Discover the 2023 winners

Award Categories

There's plenty of opportunities to win at the SLTN Awards 2023, with a broad range of categories to choose from.
See the full list of awards below to find out what the judges will be looking for.

Venue/Operator Awards

Community Pub of the Year
Restaurant of the Year
Independent Pub/Bar of the Year
Best Outdoor Area
Best Venue to Watch the Match
Family Outlet of the Year
Gastropub of the Year
Independent Multiple Operator of the Year
Late Night Venue of the Year
New Business of the Year
Music Led Venue of the Year

People Awards

Barperson of the Year
Mixologist of the Year
Licensee of the Year

Speciality Drinks Awards

Beer Quality Award
Cocktail Bar of the Year
Craft Beer Bar of the Year
Gin Range of the Year
Whisky Bar of the Year

Outstanding Individual Awards

Hospitality Hero Award
Entrepreneur of the Year
Industry Achievement Award

Barperson of the Year

In association with Ian Macleod Distillers

In association with

IanMacleod-Logo-CMYK-NAVY-(1)

Award Criteria

Open to all bar staff across Scotland, the SLTN Barperson of the Year award seeks to recognise the knowledge and passion of the country’s best all-round barperson. This award will go to a barperson with a real passion for pubs, who has the skills, knowledge and desire to make a real difference to enhance the experience of their customers. The winner will have:

  • A real passion for hospitality and a dedication to the continual improvement of the standards and service offered.
  • A commitment to their own training and development and a willingness to share their knowledge with colleagues.
  • A thorough understanding of – and the ability to talk confidently about – the brands and products stocked.

Entrants will be asked the following:

  • Please provide brief details of your trade career to date, and outline your responsibilities in your current role.
  • Describe the steps that you have taken in the past 12 months to broaden your skills and knowledge.
  • Describe how you ensure consistently high standards in drinks quality and customer service.
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Beer Quality Award

In association with Tennent's

In association with

Tennent's-T_Full-Colour

Award Criteria

For the Beer Quality Award, Tennent's Lager and SLTN are looking for outlets that store, dispense and present the perfect pint to the highest quality standard. Judges will look for:

  • Excellent cellar management, in terms of cleanliness and temperature control, including evidence of the processes in place to maintain these, and good staff knowledge of how best to receive, store, rotate and change kegs.
  • A full range of appropriate glassware for every beer type stocked and a good, well understood system for glass cleaning, storage and replenishment.
  • Excellence in dispense with good staff knowledge of pouring and presentation techniques for a range of beers, delivering the perfectly poured pint every time.

Entrants will be asked the following:

  • Please describe your outlet’s draught beer offer and the thought process behind its selection and presentation.
  • What systems and processes do you have in place to ensure excellence in beer quality and presentation from cellar to glass?
  • Describe how your staff and your suppliers work, both together and apart, to enhance your beer offer?
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Best Outdoor Area

In association with Magners

In association with

Magners-primary-logo

Award Criteria

Does your bar, restaurant or hotel deliver a quality al fresco experience? If so, we want to hear from you. The SLTN Best Outdoor Area award will go to a venue with an outdoor space which makes a real impact on both business performance and customer experience. Judges will look for:

  • Design and function of an outdoor area that demonstrates good use of space; is clean, tidy and well-maintained; and is able to comfortably accommodate al fresco customers.
  • Innovative use of the al fresco area for marketing and promotion through, for example, branded equipment or outdoor TV screens.
  • Successful use of outdoor space to make a real positive impact on the business.

Entrants will be asked the following:

  • Please describe your outdoor area in terms of its design, capacity, outdoor audio visual equipment, etc, and any innovations that have made a positive difference to its suitability for hospitality use.
  • What systems do you have in place to ensure your outdoor area is clean, tidy and well-maintained at all times?
  • How do you market your outdoor area to customers, and what has been the impact on your business?
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Best Venue to Watch the Match

In association with SKY Business

In association with

Sky Business Logo

Award Criteria

On the day of the big match, what venue do sports fans in your area think of first? This award is for those on-trade outlets where live sports coverage is a central part of their customer appeal, and business is maximised by providing the best possible experience. Judges will assess:

  • How live televised sports are used to attract customers and build an outlet’s reputation as a sports viewing destination.
  • The promotion of live sport through marketing activity, including social media platforms.
  • Evidence of commercial success gained through promoting live sport, and providing food and drink tailored to match-day customers.

Entrants will be asked the following:

  • Please describe your bar in terms of its location, ambience, target market, etc.
  • Describe the steps you have taken to position your venue as a sports bar – eg. which sports do you screen and how often, in which technology have you invested to enhance the live sport experience, and how do you promote that offering.
  • Describe your outlet’s food and drinks offer and how that helps drive commercial success in tandem with sports coverage.
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Cocktail Bar of the Year

In association with Bacardi-Martini Ltd

In association with

BacardiML-logo

Award Criteria

Cocktails provide an excellent opportunity to build on the benefits of premium drinks brands, helping increase both profitability and consumer appeal. SLTN’s Cocktail Bar of the Year will make great use of cocktails, and their presentation, to draw a crowd and drive its business. The winner will have:

  • A bar team with strong knowledge of a broad range of ingredients – spirits, modifiers, mixers and garnishes – and the skills to use them in delivery of both classic and innovative mixes
  • A venue with design and atmosphere conducive to mixing and presenting cocktails with a focus on impeccable service, and an eye to ever-changing social trends.
  • A menu which is diverse and inclusive, and clearly communicated to customers both in venue and through promotion online.

Entrants will be asked the following:

  • Please describe your outlet’s cocktail offer and the thought process behind it, with reference to your customers, current cocktail trends, and the wider spirits market.
  • What is your approach to staff training and development, and how do they engage with suppliers to enhance your cocktail offering?
  • What have you done to elevate the presentation, marketing and promotion of your venue’s cocktail range?
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Community Pub of the Year

In association with Tennent's Direct

In association with

Tennents_Direct_Logo

Award Criteria

SLTN is looking to find Scotland’s very best community pub, and judges will consider all aspects of a pub’s offer and the efforts it has made to build community spirit within the outlet. The Community Pub of the Year will be a pub of any type which attracts most of its customers from the local area. It will play a significant role within its community, have a relevant drinks range and knowledgeable, friendly staff. Judges will assess:

  • Role in the community – is the pub a recognised focal point for community activity? Does the pub support the wider community?
  • The offer – what is provided to attract and retain customers, both in terms of food and drink, and entertainment and activities?
  • Loyalty and service – does the pub encourage customer loyalty by its involvement with local organisations and activities (e.g charities and sports), and does it offer services to those organisations?

Entrants will be asked the following:

  • Please describe your pub or bar (eg. Its locale, style, atmosphere, etc.) and the community that it serves.
  • Describe your pub or bar’s offer (eg. Food, drinks, entertainment, special events, etc.) and the thought process behind it.
  • Tell us about the community role your pub or bar has played in the last 12 months, and how it hopes to add to that in the future.
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Craft Beer Bar of the Year

In association with Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I

In association with

Award Criteria

The SLTN Craft Beer Bar of the Year Award will go to a venue with a team that prides itself in delivering a great beer experience for all their customers. Judges will look for:

  • The best craft beer experience in Scotland, whether from tap, bottle or can – what matters is that you deliver for craft beer drinkers, whether they are curious novices or knowledgeable veterans
  • A great range of beers, delivered well, in surroundings that enhance their enjoyment.
  • Engagement with craft beer customers, whether through social media, events, food matched menus or other initiatives.

Entrants will be asked the following:

  • Please describe your outlet’s craft beer offer and the thought process behind its selection and presentation.
  • What systems, processes and staff training do you have in place to ensure excellence in the quality and presentation of craft beer in your outlet?
  • How do you market and promote your outlet’s craft beer range to consumers (eg. social media, tasting events, craft beer flights, etc.)?
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Entrepreneur of the Year

In association with Chivas Regal

In association with

Chivas_General_Logo_StackBlack

Award Criteria

This award is for the hospitality industry’s most inspiring and successful entrepreneur. To enter, please tell us (in no more than 500 words) why you believe you – or the person you are nominating – should be named as SLTN Entrepreneur of the Year.

Judges will consider:

  • Consumer insight – The Entrepreneur of the Year will have identified a genuine gap in the market and turned it into commercial reality.
  • Risk taking – The winner’s approach to risk will represent a balance between intelligent and grounded commercial insight and a willingness to take bold steps to realise goals.
  • Decision-making – Our successful entrepreneur will demonstrate sound decision-making qualities, even under intense pressure. A clear leader, they will be a good communicator who is able to inspire others and delegate effectively.
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Family Outlet of the Year

In association with Vimto Out of Home

In association with

VimtoOOH_Logo

Award Criteria

Catering for families with quality food, top drinks brands and child-friendly facilities offers a significant opportunity for bar and restaurant operators – and SLTN’s Family Outlet Of The Year award is aimed at venues providing a fantastic experience for the whole family to enjoy, from children to grandparents. Judges will look for:

  • Consideration of the family market in all aspects of the business – from menu creation and drinks ranges to marketing and communication.
  • A food and drinks offer specifically designed for children and facilities especially for young people, while still looking after the grown-ups.
  • Effective and imaginative use of space, married to excellent customer service, including evidence that the team is trained with the family market in mind.

Entrants will be asked the following:

  • Please describe your outlet’s locale, style, capacity, and how it has been tailored to the family market.
  • Describe your outlet’s food offer and drinks range, the selection criteria used, and how that offering has been tailored, and promoted, to the family market.
  • What is your approach to staff training and development, and have there been any key improvements made to your staff or facilities in the past 12 months.
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Gastropub of the Year

In association with CVH Spirits

In association with

CVH Logo

Award Criteria

The SLTN Gastropub of the Year Award will go to a venue that delivers high-end pub food and a quality drinks range to match, with first-rate friendly service in a welcoming pub environment. Judges will look for:

  • A menu which brings a contemporary flavour to pub classics and displays a commitment to quality and the use of fresh, local, sustainable produce.
  • A comprehensive drinks range designed to match the food offer, including suggested pairings.
  • A commitment to deliver first-class customer service, in surroundings and an ambience to match the quality food and drink on offer.

Entrants will be asked the following:

  • Please describe your gastropub, in terms of its locale, design, atmosphere, food offer, price range and clientele.
  • Please describe your gastropub’s drinks offer and the thought process behind it.
  • What is your approach to staff training, venue design and marketing – and how have these benefitted the business?
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Gin Range of the Year

In association with Schweppes

In association with

Schweppes-Logo---Yellow

Award Criteria

Gin has been one of the biggest success stories in recent years. There are more gins – including Scottish gins – on the market, more bars stocking a broader range, and more consumers drinking the spirit than ever before. The SLTN Gin Range Of The Year award will go to a venue that has embraced this trend, and used it to generate fresh footfall and income. Judges will look for:

  • A broad range of gins covering different styles and countries of origin that meets different budgets and tastes.
  • A strong range of tonics and mixers, including lighter/ zero sugar options, and an innovative range of serves.
  • Well-trained and knowledgeable staff with a passion for that gin offering, who are successfully promoting it through marketing material and activities like tastings and sampling ‘flights’.

Entrants will be asked the following:

  • Please describe your bar’s gin range (eg. number of gins, countries of origin, price range, gin serves and cocktails, etc.) and the thought process behind it.
  • Describe your bar’s range of tonics, mixers and garnishes and the thought process behind that.
  • Describe how you market and promote your bar’s gin range to consumers (eg. through social media, tasting events, gin flights, etc).
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Hospitality Hero Award

In association with Payfacto

In association with

Maitre'D-Logo

Award Criteria

Operators and staff across Scotland’s hospitality industry regularly go above and beyond to help others – from colleagues and regulars to local charities and groups. The SLTN Hospitality Hero Award aims to recognise an individual in the Scottish trade who has gone that extra mile to help those who need it. If you, or someone you know, has gone above and beyond to help other people, please nominate them to help ensure they receive the recognition they deserve. To enter, please tell us (in no more than 500 words) why you believe you – or the person you are nominating – should win the SLTN Hospitality Hero Award.

Our judges will be looking for someone who has either:

  • Gone the extra mile to support charities and/or local groups.
  • Gone above and beyond to support their colleagues.
  • Gone out of their way to help their regulars.
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Independent Multiple Operator of the Year

In association with Diageo

In association with

Diageo_logo_black

Award Criteria

The Independent Multiple Operator of the Year will be a business that consists of four or more bars, restaurants, hotels or nightclubs. Handling all the complexities of multiple site management and fostering strong team spirit will be the key characteristics of this award winner. The Independent Multiple Operator of the Year award, presented in association with Diageo, recognises and celebrates the spirit of entrepreneurship that defines Scotland’s licensed trade. Judges will look for:

  • An operator with a clear understanding of the marketplace, consumer insights, competitor activity and food and drink trends, with a clear vision for their multi-site operation.
  • Evidence of a successful, thriving and sustainable business, with creative marketing plans driven from market insight as well as evidence of how marketing campaigns drive commercial success.
  • A well-trained, highly engaged team who understand the business and have a passion for hospitality. Career development and support for all team members will underpin the business.

Entrants will be asked the following:

  • Please list outlets and their capacities/size, describing how your group’s portfolio was built, and what makes your group stand out from your competitors.
  • Describe your company’s key business achievements, and what it hopes to achieve in the year ahead.
  • Describe your company’s approach to staff training and career development, and any other support that your company offers staff (eg. health and wellbeing, etc.)
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Independent Pub/Bar of the Year

In association with Madri Excepcional

In association with

Madrilogo

Award Criteria

Independent pubs and bars account for a significant proportion of Scotland’s on-trade, and the SLTN Independent Pub/Bar of the Year award celebrates the vital role which that free trade holds in Scottish society. We are looking for an outlet which relishes its independence – a pub or bar which is responsive to its customers’ needs, and is both popular and commercially successful. For the purposes of this award independent pubs and bars are classified as licensed premises which hold a premises license, and belong to a free trader who owns and operates no more than three outlets. Judges will consider:

  • Outlets with a solid operating model, encompassing staff training and seasonally developed food and drinks menus.
  • Operators and teams who strive within their local communities.
  • Independent bars known for their programme of events and social media content.

Entrants will be asked the following:

  • Please describe your pub or bar (eg. Its locale, style, atmosphere, clientele, etc.)
  • Describe your pub or bar’s offer (eg. Food, drinks, entertainment, special events, etc.) and the thought process behind it.
  • What key developments have you made to your pub or bar in the past 12 months and what impact have these had?
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Industry Achievement Award

In association with Edrington UK

In association with

Edrington logo

Award Criteria

The SLTN Industry Achievement Award 2023, presented in association with Edrington UK, will recognise an individual member of Scotland's hospitality industry who has made a very special contribution.

The most important influences on Scotland’s licensed trade are the people who play their part in it – as owners and entrepreneurs, managers and educators, activists and innovators. This Award will recognise one of these outstanding individuals, whether their achievements came through a lifetime spent at the forefront of the industry or work in a single community. You may propose anyone in the industry who has, in your opinion, made a significant difference – over a full career or over a shorter time. By making a nomination, you will play your part in ensuring such individuals receive the recognition they deserve.

To Enter:

  • Please tell us (in no more than 500 words) why you believe you – or the person you are nominating – should win the SLTN Industry Achievement Award.
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Late Night Venue of the Year

In association with Disaronno International UK

In association with

logo_disaronno

Award Criteria

The SLTN Late Night Venue award will go to a late opening premises that successfully combines a late night ambience with top quality drinks and excellent customer service. The winning venue will demonstrate business innovation, drinks retail and customer service excellence and an impactful marketing strategy. Judges will look for:

  • Ambience, atmosphere and a stylish design which conveys a late night vibe.
  • A range of quality drinks appropriate to the late night venue’s clientele served by knowledgeable staff.
  • Evidence of successful marketing and promotion activity undertaken to communicate with a late night clientele, coupled with a sound knowledge of legislation covering late opening premises.

Entrants will be asked the following:

  • Please describe your late opening premises in terms of its operating hours, capacity, design, ambience, target market, etc.
  • Describe your late night venue’s drinks and entertainments offer, the thought processes behind the choices made, and recent initiatives to promote that offer.
  • Please describe your approach to responsible operating and any additional measures you have in place to enhance the safety of your venue, customers and staff.
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Licensee of the Year

In association with Kopparberg UK

In association with

Kopparberg_Jellybean_Logo-Web

Award Criteria

Licensee of the Year is a category open to owner/operators who hold a personal licence in the Scottish on-trade. Are you – or do you know – a licensee who has worked hard, with the best interests of the Scottish hospitality sector at heart, improving standards and service and running a first class outlet? The winner will be able to show:

  • Evidence of their ongoing business success.
  • An in-depth knowledge of marketplace trends and challenges, and an understanding of what these mean for their own operation.
  • Professionalism in their business and commitment to the training and wellbeing of their staff.

Entrants will be asked the following:

  • Please give details of your key achievements as a licensee in the past 12 months?
  • What challenges has your business faced in the past 12 months and how have you overcome these?
  • What steps have you taken in the past 12 months to broaden your own skills and knowledge, and those of your staff?
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Mixologist of the Year

In association with Absolut and Barnomadics Ltd

In association with

Absolut Barnomadics logos

Award Criteria

The SLTN Mixologist of the Year award will recognise the bartender who displays the best overall knowledge of the premium spirits category and demonstrates innovation and creativity when making cocktails. Judges will look for:

  • An extensive knowledge of spirits categories, the premium brands within them and the heritage and development of the cocktails sector.
  • Good mixology skills, involving the correct use of glassware, premium mixers, fresh fruit, garnishes and ice.
  • An innovative approach to developing new cocktails and signature drinks, with a willingness to work with new products, pushing the boundaries in mixology with confidence and style.

Entrants will be asked the following:

  • Please detail what you think the current trends are in premium spirits, and their use in cocktails?
  • What steps have you taken in the past 12 months to broaden your skills and knowledge in this field?
  • What is the most innovative drink you have developed in the past 12 months and what was the thought process behind it?
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Music Led Venue of the Year

In association with Belvedere Vodka

In association with

belvedere logo

Award Criteria

Music is the heartbeat of many of Scotland’s pubs, bars and clubs and can bring real benefits to business – from greater footfall to added ambience and increased sales. The SLTN Music-led Venue of the Year award will go to an outlet with music at its heart and which makes the most of all the opportunities a strong music offer can bring. The winning venue will be able to show:

  • How it has embraced music and successfully made it a key part of the business strategy.
  • How music has been incorporated into the design and/or layout of the venue, including the tailoring of a drinks offer to suit the crowd.
  • How effective marketing and social media activity has been used to promote the music offer in order to reach customers and drive footfall.

Entrants will be asked the following:

  • Please describe your venue in terms of its location, style, atmosphere, clientele, drinks range – and most importantly, its music offer.
  • How has music been incorporated into the design and/or layout of the venue, including the tailoring of a drinks offer to suit the crowd.
  • How have you marketed and promoted your venue’s music offer to customers in the past 12 months? And what impact has this activity had?
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New Business of the Year

In association with The London Essence Co.

In association with

LondonEssenseStackedLogo

Award Criteria

New businesses and business ideas are the bedrock of Scotland’s vibrant hospitality industry. For the New Business of the Year award, we are looking for an outlet that has launched in Scotland in the last 12 months – including new venues launched from scratch as well as existing premises relaunched in an entirely new style. Judges will look for:

  • A strong business concept, including the outlet’s food and drink offer and design, and clear identification of a market opportunity.
  • Thorough market research and sound business and financial planning, followed by good project management throughout the development of the plan from concept to completion.
  • An innovative and impactful marketing strategy ahead of the launch/relaunch, and evidence of commercial success since.

Entrants will be asked the following:

  • Please describe the project, the reasoning behind it, and how it was developed from concept to commercial reality.
  • Tell us how the project was funded, and what challenges you faced during its creation and launch.
  • Give evidence of the project’s success since completion and launch.
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Restaurant of the Year

In association with Matthew Clark

In association with

RGB-high-res-Matthew-Clark-Black-(3)

Award Criteria

The SLTN Restaurant of the Year award will go to the venue that demonstrates the highest quality of food and service together with an excellent range of perfectly-served drinks. This category is split into two divisions: Fine dining, where a typical meal (without drinks) would cost £45 or more; and Casual dining where a typical meal (without drinks) would cost less than £45. Judges will look for:

  • An absolute commitment to the preparation of high quality food, paired with consistently high standards of service.
  • A comprehensive and relevant drinks range, with attention to detail in how they are served to compliment a meal.
  • Flair, character, ambience – call it what you will – a good restaurant will have it.

Entrants will be asked the following:

  • Please describe your restaurant in terms of its locale, design, atmosphere, clientele, food offer and price range.
  • How do you ensure excellence in food quality, presentation and service, with reference to suppliers, menu development and staff training?
  • Please describe your restaurant’s drinks offer and the thought process behind it.
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Whisky Bar of the Year

In association with Glenfiddich

In association with

GlenfiddichLogo_drinkaware

Award Criteria

Scotch whisky is enjoying unprecedented success around the world – but the Scottish on-trade remains a vital route to market for the country’s national drink. SLTN’s Whisky Bar of the Year will be an outstanding dealer in drams, in terms of the range on offer, the knowledge of its staff and the quality of its service. The winner will have:

  • A balanced range of malts, blends and other Scotch and international whiskies that meets a broad spectrum of budgets and tastes.
  • A strong commitment to staff training, with particular emphasis on developing whisky knowledge.
  • Innovative ideas and strategies to use whisky in the development of their venue’s reputation, design and overall food and drink offer.

Entrants will be asked the following:

  • Please describe your bar’s whisky range (eg. breakdown of malts, blends, international whiskies, age range, price range, serves and cocktails, etc.) and the thought process behind it.
  • What is your approach to staff training on whisky, and how do you work with whisky brands and suppliers to enhance your whisky offer?
  • How do you market and promote your bar’s whisky range to consumers (eg. social media, tasting events, whisky flights, etc.)?
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The SLTN Awards is the annual search for Scotland’s best venues, operators and staff.

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