This week saw the prestigious Scottish Bar And Pub Awards take place with 600 industry professionals at a glitzy 80s Film-themed awards ceremony at the Doubletree Hilton in Glasgow. On Tuesday, August 29, the event saw 30 awards presented to 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’.
The awards celebrated their 28th year this August and has become a focal point in the hospitality industry calendar. In 2023, over 100 finalists attended the ceremony at the Double Tree Hilton Glasgow Central.
Glasgow winners
Glasgow was not short of winners this year at the Scottish Bar And Pub Awards. One of our favourite laureates was St Lukes & The Winged Ox winning the ‘Hi-Spirits Best Live Music Venue’. What is more, WORQ Group for Premier Card Services took home the ‘Independent Operator of the Year’ award, and Graham Chalmers of Radisson RED won the inaugural ‘Edrington UK Giving More Award’ for his amazing charity work.
The awards did not end there, with Gillian Kirkland of The Piper Whisky Bar being crowned ‘Inspirational Woman of the Year‘, while Rory McGinley of Two Fat Ladies at The Buttery was named ‘HOSPO Manager of the Year’. The ‘Bar Personality of the Year‘ award went to Sportsterz Pete Harvey, who was pleasantly taken by surprise.
There was also a special ‘Heart of Hospitality’ award won by Bucks Bar owner Michael Bergson for being such an exceptional voice for the licensed trade industry.
The Lisini Pub Company, located in Uddingston, were also recognized for their work in sustainability, winning the ‘Flor de Cana Rum Sustainability Award’. And finally, Baillieston’s The East End Fox went away with the prize for ‘Kopparbergs New Bar of the Year‘.
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.”