Winners announced
Discover all the winners from the 2023 SLTN Awards ceremony
Barperson of the Year

Winner:
Ricky Wallace, The Lochside, Islay
Highly Commended:
Pietro Puccio, Ballie Ballerson, Edinburgh
Marcus Gordon, Ivy Lodge, Aberdeen
The SLTN Barperson of the Year award recognises the knowledge and passion of the country’s best all-round bartenders. Awarded to a barperson with passion for the industry, and the skills and desire to truly enhance the experience of their customers. Presented in association with Ian Macleod Distillers.
Beer Quality Award

Winner:
Winstons, Corstorphine
Highly Commended:
The Barrelman, Dundee
The Stag, Forfar
Best Outdoor Area

Winner:
Carriages, Kilmacolm
Highly Commended:
The Abbey Inn, Paisley
The Ivy Lodge, Aberdeen
Best Venue to Watch the Match

Winner:
The Ark, Glasgow
Highly Commended:
The Ball Room Sports Bar, Dunfermline
The Record Factory, Glasgow
The Best Venue to Watch the Match goes to the on-trade outlet which uses live sports coverage as a central part of their customer appeal, maximising business by providing the best possible audio and visual experience, with a food and drink offering tailored to the crowd. Presented in association with SKY Business.
Cocktail Bar of the Year

Winner:
The Absent Ear, Glasgow
Highly Commended:
The Cocktail Geeks, Edinburgh
Hey Palu, Edinburgh
Community Pub of the Year

Winner:
The Station Bar, Alness
Highly Commended:
The Caledonian Bar, Port Glasgow
Platform 3, Linlithgow
Craft Beer Bar of the Year

Winner:
The Hanging Bat, Edinburgh
Highly Commended:
Grunting Growler, Glasgow
The Craftsman Company, Aberdeen
Entrepreneur of the Year

Winner:
Simon Keane, Malones Irish Bars
Entrepreneur of the Year recognises the Scottish hospitality industry’s most inspiring and successful business leader. Chosen for their valued consumer insight, willingness to take bold steps, and demonstrable ability to make sound decisions under intense pressure. A clear leader, they inspire their teams to realise the business goals. Presented in association with Chivas Regal.
Family Outlet of the Year

Winner:
Charwood, Edinburgh
Highly Commended:
Clayton Caravan Park, St Andrews
Molly's Bistro, Aberdeen
Gastropub of the Year

Winner:
Stravaigin, Glasgow
Highly Commended:
The Boar's Head, Auchtermuchty
The Loveable Rogue, Glasgow
Gin Range of the Year

Winner:
Masonic Arms, Kirkcudbright
Highly Commended:
Billington's of Lenzie, Lenzie
The Old Ship Inn, Perth
Independent Multiple Operator of the Year

Winner (4-7 Outlets):
The Rocks Leisure Group

Winner (8+ Outlets):
Caledonian Heritable
The Independent Multiple Operator of the Year, recognises and celebrates the spirit of entrepreneurship that defines Scotland's licensed trade. Awarded to operators which showed a clear understanding of the market place and consumer insights, displayed evidence of effective marketing campaigns which drove commercial success, and championed career development and support for it's team members. Presented in association with Diageo.
Independent Pub/Bar of the Year

Winner:
Bag O' Nails, Glasgow
Highly Commended:
Fox and Hounds, Houston
The Palais, Glasgow
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 that free trade holds in Scottish society. Awarded to the outlet which relishes its independence, is responsive to its customers’ needs, and is both popular and commercially successful. Presented in association with Madri Excepcional.
Late Night Venue of the Year

Winner:
Radisson RED, Glasgow
Highly Commended:
The Howlin' Wolf, Glasgow
Uno Mas, Edinburgh
The SLTN Best Late Night Venue of the Year goes to a late opening premises that successfully combines a late night ambience with top quality drinks and excellent customer service. The winning venue demonstrated to the judges it's innovative business strategy and impactful marketing. Presented in association with Disaronno International UK.
Licensee of the Year

Winner:
Steve Latto, The Criterion Bar, St Andrews
Highly Commended:
Alex Riches, St Lukes & The Winged Ox, Glasgow
Sasha Carlyle, Hugo's, Moffat
Mixologist of the Year

Winner:
Max Macauley, West Side Tavern, Glasgow
Highly Commended:
Dan Docherty, Porter and Rye, Glasgow
Zach Sapato, Mikaku, Glasgow
Music Led Venue of the Year

Winner:
The Bungalow, Paisley
Highly Commended:
Backstage at The Green, Kinross
The Howlin' Wolf, Glasgow
Music is the heartbeat of many of Scotland’s pubs, bars and clubs, and can bring real benefits to a business. The SLTN Music-led Venue of the Year is awarded to an outlet with music at its core, and which makes the most of all the opportunities a strong music offering brings. Presented in association with Belvedere Vodka.
New Business of the Year

Winner:
The Black Grape, Edinburgh
Highly Commended:
KORA by Tom Kitchin, Edinburgh
Malo, Glasgow
The New Business of the Year is awarded to an outlet - launched in Scotland in the last 12 months - which impressed with a strong business concept, thorough market research and financial planning, as well as an impactful marketing strategy which delivered commercial success. Presented in association with The London Essence Co.
Restaurant of the Year

Winner (Fine dining):
Dean Banks at the Pompadour, Edinburgh
Highly Commended:
Porter & Rye, Glasgow

Winner (Casual dining):
The Silver Darling, Aberdeen
Highly Commended:
The Pierhouse Hotel, Appin
Whisky Bar of the Year

Winner:
The Pot Still, Glasgow
Highly Commended:
The George Hotel, Inveraray
The Malt Room, Inverness
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 is awarded to an outstanding dealer in drams, in terms of the range on offer, the knowledge of its staff and the quality of its service. Presented in association with Glenfiddich.