THE finalists of the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2023 have been announced.

Many hospitality venues eligible to compete in a range of categories – from Best Live Music Venue to Best Dog Friendly Pub – have made the final shortlist.

They include the popular Our Place pub in Annan and the Scotch and Rye in Inverness.

Popular live music bar Stramash in Edinburgh has also snagged a nomination.

The awards are entering their 28th year, making them Scotland’s longest-established hospitality awards. Previously, they were known as the DRAM awards.

Winners are set to be revealed at an awards dinner on August 29 at the Doubletree Hilton Hotel in Glasgow. Organiser Susan Young said narrowing down the finalists had not been an easy task.

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“This year, a record number of votes were received from the public across a multitude of categories,” she said.

“The best of the best have now been named ranging from pubs that are Dog Friendly to cocktail bars that serve up fabulous drinks, from community pubs with stars behind the bars, to late night venues.

“Customers voted and then mystery shoppers visited, with the last word going to the awards judges. It was certainly not an easy task due to the quality of all the finalists and many miles have been travelled.”

More than 600 people are expected to attend the awards ceremony to find out which pubs will take home the top prizes.

A full list of the categories and finalists can be found below.

ARO Procurement Customer Service Award

  • The Boudingait – Cupar
  • Coia’s Café – Glasgow
  • Mini Grill – Glasgow
  • Prime Steak & Seafood – Inverness

Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year

  • Ardshiel Hotel – Campbeltown
  • The Piper Whisky Bar - Glasgow
  • The Pot Still – Glasgow
  • Tipsie Midgie - Edinburgh

Buzzworks & Montpeliers Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year

  • Brandon Van Rensburg – Tempura, Ayr
  • Craig Scott – Bartenders Lounge, Aberdeen
  • Melanie Cranston – Scotts of Rose Street, Edinburgh
  • Sandy McGregor – The Foresters Arms, Cambusbarron

Campari Mixologist of the Year

  • Adrian Gomes – The Tippling House, Aberdeen
  • Scott Keith – Siberia, Aberdeen
  • John Mcintosh – Chop Grill & Bar, Aberdeen
  • David Howie – Buzzworks
  • Vlad Valentin – Banca di Roma, Glasgow

Deanston Whisky Guru of the Year

  • Adam Norquoy – Dundonald Links,
  • Cameron Ewen – The Balmoral, Edinburgh
  • Colin Hinds – Tipsy Midgie, Edinburgh
  • Thomas McDonagh – The Bon Accord, Glasgow

Drinks Express Best Outdoor Area

  • Black Ivy – Edinburgh
  • The Fox and Willow – Ayr
  • Hugos Bar & Pavilion – Dalgety Bay
  • The Ivy Lodge – Aberdeen

THE DRUM Digital Innovator of the Year

  • Boozy Cow – Edinburgh
  • Bucks Bar – Glasgow/Edinburgh
  • Radisson RED Sky Bar – Glasgow
  • Siberia Bar & Hotel - Aberdeen

Flor de Cana Rum Sustainability Award

  • Lisini Pub Company
  • SWG3 – Glasgow
  • The Old Workshop – Aberdeen
  • Buzzworks Holdings

‘Giving More’ Award in partnership with Edrington UK

  • Bartenders Lounge – Aberdeen
  • Graham Chalmers – Radisson RED, Glasgow
  • The Original Rosslyn Inn – Roslin
  • Zach Sapato – Mikaku, Glasgow

HI-SPIRITS Best Live Music Venue

  • King Cons – Stirling
  • King Tuts Wah Wah Hut – Glasgow
  • St Lukes – Glasgow
  • The Keg – Paisley
  • Venue 38 – Ayr

Hospitality Employer of the Year

  • Auchrannie Hotel
  • Buzzworks
  • Cru Holdings
  • Manorview

HOSPO Manager of the Year

  • Stephen Adams – Vienna’s, Paisley
  • Carys McGhee – The Tree House/T-Bar, Ayr
  • Rory McGinley – Two Fat Ladies at The Buttery, Glasgow
  • Olivia Wong – Stravaigin, Glasgow 

Hotel Scotland Family Business of the Year

  • Black Ivy – Edinburgh
  • The Oak Tree Inn – Balmaha
  • The Original Rosslyn Inn – Roslin
  • The Woodside Hotel – Doune

Inverarity Morton Scotland’s Best Drinks Offering

  • Malo – Glasgow
  • Scotch and Rye – Inverness
  • The Criterion – St Andrews
  • The Fox and Willow – Ayr

Kopparberg New Bar of the Year

  • Bartenders Lounge – Aberdeen
  • King Cons – Stirling
  • The East End Fox – Baillieston
  • Thirty Knots – South Queensferry

Makers Mark Cocktail Bar of the Year

  • The Absent Ear – Glasgow
  • Hey Palu – Edinburgh
  • Panda and Sons – Edinburgh
  • T-Bar – Ayr

Mediaworld Casual Dining Award

  • The Balerno Inn – Edinburgh
  • Crown & Anchor – Findhorn
  • The Greenside – Maybole
  • Our Place – Annan
  • The Torfin – Edinburgh

Molinari Hotel Bar of the Year

  • Cromlix House Bar – By Dunblane
  • Great Scots’ Bar – Cameron House
  • Smiths at Gretna Green
  • Titan Sky Bar – Meldrum House, Inverurie

Molson Coors Scottish Bar of the Year

  • Behind The Wall – Falkirk
  • Brewhemia – Edinburgh
  • Indigo Yard – Edinburgh
  • The Record Factory – Glasgow

Pernod Ricard Best Late-Night Venue

  • Cathouse Rock Club – Glasgow
  • Dropkick Murphys – Edinburgh
  • Radisson RED Sky Bar – Glasgow
  • Stramash – Edinburgh

Premier Card Services Independent Operator of the Year

  • Behind The Wall
  • Boteco Group
  • R4 Group
  • The Rocks Leisure Group
  • WORQ Group

Sheep Dog Whisky Dog Friendly Pub of the Year

  • The Forth Inn – Aberfoyle
  • Hillend Tavern – Hillend
  • The Mercat Bar & Grill – Nr Musselburgh
  • The Old Smiddy – Glasgow

William Grant & Sons Bar Apprentices

  • Helina Adams – Bonnie & Wild, Edinburgh
  • Bex Allan – Bonnie & Wild, Edinburgh
  • Paton Allan – The Smokin’ Fox, Glasgow
  • Bryony Baxter – Meraki Bar & Restaurant, Bridge of Don
  • Christina Davidson - The Smokin’ Fox, Glasgow
  • Emily Eason – King Cons, Stirling
  • Logan Eason – Oscar’s Wine Bar, Stirling
  • Marcus Gordon – Orchid Cocktails, Aberdeen
  • Jamie Hadden – The Fox, Troon
  • Alex McQueen – Bartenders Lounge, Aberdeen
  • James Piper – Gleneagles Townhouse House, Edinburgh

Sunday Mail Pub of the Year

  • Camphill Vaults – Bothwell
  • The Four Marys – Linlithgow
  • Malones – Aberdeen
  • The Old Smiddy – Glasgow
  • Sportsterz – Glasgow