The Scottish Bar and Pub Awards took place on August 26 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Glasgow, announcing the best of the best across the country. The prestigious event celebrated its 30th year, welcoming hundreds of hospitality professionals from across Scotland, as over 100 venues were shortlisted as finalists.
Glasgow did quite well for itself, earning some impressive awards. Michele Pagliocca, who is the owner of Monteleone Ltd – The Marlborough, The Butterfly and the Pig, The Buff Club and Singl-End in Glasgow – received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Moreover, MacSorley’s was awarded the highly sought-after Sunday Mail Pub of the Year award, making it the best pub for 2025.
The celebrations did not stop there for Glasgow, as Berlinkys received the DRAM New Bar of the Year award, while Kitty O’Shea’s took home the Jameson Best Irish Bar title.
Elsewhere, Edinburgh saw some big wins, too, with Jane Ross (The Mother Superior) winning the Deanston Whisky Guru Rising Star Award, Gavin Ruthven (The Dome) being awarded the HOSPO Manager of the Year Award, and Toby Peters (The Cocktail Geeks) receiving the Schweppes Mixologist of the Year Award.
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!”