The Caledonian Bar, Port Glasgow

Erin is a ball of energy with a passion for hospitality, starting out as a waitress at 15 then moving behind the bar at 18. Rising through the ranks at the Caledonian she has curated a captivating cocktail list showcasing her mixology skills while raising the bar’s reputation. She is constantly broadening her knowledge and sharing it with her team. Her customers always come first – if a drink isn’t good enough for Erin, it’s not good enough for them!

Glasgow

Morgan lives and breathes hospitality. He spent his first year in the business in his native USA before making the move to Glasgow in 2018, where he has worked as both a bartender and manager. He has a passion for creating memorable customer experiences and drinks, and loves that he gets the chance to combine the two. Morgan regularly competes in cocktail competitions and attends as many trade tastings, trainings and shows as his time allows.

Lunar, Glasgow

Oliver’s presence gives Lunar a very chilled and happy vibe. By his own admission he’s lived a hectic life in hospitality starting out in Birmingham and ending up in Glasgow via London and Paris. He has competed in global cocktail competitions and taken part in international takeovers. He loves to share his knowledge and experience with the team. He now prefers a healthier work/life balance and loves to promote this to the staff within the bar.

Aberdeen

A bright and airy bar on Aberdeen’s harbour front, The Craftsman Company brings youthful energy to the pint-pulling business, presenting a wide range of permanent and rotational beers from a well-designed and modern bar, with a refreshing emphasis on local producers, and an open mind to innovations that attract a younger crowd, giving it a casual air that belies the strict discipline applied to its use of proper glassware and system hygiene.

Forfar

With painstaking attention to detail borne of its owner’s background in offshore safety, The Stag leaves nothing to chance in its preparation and presentation of the perfect pint, maintaining ‘checklists for its checklists’ when it comes to cleanliness, cooling and cellar care, a Herculean effort that brings customers from far and wide to enjoy its beer, which is then served up with the friendly nonchalance of a pretension-free local pub.

Corstorphine

The pub that put the ‘T’ in Corstorphine, Winstons’ reputation for expertly-served beer has made it both a local favourite and a place of pilgrimage that attracts aficionados of lager lore, and fans of immaculate logo-forward glassware. Recently extending its range of Scottish beers, this beloved boozer lavishes the same care on its cask lines, using direct sourcing to minimise the mileage covered between brewery and tap, guaranteeing the best possible pour.

Aberdeen

With seasonally refreshed floral arrangements, tiled flooring, and matched tables, chairs and parasols, The Albyn’s outdoor space perfectly complements the grey granite grandeur of its main building, offering guests fresh air hospitality in classy comfort, supported by the best in outdoor heating and a stylish bar, creating a space that not only commands a regular clientele, but is much in demand from fashionistas for photo shoots.

Leith

Affectionately known as ‘the anchor of Leith’, Teuchters Landing has long been a beloved outpost in that quirky neighbourhood, but has recently stretched out its limbs to embrace the area’s hospitality renaissance, in particular expanding its outdoor capacity to an astounding 250 or so permanent seats along its historic dockside location, with both a floating pontoon and Scotland’s first licensed bridge adding to the sense of fun.

Glasgow

In the heart of Partick, the West Side Tavern presents a coolly curtained entrance to the public, while round the back the real party is happening in a classic tenement courtyard beer garden, equipped for both full sun and full rain, and thus open all year round, with large outdoor screens for sports fans, and a multitude of events, pop-ups and special offers making the absolute most of this oasis of space with its own back door to the Glasgow Underground.

Milngavie

Sports sponsorships have put Fullbacks at the heart of the Milngavie community, where a menu with dishes named in honour of sports stars has helped make this venue a family favourite. Strategically placed screens show sports from F1 and tennis to rugby and women’s football, and the bar is decorated with sports jerseys, scarves and memorabilia. Extremely popular ‘Player, Pizza and Pint’ events, featuring former sports stars, are held in the upstairs function room.

Edinburgh

Screening everything from F1 and Aussie Rules to football and rugby, this lively Haymarket venue operates from early to late with enough screens to accommodate every sports fan. The ground floor bar has large bi-fold windows which can be opened to house pop-up bars for fans looking for pints-to-go on the way to nearby sports venues. Upstairs can accommodate 260 sports fans and be flexibly zoned to show different sports events simultaneously.

Prestwick

From the sign at the entrance to the large screen which greets you on entry, Vic’s screams sports bar. A series of events featuring former footballers complements the programme of sports broadcast across the calendar, with regular online updates letting Ayrshire coast fans know what’s on when. The premium Directors Box area can be pre-booked with drinks packages – but during big football matches free pies are provided to all customers at half time.

Glasgow

A dark and intimate Van Gogh-inspired basement cocktail bar, with an ever-evolving menu of unusual and delicious cocktails, served by a team of talented mixologists with a side order of fun. The five hours of prep they do every day really shows in the quality of their drinks. This is the Ear’s third year in the Top 50 of UK Cocktail Bars and the team marked the occasion by taking the bar out of the basement and onto the water with ‘The Absent Arrr’ boat party on The Tall Ship!

Glasgow

Although relatively new to the Glasgow cocktail scene, Daddy Marmalades has certainly made its mark. Mari and Kim are the only two running the bar but the standard of the cocktails is outstanding, as are the homemade pizzas they somehow manage to serve up at the same time! The menu at this inclusive bar shows particular wit in the naming of the drinks. They fit in as many cocktail competitions and takeovers as they can manage, treating them as training.

Edinburgh

This stylish and intimate cocktail bar brings the taste of Italy to Edinburgh’s Old Town. With an extensive Amaro selection on the back-bar, Hey Palu showcases the Italian Aperitivo experience with well balanced modern classics. The bar’s Paper Plane serve always raises a smile, with the cocktail accompanied by a square of paper to build your own plane to perhaps hit a bottle and win a shot. This is the venue’s third year in the UK Cocktail Bar Top 50.

Motherwell

This North Lanarkshire venue truly takes care of its own. It works closely with local police to support those less fortunate, always extending a helping hand to those in need. Recently, Merlins organised trips to Blackpool for its regulars, and it will be open on Christmas Day to ensure no one spends the holiday alone. The venue also offers a Thursday club with free pizzas and hosts weekly community events, all without charging a fee.

Linlithgow

A true community hub and former award-winner in 2013, it’s easy to see why this venue continues to thrive. In addition to hosting fundraisers for essential causes like the town’s Christmas lights and local defibrillators, the pub actively involves its customers in key decisions. From menu tastings to collaborations with wine and beer suppliers, the team ensures that the community’s voice is heard and valued in shaping the experience.

Alness

A licensed community centre in the heart of the village, this venue welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds — from young professionals to Armed Forces veterans. The Station offers Rock & Roll Bingo, regular sporting events, and school discos for children. It also runs programmes like Headstart, providing support to individuals with PTSD and war injuries. The team are dedicated to supporting numerous charities, in particular the Isobel Rhind Centre.

Edinburgh

With a microbrewery on site, the staff at Cold Town House have regular training and tasting sessions with the brewer and consumers can enjoy their chosen beer while looking at the equipment it was actually brewed in. With a pioneering approach to recipe, this popular Grassmarket venue has a wide range of flavours on offer. For its Craft Beer Festival, 12 local breweries were invited to promote their products to beer enthusiasts.

Glasgow

Calling itself a neighbourhood bar that makes craft beer accessible to all, this comfortable pub has over 130 packs in its fridge and four rotational lines among its eight taps. A two-tier training process for staff ensures the customer always gets the information they need to try new beers. Tap takeovers, seasonal events and brewers’ collaboration beers are all part of the Redmond’s calendar, highlighted on all the venue’s social media channels.

Leith

Locally brewed beers are at the heart of everything in this sprawling venue popular with Edinburgh residents and international tourists alike. With 22 beers always on tap, a policy of offering tasters together with a team of knowledgeable staff ensure that every customer is able to find a beer they can enjoy. Glassware is important at this bar and every serve, be it a half, a pint or a schooner, is served in a glass appropriate to the beer.

Auchtermuchty

At the heart of Auchtermuchty, The Boar’s Head offers a tastefully decorated setting with a relaxed atmosphere, complemented by exceptionally friendly and attentive staff. The food is a standout, with each dish crafted from fresh, locally sourced produce and presented with artistic flair, giving traditional pub fare a modern twist, for an unforgettable dining experience. The drinks menu is thoughtfully curated, with pairings that complement each course.

Inverclyde

A family-run gastropub on the Clyde Coast, the Inverkip Hotel is traditionally decorated, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere populated by staff who exude charm and enjoy conversation. The menu celebrates local produce, transforming fresh ingredients into mouthwatering dishes that highlight the best of Scotland’s larder. The venue is complemented by a spacious beer garden, which is ideal for enjoying the sunshine whenever it appears.

Glasgow

A fantastic forward-looking eatery in the bustle of Glasgow’s west end, Stravaigin never fails to amaze and dazzle with its contemporary and inventive menu, seasonally updated with dishes that range from the traditional, through to the wildly off-the-wall, all of which the staff can helpfully pair with a range of strange and unusual wines, beers, and cocktails. Don’t let the rustic décor fool you; this Glasgow institution is at the cutting edge of the gastropub trade.

Glasgow

A true late-night offering in the heart of Glasgow, The Howlin’ Wolf serves up a wide range of beers, spirits and cocktails, alongside a full food service, until 3am every single night. With a blues-flavoured soundtrack and regular live bands, the carefully crafted dive bar vibe belies an efficient and responsible operation, popular with staff from across the city centre trade, who know they can rely on the Wolf to make them welcome at the end of their shift.

Inverness

The multi-purpose hub around which the Inverness bar scene revolves, Johnny Foxes is a mild mannered gastropub by day, then transforms into a partying superhero after dark. A well-oiled Highland hospitality machine, augmented by the nightclub vibes of The Den next door, Foxes has something to offer everyone, and does so with an exceptional level of care and attention to the safety and well-being of its customers, and its community.

Glasgow

Famed for its dance music parties, Radisson’s RED Sky Bar sits high above Glasgow’s Clydeside, offering a perfect spot to sit and watch the sun set and the beautiful people gather. With excellent promotion and a next-level soundsystem attracting world-class DJs, the RED Sky Bar punches way above its weight on the international music scene, lavishing its devotees with a broad selection of cocktails and premium drinks in a modern and stylish setting.

The Pot Still, Glasgow

With a cool head and a warm heart, Julia is the responsible adult in daily charge of The Pot Still’s internationally famed whisky playpen, where she puts staff training and welfare to the fore, creating an inclusive, engaged environment behind the bar that translates to a warm and well-informed welcome for whoever walks in the door. As the whisky category continues to thrive, it is to the benefit of all that staff fledged from her nest often go on to great things in the industry.

The Black Grape, Edinburgh

A consummate professional, Murray has taken the lessons learnt from a successful career managing other people’s hospitality businesses and harnessed them to his own painstakingly crafted venture on the Canongate. Alongside his detailed understanding of the Edinburgh market, and commitment to quality and excellent service, he has a firm belief that his team should be stakeholders, not passengers, but still benefit from a good work/life balance.

Johnny Foxes & The Den, Inverness

With the lynchpin venue of Inverness city centre under her charge, Tina’s frenetic schedule sees her spinning the plates of a 550-capacity venue and a 50+ staff team, running an excellent daytime food offer through to an early hours party palace, all whilst keeping a steady eye on excellent service, safety for all, and good community relations. Leading by example, she mucks in wherever there’s a gap in the rota, and knows every switch, pipe and wire in the building.

The Absent Ear, Glasgow

An artist and a mixologist walk into a bar. And they’re both Arianne Smith. Part of the star team at Glasgow’s maximalist cocktail bar, The Absent Ear, Arianne has spent the past year improving on her already impressive knowledge of spirits and cocktails. Her passion for the sector shines through as soon as you speak to her, and – much like the venue where she tends bar – Arianne is committed to creating cocktails that are as fun as they are tasty.

Daddy Marmalades, Glasgow

Representing a full 50% of the team at Glasgow cocktail bar Daddy Marmalades, Kim is a powerhouse, creating wildly inventive drinks, often with ingredients that logically shouldn’t work together. Self-taught and largely developing her skills through trial and error, Kim’s star has continued to rise in the past year through participation in bar takeovers and cocktail competitions, which have helped develop her already impressive skillset.

Daddy Marmalades, Glasgow

It’s almost unbelievable that Mari hadn’t so much as pulled a pint until a few short years ago. Having come to mixology via her family’s Italian takeaway business, the Daddy Marmalades co-owner has a keen appreciation for flavours and how they can interact with each other as well as a laser-focused attention to detail. This is reflected in drinks that are fun as well as delicious. Needless to say, the food scene’s loss has been the drinks scene’s gain.

Glasgow

It isn’t often that somewhere serving chicken wings and pizza has such a top-notch soundtech offering and emphasis on live music, but BLOC+ in Glasgow city centre certainly does. With a rammed and diverse roster of acts spanning seven nights a week – always free entry – BLOC+ excels at creating an environment that’s relaxed and inclusive. All its acts are paid fairly, given a rider and access to amplification equipment that rivals venues quadruple its size.

Glasgow

A Sauchiehall St institution, The Garage has music woven into its very walls – literally, because as you ascend the stairs, you’ll see the names of past performers immortalised there. From springboarding new acts to welcoming world-famous names, there’s a huge array of live music on offer at this city centre venue. From cool club nights in the main space to wild punk gigs in G2, the team strives to make music accessible, diverse and exciting.

Inverness

‘More than a bar’, MacGregor’s in Inverness is a cultural melting pot of live music, local and international. Small but mighty in impact, its daily array of acts and events transcends the surroundings, regularly being streamed to viewers worldwide. Live music is entwined into every element of the family-run establishment’s offerings; from themed cocktails, merchandise, and whisky events to legendary music sessions that guests travel from afar to attend.

St Andrews

From the team behind Haar in St Andrews, Dulse in Glasgow and Dean Banks at the Pompadour in Edinburgh, DUNE emerged from a refurb that faced its fair share of challenges, from a failing boiler to a leaking roof. None of that is evident to visitors today, as the intimate venue delights customers with a focus on fresh, locally-sourced seafood. An external ‘seafood shack’ has also proved to be a stroke of genius; locals can’t get enough of the fresh-made lobster rolls.

Leith

Converting this Constitution St unit into an Irish pub was quite an undertaking, but one that the Malones team took on with gusto, completely transforming the space. The result is a warm community venue with an emphasis on food, sport and live music, as well as Malones’ other specialisms: tank Tennent’s and Guinness. There are sister venues in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, but the Leith unit stands on its own – a laid-back local pub with a strong Irish flavour. 

Glasgow

When veteran operator Neil Connolly returned to Glasgow, it was to bring to life a concept he’d been working on for well over a decade. Pania, in Glasgow’s Merchant City, was inspired by the bars and cafés of the Continent, with a daytime trade of brunch, sandwiches and pastries giving way to a quality range of wines, charcuterie, cheese and cocktails in the evenings. The bright, friendly venue is warm, welcoming and quite unlike anything else in the area.

Edinburgh

In a spectacular setting on Edinburgh’s George St, The Dome is a portal back to more elegant times, where a youthful team deploy silver service style to present a seasonally updated menu that recasts old favourites in a sharp, modern light, creating sumptuously memorable event dining.

Aberdeen

As fresh and vivacious as a bowl of tropical fruit, Aberdeen’s Tarragon harnesses world flavours in a regularly refreshed menu with multi-generational appeal, drawing on local suppliers and north-east tradition to ground its Insta-friendly exoticism in quality Scottish provenance.

Ullapool

As simple and beautiful as a seashell on the Ullapool shoreline, The Dipping Lugger offers exquisite fine dining based on produce so local that much of it arrives by foot, delivering unmatched freshness and provenance complemented by an imaginatively curated range of wines and spirits.

Dunfermline

With youthful verve and energy, Dunfermline’s Jack ‘O’ Bryan’s is carving its own culinary path, serving up immaculate classics alongside impish innovations, in an array of creative meat and seafood small plates with influences of Iberia, coupled to a truly exceptional dessert menu.

St Andrews

This lively venue proudly announces itself as a spirits bar with a wide range of bottles on display behind its long bar, including some of its own locally distilled products. The enthusiastic and knowledgeable operator strives to source new and unusual spirits in response to customer demand. To help its regulars enjoy the finest spirits, The Criterion runs a series of ‘break even’ events, offering drinks from an expensive bottle at a no-profit price.

Aberdeen

Impressive drinks menus and an attractive gantry confirm this venue as a place to enjoy spirits in long drinks, cocktails and shots. There’s an international whisky section and a whisky tasting package, and its tequila and rum sales are rising – but vodka serves are most popular amongst regulars. Regularly updated online training and brand ambassador visits keep the staff on top of the latest products and trends.

Aberdeen

Spirits play a major part in the activity at this atmospheric tunnel bar. Whisky tastings and cocktail events are part of the regular programme. Going against the trend, The Old Workshop does not stock flavoured gins but will mix one to each customer’s taste using its wide range of liqueurs. The enthusiastic staff stay well informed with ongoing in-house training and tastings and are always happy to encourage consumers to try something new.

Inveraray

With a whisky range split across the hotel’s two bars, The George is able to offer something for everyone. In the larger bar, the focus is on official ‘core’ bottlings from distilleries across Scotland, while the smaller bar focuses on a dazzling display of whiskies from independent bottlers. For those looking to explore, the team is happy to make custom whisky flights, and those looking for something truly unusual can try one of the hotel’s own bottlings.

Glasgow

As one of Scotland’s most famous whisky pubs, it might be easy for The Pot Still to coast on its well-earned reputation. But the team won’t hear of it. In the past year The Pot Still broke through the 1000-bottle mark, while managing to balance quality as well as quantity. The pub’s range of whisky flights has also been fine-tuned and more staff have been trained up to deliver its in-demand private tastings – a growing area for the business.

Edinburgh

Stocking a vast range of whiskies, the Tipsy Midgie offers its customers a number of ways to enjoy their drams – from hauf’n’hauf recommendations to food pairings. For those looking to delve deeper, the bar offers its Alpha & Omega menu, a selection of whiskies paired with the previous inhabitants of the cask used in maturation – such as Oloroso sherry or Madeira wine. There are also regular tastings and events featuring well-known whisky names.

Edinburgh

Superb wines at a fair price led by knowledgeable staff are the cornerstones of service at this buzzy Old Town spot. Savvy drinkers will appreciate its wide and varied range of recognisable varietals of impeccable quality and more esoteric pours, while the unacquainted can tap into the well-trained team’s suggestions. Verre De Vin and Coravin systems mean that 75% of the menu is available by the glass without compromising on quality. 

Helensburgh

With chalkboards, rustic furniture and a relaxed vibe, this chic bar could be straight out of Paris. Francophiles will find old-world classics to sip on, while more adventurous drinkers can delve into a weekly-changing market menu that features bin ends, interesting grapes and unusual blends from across the globe. Thanks to a wine preservation system, almost everything is available by glass or carafe, all served by a switched-on, incentivised team. 

Glasgow

A passionate, approachable, and educated team at this Glasgow institution lead patrons through multiple wine lists that are as eclectic as the customers! There’s a huge cellar of special-occasion wines and tasting flights to pair with food in the restaurant, while a hard-working wine preservation system ensures the clientele can enjoy classic varieties and regions, alongside those from ‘off the beaten track’, or that break conventional wine-making rules.