CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

Cheers to 30 years: Scottish Bar and Pub Awards celebrate with public voting now open

Scotland's longest-running hospitality awards turn 30 - and they want you to have your say!

Cheers to 30 years: Scottish Bar and Pub Awards celebrate with public voting now open

Article Source: Scottish Bar and Pub Awards
Last Updated: 25 May 2025 13:12

The Scottish Bar and Pub Awards are back, celebrating three decades of raising a glass to the nation’s best boozers, hospitality heroes, top-notch gastropubs, and brilliant beer gardens.

Last year set the bar sky-high, with stand-out winners like The Smokin’ Fox in Glasgow (Sunday Mail Pub of the Year), Tempura in Ayr (Casual Dining Award), Forbes of Kingennie (Family Business of the Year), Malones Aberdeen (Jameson Best Irish Bar) and Teuchters Landing in Edinburgh (Inverarity Morton Best Drinks Offering). Now, the search is on again and organisers are excited to hear who your favourites are for 2025!

It’s not just about the pubs - it’s also about the people behind the pints! From whisky wizards and rising stars to standout bar managers shaking up the scene, the awards shine a spotlight on the personalities powering Scotland’s licensed trade. And with Schweppes on the hunt for a ‘Mixologist of the Year,’ it’s time to nominate those who stir, shake, and serve with serious flair.

If you're interested in supporting your much-loved local venue, whether it's for the lively atmosphere, exceptional food, or outstanding service, your vote can help highlight the pubs that make Scotland's hospitality scene special. They have to be in it to win it, and your vote could make all the difference!

Voting is quick and easy at www.scottishbarandpubawards.com/awards, where you can back your favourites across multiple categories. But don’t wait - voting closes on the 14th of June. Finalists will be revealed soon after with the judges then hitting the road for mystery visits across the country. The winners will be crowned at a glittering Oscar themed ceremony in Glasgow on August 26th!

Event organiser, Susan Young, reflected on the milestone, saying: “Over the past 30 years, we’ve seen some incredible talent recognised at the Scottish Bar & Pub Awards and this year will be no different!

“Despite the challenges, hospitality remains one of Scotland’s most vibrant and rewarding industries. It’s a real privilege to shine a spotlight on the passionate people working hard behind the scenes in some of the country’s best-loved venues - that’s what these awards are all about! I hope their customers make the effort to vote for pubs, bars, restaurants and staff that make hospitality special.”


The full list of categories includes Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year, Brugal 1888 Cocktail Bar of the Year, Caledonia Inns & Montpeliers Emerging Entrepreneur, DRAM Dog Friendly Pub of the Year, Campari Bar Apprentice 2025, De Kuyper Award for Cocktail Excellence in Neighbourhood Venues, Deanston Whisky Guru Rising Star Award, Favela Independent Multiple Operator of the Year, Fireball Best Late Night Venue, Hospitality Health Employer of the Year, HOSPO Manager of the Year, Inverarity Morton Best Drinks Offering, Jameson Best Irish Bar, Schweppes Mixologist of the Year, Sims Automatics Sports Bar of the Year, Staropramen Award for Outstanding Quality, DRAM Best Beer Garden, Jump Ship Brewing Gastropub of the Year, New Bar of the Year and Sunday Mail Pub of the Year.

Deadline for Nominations - 14th June 2025

For a full list of this years categories and to vote please go to: www.scottishbarandpubawards.com/awards

Or vote by emailing:
entryspba@mediaworldltd.com and tell us your nominations and why they should win.

Sponsored Links

Cancer Research UK
MNB
Escape The Past
Napier Uni
Wonder & Co
Breakthrough T1D

Latest Edinburgh News

Summer of Roses: Free gardening workshop at Dobbies

Summer of Roses: Free gardening workshop at Dobbies

Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a free Rose-themed Grow How workshop this June, sharing top tips for caring for this beloved flowering plant.

READ MORE
Loganair launches island getaway with direct route from Edinburgh to Guernsey

Loganair launches island getaway with direct route from Edinburgh to Guernsey

Loganair, the UK’s leading regional airline, has completed its inaugural direct flight between Edinburgh and Guernsey, kicking off its summer offering.

READ MORE
Edinburgh Winter Festivals deliver significant benefits to the City and Scotland

Edinburgh Winter Festivals deliver significant benefits to the City and Scotland

Unique Assembly have publish the report on Edinburgh's Winter Festivals 2024-25, ahead of releasing early-bird tickets for the Hogmanay Street Party and Torchlight Procession.

READ MORE
Oink marks 25 delicious years with better than 2000 prices

Oink marks 25 delicious years with better than 2000 prices

PULLED PORK lovers across Edinburgh are in for a treat as one of the capital’s most beloved lunch spots celebrates a quarter century of roasting with its cheapest ever price.

READ MORE
Edinburgh man to take on 25 Rounds in five days for Doddie Foundation

Edinburgh man to take on 25 Rounds in five days for Doddie Foundation

Graeme Smeaton will play 25 rounds of golf in five days across East Lothian to raise £25,000 for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, supporting MND research.

READ MORE
Cheers to 30 years: Scottish Bar and Pub Awards celebrate with public voting now open

Cheers to 30 years: Scottish Bar and Pub Awards celebrate with public voting now open

Scotland's longest-running hospitality awards turn 30 - and they want you to have your say!

READ MORE
Edinburgh restaurant begins new dining chapter inspired by famous author

Edinburgh restaurant begins new dining chapter inspired by famous author

The team behind one of Edinburgh’s most popular city centre restaurants has announced plans to start a new dining chapter at its Castle Street venue in June.

READ MORE
Loch Lomond Unplugged is coming this weekend!

Loch Lomond Unplugged is coming this weekend!

Loch Lomond Unplugged, our FREE showcase of talented buskers and singer/songwriters, is this weekend and we’re super excited to welcome great acts from across Scotland and beyond!

READ MORE
Casting announced for Here & Now

Casting announced for Here & Now

The producers of the brand new musical HERE & NOW, presented by UK pop sensation, Steps, are delighted to announce the principal cast for the UK & Ireland tour!

READ MORE
Assembly Festival Flash Sale this weekend only

Assembly Festival Flash Sale this weekend only

Assembly Festival have announced the release of £8 tickets to shows across the Fringe programme, this May Bank Holiday weekend only.

READ MORE
Critically endangered cotton top tamarins born at Edinburgh Zoo

Critically endangered cotton top tamarins born at Edinburgh Zoo

Two critically endangered cotton-top tamarins have been born at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo to mum Elf and dad Zecca on Tuesday 20 May.

READ MORE
Harry Potter dragon headed your way!

Harry Potter dragon headed your way!

Edinburgh locals will have a rare chance to interact with a piece of Harry Potter filmmaking magic history on the 30th and 31st May.

READ MORE
Vault City brews viral Dubai chocolate bar into dessert stout

Vault City brews viral Dubai chocolate bar into dessert stout

EDINBURGH’S flavour-forward beer pioneers Vault City are back with their most requested creation yet, and fans are already going wild for it.

READ MORE
Pilot set for take off with brand new bar!

Pilot set for take off with brand new bar!

Cult Leith brewery Pilot are launching their first ever bar, Vessel, in Edinburgh today - 22nd May 2025.

READ MORE
Free Pret Sandwiches For PicNICs This Bank Holiday

Free Pret Sandwiches For PicNICs This Bank Holiday

This May Bank Holiday Pret Edinburgh and Glasgow will be giving away free sandwiches to the first 50 customers called Nick, Nicole, or anyone whose name starts with ‘Nic’.

READ MORE
Pizza for breakfast takes off at Edinburgh Airport

Pizza for breakfast takes off at Edinburgh Airport

Check the arrivals screen and be ready with your boarding pass, because PizzaExpress, the nation’s most iconic pizzeria brand, has landing at Edinburgh Airport.

READ MORE
Dig into summer fun at Dobbies

Dig into summer fun at Dobbies

Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting children to come along to its free-to-attend Little Seedlings Club, taking place across the country this June.

READ MORE
May and June at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh

May and June at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh

From Music to Father's Day, discover Virgin Hotels Edinburgh's events taking place in May and June!

READ MORE
Dance Base and Assembly announce 2025 Edinburgh Festival Fringe Programme

Dance Base and Assembly announce 2025 Edinburgh Festival Fringe Programme

Prepare to be moved by movement at Dance Base this summer, as Scotland’s National Centre for Dance announces its 2025 Edinburgh Festival Fringe Programme.

READ MORE
Aldi to gift year supply of free beer to biggest beer lover in Scotland

Aldi to gift year supply of free beer to biggest beer lover in Scotland

Aldi Scotland is on the hunt for the nation's biggest beer lover, as it revamps its popular Best Home Bar Competition by expanding the criteria.

READ MORE
Milestone year for Refugee Festival Scotland

Milestone year for Refugee Festival Scotland

Refugee Festival Scotland has officially unveiled the programme for its highly anticipated 2025 edition, running from 13 – 22 June.

READ MORE
Bruadar toasts World Bee Day with honey infused cocktails in bars across Scotland

Bruadar toasts World Bee Day with honey infused cocktails in bars across Scotland

Limited-edition serves launched across top Scottish bars using honey from Aberargie Distillery's resident bees.

READ MORE
Fort Kinnaird launches search for biggest Stitch fan

Fort Kinnaird launches search for biggest Stitch fan

Fort Kinnaird is on the hunt to find Edinburgh's biggest Stitch fan ahead of the new Lilo & Stitch live action film coming to screens later this week!

READ MORE
Vue to host marvellous superhero season welcoming classic X Men films back to the big screen for 25th anniversary

Vue to host marvellous superhero season welcoming classic X Men films back to the big screen for 25th anniversary

Film fans, families and comic book enthusiasts are invited to rediscover the original big screen superhero team as a series of classic X-Men films return to the big screen at Vue this month.

READ MORE
World Surf League Big Wave Pros Make a Splash at Lost Shore Surf Resort

World Surf League Big Wave Pros Make a Splash at Lost Shore Surf Resort

Scottish surfing prodigy Ben Larg and elite big wave surfer Andrew Cotton recently demonstrated their skills at Lost Shore Surf Resort.

READ MORE
Leftfield reopens with new look and menu

Leftfield reopens with new look and menu

Leftfield - the Bruntsfield neighbourhood restaurant by restaurateur Rachel Chisholm and chef Phil White - has reopened its doors following a short period of refurbishment.

READ MORE
Cafe Calton to Open This June on Iconic Calton Hill

Cafe Calton to Open This June on Iconic Calton Hill

This June, Edinburgh will welcome Cafe Calton, a vibrant new day-to-evening venue perched atop the city’s iconic Calton Hill.

READ MORE
Heading Down Under: The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo announces Australia and New Zealand Tours

Heading Down Under: The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo announces Australia and New Zealand Tours

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has announced they will be touring the Show The Heroes Who Made Us in Australia and New Zealand in 2026.

READ MORE
Kids Fly FareFREE on new Loganair routes

Kids Fly FareFREE on new Loganair routes

Families can take advantage of Loganair's new Kids Fly Fare-FREE offer, allowing children aged 11 and under to travel without paying an airfare.

READ MORE
Eat & Drink 365 Edinburgh launches today

Eat & Drink 365 Edinburgh launches today

Eat & Drink 365 Edinburgh, The List’s new publication featuring a treasure trove of dining recommendations, launched today, and is available for free from all good stockists across the capital city.

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

St Mary's Music School
Franciscan Publishing Company
Scottish Refugee Council
Fayre Play
Hostelworld
ATG
Edinburgh Dungeon

Sponsored Links

Cancer Research UK
MNB
Escape The Past
Napier Uni
Wonder & Co
Breakthrough T1D
St Mary's Music School
Franciscan Publishing Company
Scottish Refugee Council
Fayre Play
Hostelworld
ATG
Edinburgh Dungeon

Popular Events

Forth 50 - Live! - CANCELLED
Forth 1 is celebrating it's first 50 years with an incredible live gig at The Royal Highland Centre on Saturday 31st May!
Beginner Celtic Knots
Discover the beauty of Celtic knotwork in this hands-on beginner workshop run by Panda Scribes in Linlithgow on 28th May!
Learn Salsa while helping with University Research!
Learn Salsa on this new 5-week Monday course for beginners, delivered by Sara & Curro, and a chance to help with University Research!
La Dolce Vita Swing Collective
La Dolce Vita Swing Collective will keep your toes a tappin' and your hearts a dancin' as they bring the swing jazz sound to the Voodoo Rooms on Sunday 8th June!
The Night Market UK - Edinburgh
The Night Market UK is proud to be returning to the Biscuit Factory to showcase local makers and shakers, from and for this community they call home, on Friday 13th June!

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall