Marking its debut in the Scottish capital after three successful years in Glasgow, the Bartender’s Ball came to Edinburgh earlier this week, celebrating the creativity, dedication, and passion of the city’s hospitality professionals with the presentation of the first Edinburgh Bar Awards.
Over 250 of Edinburgh’s bartenders and managers gathered in The Caves for the presentation of the peer-nominated awards, which shone a spotlight on those who ‘go above and beyond’ in the capital’s vibrant hospitality scene.
Organised by Backs! Hospitality – a community organisation established in Glasgow by hospitality industry veterans – the awards comprised 10 categories, including Best Bar, Best Pub, Best Drink, Best Shake, and Rising Star, which attracted 150 venue nominations.
The headline wins on the night included Raging Bull declared Best Bar, Nauticus taking the title of Best Pub, and a surprise Legend Award presented to Johanna Cole in recognition of her lasting impact on Edinburgh’s bar scene and her exceptional contributions to the industry.
David Smillie, co-founder and organiser of the Edinburgh Bar Awards and Edinburgh Bartender’s Ball, said: “Bringing the Bartender’s Ball to Edinburgh for the first time has been epic. Tonight’s winners reflect the incredible talent we have working in Edinburgh’s hospitality industry, and it’s been fantastic to celebrate their hard work and passion with such a supportive community.
“Congratulations to all the winners and highly commended finalists – this is just the beginning of what will become a yearly celebration of Edinburgh’s best!”
The complete prizelist of 2024 Edinburgh Bar Award winners and highly commended finalists is as follows:
In Best Bar – sponsored by Cutty Sark – the winner was Raging Bull. Known for its energetic atmosphere and signature espresso martinis, Raging Bull has become a must-visit destination for cocktail lovers in Edinburgh.
Highly commended finalist was Star Bar, a neighbourhood favourite, loved for its warm hospitality and inventive drinks.
In the Best Pub category – sponsored by Pintail – the winner was Nauticus, a Leith-based gem that focuses on celebrating Scottish produce and ingredients, offering a thoughtfully curated drinks menu with local flair.
The highly commended finalist was Polwarth Tavern, a charming pub known for great drinks and a friendly, down-to-earth vibe.
The Best Bar Team award – sponsored by Royal Mile Whiskies – went to Cocktail Geeks, famed for delivering not only excellent cocktails but an unforgettable themed experience with every visit; while Bramble, one of Edinburgh’s most iconic cocktail bars, was highly commended for its team’s work setting the standard for craftsmanship and hospitality in the city.
The Best Restaurant Bar – sponsored by Whisky and Cynicism – went to Old Pal, a cosy yet sophisticated bar within a restaurant setting which has earned a reputation for its expertly curated drinks list and inviting atmosphere. In this category Hawksmoor was highly commended for its exceptional bar experience that perfectly complements its food offerings.
In the fiercely contested Best Drink category, sponsored by Schweppes, Commons Club emerged victorious with its Cranachan Manhattan, with Hey Palu’s Yuzu Margarita as the highly commended finalist.
In the Best Shake contest, Fowwaz Ansari of Bittersweet triumphed, with Sam Milne of Panda & Sons highly commended.
Recognising the industry’s Unsung Heroes – a category sponsored by Holyrood Distillery – Jane Ross of Mother Superior was the winner, with Ben Leslie of Raging Bull highly commended.
In the Rising Stars category – sponsored by X Muse Scottish Barley Vodka – the winner was Alessia Impedovo of Cocktail Geeks, whose passion for mixology and innovative drink creations has made her one the city’s brightest up-and-comers. Close behind, Alex Moore of Nauticus was highly commended for his dedication to sustainable practices and creative cocktail crafting.
The award for Social Stars – sponsored by Atomic10 – went to Carrie Smith of Hoot the Redeemer, who has captured the hearts of her followers with her engaging social media presence, showcasing the creativity and fun that Hoot the Redeemer is famous for. Highly commended in the same category was Chloe Yeung of Panda & Sons, whose flair for visually stunning cocktails and engaging online persona have made her a rising star in the world of cocktail bars.
In the Far Side of the Bar category – sponsored by Heads Up Hospitality – Ellie Raeside of Bacardi was lauded for leadership and expertise that ‘make her a force to be reckoned with’, while Daniela Liverani of Sazerac was highly commended.
The final Legend Award – sponsored by BACKS! Hospitality itself – went to Johanna Elizabeth Cole.
