The finalists have been revealed for this year’s Scottish Bar and Pub Awards and the shortlist features a host of the country’s favourite pubs from Annan to Inverness! The awards, run by industry magazine DRAM, are Scotland’s longest running hospitality awards and the winners will be crowned at a spectacular ‘Grand Ole Opry’ themed awards ceremony on Tuesday 27th August in Glasgow.
Over the last three decades the event has become known as one of the most prestigious events in Scotland’s licensed trade calendar as they celebrate the people and hospitality venues across Scotland that make the industry the success it is!
Finalists include Our Place Annan who are up for the DRAM Casual Dining award and The White House in Inverness who are fighting it out to become Brugal Cocktail Bar of the Year.
In the Jameson Best Irish Bar category, Kitty O’Shea’s and Waxy O’Connor’s in Glasgow are against Malones Aberdeen and Jessica O’Marley’s in Dundee. Plus, the Kopparberg New Bar of the Year award is also hotly contested with finalists including the Brunswick Book Club and Encore in Edinburgh, The Physician in St Andrews and The Stravaig in Ayr. There are also plenty more venues and individuals represented across nearly 25 categories!
Organiser Susan Young said, “I would like to congratulate all our finalists from around the country. Their customers have voted in their 1000s to ensure their favourite pubs, bars, restaurants and bar staff get the recognition they deserve.
“Despite the pressures hospitality faces, these businesses have worked hard at keeping and pleasing their customers and their hard work has been recognised. Our mystery shoppers and judges have also been incredibly positive about the standard of entry and the fantastic service they received on their visits.”
More than 600 hospitality industry champions will gather at the event to find out who will scoop the top awards.
You can see the full list of the award categories and finalists below:-
Benromach Whisky Bar of The Year
- The Malt Room – Inverness
- The Piper Whisky Bar – Glasgow
- The Pot Still – Glasgow
- Tipsy Midgie – Edinburgh
Black Ivy and Montpeliers Emerging Entrepreneur
- Shandy Martin – Dizzy Izzy’s, Edinburgh
- Alex and Rachel Palumbo – Hey Palu, Edinburgh
- Iain Reid – The Tap Yard, Glasgow
- Jane Ross – The Mother Superior, Edinburgh
Brugal 1888 Cocktail Bar of the Year
- The Absent Ear – Glasgow
- Kelvingrove Café – Glasgow
- Nightcap – Edinburgh
- The White House – Inverness
Campari Bar Apprentice
- Charlie Atkin – The Parkville Hotel, Blantyre
- Marek Brzozowski – The Old Workshop, Aberdeen
- Ryan Knowles – The Citizen, Glasgow
- Caitlyn Marcinek – The Redhurst Hotel, Giffnock
- Jillian Ormerod – The Triplekirks, Aberdeen
- Finaly Paterson – Scotts South Queensferry
- Louis Sherrit – The Fort, Broughty Ferry
Cold Town Craft Beer Pub of the Year
- The Craftsman Company – Aberdeen
- The Raven – Glasgow
- Salt Horse Beer Shop & Bar – Edinburgh
- Shilling Brewing Co. – Glasgow
Deanston Whisky Guru
- Dom Cummings
- Colin Hinds
- Gillian Kirkland
- Jane Ross
- Viki Stevenson
DRAM Casual Dining Award
The Boathouse – Isle of Gigha
Bucks Bar – Glasgow
Our Place – Annan
Tempura – Ayr
DRAM Dog Friendly Pub of the Year
- The Blue Blazer – Edinburgh
- The Craw’s Nest – Carnoustie
- The Ship – Irvine
- The Torfin – Edinburgh
Drinks Express Independent Operator
- Cru Hospitality
- Kilderkin Group
- Malones Irish Bars
- The Rocks Leisure Group
De Kuyper Liqueurs Mixologist of the Year
- Fowwaz Ansari – Bittersweet, Edinburgh
- John Clark – The White House, Inverness
- Johnny Morrison – VEGA, Glasgow
- Carrie Smith – Hoot The Redeemer, Edinburgh
Favela Latin American Venue of the Year
- Boteco Do Brasil – Glasgow
- El Santo – Glasgow
- Joao’s Place – Edinburgh
- Topolabamba – Glasgow
Hospitality Health Employer of the Year
- Apex Hotels
- Buzzworks
- Manorview Hotels
- Signature Pub Group
HOSPO Manager of the Year
- Michael Eaton – Café Royal, Edinburgh
- John Mannion – The Blue Blazer, Edinburgh
- Steven Muir – Harleys, Ayr
- John Ogilvie – Montagues, Kirkcaldy
- Olivia Wong – Stravaigin, Glasgow
Hotel Scotland Family Business of the Year
- The Ball Room Sports Bars
- Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort
- Vittoria Group
- The Waterside Bistro
Inverarity Morton Scotland’s Best Drinks Offering
- The Allison Arms – Glasgow
- Killiecrankie House – Killiecrankie
- Malo – Glasgow
- Teuchters Landing – Edinburgh
Jameson Best Irish Bar
- Kitty O’Shea’s – Glasgow
- Malones – Aberdeen
- Jessica O’Marley’s – Dundee
- Waxy O’Connor’s – Glasgow
Kopparberg New Bar of the Year
- Brunswick Book Club – Edinburgh
- Encore – Edinburgh
- The Physician – St Andrews
- The Stravaig – Ayr
Mediaworld Best Outdoor Area
- Black Ivy – Edinburgh
- Cold Town House – Edinburgh
- The Fox & Willow – Ayr
- Outboard By Scotts – South Queensferry
Molinari Hotel Bar of the Year
- Cask and Clyde – DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central
- Chop Grill & Bar – Sandman Signature Aberdeen Hotel
- Hazel Lounge – AC Hotel Glasgow
- Lochrin Rooftop Bar – Moxy Edinburgh Fountainbridge
- W Lounge – W Edinburgh
Schweppes Bartender of the Year
- Joseph Clancy – The Laurieston Bar, Glasgow
- Hayden Fenton – Tarragon by Graham Mitchell, Aberdeen
- Lucy George – Lucky Liquor Co, Edinburgh
- Marquis Smith – Stravaigin, Glasgow
Sims Automatic Sports bar of the Year
- Fullbacks Sports & Pizza Bar – Milngavie
- Hope & Vincent – Glasgow
- Mulligans – Ayr
- The Tap Yard – Glasgow
Staropramen Award for Outstanding Quality
- Brewhemia – Edinburgh
- The Guildford Arms – Edinburgh
- Hugo’s Bar & Pavilion – Dalgety Bay
- The Raeburn – Edinburgh
Sunday Mail Pub of the Year
- The Allison Arms – Glasgow
- MacGregor’s – Inverness
- The Newton Bar – Millport
- The Smokin’ Fox – Glasgow
Susan Young at the 2023 Scottish Bar and Pub Awards