Finalists announced for 2024 Scottish Bar & Pub Awards

The finalists have been revealed for the 2024 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 27 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 in the running to become Brugal 1888 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.

The Kopparberg New Bar of the Year award is a hotly contested one, with finalists including the Brunswick Book Club and Encore in Edinburgh, The Physician in St Andrews and The Stravaig in Ayr.

Organiser Susan Young said, “I would like to congratulate all our finalists from around the country.  Their customers have voted in their thousands 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.

Full list of the finalists in the Scottish Bar & Pubs Awards 2024

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