Audrey O’Brien, The Woods, Glasgow
• Which serve do you most strongly associate with summer?
Pimm’s and lemonade, it’s just summer in a glass.
• What’s the best summer drink you’ve ever been served?
A large glass of rosé wine on a wine trip to Lake Garda – perfect drink, perfect setting.
• What do you think is the secret to producing the perfect serve on a sunny day?
Great service and a smile.
• What impact does the weather have on what customers want to drink?
The weather has a massive impact on drinking habits as it is emotionally attached to good times and lifts people’s spirits.
We serve more wine, cocktails and cider when the weather brightens.
• Do you have any plans to celebrate this summer’s big sporting events?
We are running different promotions and drinks throughout the summer of sport tailored to the specific sporting event to create a memorable experience for our customers.
• Besides your own, which venue would you like to spend an afternoon in this summer and why?
The Trafalgar Tavern, London, sitting by the river, watching the world go by and enjoying good food and a nice glass of Pimm’s.
• Audrey O’Brien said she’s seen a 30% uplift in sales since revamping the smoking area at Star Pubs & Bars venue The Woods.
Graeme Rylance, The Atholl Arms, Dunkeld
• Which serve do you most strongly associate with summer?
A Hendrick’s gin and Fevertree tonic – with cucumber of course.
• What’s the best summer drink you’ve ever been served?
The perfect Mojito on a sunny day at The Raeburn Hotel in Edinburgh with great company.
• What do you think is the secret to producing the perfect serve on a sunny day?
Ice, garnish, glassware.
• What impact does the weather have on what customers want to drink?
The sunshine does change drinking habits – cocktails, wine and premium spirits sell better than normal, people are happier to pay a little more for the correct product served properly when the sun shines.
• Do you have any plans to celebrate this summer’s big sporting events?
Themed cocktails and food, world beers, barbecues and sports quizzes are all part of our summer plans.
• Besides your own, which venue would you like to spend an afternoon in this summer and why?
Republic Bier Halle in Glasgow is a favourite, sipping beers and lagers I have not previously encountered.
• The team behind The Atholl Arms Hotel recently unveiled its new Garden Terrace riverside pavilion.
The large outdoor area offers views of a five-arched bridge – constructed in the 19th century and designed by Scottish engineer Thomas Telford – as well as the River Tay which it spans.
Iain Pert, The Jolly Botanist, Edinburgh
• Which serve do you most strongly associate with summer?
A perfectly served gin and tonic with loads of ice, so refreshing on a summer day.
• What’s the best summer drink you’ve ever been served?
Aperol spritz served in a large goblet in the square in Sorrento.
• What do you think is the secret to producing the perfect serve on a sunny day?
Perfect serve is a quality glass, loads of ice, perfect fruit pairing and doing this with every single drink no matter how busy the bar is.
• What impact does the weather have on what customers want to drink?
As we only get about two weeks in total of good weather, those weeks see beer drinkers starting with cider, wine drinkers having fizz or rosé and spirit drinkers having their drinks in tall glasses with loads of ice.
• Do you have plans to celebrate this summer’s big sporting events?
We will be showing the sport but it is not a main feature of The Jolly Botanist.
• Besides your own, what venue would you like to spend an afternoon in this summer and why?
Any venue with outside tables and chairs anywhere in Italy.
• The Jolly Botanist opened its doors in February last year following a joint investment from Star Pubs & Bars and PG Taverns Scotland. The venue has since been named Star Pubs & Bars Marketing Pub of the Year 2015.
