pubs that are not only part of the community but support it too. So if you know a pub like this or you work in one, or even own one – let us know. Vote here.
Deanston Whisky Guru of the Year
Are you passionate about all things whisky, with a bold and industrious spirit? Do you love to share your whisky knowledge with your colleagues and customers, but dare to do things a bit differently? Or do you know someone that inspires you when it comes to whisky, with their hard work, optimism and authenticity? This category, ‘Whisky Guru of the Year’, is for people who not only have a great knowledge of whisky but are bold and fearless educators and advocates, with a real passion for craft. It is open to all on-trade employees or employers whether in the bar, pub, restaurant or hotel industry. Vote here.
The Bar Apprentice is back for its 15th year with – William Grant & Sons backing the initiative with brands Glenfiddich Single Malt Whisky, Hendrick’s Gin, Monkey Shoulder and Wm Grant has also created a bespoke programme for this year’s apprentices – an experience you can’t buy! The programme aims to inspire and educate as well as giving practical experience for working behind the bar or on the floor. The 2022 apprentices will be mentored by a team of experts from William Grant & Son’s.The apprentice who embraces the experience and makes the most progress will receive the accolade William Grant & Sons Bar Apprentice 2022 and will be presented with the award at the Awards Ceremony. If you would like to be put forward for the experience or you have a member of staff that you would like to put forward email:- susan@mediaworldltd.com or vote here.
Hi-Spirits Best Live Music Venue 2022
Live music is very much part of a vibrant night life, and pubs and bars that invest in live music can be found in most towns and cities in Scotland. Are you one of the best or do you know a live music bar or pub that is the best in Scotland? Hi-Spirits, which offers the on-trade a diverse portfolio of brands such as Southern Comfort, Fireball and now Tequila Rose is looking for a bar that has an equally diverse live music offer – whether your music genre is rock, country, hip-hop or Scottish or a mix, it’s important that the sound is as good as the ambience. Great service and a quality drink offering are also part and parcel of the offering. If you know one or are one, enter now. Vote here.
Hungrrr Technology Adopter of the Year
Hospitality operators that embrace technology are keeping their business on track and driving them forward. Technology can drive efficiencies, help with building the business, save time and keep staff onside and more. That’s why it is so important. This year Hungrrr, which provide bespoke ordering solutions for the hospitality industry, is looking for licensees who embrace technology and who can demonstrate the difference it has made to their businesses. Do you know a business that is forging ahead with technology, or are you one? If so why not vote here.
Inverarity Morton Restaurant of the Year
Do you know a great restaurant or are you one? Scotland’s certainly has a wealth of great eateries and now Inverarity Morton is set to recognise restaurateurs who are doing an excellent job at promoting hospitality by offering memorable dishes, great service and who also have curated an excellent wine list. Service and ambience will also score highly as will creativity. If you think you fit the criteria or you know a restaurant that does enter them here.
Kopparberg New Bar of the Year
Kopparberg is on the lookout for Scotland’s best new bar. The Kopparberg team is looking for a bar that has proved to be a success with customers – it doesn’t have to be the most stylish or the biggest, but owners should demonstrate creative forward-thinking and be inclined to think outside of the box when it comes to developing their business. It goes without saying but good customer service and an excellent range of products behind the bar is essential. Do you know a bar, or are you one, that deserves the title? If so put them forward for the accolade now and vote here.
DRAM Independent Pub Group of the Year
The DRAM is on the look-out for Scotland’s top Independent Pub Group. Groups that look set to impress the judges will be dynamic and forward-thinking, with a taste for growth and expansion and a commitment to investing in their employees. You don’t have to be big but you do have to be good. Vote here.
Molson Coors Scottish Bar of the Year
This inaugural award is seeking out Scotland’s best Bars, who have been around for at least a year. We’re looking for venues that are a hit with their customers -success can come through great customer service, a beautiful bar environment, stunning food and drink offering or an event calendar that keeps customers flocking back. Operators that offer something special for their locals, or are known for exceptional standards by locals and visitors alike – we are keen to hear to from the exceptional teams that make this industry so vibrant and fresh. Do you know a bar that fits the bill, or are you one? Let us know vote here.
Mediaworld Casual Dining Award 2022
There are many great Casual Dining Restaurants in Scotland and this year we seek to recognise those that stand head and shoulders above the competition with our Award for Casual Dining. Do you have a relaxed atmosphere, and serve good value quality food? Are your staff adept at customer service, and do you chefs know how to serve up tantalising, tasty food? Are you family-friendly and customer-focused? then this award could be for you. Get your customers to vote here now.
Old Tom Gin 1821 Hotel Bar of the Year
Old Tom Gin 1821 is a Super Premium gin created in St Andrews and it is looking for a premium hotel bar that epitomises the best of all things Scottish. Do you know a hotel that offers great service, and activities such as golf, and a bar that allows you to relax – either pre-activity or post activity? The judges will be looking for a bar with ambience, a good range of drinks, cocktails too, and it goes without saying… service with a smile. Vote here now.
Pernod Ricard Best Late Night Venue 2022
Late night venues have not had it easy over the last two years, but now its back to business and Pernod Ricard, the brand owners with Havana Club, Beefeater and Chivas in its portfolio, is looking for a late night venue that exemplifies what is good and great about late night socialising. Great drinks, music and service are all important, but the atmosphere too plays its part. Eligible venues must be open after midnight, but whether you are a club, dive bar, cocktail bar or entertainment venue – this award is for you if you offer a first class late night experience. If you know a venue you think deserves the accolade or you are one… get voting here.
Stolichnaya Award for Sustainability
Stolichnaya is fully committed to growing in a responsible, sustainable way and it is looking for Scottish licensed trade businesses that are also growing in a similar manner. This award is aimed at bars, restaurants or hotels which are operating with an effective and sustainability agenda that reinforces a commitment to operating in an economically, socially and environmentally responsible manner from reducing plastic waste to conserving energy – it all matters. If you know a business or are a business that is building sustainability into its DNA every day, by embracing all things green let us know or vote here.
Scotland’s leading Sunday newspaper is looking for the best pub in the country. Do you have a welcoming atmosphere? Do your customers come back, and come back again? Get your customers to fill in the entry form when it appears in the Sunday Mail or vote here and tell us why you think you are eligible for ‘Pub of the Year’.
