The winners in pictures: Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2024

Legend of Hospitality: Stuart Ross,  former Chief Executive of Belhaven

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Lifetime Achievement Award: David & Ruth Wither

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Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year: The Piper Whisky Bar, Glasgow

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Black Ivy and Montpeliers Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year: Alex & Rachel Palumbo – Hey Palu & Chancho, Edinburgh

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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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Cold Town Craft Beer Bar of the Year: Shilling Brewing Company – Glasgow

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Deanston Whisky Guru 2024: Gillian Kirkland – The Piper Whisky Bar, Glasgow

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DRAM Casual Dining Award 2024: Tempura – Ayr

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Drinks Express Independent Operator of the Year: Cru Hospitality, Inverness

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De Kuyper Liqueurs Mixologist of the Year: Fowwaz Ansari, Bittersweet, Edinburgh

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Favela Latin American Venue of the Year: Boteco Do Brasil – Glasgow

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DRAM Dog Friendly Pub of the Year: The Ship – Irvine

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Hospitality Health Employer of the Year: Manorview Hotels, Howwood

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HOSPO Manager of the Year: Olivia Wong – Stravaigin, Glasgow

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Hotel Scotland Family Business of the Year Forbes of Kingennie, Dundee

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Unsung Hero Award: Jules Clark – Montpeliers

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Inverarity Morton Best Drinks Offering: Teuchters Landing, Edinburgh

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Jameson Best Irish Bar: Malones, Aberdeen

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Kopparberg New Bar of the Year: The Stravaig, Ayr

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Media World Best Outdoor Area: Black Ivy , Edinburgh

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Molinari Hotel Bar of the Year: Lochrin Rooftop Bar – Moxy Edinburgh Fountainbridge

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Scottish Hospitality Group Contribution To the Industry Award: Gordon McIntyre

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Sims Automatic Sports Bar of the Year: Fullbacks Sports & Pizza Bar, Milngavie

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Inspirational Woman of the Year: Janet Hood

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Boss of the Year: Steven Muir, Beatbox Leisure, Ayr

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Staropramen Award for Outstanding Quality:  Hugo’s Bar and Pavilion, Dalgety Bay

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Scottish Bar and Pub Awards Community Pub of the Year: The Craw’s Nest, Carnoustie

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Sunday Mail Pub of the Year: The Smokin’ Fox, Glasgow

Winners and finalists 2023

Sunday Mail Pub of the Year

WINNER: Malones – Aberdeen

Benromach Whisky Bar or The Year

Winner: Typsy Midgie, Edinbrgh

Drink Express Outdoor Area

WINNER: Black Ivy – Edinburgh

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Hi-Spirits Best Live Music Venue

WINNER: St Lukes & The Winged Ox – Glasgow

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Flora de Cana Sustainability Award

WINNER: Lisini Pub Company

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Makers Mark Cocktail Bar of The Year

WINNER: Hey Palu – Edinburgh

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Pernod Ricard – Best Late Night Venue

WINNER: Stramash – Edinburgh

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Inverarity Morton Best Drinks Offering

WINNER: The Fox and Willow – Ayr

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Molson Coors Bar of The Year

WINNER: Brewhemia – Edinburgh

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Kopparberg New Bar of The Year

WINNER: The East End Fox – Baillieston

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MediaWorld Casual Dining Award

WINNER: Our Place Annan

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HOSPO Manager of the Year

WINNER: Rory McGinley – Two Fat Ladies – The Buttery

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Deanston Whisky Guru

WINNER: Colin Hinds – Tipsy Midgie

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ARO Customer Service Award

WINNER: Prime Steak & Seafood – Inverness

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Sheep Dog Dog Friendly

WINNER: The Forth Inn – Aberfoyle

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Buzzworks Montpeliers Emerging Entrepreneur of The Year

WINNER: Brandon von Rensburg – Tempura

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Campari Mixologist of The Year

WINNER: Adrian Gomes – The Tipping House

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The Drum Digital Innovator 2023

WINNER: Scott Anderson, Siberia – Aberdeen

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Dram Hospitality Employer 2023

WINNER: Buzzworks – Ayrshire

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Edrington Giving Back Award

WINNER: Graham Chalmers – Radisson Red

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Hotel Scotland Family Business of the Year

WINNER: The Oak Tree Inn – Balmaha

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Molinari Hotel Bar of The Year

WINNER: Great Scots’ Bar – Cameron House

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Premier Card Services Independent Operator

WINNER: Worq Group

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William Grant & Sons Bar Apprentice of The Year

WINNER: Bryony Baxter – Revolution Aberdeen

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Licensee of the Year

WINNER: Brian Flynn, Behind The Wall

Inspirational Woman

WINNER: Gillian Kirkland, The Piper Whisky Bar

Golden Jubilee Award for Excellence

WINNER: The Original Rosslyn Inn

Scottish Hospitality Group

Special Recognition Award

WINNER: Caroline Louden, TLT LLP

Bar Personality of the Year

WINNER: Pete Harvey, Sportsterz

Heart of Hospitality

WINNER: Michael Bergson, Bucks Bar

Billy Lowe wins Lifetime Achievement

What a feeling!’ as Scotland’s bars scoop top awards!

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.

The Scottish Bar & Pub Awards 2022 Finalists

A bumper year for the Scottish Bar & Pub Awards 2022 as more than 3500 people have had their say in naming Scotland’s most loved pubs, with thousands of votes cast online over the last few months.

Now in their 27th year, The Scottish Bar & Pub Awards – dubbed the hospitality Oscars, celebrate Scotland’s licensed trade and shine a spotlight on all aspects of the hospitality industry, featuring standout pubs up and down the country in more than 24 categories. These include Antos Dog Friendly Pub of The Year; Hi-Spirits Best Live Music Venue; The Busker Cocktail Bar of the Year and Kopparberg New Bar of the Year.

Over 75 leading finalists have been revealed today including Glasgow’s stylish Moskito and the eclectic Bourbon in Edinburgh for the Pernod Ricard Best Late Night Venue.

Seeking out the nation’s most creative drinks, trailblazing whisky and cocktail bar, The Gate, and the adventurous Absent Ear are up for the Busker Cocktail bar, alongside the Cocktail Mafia in Edinburgh and Lido in Troon.

The inaugural Molson Coors Scottish Bar of the Year will see Broughty Ferry’s The Fort, Dundee’s Jute Café bar, Inverness-based Scotch & Rye and Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Café battle it out to be crowned Scotland’s best bar.

Independent Operators are the driving force for hospitality. Up for the DRAM Independent Pub Group of the Year award for 2022 are Buzzworks Holdings in Ayrshire who have an award-winning portfolio of bars and restaurants in Scotland including Vic’s & The Vine, Scotts, The Mill House, Lido, The Duke and The Bridge Inn to name a few. Also in the running are Bread Meats Bread, who have six eponymous venues serving up award winning burgers and cocktails, and the Bruce group, who focus on drinks-led retailing with an inherent added value experience in Edinburgh and Fife. Their multi-venue portfolio includes Stramash, The Mash House, Opium, Dusk and the Royal Mile Tavern.

Scotland’s longest running licensed trade awards also look to celebrate rising stars in the industry, community led initiatives and give a much-needed boost to those championing the late-night economy.

Every finalist has been voted for by the public and people in the trade and will have been visited by mystery shoppers. Winners will be announced at a prestigious award ceremony on 30th August 2022 at The Doubletree Glasgow Central, in Glasgow.

Organiser, Susan Young said: “The votes are in and verified and the time is nearly here to celebrate the best of the best at The Scottish Bar & Pub Awards 2022.

“The licensed trade needs our support more than ever and Scottish hospitality has never been better. Congratulations to all the finalists – your recognition is very well deserved, and I can’t wait to see who takes home the trophies at this year’s awards.”

The Scottish Bar & Pub Awards 2022 will announce all category winners at a glitzy award ceremony on August 30th. Where guests will also be able to enjoy entertainment from Abba MANIA.

For more information, head to https://scottishbarandpubawards.com or to book a ticket for the event, email accounts@mediaworldltd.com

Follow online:

https://www.instagram.com/scottishbarpubawards/
https://twitter.com/scotbarpubaward

The Scottish Bar & Pub Awards 2022 finalists. *Note that the awards are alphabetical and in no particular order.

On the night there other awards winner were: 

2018 Winners Announced!

We are pleased to announce the winners of the 2018 Scottish Bar & Pub Awards.

Congratulations to our winners and a massive thank you to everyone who took part!

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Antos Dog Friendly Pub of the Year

The Forth Inn, Aberfoyle

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BII Award for Customer Service

The Old Mill Inn, Pitlochry

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Buzzworks/Flow Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Rachel Carpenter & Linden Wilkinson, Pop Up Geeks

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Critics' Choice Casual Dining Award

Montpeliers, Edinburgh

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Diageo Award for Social Responsibility and Community

Buzzworks, Prestwick

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Disaronno Cocktail Bar

Sygn, Edinburgh

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DRAM Manager of the Year

Caroline Wright, Jinty McGinty's, Glasgow

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Gordon & MacPhail Award for Success

The Dowans Hotel, Aberlour

Hotel Scotland Hotel Bar of the Year

Black Ivy, Edinburgh

Inverarity Morton Wine by the Glass Award

Kylesku Hotel, Skye

Kopparberg New Bar of the Year

T-Bar, Ayrshire

Molson Coors Beer Bar of the Year

Brewhemia, Edinburgh

Open Ear Country Pub of the Year

The Swan Inn, Eaglesham

The Pub Spy Award

The Citizen, Glasgow

The DRUM Social Media Award

John Carrigan's, Hamilton

William Grant & Sons Bar Apprentice 2018

Ellie Raeside, Candy Bar, Edinburgh

A Wee DRAM Whisky Bar of the Year

Usquabae Whiskey Bar and Larder, Edinburgh

The Wee Guide Best Outside Area

Brel, Glasgow