By Gordon Davidson
A WARM atmosphere of esprit de corps permeated the Glasgow Bar Awards, held at the start of this week at St Luke’s in the city centre’s increasingly bohemian east end.
The headline winners at this annual ‘BAFTAs for bartending’ – now in its third year – were Redmond’s of Dennistoun, declared best pub; Jack’s Bar @ Dakota Hotel which was named as best bar; and Tabac, which fielded the best bar team.
In all, ten winners took home top prizes from an overall long-list of 150 venues, drinks and bartenders from across the city. Each category was decided by votes from the industry itself, with winners receiving a neon pineapple trophy on stage, in front of 300 of their peers.
But while there were many jubilant winners, there were no bad losers, as the night was as much a glittering celebration of barstaff’s common purpose, as it was an arena for the settling of friendly rivalries.
Prior to the awards, guests were treated to a wide selection of drinks from sponsored pop-up bars around the venue, while a live band took to the St Luke’s stage to further lower any lingering resistance to Monday night merriment.
Organisers Alex Riches and David Smillie acted as hosts for the awards themselves, aided and abetted by various sponsors, and sticking to a firm promise not to over-stay their welcome on stage, despatching announcements and presentations as smartly as was possible in a room packed with partying people, perilous heels and marauding burlesque performers.
Considered the event’s top prize, the shortlist for the highly competitive Best Bar category – sponsored by Mangrove UK – saw The Absent Ear and The Gate battle it out with Charlie Brown’s, The Rum Shack and the Red Sky Bar, before being given to Jack’s Bar @ Dakota Hotel.
Described as the ‘perfect spot for late night cocktails’ on West Regent Street, Jack’s Bar’s classic vibe and delicious drinks secured it the accolade as Glasgow’s favourite bar, for this year at least.
In the Best Pub category – sponsored by Cutty Sark – Redmond’s of Dennistoun beat out competition from The Laurieston, The Pot Still, the Ben Nevis, Bon Accord and Malones. Beloved by East End locals, the friendly pub serves up classic cocktails and simple pints, runs a famous pub quiz and even offers vinyl DJ sets on weekends.
The Best Bar Team category – sponsored by Heads Up Hospitality – had shortlisted the hospitality heroes of The Winged Ox, Oran Mor, Charlie Browns, Jack’s bar @ Dakota Hotel, Helensburgh’s La Jupe, and ultimate winners, Tabac.
Described as a mainstay of the city’s Mitchell Lane, and one of Glasgow’s best hidden bars, Tabac serves up exquisite cocktails and an intimate vibe.
Glasgow’s greatest drink – a category sponsored by Pochle – was officially unveiled as Daddy Marmalade’s ‘Sticky Toffee Pudding’.
This fiercely competitive category’s shortlist had also included a classic pint of Tennent’s Lager from The Gate, ‘Balche Anna’ from La Jupe, Tabac’s playful ‘Holiday in Cambodia’, Kelvingrove Café’s ‘Appletini’, and Jacks Bar @ Dakota Hotel’s ‘Steeplejack’.
The competition for Unsung Hero – sponsored by Bruichladdich Whisky – was topped by Aimee Ashworth of La Jupe, from a shortlist featuring Arianne Smith of The Absent Ear, Euan Barker of Tabac, Layla Brown of The Finnieston, Linda Callaghan of Moskito, and Panos Dimou of El Santo.
Individual bartenders’ mastery of social media was lauded in the ‘Social Sell Out’ category – sponsored by Liquid Oats – and ultimately won by Jess Campbell, from a shortlist that also featured Breagha Wolfgang, Johnny Morrison, Kieron Kelleher, Sarah Berardi and Stuart Baxter.
The Far Side of the Bar category – sponsored by Atomic10 – looked to the industry’s favourite brand reps and support staff, shortlisting Caitlin O’Connor of Edrington, Jack Barrot of Beavertown, refrigeration master repairer Mark ‘The Fridge’ Keane, Stevie Aitken of Base Spirits, and Victoria Beckett of Woodwinters, but was ultimately won by Sarah Berardi of Hendrick’s Gin.
2024’s Rising Star – sponsored by Mangrove UK and Franklin & Sons – recognised the industry’s newcomers, with Radisson Red Sky Bar’s Sophie Pettifor named as one to watch in Glasgow’s bustling scene, with Sascha Montague from Bar & Tender also Highly Commended in the category.
At the other end of the experience scale, the Legend Award – sponsored by BACKS! Hospitality – was presented to Glasgow cocktails maestro David Ali.
The ceremony also took time to recognise the bartender with the Best Shake in town. The category – sponsored by Angostura UK – was judged via a specially held ‘shake off’, featuring Adam Dykes of Jacks Bar @ Dakota Hotel, Alexander ‘Big Al’ Martin of Rascal, Fraser Harris of The Absent Ear, Kim Burke of Daddy Marmalade and Liam Grogan of The Absent Ear – but following a speed round and shake off, it was the currently unsigned Ally Shaw who was named as the winner.
Commenting on the success of the event, Riches, who is operations manager of Saint Luke’s, said: “What an incredible night! We welcomed over 300 of the city’s top hospitality industry, to raise a glass to all their achievements from the past year. 2024 saw some of our toughest categories yet, with venues raising the bar across every aspect of the competition.
“A huge congratulations to all our well-deserved winners, finalists and venues – we hope the awards will encourage the public to get out and try somewhere new this year, support local bars and pubs, and potentially find their new favourite spot.”
Organised by BACKS! Hospitality, a community interest company created by Smillie and Riches, the event was open to anyone who works across the hospitality industry, from brand ambassadors to bartenders. Funds raised from its ticket sales will go towards ‘nurturing the next wave of bartending talent and frontline hospitality staff’ through various initiatives like events, networking, mentoring, and training.
