Who reigns supreme on the Glasgow bar scene? Now is your chance to decide, with the official opening of nominations for the Glasgow Bar Awards 2024.
Now entering their third year, these Glaswegian ‘BAFTAs For Bartending’ aim to reward the city’s hardworking barstaff, with the winners announced at the Bartenders Ball, the grand annual trade bash next being held at Saint Luke’s on Monday, 12th February 2024.
Voting is now open for the 2024 awards across 10 categories, including ‘best shake’, ‘unsung hero’, ‘best bar’, ‘best cocktail’ and ‘hospitality legend’.
Previous winners include Andy Gemmell, owner of The Gate Glasgow; Geraldine Murphy from whisky pub, The Pot Still; secret speakeasy Wheesht; and bartenders from Tiki Bar, who won that ‘best shake’ category.
The Glasgow Bar Awards invites nominations from any licensed premises within the G postcode, who can vote online here. Winners will be selected after a ‘comprehensive’ judging process involving industry votes and an expert panel of judges.
The Bartender’s Ball was created to allow bartenders across Scotland to come together and ‘let loose’ after a busy festive season. Anyone who works across the hospitality industry is invited to attend, from brand ambassadors to bartenders. The bargain £20 ticket includes drinks from premium brands, street food and smoked barbeque classics from the kitchen in Saint Luke’s, live music and high energy entertainment.
Previous balls have seen a bucking bronco wine bottle, a Sailor Jerry arm wrestling competition and DJ sets from Shaka Loves You, alongside live performances from a nine-piece New Orleans brass band, and Al and the Bad Decisions.
All this is organised by Backs! Hospitality – a community interest company created by David Smillie and Alex Riches. Funds raised from ticket sales go towards nurturing the next wave of bartending talent and frontline hospitality staff through events, networking, mentoring, and training.
