Scotland’s favourite bars and pubs, including the Bar of the Year, have been revealed at a glitzy awards ceremony in Glasgow. The finalists at the Scottish Bar & Pub Awards 2022 gathered to crown the nation’s most loved pubs.
The prestigious event saw over 27 venues and individuals pick up the coveted awards from up and down the country including Glasgow’s Ga Ga, Troon’s The Fox and Edinburgh’s Black Ivy and Virgin Hotels.
Now in their 27th year, the Scottish Bar & Pub Awards, dubbed the hospitality Oscars, highlighted Scotland’s licensed trade and independent operators, rewarding the country’s most loved venues.
Finalists were shortlisted from an online vote open to the public, with thousands of votes cast, before an experienced panel of judges checked each entry out in a bid to crown the final winners.
The awards recognise everything from the New Pub of the Year, the Best Live Music Venue and even the Dog-Friendly Pub of the Year. The winners were announced from amongst 75 finalists at last night’s glittering awards ceremony at the Doubletree Hilton Glasgow Central.
Glasgow’s bar and pub scene cleaned up at the awards, with local institutions like The Piper Whisky Bar taking home Benromach’s Whisky Bar of the Year, and the East End’s Palais Bar claiming the coveted prize of the night, the Sunday Mail Pub of the Year. West End mainstays Eusebi Deli won the Stoli Sustainability Award while Scoop Restaurants, operators of world-renowned venues Ka Pao and Ox and Finch, won Independent Operator of the Year.
Meanwhile, Edinburgh’s winners included Black Ivy for Antos Dog Friendly Pub of the Year, and beloved bar and restaurant The Huxley was recognised for exemplary service with the Aro Procurement Customer Service Award. Newcomer The Commons Club at Virgin Hotels claimed the Old Tom Gin Hotel Bar of the Year, holding off competition from Gleneagles Hotel, Fonab Castle and Rusacks Hotel.
Outwith the central belt, the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards recognised some of the nation’s finest venues including Inverness’ The Malt Room.
Inverness native and bar manager of the venue Matt MacPherson took home two awards, crowned Deanston Whisky Guru 2022 and Buzzworks & Montpeliers Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year. In Dundee, John Black of The Fort won Licensee of the Year, whilst The Fox in Troon was named Kopparberg’s New Bar of the Year, coming out top ahead of stiff competition from Jimmy Badgers, Giddy Goose and The Albyn.
Organiser Susan Young said: “It’s been another incredible year for the annual Scottish Bar and Pub Awards as we’ve recognised some of the most creative, hard-working and beloved venues in the country. Following a difficult few years for the licensed trade, it’s fantastic to see so many venues dedicate their time to staff training, inventive menus and new initiatives.\
“From Inverness to Dundee, Troon to Uddingston, this year’s winners have gone above and beyond to provide exemplary customer service, create new cocktails or champion their local live music scene.
"I’d like to give a special mention and warmest congratulations to our DRAM Lifetime Achievement Award winner Colin Blair from Buzzworks and Inspirational Woman of the Year, Giovanna Eusebi from Eusebi Deli - they are two worthy winners and a credit to our industry. Congratulations everyone and thanks for once again helping us shine a spotlight on Scotland’s best venues!”
The Full Winners List:
DRAM Lifetime Achievement Award: Colin Blair (Buzzworks)
Antos Dog Friendly Pub of the Year: Black Ivy, Edinburgh
Aro Procurement Customer Service Award: The Huxley, Edinburgh
Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year: The Piper Whisky Bar, Glasgow
Deanston Whisky Guru 2022: Matt MacPherson, The Malt Room, Inverness
William Grant Bar Apprentice 2022: Gavin Lidbury, The Finnieston
Contribution to the Industry Award 2022: Jim Hamilton
Hi-Spirits Best Live Music Venue 2022: Box Bar & Club, Glasgow
Hospo TalentManager of the Year 2022: Matt Colligan, Bier Halle
Hungrrr Technology Adopter 2022: Scoop Restaurant Group, Glasgow
Inspirational Woman of the Year 2022: Giovanna Eusebi, Eusebi Deli
Inverarity Morton Restaurant of the Year: Ga Ga, Glasgow
Kopparberg New Bar of the Year: The Fox, Troon
Licensee of the Year: John Black, The Fort, Dundee
Award for Success: Paul Stevenson, Paesano
Molinari Casual Dining Award 2022: Caffe Parma, Glasgow
Molson Coors Scottish Bar of the Year: Kelvingrove Café, Glasgow
Buzzworks & Montpeliers Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year: Matt MacPherson, The Malt Room
Old Tom Gin Hotel Bar of the Year: Virgin Hotels, The Commons Club, Edinburgh
Pernod Ricard Best Late Night Venue: Why Not Nightclub, Edinburgh
Scottish Bar & Pub Awards Community Pub of the Year: Clippens Inn, Linwood
Stoli Sustainability Award: Eusebi, Glasgow
Independent Operator of the Year: Jonathan MacDonald, Scoop Restaurant Group, Glasgow
The Busker Cocktail Bar of the Year: Lido, Troon
Scottish Hospitality Group Special Recognition Award 2022: David Cochrane, HIT
Scottish Bar & Pub Awards Team of the Year: Lisini, Uddingston
Sunday Mail Pub of the Year: The Palais, Glasgow
Don't miss the top culture and heritage stories from around Scotland. Sign up to our twice weekly Scotland Now newsletter here.
READ MORE:
Scotland's Home of the Year finalist up for sale as couple put incredible mill conversion on market
You can now stay on The Queen's Balmoral Estate from as little as £16 a night
How famous Scottish locations look using the new viral AI-generated art trend
