Scotland’s Hospitality Stars Get Ready to Rock at the Scottish Bar & Pub Awards
Scotland’s favourite pubs, bars, restaurants and hospitality heroes are ready to turn up the volume as the finalists for the Scottish Bar & Pub Awards 2026 are revealed, with the country’s best going head-to-head for the ultimate industry honours.
Now in its 31st year, the Scottish Bar & Pub Awards are Scotland’s longest-running celebration of pubs, bars, restaurants and the people who make them great. They have become one of the biggest nights on the licensed trade calendar, bringing together the industry’s biggest stars to celebrate the businesses, teams and individuals who go above and beyond.
This year, the awards are taking a walk on the wild side, with a spectacular Glam Rock theme set to bring some serious rock ‘n’ roll glamour to the celebrations on Tuesday 1 September.
From iconic pubs and cocktail destinations to rising stars, family businesses and late-night venues, the competition is fierce, and this year’s finalists showcase just how diverse and vibrant Scotland’s hospitality scene really is.
Finalists range from MacGregor’s at The Whisky Vaults, The George Hotel, The Islay Inn and The Piper Whisky Bar, all battling it out for the Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year title, to Chris Anton, Cullen Hutchison, Dagmara Jaszcz, Sally Law and Chris Sloan, who are competing for the Deanston Whisky Guru Rising Star Award.
The cocktail scene is also well represented, with Atlantic Bar & Brasserie, Bittersweet Leith, Draffens, Jimmy Badgers and The Wine Spa all in the running for the Hendricks Gin and Monkey Shoulder Cocktail Bar of the Year title, while Cawley Hotel Group, Ra Ha’s, The Fort Hotel & The Royal Arch and The Original Rosslyn Inn will compete for the Inverarity Morton Family Business of the Year award.
For those looking for a great Irish welcome, Boston Bar New Town, Jinty McGuinty’s, Molly Malones Aberdeen, Radio and Seamus’s Pub are battling it out for the Jamesons Best Irish Bar 2026 title, while The Birds and Bees, Black Ivy, The Pear Tree and The Tavern Bar are all hoping to take home the Kopparberg Best Outdoor Area award.
The Lightspeed restaurant of the Year category sees Barry Fish, Five March, Margo, The Dome and The Stravaig go head-to-head, while Arrowz Sports Lounge, The Ball Room Sports Bar Dunfermline, Houston’s Sports Bar and The Tap Yard are all in the running for the Sims Automatics Sports Bar of the Year title.
With more than 20 award categories, there are plenty more local legends, rising stars and incredible venues all hoping for their moment in the spotlight, and with Glam Rock as this year’s theme, guests can expect plenty of surprises on the night too.
Publisher, Susan Young, said: “It is fantastic to see such a strong showing from hospitality businesses and individuals right across Scotland this year.
“What I love about these nominations is the sheer variety. We have emerging entrepreneurs, family businesses, brilliant bar teams, cocktail destinations, late-night venues, community pubs and dog-friendly pubs. It really demonstrates just how diverse and vibrant Scotland’s hospitality scene is.
“The people working in hospitality are the real stars of these awards, and it is wonderful to see so many from across Scotland getting the recognition they deserve.”
Over 600 of Scotland’s hospitality stars will gather for one unforgettable night on 1 September, as the industry turns up the volume, embraces the Glam Rock spirit and finds out who will take home Scotland’s highest hospitality honours.
Here’s the full roll call of categories and contenders vying for glory:
Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year
MacGregor’s at The Whisky Vaults – Oban
The George Hotel – Inveraray
The Islay Inn – Glasgow
The Piper Whisky Bar – Glasgow
Black Ivy and Montpeliers Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year
Struan Barclay, Ruby’s – East Kilbride
Thomas Justice, Star & Garter/The Bush Bar – Dundee
Connie and James Taberner, Fintry Bay – Millport, Isle of Cumbrae
Best Bar Team
Arrowz Sports Lounge – Broxburn
The Gunners Bar – Broughty Ferry
Johnny Foxes – Inverness
MacSorley’s – Glasgow
The Parkville – Blantyre
Best Late Night Venue
Bloc+ – Glasgow
Charlie’s Loft – Milngavie
Slouch – Glasgow
Rewind – Dundee
Community Pub of the Year
The Bowlers Rest – Leith
Commercial Inn – Fauldhouse
Newton Arms – Newton, Cambuslang
The Pawn Lounge – Alexandria
Waverley Bar – Dumbarton
Deanston Whisky Guru Rising Star Award
Chris Anton – MacGregor’s at The Whisky Vaults, Oban
Cullen Hutchison – The Mother Superior, Edinburgh
Dagmara Jaszcz – Machair Bar, Glasgow
Sally Law – The Pot Still, Glasgow
Chris Sloan – The Black Bull, Edinburgh
DRAM Dog Friendly Pub of the Year
Black Ivy – Edinburgh
Church on the Hill – Shawlands, Glasgow
The Foxton Bar and Grill – Glenrothes
The George Hotel – Inveraray
Star & Garter – Dundee
Hendrick’s Gin and Monkey Shoulder Cocktail Bar of the Year
Atlantic Bar & Brasserie – Glasgow
Bittersweet Leith – Leith, Edinburgh
Draffens – Dundee
Jimmy Badgers – Inverness
The Wine Spa – Broughty Ferry
Hospitality Health Employer of the Year
Lisini Pub Company – Uddingston
The Pot Still – Glasgow
Turas Hotels – Inverness
West Coast Hospitality – Ayr
HOSPO Manager of the Year
Daniel Cutting – Brewhemia, Edinburgh
Kenny Grant – The Gallery Bar, Glasgow
Mirin McLintock – Why Not, Edinburgh
Danny Stewart – Angels Hotel, Uddingston
Inverarity Morton Family Business of the Year
Cawley Hotel Group – Alexandria
Ra Ha’s – Glasgow
The Fort Hotel & The Royal Arch – Broughty Ferry
The Original Rosslyn Inn – Roslin
Hotel Scotland Independent Multiple Operator of the Year
Encore Bars
M&R Bars
Rocks Leisure Group
The Stravaig, The Smoking Goat, Gracie O’Malley’s Ayr
Jamesons Best Irish Bar 2026
Boston Bar New Town – Edinburgh
Jinty McGuinty’s – Glasgow
Molly Malones – Aberdeen
Radio – Glasgow
Seamus’s Pub – Edinburgh
Jump Ship Brewing Best Lo and No Destination
Bonnie & Wild – Edinburgh
SOBR – Aberdeen
Teuchters Landing – Leith, Edinburgh
Vega – Glasgow
Kopparberg Best Outdoor Area
The Birds and Bees – Stirling
Black Ivy – Edinburgh
The Pear Tree – Edinburgh
The Tavern Bar – Millport, Isle of Cumbrae
Lightspeed Restaurant of the Year
Barry Fish – Leith, Edinburgh
Five March – Glasgow
Margo – Glasgow
The Dome – Edinburgh
The Stravaig – Ayr
New Bar of the Year
Boston Bar Old Town – Edinburgh
Nectar – Edinburgh
Radio – Glasgow
Ruby’s – East Kilbride
SiSi Rooftop – Glasgow
Schweppes Mixologist of the Year
Johnny Morrison – Vega, Glasgow
Elliot Monteith – Trumans, Glasgow
Cairo McKeown – Badger & Co, Edinburgh
Michael Maclean – The Dome, Edinburgh
Scott Stevenson – The Finnieston, Glasgow
Sims Automatics Sports Bar of the Year
Arrowz Sports Lounge – Broxburn
The Ball Room Sports Bar Dunfermline – Dunfermline
Houston’s Sports Bar – Johnstone
The Tap Yard – Glasgow
The Drum Social Media Champion
Buck’s Bar – Glasgow
Dockyard Social – Glasgow
Malocchio – Glasgow
Six by Nico – Glasgow
Tempura – Ayr
Sunday Mail Pub of the Year
The Bush Bar – Dundee
The Four Mary’s – Linlithgow
The Lismore – Partick, Glasgow
The Maltman – Glasgow
The Tynecastle Arms – Edinburgh
Scotland’s favourite pubs, bars, restaurants and hospitality heroes are ready to turn up the volume as the finalists for the Scottish Bar & Pub Awards 2026 are revealed, with the country’s best going head-to-head for the ultimate industry honours.
Now in its 31st year, the Scottish Bar & Pub Awards are Scotland’s longest-running celebration of pubs, bars, restaurants and the people who make them great. They have become one of the biggest nights on the licensed trade calendar, bringing together the industry’s biggest stars to celebrate the businesses, teams and individuals who go above and beyond.
This year, the awards are taking a walk on the wild side, with a spectacular Glam Rock theme set to bring some serious rock ‘n’ roll glamour to the celebrations on Tuesday 1 September.
From iconic pubs and cocktail destinations to rising stars, family businesses and late-night venues, the competition is fierce, and this year’s finalists showcase just how diverse and vibrant Scotland’s hospitality scene really is.
Finalists range from MacGregor’s at The Whisky Vaults, The George Hotel, The Islay Inn and The Piper Whisky Bar, all battling it out for the Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year title, to Chris Anton, Cullen Hutchison, Dagmara Jaszcz, Sally Law and Chris Sloan, who are competing for the Deanston Whisky Guru Rising Star Award.
The cocktail scene is also well represented, with Atlantic Bar & Brasserie, Bittersweet Leith, Draffens, Jimmy Badgers and The Wine Spa all in the running for the Hendricks Gin and Monkey Shoulder Cocktail Bar of the Year title, while Cawley Hotel Group, Ra Ha’s, The Fort Hotel & The Royal Arch and The Original Rosslyn Inn will compete for the Inverarity Morton Family Business of the Year award.
For those looking for a great Irish welcome, Boston Bar New Town, Jinty McGuinty’s, Molly Malones Aberdeen, Radio and Seamus’s Pub are battling it out for the Jamesons Best Irish Bar 2026 title, while The Birds and Bees, Black Ivy, The Pear Tree and The Tavern Bar are all hoping to take home the Kopparberg Best Outdoor Area award.
The Lightspeed restaurant of the Year category sees Barry Fish, Five March, Margo, The Dome and The Stravaig go head-to-head, while Arrowz Sports Lounge, The Ball Room Sports Bar Dunfermline, Houston’s Sports Bar and The Tap Yard are all in the running for the Sims Automatics Sports Bar of the Year title.
With more than 20 award categories, there are plenty more local legends, rising stars and incredible venues all hoping for their moment in the spotlight, and with Glam Rock as this year’s theme, guests can expect plenty of surprises on the night too.
Publisher, Susan Young, said: “It is fantastic to see such a strong showing from hospitality businesses and individuals right across Scotland this year.
“What I love about these nominations is the sheer variety. We have emerging entrepreneurs, family businesses, brilliant bar teams, cocktail destinations, late-night venues, community pubs and dog-friendly pubs. It really demonstrates just how diverse and vibrant Scotland’s hospitality scene is.
“The people working in hospitality are the real stars of these awards, and it is wonderful to see so many from across Scotland getting the recognition they deserve.”
Over 600 of Scotland’s hospitality stars will gather for one unforgettable night on 1 September, as the industry turns up the volume, embraces the Glam Rock spirit and finds out who will take home Scotland’s highest hospitality honours.
Here’s the full roll call of categories and contenders vying for glory:
Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year
MacGregor’s at The Whisky Vaults – Oban
The George Hotel – Inveraray
The Islay Inn – Glasgow
The Piper Whisky Bar – Glasgow
Black Ivy and Montpeliers Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year
Struan Barclay, Ruby’s – East Kilbride
Thomas Justice, Star & Garter/The Bush Bar – Dundee
Connie and James Taberner, Fintry Bay – Millport, Isle of Cumbrae
Best Bar Team
Arrowz Sports Lounge – Broxburn
The Gunners Bar – Broughty Ferry
Johnny Foxes – Inverness
MacSorley’s – Glasgow
The Parkville – Blantyre
Best Late Night Venue
Bloc+ – Glasgow
Charlie’s Loft – Milngavie
Slouch – Glasgow
Rewind – Dundee
Community Pub of the Year
The Bowlers Rest – Leith
Commercial Inn – Fauldhouse
Newton Arms – Newton, Cambuslang
The Pawn Lounge – Alexandria
Waverley Bar – Dumbarton
Deanston Whisky Guru Rising Star Award
Chris Anton – MacGregor’s at The Whisky Vaults, Oban
Cullen Hutchison – The Mother Superior, Edinburgh
Dagmara Jaszcz – Machair Bar, Glasgow
Sally Law – The Pot Still, Glasgow
Chris Sloan – The Black Bull, Edinburgh
DRAM Dog Friendly Pub of the Year
Black Ivy – Edinburgh
Church on the Hill – Shawlands, Glasgow
The Foxton Bar and Grill – Glenrothes
The George Hotel – Inveraray
Star & Garter – Dundee
Hendrick’s Gin and Monkey Shoulder Cocktail Bar of the Year
Atlantic Bar & Brasserie – Glasgow
Bittersweet Leith – Leith, Edinburgh
Draffens – Dundee
Jimmy Badgers – Inverness
The Wine Spa – Broughty Ferry
Hospitality Health Employer of the Year
Lisini Pub Company – Uddingston
The Pot Still – Glasgow
Turas Hotels – Inverness
West Coast Hospitality – Ayr
HOSPO Manager of the Year
Daniel Cutting – Brewhemia, Edinburgh
Kenny Grant – The Gallery Bar, Glasgow
Mirin McLintock – Why Not, Edinburgh
Danny Stewart – Angels Hotel, Uddingston
Inverarity Morton Family Business of the Year
Cawley Hotel Group – Alexandria
Ra Ha’s – Glasgow
The Fort Hotel & The Royal Arch – Broughty Ferry
The Original Rosslyn Inn – Roslin
Hotel Scotland Independent Multiple Operator of the Year
Encore Bars
M&R Bars
Rocks Leisure Group
The Stravaig, The Smoking Goat, Gracie O’Malley’s Ayr
Jamesons Best Irish Bar 2026
Boston Bar New Town – Edinburgh
Jinty McGuinty’s – Glasgow
Molly Malones – Aberdeen
Radio – Glasgow
Seamus’s Pub – Edinburgh
Jump Ship Brewing Best Lo and No Destination
Bonnie & Wild – Edinburgh
SOBR – Aberdeen
Teuchters Landing – Leith, Edinburgh
Vega – Glasgow
Kopparberg Best Outdoor Area
The Birds and Bees – Stirling
Black Ivy – Edinburgh
The Pear Tree – Edinburgh
The Tavern Bar – Millport, Isle of Cumbrae
Lightspeed Restaurant of the Year
Barry Fish – Leith, Edinburgh
Five March – Glasgow
Margo – Glasgow
The Dome – Edinburgh
The Stravaig – Ayr
New Bar of the Year
Boston Bar Old Town – Edinburgh
Nectar – Edinburgh
Radio – Glasgow
Ruby’s – East Kilbride
SiSi Rooftop – Glasgow
Schweppes Mixologist of the Year
Johnny Morrison – Vega, Glasgow
Elliot Monteith – Trumans, Glasgow
Cairo McKeown – Badger & Co, Edinburgh
Michael Maclean – The Dome, Edinburgh
Scott Stevenson – The Finnieston, Glasgow
Sims Automatics Sports Bar of the Year
Arrowz Sports Lounge – Broxburn
The Ball Room Sports Bar Dunfermline – Dunfermline
Houston’s Sports Bar – Johnstone
The Tap Yard – Glasgow
The Drum Social Media Champion
Buck’s Bar – Glasgow
Dockyard Social – Glasgow
Malocchio – Glasgow
Six by Nico – Glasgow
Tempura – Ayr
Sunday Mail Pub of the Year
The Bush Bar – Dundee
The Four Mary’s – Linlithgow
The Lismore – Partick, Glasgow
The Maltman – Glasgow
The Tynecastle Arms – Edinburgh