About the Awards
The finalists for the 2025 Scottish Bar and Pub Awards are here!
After sifting through thousands of standout entries, we’re thrilled to unveil the very best. Our mystery shoppers have been crisscrossing the country, raising a glass in pubs and bars from coast to coast – and the standard this year? Absolutely first-class.
But don’t rest just yet — some of you might still get a surprise visit. The competition is fierce, and it’s still anyone’s game!
Here are all the finalists for this years awards. Huge congratulations to everyone. And don’t forget to watch out for the Sunday Mail who will reveal the short-list for Sunday Mail Pub of The Year soon!
If you want to join the party on 26 August, don’t forget to book your seat. Contact Diane McConville accounts@mediaworldltd.com
The Categories
Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year
Finalists
| Athletic Arms – Edinburgh |
| The Belfry – Edinburgh |
| Mother Superior – Edinburgh |
| The Pot Still – Glasgow |
Community Pub of the Year
| Aboukir – Carnoustie |
| The Bowler’s Rest – Edinburgh |
| Montagues – Kirkcaldy |
| The Newton Bar – Millport |
| The Pawn Lounge – Alexandria |
Brugal 1888 Best Cocktail Bar of The Year
| The Cocktail Geeks – Edinburgh |
| Hey Palu – Edinburgh |
| Jack’s Bar – Dakota Hotel Glasgow |
| Kelvingrove Café – Glasgow |
| Lady Libertine – Edinburgh |
Black Ivy & Montpeliers Rising Entrepreneur of the Year
| Ceceley Chambers, The Bowlers Rest – Edinburgh |
| Eddie Fox, Encore Bars – Edinburgh |
| Allan Low, Fox & Willow, – Ayr |
| Lauren McIntosh, Cocktail Joint – Elgin |
| Connie & James Taberner, Fintry Bay, Isle of Cumbrae |
Campari Bar Apprentice of the Year 2025
| Aimee Ashworth, La Jupe |
| Lewis Crone, Margo |
| Cameron Evans, Lynnhurst Hotel |
| Anya Garrow, Gleneagles |
| Callum McCarthy, Encore |
| Stuart Robertson, Badger & Co |
| Wesley Smith, Di Maggios EK |
| Finn Truter, Brewhemia |
| Louise Turner, Rabble |
Deanston Whisky Guru Rising Star Award
| Ross Barr, Scotch – Balmoral |
| Chris Chambers – Cask & Vine |
| Lucy Connor – Tipsy Midgie |
| Jane Ross – The Mother Superior |
DRAM Dog Friendly Pub of the Year
| The Anchorage Restaurant- Ayr |
| Bag o’Nails – Glasgow |
| The Original Rosslyn Inn – Roslin |
| Weston Tavern – Kilmaurs |
HOSPO Manager of the Year
| Michael Eaton, Cafe Royal |
| Lorraine Ferguson, Billy Bridges Bar |
| Pete Harvey, Aboukir |
| Fiona Joyce, Solway Lodge Hotel |
| Stewart Kilpatrick, Hope & Vincent |
| Gavin Ruthven, The Dome |
Hotel Scotland Hotel Bar of the Year
| Bar 1819 – Apex Waterloo Place Hotel |
| Black Ivy – Edinburgh |
| Nor’ Loft – Edinburgh |
| RED Sky Bar – Glasgow |
De Kuyper Award for Cocktail Excellence in Neighbourhood Venues
| The Corner House – Kilwinning |
| Draffens – Dundee |
| McLaren’s on the Corner – Edinburgh |
| The Torfin – Edinburgh |
DRAM Best Beer Garden 2025
| Black Ivy – Edinburgh |
| The Fox & Willow – Ayr |
| Hugos Bar and Pavilion – Dalgety Bay |
| Weavers – Paisley |
Favela Independent Multiple Operator of the Year
| Bucks Bar Group |
| Cru Hospitality |
| Rocks Leisure Group |
| Eden Group |
Fireball Best Late Night Venue
| Berlinkys – Glasgow |
| The Corset Club – Glasgow |
| Freddy’s – Edinburgh |
| Slouch – Glasgow |
| Vic’s – Prestwick |
Hospitality Health Employer of The Year
| Apex Hotels |
| Cru Hospitality |
| Lisini Pub Co |
| Manorview |
Inverarity Morton Best Drinks Offering
| Brewhemia – Edinburgh |
| The Criterion – St Andrews |
| The Keys Bar – St Andrews |
| Scotch & Rye – Inverness |
| Teuchters Landing – Edinburgh |
Jameson Best Irish Bar 2025
| Boston Bar – Edinburgh |
| Kitty O’Shea’s – Glasgow |
| Malones – Edinburgh |
| O’Connor’s – Edinburgh |
| Seamus’s – Edinburgh |
Jump Ship Brewing Gastro Pub Of The Year 2025
| The Birds & Bees – Stirling |
| The Bridge Inn – Ratho |
| Crown & Anchor Inn – Findhorn |
| Stravaigin – Glasgow |
Best New Bar 2025
| Boston Bar – Edinburgh |
| Berlinkys – Glasgow |
| Cask and Vine – Edinburgh |
| The Marlborough – Glasgow |
| Sebbs – Glasgow |
Schweppes Mixologist of The Year
| Branford Edgar, Kelvingrove Cafe |
| Jake Harris, Old Pal |
| Poppy Kerr, Bartenders Lounge |
| Chris Mullen, Mar Hall |
| Toby Peters, The Cocktail Geeks |
Sims Automatic Sports Bar of The Year
| Houston’s Sports Bar – Johnstone |
| Hope & Vincent – Glasgow |
| Lochy’s – Barrhead |
| The Tap Yard – Glasgow |
Staropramen Award for Outstanding Quality
| Brewhemia – Edinburgh |
| Boston Bar – Edinburgh |
| Louie Brown’s – Dalgety Bay |
| The Phoenix – Dundee |
| Siberia Bar & Hotel – Aberdeen |
Sunday Mail Pub of the Year
| The Anglers – Annan |
| Athletic Arms – Edinburgh |
| Café Royal – Edinburgh |
| Four Mary’s – Linlithgow |
| MacGregors – Inverness |
| MacSorleys – Glasgow |
| The Smokin’ Goat – Ayr |
| The Piper – Glasgow |
| The Newton – Millport |
| The Old Swan – Paisley |
| The Weston – Kilmaurs |
|
Vic’s – Prestwick |