WHICH Edinburgh bar has the best team? Who is the rising star of the city’s bar community? And which Edinburgh bartender has the best shake?
These questions and more will be answered later this month when the second annual Edinburgh Bar Awards and Bartenders’ Ball takes place at The Biscuit Factory in Leith.
After a public vote, the organisers have released the shortlisted venues and individuals in each category, with the winners due to be announced on Monday, 22nd September.
Among the names on this year’s list are The Mother Superior, Copper Blossom, The Black Cat and Bramble, with bartenders including Sian Buchan of Uno Mas, Emily Weston of The Cocktail Geeks and Fowwaz Ansari of Bittersweet all clamouring for titles on the night.
The shortlist was decided after a vote that was open to the trade as well as the general public.
“Edinburgh’s bar scene is stronger than ever, and this year’s finalists prove why the city is recognised on the world stage,” said organiser David Smillie.
“With the trade having the final say, the shortlist reflects real industry respect – and we can’t wait to bring everyone together at The Biscuit Factory for the biggest industry night of the year.”
Full shortlist for the 2025 Edinburgh Bar Awards:
Best Bar
Bramble • Hey Palu • Panda & Sons •The Cocktail Geeks • The Powder Room
Best Pub
Athletic Arms (Diggers) • The Black Cat • The Finch • The Mother Superior • Nauticus
Best Restaurant Bar
Copper Blossom • The Devil’s Advocate • Little Capo • Old Pal • Paradise Palms
Best Bar Team
The Mother Superior • Hey Palu • Nauticus • The Cocktail Geeks • Panda & Sons
Best Late Night Venue
The Mother Superior • Nightcap • NQ64 • Sneaky Pete’s • Uno Mas
Best Cocktail
Bramble – Bramble • Yuzu Margarita – Hey Palu / Chancho • The Perfect Pear – Mother Superior • Porridge Colada – Nauticus • Make Love Not Warcraft – Cocktail Geeks
Unsung Hero
- Adam Fraser Gray “Herman” – Panda & Sons
- Sam Baxendale – Bramble
- Cam Chittleborough – The Cocktail Geeks
- Sian Buchan – Uno Mas
- Cullen Hutchison – The Mother Superior
Rising Star
- Logan Pope – Lucky Liquor Co
- Freja Kemp – Old Pal
- Emily Weston – The Cocktail Geeks
- Saul Lavelle – The False Widow
- Walt Webster-Curran – Panda & Sons
Best Shake
- Saul Lavelle – The False Widow
- Sam Milne – Panda & Sons
- Logan Pope – Lucky Liquor Co
- Cam Chittleborough – The Cocktail Geeks
- Fowwaz Ansari – Bittersweet
Social Star
- Chloe Archibald-Ansari
- Groundskeeper Fanny
- Carrie Smith
- Ross Lawrie
- Rachel Dixon
Far Side of the Bar
- Connie Macdonald – Port of Leith Distillery
- Ross Lawrie – Schweppes UK
- Kaitlin Wilkes – The Ada Coleman Project
- Ellie Raeside – Bacardi UK
- Dan Bartley – Miscellaneous
