You have asked and so we have delivered! Here you can find where to see all the pictures from of the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards night at the DoubleTree Hilton.
Thanks to everyone for a great night! See you next year!
The winners of the 2025 Scottish Bar & Pub Awards were unveiled on the 26th of August at a glittering, Oscars-themed ceremony held at the Doubletree by Hilton, Glasgow. Celebrating its 30th year, the prestigious event welcomed hundreds of hospitality professionals from across Scotland, with over 100 venues shortlisted as finalists. You can see all the winners pictures below.
Top industry honours went to some of Scotland’s most iconic names. Michele Pagliocca, owner of Monteleone Ltd (The Marlborough, The Butterfly and the Pig, The Buff Club and Singl-End) in Glasgow, received the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Donald MacLeod MBE was recognised with the SHG Contribution to the Industry Award and Buzzworks’ Alison Blair was named Inspirational Woman of the Year.
There were big celebrations in Edinburgh as local venues scooped some of the night’s most coveted titles. Black Ivy was named Hotel Scotland Hotel Bar of the Year, Hey Palu claimed the Brugal 1888 Cocktail Bar of the Year, and The Athletic Arms took home the title of Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year.
It was a double win for Encore Bars, with Freddy’s picking up Fireball Best Late Night Venue, and owner Edward Fox receiving the Black Ivy and Montpeliers Rising Star Entrepreneur Award.
The night even saw individual successes celebrated, with Jane Ross (The Mother Superior) awarded the Deanston Whisky Guru Rising Star Award, Gavin Ruthven (The Dome) named HOSPO Manager of the Year, and Toby Peters (The Cocktail Geeks) shaking things up to win Schweppes Mixologist of the Year.
In Midlothian, The Original Rosslyn Inn was recognised as the DRAM Dog Friendly Pub of the Year, celebrating its warm welcome to both guests and their four-legged friends.
The celebrations continued in Glasgow, where Berlinkys was awarded the DRAM New Bar of the Year, Kitty O’Shea’s took home the Jameson Best Irish Bar title, and MacSorley’s proudly received the highly sought-after Sunday Mail Pub of the Year award.
Dundee enjoyed a successful night, with Draffens honoured with the De Kuyper Award for Cocktail Excellence in Neighbourhood Venues, and The Phoenix receiving the Staropramen Award for Outstanding Quality.
In Fife, Hugos Bar and Pavilion celebrated a second consecutive win, this time taking home the DRAM Best Beer Garden award, while The Criterion in St Andrews received the Inverarity Morton Best Drinks Offering trophy.
Elsewhere across Scotland, The Newton Bar in Millport was named DRAM Community Pub of the Year, The Birds and Bees in Stirling earned the Jump Ship Brewing Gastropub of the Year title, Lochy’s in Barrhead took the Sims Automatics Sports Bar of the Year award, and Aimee Ashworth from Dishoom was honoured with the Campari Bar Apprentice 2025 accolade.
Two industry giants also made their mark on the night. Apex Hotels showcased their commitment to staff wellbeing by winning the Hospitality Health Employer of the Year award, while the formidable Bucks Bar Group took home the Favela Independent Multiple Operator Award.
Special recognition was given to Fiona Joyce of the Solway Lodge in Gretna, who received the Unsung Hero award, and Lorraine Ferguson from Billy Bridges in Ayr, who was named Bar Personality of the Year. Both women have dedicated over 20 years to their venues, embodying the passion and loyalty at the heart of Scotland’s hospitality industry.
Susan Young organiser and Editor of industry publication DRAM, who also received a surprise award said, “It was fantastic to see so many deserving winners this year. These awards are a celebration of the people who make the Scottish hospitality industry the success it is, and this year’s entries were truly outstanding. Over the past 30 years, we’ve hosted some incredible events, and this was certainly one of the best. Every finalist deserves recognition for the exceptional venues they operate and should be immensely proud of their achievements.
Congratulations to each and every one of them!”
Lifetime AchievementMichele Pagliocca – Montelone Ltd, Glasgow
Benromach Whisky Bar of the YearWinner: Athletic Arms, Edinburgh
Winner: Hey Palu, Edinburgh
Winner: The Original Rosslyn Inn, Roslin
Highly Commended: The Anchorage – Dunure
Winner: Aimee Ashworth, Dishoom
Highly Commended: Cameron Evans, The Lynnhurst
De Kuyper Award for Cocktail Excellence in Neighbourhood VenuesWinner: Draffens, Dundee
Highly Commended: The Corner House, Kilwinning
Deanston Whisky Guru Rising Star AwardWinner: Jane Ross – The Mother Superior, Edinburgh
Winner: Bucks Bar Group
Highly Commended: Rocks Leisure Group
Winner: Freddy’s, Edinburgh
Hospitality Health Employer of The YearWinner: Apex Hotels
Highly Commended: Lisini Pub Co
Winner: Gavin Ruthven, The Dome
Hotel Scotland Hotel Bar of the YearWinner: Black Ivy, Edinburgh
Unsung HeroFiona Joyce – Solway Lodge Hotel, Gretna
Fiona Joyce – Solway Lodge Hotel, Gretna
Bar Personality of The YearLorraine Ferguson – Billy Bridges, Ayr
Inverarity Morton Best Drinks OfferingWinner: The Criterion, St Andrews
Winner: Hugo’s bar & Pavilion, Dalgety Bay
Jameson Best Irish Bar 2025Winner: Kitty O’Shea’s, Glasgow
Jump Ship Brewing Gastro Pub Of The Year 2025
Winner: The Birds & Bees, Stirling
Highly Commended: Crown & Anchor Inn – Findhorn
Community Pub of the YearWinner: The Newton Bar, Millport
Best New Bar 2025
Winner: Berlinkys, Glasgow
Schweppes Mixologist of The YearWinner: Toby Peters, The Cocktail Geeks
Sims Automatic Sports Bar of The YearWinner: Lochy’s, Barrhead
Contribution to the Industry AwardDonald MacLeod MBE
Inspirational Woman of the YearAlison Blair – Buzzworks, Ayrshire
Staropramen Award for Outstanding QualityWinner: The Phoenix, Dundee
Sunday Mail Pub of the YearWinner: MacSorleys, Glasgow
Last year set the bar sky-high, with stand-out winners like The Smokin’ Fox in Glasgow (Sunday Mail Pub of the Year), Tempura in Ayr (Casual Dining Award), Forbes of Kingennie (Family Business of the Year), Malones Aberdeen (Jameson Best Irish Bar) and Teuchters Landing in Edinburgh (Inverarity Morton Best Drinks Offering). Now, the search is on again and organisers are excited to hear who your favourites are for 2025!
It’s not just about the pubs – it’s also about the people behind the pints! From whisky wizards and rising stars to standout bar managers shaking up the scene, the awards shine a spotlight on the personalities powering Scotland’s licensed trade. And with Schweppes on the hunt for a ‘Mixologist of the Year,’ it’s time to nominate those who stir, shake, and serve with serious flair.
If you’re interested in supporting your much-loved local venue, whether it’s for the lively atmosphere, exceptional food, or outstanding service, your vote can help highlight the pubs that make Scotland’s hospitality scene special. They have to be in it to win it, and your vote could make all the difference.
Voting is quick and easy at www.scottishbarandpubawards.com/awards, where you can back your favourites across multiple categories. But don’t wait – voting closes on the 14th of June. Finalists will be revealed soon after with the judges then hitting the road for mystery visits across the country. The winners will be crowned at a glittering Oscar themed ceremony in Glasgow on August 26th!
Event organiser, Susan Young, reflected on the milestone, saying ““Over the past 30 years, we’ve seen some incredible talent recognised at the Scottish Bar & Pub Awards and this year will be no different!
“Despite the challenges, hospitality remains one of Scotland’s most vibrant and rewarding industries. It’s a real privilege to shine a spotlight on the passionate people working hard behind the scenes in some of the country’s best-loved venues – that’s what these awards are all about! I hope their customers make the effort to vote for pubs, bars, restaurants and staff that make hospitality special.”
The full list of categories includes Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year, Brugal 1888 Cocktail Bar of the Year, Caledonia Inns & Montpeliers Emerging Entrepreneur, DRAM Dog Friendly Pub of the Year, Campari Bar Apprentice 2025, De Kuyper Award for Cocktail Excellence in Neighbourhood Venues, Deanston Whisky Guru Rising Star Award, Favela Independent Multiple Operator of the Year, Fireball Best Late Night Venue, Hospitality Health Employer of the Year, HOSPO Manager of the Year, Inverarity Morton Best Drinks Offering, Jameson Best Irish Bar, Schweppes Mixologist of the Year, Sims Automatics Sports Bar of the Year, Staropramen Award for Outstanding Quality, DRAM Best Beer Garden, Jump Ship Brewing Gastropub of the Year, New Bar of the Year and Pub of the Year.
For a full list of this years categories and to vote please go to: www.scottishbarandpubawards.com/awards/
entrysbpa@mediaworldltd.com and tell us your nominations and why they should win.
https://www.facebook.com/scottish.bar.pub.awards/ https://www.instagram.com/scottishbarpubawards/
Nicola Walker – nicolawalker@mediaworldltd.com
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Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year: The Piper Whisky Bar, Glasgow
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Brugal Best Cocktail Bar of the Year: The Absent Ear, Glasgow
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Campari Bar Apprentice 2024: Finlay Paterson – Scotts South Queensferry
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The winners of the 2024 Scottish Bar and Pub Awards have been revealed! The winners picked up their trophies at a glittering ‘Grand Ole Opry’ themed event held at the Doubletree Hilton in Glasgow on Tuesday 27th August.
The awards, now in their 29th year, celebrate all that is good and great about the hospitality industry with more than 100 hospitality venues shortlisted as finalists at the event.
Industry veteran Stuart Ross, former Chief Executive of Belhaven received a Legend of the Industry Award while David and Ruth Wither, the founders of Edinburgh-based Montpelier Group, picked up the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Other award winners came from as far apart as Carnoustie and Inverness.
There were celebrations in Glasgow as The Piper Whisky Bar won the double for Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year and with Gillian Kirkland becoming Deanston Whisky Guru 2024! The Absent Ear was named Brugal 1888 Cocktail Bar of the Year, Shilling Brewing Company as Cold Town Craft Beer Pub of the Year, Boteco Do Brasil as Favela Latin American Venue of the Year and The Smokin’ Fox snatched the Sunday Mail Pub of the Year accolade.
Fullbacks Sports and Pizza Bar in Milngavie was named Sims Automatics Sports Bar of the Year while Ayr venues Tempura and The Stravaig were also winners picking up the Casual Dining Award and Kopparberg New Bar of the year awards respectively. The Ship in Irvine was Dog Friendly Pub of the Year and Steven Muir of Beatbox Leisure was named Boss of The Year!
It was also a winning night for Stravaigin in Glasgow who proved they have some of the best staff around as Olivia Wong was named HOSPO Manager of the Year and Marquis Smith as Schweppes Bartender of the Year.
The party continued in Edinburgh where Black Ivy snatched the Best Outdoor area award for the second year in a row while Teuchters Landing was named Inverarity Morton’s Best Drinks offering and Lochrin Rooftop Bar (Moxy Edinburgh Fountainbridge) as Molinari Hotel Bar of the Year.
In Aberdeen, Malones were crowned Jameson Best Irish bar, in Fife Hugo’s Bar and Pavilion collected the Staropramen Award for Outstanding Quality and in Dundee Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort was awarded Family Business of the Year. There was also a special award for The Craw’s Nest in Carnoustie who scooped the ‘Community Pub of the Year’ accolade.
Other big winners were two of the industry giants – Manorview Hotels who proved what a great company they are to work for by snatching the Hospitality Health Employer of the Year gong and Inverness based Cru Hospitality who won Drinks Express Independent Operator of the Year.
The late Janet Hood was posthumously named ‘Inspirational Woman of the Year’ and Gordon McIntyre received the Scottish Hospitality Group’s Contribution to the industry award.
Susan Young organiser and Editor of industry publication DRAM, said, “These awards are all about the people that make the hospitality industry the success it is. This year we had an exceptional entry. All the finalists deserve credit for the great venues that they run, but the trophies were presented to the pubs, restaurants and people that impressed their customers, judges and mystery shoppers most. Congratulations to each and every one!”
Lifetime Achievement AwardDavid & Ruth Wither
The Piper Whisky Bar – Glasgow
Alex & Rachel Palumbo – Hey Palu & Chancho, Edinburgh
Brugal Best Cocktail Bar of the YearThe Absent Ear – Glasgow
Campari Bar Apprentice 2024Finlay Paterson – Scotts South Queensferry
Cold Town Craft Beer Bar of the Year Shilling Brewing Company – Glasgow
Deanston Whisky Guru 2024Gillian Kirkland – The Piper Whisky Bar, Glasgow
DRAM Casual Dining Award 2024Tempura – Ayr
Cru Hospitality – Inverness
De Kuyper Liqueurs Mixologist of the YearFowwaz Ansari – Bittersweet, Edinburgh
Favela Latin American Venue of the YearBoteco Do Brasil – Glasgow
The Ship – Irvine
Hospitality Health Employer of the YearManorview Hotels – Howwood
HOSPO Manager of the YearOlivia Wong – Stravaigin, Glasgow
Hotel Scotland Family Business of the YearForbes of Kingennie – Dundee
Jules Clark – Montpeliers
Inverarity Morton Best Drinks OfferingTeuchters Landing – Edinburgh
Jameson Best Irish BarMalones – Aberdeen
Kopparberg New Bar of the YearThe Stravaig – Ayr
Media World Best Outdoor AreaBlack Ivy – Edinburgh
Molinari Hotel Bar of the YearLochrin Rooftop Bar – Moxy Edinburgh Fountainbridge
Schweppes Bartender of the YearMarquis Smith – Stravaigin, Glasgow
Scottish Hospitality Group Contribution To the Industry AwardGordon McIntyre
Sims Automatic Sports Bar of the YearFullbacks Sports & Pizza Bar – Milngavie
Janet Hood
Steven Muir – Beatbox Leisure, Ayr
Staropramen Award for Outstanding Quality Hugo’s Bar and Pavilion – Dalgety Bay
Scottish Bar and Pub Awards Community Pub of the Year
The Craw’s Nest – Carnoustie
Sunday Mail Pub of the YearThe Smokin’ Fox – Glasgow
Picture: David and Ruth Wither with some of the Montpeliers team
Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year| The Malt Room | Inverness |
| The Piper Whisky Bar | Glasgow |
| The Pot Still | Glasgow |
| Tipsy Midgie Whisky Bar | Edinburgh |
| The Absent Ear | Glasgow |
| Kelvingrove Café | Glasgow |
| Nightcap | Edinburgh |
| The White House | Inverness |
Black Ivy & Montpeliers Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year| Shandy Martin – Dizzy Izzy’s | Edinburgh |
| Alex & Rachel Palumbo – Hey Palu | Edinburgh |
| Iain Reid – The Tap Yard | Glasgow |
| Jane Ross – The Mother Superior | Edinburgh |
Campari Bar Apprentice of the Year 2024
Charlie Atkin, The Parkville
Marek Brzozowski, The Old Workshop
Ryan Knowles, The Citizen
Caitlyn Marcinek, The Redhurst Hotel
Jillian Ormerod, The Triplekirks
Finlay Paterson, Scotts Port Edgar
Louis Sherrit,, The Fort/Wine Spa
Cold Town Craft Beer Bar of The Year| The Craftsman Company | Aberdeen |
| The Raven | Edinburgh |
| Salt Horse Beer Shop & Bar | Edinburgh |
| Shilling Brewing Co. | Glasgow |
Deanston Whisky Guru 2024| Dom Cummings |
| Colin Hinds |
| Gillian Kirkland |
| Jane Ross |
| Viki Stevenson |
| The Blue Blazer | Edinburgh |
| The Craw’s Nest | Carnoustie |
| The Ship | Irvine |
| The Torfin | Edinburgh |
| Cru Holdings |
| Kilderkin Group |
| Malones Irish Bars |
| The Rocks Leisure Group |
| Fowwaz Ansari – Bittersweet |
| John Clark – The White House |
| Johnny Morrison – VEGA |
| Carrie Smith – Hoot The Redeemer |
Favela Lager Latin American Venue of The Year| Boteco Do Brasil | Glasgow |
| El Santo | Glasgow |
| Joao’s Place | Edinburgh |
| Topolabamba | Glasgow |
| The Boathouse | Isle of Gigha |
| Bucks Bar | Glasgow |
| Our Place Annan | Annan |
| Tempura | Ayr |
Hospitality Health Employer of The Year 2024| Apex Hotels |
| Buzzworks Holdings |
| Manorview Hotels |
| Signature Pub Group |
Michael Eaton, Care 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 2024| 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 – Wine & Negroni Bar | Glasgow |
| Teuchters Landing | Edinburgh |
Jameson Best Irish Bar| Kitty O’Shea’s | Glasgow |
| Malones Aberdeen | Aberdeen |
| O’Marley’s | Dundee |
| Waxy O’Connors | Glasgow |
Kopparberg New Bar of The Year| Brunswick Book Club | Edinburgh |
| Encore | Edinburgh |
| The Physician | St Andrews |
| The Stravaig | Ayr |
Media World Best Outdoor Area 2024| 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) | Glasgow |
| Chop Grill & Bar (Sandman Signature Aberdeen Hotel) | Aberdeen |
| Hazel (AC Hotel Glasgow) | Glasgow |
| Lochrin Rooftop Bar (Moxy Edinburgh Fountainbridge) | Edinburgh |
| W Lounge (W Edinburgh) | 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, Glasgow |
| Hope & Vincent | Glasgow |
| Muligans Ayr | 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
The time has come to reveal the most of the finalists for the 2024 Scottish Bar and Pub Awards. There will be no news on the Sunday Mail nominees until this Sunday with the finalists being revealed the following week. Our Campari Bar Apprentice programme takes place on Monday and we will reveal the candidates then and so many of you have put forward your manager for the HOSPO Manager of the Year accolade that it is taking a bit longer to interview them. It has certainly been a bumper year for entries so congratulations to everyone who has made it to the finals.
The finalist are:
| The Absent Ear | Glasgow |
| Kelvingrove Café | Glasgow |
| Nightcap | Edinburgh |
| The White House | Inverness |
Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year| The Malt Room | Inverness |
| The Piper Whisky Bar | Glasgow |
| The Pot Still | Glasgow |
| Tipsy Midgie Whisky Bar | Edinburgh |
Campari Bar Apprentice of the Year 2024Coming next week!
Black Ivy & Montpeliers Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year| Shandy Martin – Dizzy Izzy’s | Edinburgh |
| Alex & Rachel Palumbo – Hey Palu | Edinburgh |
| Iain Reid – The Tap Yard | Glasgow |
| Jane Ross – The Mother Superior | Edinburgh |
Cold Town Craft Beer Bar of The Year| The Craftsman Company | Aberdeen |
| The Raven | Edinburgh |
| Salt Horse Beer Shop & Bar | Edinburgh |
| Shilling Brewing Co. | Glasgow |
Deanston Whisky Guru 2024| Dom Cummings |
| Colin Hinds |
| Gillian Kirkland |
| Jane Ross |
| Viki Stevenson |
| Cru Holdings |
| Kilderkin Group |
| Malones Irish Bars |
| The Rocks Leisure Group |
| The Blue Blazer | Edinburgh |
| The Craw’s Nest | Carnoustie |
| The Ship | Irvine |
| The Torfin | Edinburgh |
| Fowwaz Ansari – Bittersweet |
| John Clark – The White House |
| Johnny Morrison – VEGA |
| Carrie Smith – Hoot The Redeemer |
| The Boathouse | Isle of Gigha |
| Bucks Bar | Glasgow |
| Our Place Annan | Annan |
| Tempura | Ayr |
Favela Lager 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 2024| Apex Hotels |
| Buzzworks Holdings |
| Manorview Hotels |
| Signature Pub Group |
Coming next week!
Inverarity Morton Scotland’s Best Drinks Offering| The Allison Arms | Glasgow |
| Killiecrankie House | Killiecrankie |
| Malo – Wine & Negroni Bar | Glasgow |
| Teuchters Landing | Edinburgh |
Jameson Best Irish Bar| Kitty O’Shea’s | Glasgow |
| Malones Aberdeen | Aberdeen |
| O’Marley’s | Dundee |
| Waxy O’Connors | Glasgow |
Kopparberg New Bar of The Year| Brunswick Book Club | Edinburgh |
| Encore | Edinburgh |
| The Physician | St Andrews |
| The Stravaig | Ayr |
Molinari Hotel Bar of The Year| Cask and Clyde (DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central) | Glasgow |
| Chop Grill & Bar (Sandman Signature Aberdeen Hotel) | Aberdeen |
| Hazel (AC Hotel Glasgow) | Glasgow |
| Lochrin Rooftop Bar (Moxy Edinburgh Fountainbridge) | Edinburgh |
| W Lounge (W Edinburgh) | 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, Glasgow |
| Hope & Vincent | Glasgow |
| Muligans Ayr | Ayr |
| The Tap Yard | Glasgow |
Media World Best Outdoor Area 2024| Black Ivy | Edinburgh |
| Cold Town House | Edinburgh |
| The Fox & Willow | Ayr |
| Outboard by Scotts | South Queensferry |
Staropramen Award for Outstanding Quality| Brewhemia | Edinburgh |
| The Guildford Arms | Edinburgh |
| Hugo’s Bar & Pavilion | Dalgety Bay |
| The Raeburn | Edinburgh |
Hotel Scotland Family Business of The Year 2024| The Ball Room Sports Bars |
| Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort |
| Vittoria Group |
| The Waterside Bistro |
Sunday Mail Pub of The YearLast 10 revealed on Sunday, finalists on the 18th,,,
Welcome to the launch of our 2025 Scottish Bar & Pub Awards, the longest running trade awards in Scotland.
This year, we are going to do what we do best… celebrate the people that make hospitality in Scotland great. Our theme, as you may have guessed is a nod to the Oscars – an adjective that is probably overused but as we are celebrating our 30th anniversary, and as we were the very first trade awards in Scotland, I thought it was appropriate.
So we are celebrating the best of the best – with all the glamour of Hollywood. The awards ceremony will take place at the Doubletree Hilton in Cambridge Street on 26th August with all finalists receiving complimentary tickets.
I would like to say a huge thank you to our sponsors Benromach, Brugal 1888, Campari UK, Caledonia Inns, De Kuyper, Deanston, Hospitality Health, Inverarity Morton, Jamesons, Montpeliers,Fireball, Schweppes, Sims, Staropramen, The DRUM and of course our media partners the Sunday Mail.
We have a few new categories this year – so check them out – we are happy to provide you with material for your socials to encourage your customers to vote. We also invite bars and pubs to put themselves forward. The final few categories will be announced later in the month but check out the website from 16th April – when voting officially opens.
Here’s to another terrific year.
Sunday Mail Pub of the Year
Dram Lifetime Achievement
Hi-Spirits Best Live Music Venue
Flora de Cana Sustainability Award
Makers Mark Cocktail Bar of The Year
MediaWorld Casual Dining Award
HOSPO Manager of the Year
Deanston Whisky Guru
ARO Customer Service Award
Sheep Dog Dog Friendly
Buzzworks Montpeliers Emerging Entrepreneur of The Year
Campari Mixologist of The Year
The Drum Digital Innovator 2023
Dram Hospitality Employer 2023
Edrington Giving Back Award
Hotel Scotland Family Business of the Year
Molinari Hotel Bar of The Year
Premier Card Services Independent Operator
William Grant & Sons Bar Apprentice of The Year
Edinburgh pub entrepreneur Billy Lowe got an extra birthday present when he scooped the Lifetime Achievement Award at Tuesday’s Scottish Bar and Pub Awards, formerly known as the DRAM Awards, on his actual birthday! The award recognised his 35 years at the top of the licensed trade.
Said DRAM publisher Susan Young, “Billy Lowe is arguably Scotland’s most successful licensed trade entrepreneur. Having created three very successful pub companies and operated more than 30 pubs over the decades, he still remains at the helm of Caledonia Inns, which includes the award-winning Black Ivy.”
The latter also won the Drinks Express Best Outdoor Area award.
He received his award in front of more than 600 industry peers at a glittering 80s Film themed awards ceremony at the Doubletree Hilton in Glasgow.
Following his win, Billy said, “It was a complete surprise, and I was delighted that the whole family was there to see it! For me, to be recognised alongside the deserving people who have won this award before, people that I truly admire, was such an honour.”
The event saw 30 awards presented to both venues and individuals from all around Scotland spanning from Our Place in Annan which picked up the Media World Casual Dining Award, to Inverness-based Prime which grabbed the ARO Procurement Customer Service Award.
Organiser Susan Young said, “The Scottish licensed trade is full of successful entrepreneurs and as a result we have some of the best pubs and venues in the UK. These awards recognise and celebrate the efforts of the owners and their employees that give Scotland a hospitality industry that is worth shouting about. I take my hat off to all of them.”
Now in their 28th year, the awards are a highlight in the hospitality industry calendar and this year over 100 finalists attended the ceremony at the Double Tree Hilton Glasgow Central – making it the biggest event yet!
Aberdeen were big winners on the night as Malones scooped the Sunday Mail Pub of the Year award! The celebrations continued for the city as Scott Anderson of Siberia Bar & Hotel won THE DRUM Digital Innovator of the Year, Adrian Gomes of The Tippling House won Campari Mixologist of the Year and Bryony Baxter of Meraki Bar and Restaurant was named as William Grant & Sons Bar Apprentice of the Year.
In Edinburgh there was a double celebration for the Tipsy Midgie and owner Colin Hinds who took home both Benromach’s Whisky Bar of the Year and the Deanston Whisky Guru gongs!
Hey Palu was named the Makers Mark Cocktail Bar of the Year, Stramash as Pernod Ricard Best Late-Night Venue and Brewhemia as Molson Coors Scottish Bar of the Year!
A special mention went to The Original Rosslyn Inn who were honoured with the Golden Jubilee Award for Hospitality to celebrate their 50th year of business.
Meanwhile, in Glasgow winners included local favourites St Lukes & The Winged Ox for Hi-Spirits Best Live Music Venue, the WORQ Group for Premier Card Services Independent Operator of the Year and Graham Chalmers of Radisson RED who won the inaugural Edrington UK Giving More Award for his amazing charitable contributions.
Gillian Kirkland of The Piper Whisky Bar was deservedly crowned Inspirational Woman of the Year, Rory McGinley of Two Fat Ladies at The Buttery was named HOSPO Manager of the Year and Sportsterz Pete Harvey was stunned to receive his Bar Personality of the Year award!
A special ‘Heart of Hospitality’ award was also given to Bucks Bar owner Michael Bergson for being such a great voice for the licensed trade industry.
The Lisini Pub Company were recognized for their amazing sustainability work, winning the Flor de Cana Rum Sustainability Award and Baillieston’s The East End Fox snapped up the trophy for Kopparbergs New Bar of the Year.
In Ayrshire, industry giants Buzzworks took home the Hospitality Employer of the Year gong, the Fox and Willow won Inverarity Morton Scotland’s Best Drinks Offering and Brandon Van Rensburg, owner of the Tempura chain, walked away as Buzzworks & Montpeliers Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year.
Other winners from the west included Great Scots Bar in the Cameron House that were awarded Molinari’s Hotel Bar of the Year, The Oak Tree Inn in Balmaha that won Hotel Scotland Family Business of the Year, and Aberfoyle’s The Forth Inn that scooped the prize for Sheep Dog Whisky Dog Friendly Pub of the Year.
Falkirk’s Brian Flynn, owner of Behind The Wall, was named Licensee of the Year and The Scottish Hospitality Group awarded its Special Recognition Award to Caroline Louden of TLT LLP.
The full list The full list of winners are here along with pictures of them picking up their awards on the night and you can browse some more pictures below.
| Voting Closed | 2026 |
| Voting Closed | 2026 |
| Judging Closed | 2026 |
| Award Ceremony | 2026 |
You have asked and so we have delivered! Here you can find where to see all the pictures from of the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards night at the DoubleTree Hilton. The Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025: All the pictures (Part One) The Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025: All the pictures (Part […]