The good and the great of the Scottish licensed trade celebrated in style last night (Tuesday 1st September) as the Scottish Bar & Pub Awards revealed the country’s finest bars and pubs at a glitzy ceremony in Glasgow.
More than 600 guests packed out the Doubletree by Hilton to mark the occasion, enjoying entertainment with a Glam Rock theme to celebrate the awards’ 31st year – Scotland’s longest established trade awards, now owned by Hero Media & Entertainment.
Crowning the nation’s most loved pubs, the prestigious event saw venues and individuals from up and down the country pick up the coveted bespoke trophies, with more than 100 venues, teams and individuals shortlisted as finalists.
Edinburgh enjoyed a successful night, with Black Ivy (top) crowned Annandale Distillery Dog Friendly Pub of the Year, while Bittersweet Leith took home the Hendrick’s Gin and Monkey Shoulder Cocktail Bar of the Year award.
Boston Bar New Town (above) also celebrated after being named Jameson Best Irish Bar 2026, while Michael Maclean of The Dome was awarded Schweppes Mixologist of the Year.
There was also recognition for Barry Fish in Leith, which was Highly Commended in the Lightspeed Restaurant of the Year category.
Publisher, Susan Young, 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.
“The standard was so high it made the judging incredibly difficult. Every one of our finalists should be immensely proud of their achievement, and I’d like to congratulate all of our winners on their success.
“The Glam Rock theme was the perfect fit for an industry where the venues, teams and people really do rock!”
The full list of winners is as follows:
Lifetime Achievement
Don Lawson, Emerald Inns (Inverness)
Annandale Distillery Dog Friendly Pub of the Year
Black Ivy – Edinburgh
Highly Commended – The George Hotel – Inveraray
Inverarity Morton Family Business of the Year
The Fort Hotel & The Royal Arch – Broughty Ferry
Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year
MacGregor’s at The Whisky Vaults – Oban
Hero Media & Entertainment Best Bar Team
Johnny Foxes – Inverness
Highly Commended – The Parkville – Blantyre
Deanston Whisky Guru Rising Star Award
Sally Law – The Pot Still, Glasgow
Highly Commended – Chris Anton – MacGregor’s at The Whisky Vaults, Oban
Bar Personality of the Year
Tracey Hunter – The Tavern Bar, Millport
Scottish Hospitality Group Contribution To The Industry Award
Michael Bergson – Bucks Bar
Hospitality Health Employer of the Year
Lisini Pub Company – Uddingston
DRAM Community Pub of the Year
The Pawn Lounge – Alexandria
Highly Commended – Commercial Inn, Fauldhouse
Hendrick’s Gin and Monkey Shoulder Cocktail Bar of the Year
Bittersweet Leith – Leith, Edinburgh
Highly Commended – Jimmy Badgers, Inverness
Black Ivy and Montpeliers Rising Star Entrepreneur
Struan Barclay, Ruby’s – East Kilbride
HOSPO Manager of the Year
Danny Stewart – Angels Hotel, Uddingston
Sims Automatics Sports Bar of the Year
The Tap Yard – Glasgow
Jamesons Best Irish Bar 2026
Boston Bar New Town – Edinburgh
Highly Commended – Radio, Glasgow
Jump Ship Brewing Best Lo and No Destination
SOBR – Aberdeen
Kopparberg Best Outdoor Area
The Birds and Bees – Stirling
Lightspeed Restaurant of the Year
Margo – Glasgow
Highly Commended – Barry Fish, Leith
SBPA New Bar of the Year
Ruby’s – East Kilbride
Schweppes Mixologist of the Year
Michael Maclean – The Dome, Edinburgh
Scottishnews.com Independent Multiple Operator of the Year
Rocks Leisure Group
SBPA Best Late Night Venue
Slouch – Glasgow
Hotel Scotland Inspirational Woman of the Year
Siobhan Edwards – Lisini Pub Company
Hero Brands Hospitality Hero Award
Kostas Simos – Atlantic Bar & Brasserie
The Drum Social Media Champion
Tempura – Ayr
Sunday Mail Pub of the Year
The Lismore – Partick, Glasgow
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