The Gate, Glasgow

A veteran of the Glasgow bar scene, Lynsey is passionate about looking after customers and providing the best experience she can. It’s an attitude that’s been cultivated at venues across the city, and one Lynsey is keen to share with the team at The Gate. Straight-talking, skilled, warm but no-nonsense (well, maybe a bit of nonsense), Lynsey is one of the most respected bartenders in Glasgow, and there are plenty of bar staff who wouldn’t be where they are without her guiding hand.

Sebb's, Glasgow

From high-volume chain pubs to cocktail bars and everything in between, Mairi has honed her bartending skills every step of the way. Even now, at the stage where she is passing some of that knowledge on to new-starts and helping develop the next group of bar talent, Mairi doesn’t stop learning. From keeping a keen eye on drinks trends to sharpening her service skills, this is a creative, professional and dedicated bartender with a real passion for hospitality.

The Pot Still, Glasgow

After cutting her teeth in various pubs around Glasgow, Sally joined the team at whisky mecca The Pot Still, where she set about building a frankly frightening level of knowledge about Scotland’s national spirit. As deputy manager, Sally is responsible for imparting that knowledge to the team at the pub, as well as the customer service skills to ensure that, even when the famously-busy pub is four deep at the bar, every customer feels welcome and well looked after.

Glasgow

A warm and welcoming traditional pub in the heart of Partick, which wears its historic heart on its sleeve, Deoch an Dorus is nonetheless a modern operation fiercely focused on providing its regulars and visitors with an eclectic choice of expertly poured beers, offering 14 varieties on draught, and no fewer than six fonts dedicated to the top selling lager. Whether customers walk in alone for a quiet drink, or arrive en-masse doing the sub-crawl circuit, Jeannie Kelly and her team will have the perfect pint for them.

Leith

A recent arrival down by The Shore, an area long associated with the importation of drinks, Malones’ stated mission was to bring traditional Irish hospitality back to Leith, and from the outset it has made perfect pours of its two keystone beer brands – one as fiercely Scottish as the other is Irish – the foundation of its appeal. With a throughput that more than justifies its three fresh beer tanks, and on-the-ball staff well drilled on tap technique, liquid satisfaction is just a short tram trip away.

Forfar

With a laser-focus on quality, and astounding attention to detail, The Stag is famed as a temple for worshippers of the big red T, where the staff pride themselves on pouring pint after precision pint from an exceptionally well-managed cellar. But this behind-the-scenes efficiency is balanced by a very friendly family vibe front-of-house, where the beer arrives with an untroubled smile, in a traditional venue complemented by genuinely personal touches in everything from the on-table promotion to the décor.

Glasgow

Already one of Glasgow’s best ‘hidden gem’ outdoor areas, the rooftop bar at Malones was overhauled in the past year and given a fresh lease of life. The new-look space manages to be quirky, comfy and completely unique to Malones. Following the refurbishment the space can now cater to a variety of different occasions, from screening live sport to hosting speed dating nights. The new-look space has also proved popular with customers, with takings significantly up since reopening.

Elie

It’s not every outdoor area that includes its own beach, but that’s just one of The Ship Inn’s unique selling points. The outdoor area at the family-owned venue also sports its own Josper grill and fryers to ensure the outdoor space is well catered for, as well as a well-stocked bar. Brand partnerships and events are a regular occurrence in the space, and customers can expect to see a variety of colourful activations in the course of the year. Outdoor areas don’t get much more scenic.

Edinburgh

A huge space with its own permanent bar and food truck as well as regularly rotating pop-ups, the 500-capacity outdoor area at The Three Sisters accounts for fully half of the venue’s revenue. From live sport to live music, Fringe events to Christmas movies, there’s always something happening in this lively outdoor space. Customers are able to choose from a wide range of drinks from the well-stocked bar, as well as a selection of dishes from the food truck, both of which offer table service.

Glasgow

A sports bar, but not as we know it. From a standing start just a year ago, The Clubhouse, sitting amidst the upmarket environs of Princes Square, has quickly elevated the art of screening live sports to a whole new level, offering a family-friendly experience, with eleven pin-sharp screens, excellent table service and live music acts booked to suit each occasion, all promoted via an impressive online presence. On the food side, The Clubhouse focuses on pub grub done right.

Milngavie

Sport is in the brickwork at Fullbacks, and coursing through the bloodstream of its staff, who actively practice what they preach in local competition. With a screening schedule to suit all tastes and demographics, the venue’s layout allows for multiple simultaneous events to comfortably co-exist, including real-life team get-togethers. Under a colourful riot of team scarves, shirts and pennants, the food and drink offer imaginatively nails the match-day mood.

Edinburgh

From the early morning to the very late night, the sports fans of Edinburgh’s west end have a friend in Malones. The team at the venue goes above and beyond in their efforts to provide the perfect atmosphere, food, drink and facilities to suit screenings of everything from Gaelic football to rugby to Formula 1. With a professional grasp of every fixture list there is, this Haymarket powerhouse has its strip on and its warm-up done before the local competition even gets out of bed.

Glasgow

Glasgow’s maximalist cocktail bar, The Absent Ear, continues to push the boundaries of cocktail culture through immersive experiences and innovation. The bar’s latest menu blends art and mixology, encouraging guests to explore bold flavour profiles and new spirits categories. Staffed by a dedicated team with involvement in global competitions and brand advocacy, the venue takes six months to fully develop its drinks – an indication of how much care is taken over each and every creation.

Glasgow

Daddy Marmalades stands out as a Cocktail Bar of the Year finalist for its bold and inclusive approach to mixology. The bar’s latest menu, The Mind’s Arrow, uses storytelling to explore the themes of time and choice, blending great stories with delicious drinks. The two-strong team is constantly learning, whether it’s by exchanging knowledge and ideas with other bartenders or collaborating with brands. Community is important to the bar’s owners, and has played a key role in the venue’s growth.

Aberdeen

The Old Workshop is recognised for its seasonally-inspired, inclusive cocktail programme and sustainable practices. Located in a historic sub-basement, the bar showcases tequila, mezcal, rum, and low-ABV cocktails made with fresh, house-crafted ingredients. The team emphasises ongoing staff development through collaboration and supplier engagement, keeping the menu dynamic and on-trend. The venue regularly participates in takeovers and partnerships, boosting its profile.

Gourdon

Facing the sea on the south Aberdeenshire coastline, the Harbour Bar is the fulcrum around which the Gourdon community revolves, simultaneously the picturesque village’s pub, restaurant, Post Office, pool hall and a leading local employer to boot. From schoolkids to pensioners, locals to tourists, special needs to sports teams, within its well-maintained yet deeply historic walls, everyone is made welcome and very well-catered for. Recently extended and modernised, the Harbour Bar has lost none of its rural charm.

Moffat

Sitting in the heart of this thriving Dumfriesshire town, not much happens in Moffat that Hugo’s doesn’t play a part in, whether that be local sports teams and events, or national charity fundraising treks passing through. With a longstanding family emphasis on supporting Motor Neurone Disease research, the staff have collected incredible sums for that cause, all while offering great multi-generational hospitality, and playing a key role in the fabric of the wider community via a packed calendar of family events.

Roslin

Pride in Roslin, its community and their place within it is what motivates the team of The Original Rosslyn Inn every second of every day, encapsulated in their mantra ‘people before profit’. Moving the business away from reliance on weddings to create a place dedicated to their storied village was a risk, but the Rosslyn team has no regrets, delighting in being an integral part of their friends’ and neighbours’ lives and traditions. This is a staff team that truly goes above and beyond, happy to be regularly recognised in the street as elves.

Three generations of the Carrigan family are all active in the Carrigan’s business, which has been serving the loyal customers of Lanarkshire for more than four decades. Across two bustling bar restaurants and a pub, the family are hands-on across all aspects of the business, which employs over 100 staff. Friendly service and quality, home-cooked food are the cornerstones of the business, and the number of long-serving staff is a testament to how well the family treats their team.

Founded by husband and wife Malcolm and Karen Simpson, SimpsInns now includes sons Lee and Jack in its management team. The group, which consists of three hotels and a restaurant, benefits from regular investment, while the 300-strong team enjoy staff development, training and incentive programmes. In a tough market the company is flourishing through a fine-tuned offer of leisure and events. This year the company added more rooms to its hotels and installed a new spa.

Created by the Crolla family in 1970, the Vittoria Group is now on its third generation of family ownership, with veteran restaurateur Tony acting as advisor to sons Leandro and Alberto. The group operates seven venues across the Scottish capital, incorporating authentic Italian restaurants, fish and chips eateries and café bars, with over 300 staff across all units. The team, many of whom are long-standing employees, are well trained and kept incentivised through bonuses and foreign trips.

Auchtermuchty

You’d be forgiven for thinking this 300 year-old former coaching inn is a traditional village pub. Far from it. Inside, you’ll find a carefully created menu that offers a great variety of dishes made from the freshest locally sourced ingredients. Outstanding food paired with drinks suggestions from the attentive staff, makes a visit to The Boar’s Head an all-round memorable experience. Locally-sourced produce is at the heart of the venue; the team are even rearing their own pigs.

Glasgow

Located in the heart of Glasgow’s west end, The Clarence combines a contemporary style with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. With George, the knowledgeable manager, guiding guests through an extensive wine list, diners can enjoy perfectly matched food and drink pairings. Or for the non-wine inclined, there are plenty of beers and classic cocktails to choose from. Using the finest locally sourced produce, the team at the venue create dishes that highlight flavour and freshness.

South Ayrshire

This self-described ‘food-forward pub’ was restored and reopened in 2023, serving top-class dishes made with local produce – including ingredients that have been foraged and ‘stalked’ in the local area, and even potatoes provided by the local schoolchildren. The team also embraces a lot of traditional production techniques, including smoking their own salmon and churning their own butter. Dishes are seasonal, beautifully presented and perfectly paired with a great selection of drinks.

Edinburgh

Located right in the heart of Edinburgh, this late-night venue is all about providing its customers with good vibes and great nights. Open Thursday to Sunday until 3am, it feels like your favourite living room – only with a rotating line-up of DJs (and numerous other acts), neon lights, cosy booths, cocktails mixed to perfection and capacity for 450 other people. Relaxed yet buzzing, it’s the kind of place customers love coming back to, while always managing to draw in new faces.

Aberdeen

A stalwart of the Aberdeen late-night scene, Soul is a stylish and Instagrammable venue set in a former church, where historic architecture meets a modern vibe — complete with a pulpit-turned-DJ booth. Open from noon until late, seven days a week, Soul offers everything from daytime dining to award-winning cocktails. With a wide drinks range, the first 2am ‘hybrid’ licence in Aberdeen, and a stunning outdoor space, it’s a destination that truly stands out.

Edinburgh

Open every night from 6pm to 3am, Uno Mas has become a go-to spot for Edinburgh’s late-night crowd – including the local bar community, who are often found there after a shift. With table service, a great selection of drinks and a relaxed, cosy vibe, it’s the perfect alternative to heading to a club. Music is at the heart of the venue, with décor inspired by it, live performances every Wednesday - often featuring acts from the nearby Playhouse - and DJs setting the tone at weekends.

The Barrelman, Dundee

As cunning as their animal kingdom namesakes, Tommy and Jacqueline Fox bring a keenly analytical approach to their Dundee venues, drawing on every available data stream to shape and target their offer to maximise trade and profit. With a scientific grasp of the emergent tech available to the sector, the Foxes know their clientele better than they know themselves, and embrace the opportunities arising, without ever losing sight of their role as providers of warm Scottish hospitality.

Stravaigin, Glasgow

Passionate yet professional, traditional yet adaptable, Olivia brings the delicate balance needed to maintain both the warm vibe and business success of such a well-established Glasgow institution as Stravaigin. Faced with changing circumstances and the vagaries of hospitality fashion, Olivia has stood firm by her team and customers, making opportunities out of problems, and harnessing talent and goodwill towards shared goals. Most importantly, she still manages to have fun while doing so.

The Original Rosslyn Inn, Roslin

‘Average’ just doesn’t cut it for Richard Harris, who is on a life mission to make hospitality work the very best it can for his community, his staff, his venue and, as an afterthought, himself. Living and breathing The Original Rosslyn Inn – which has been under the stewardship of the Harris family for five decades – Richard leads from the front, believing that if you’ve got your doors open, you’ve got to be good – but also that if you look after your staff, they will look after your customers.

The Absent Ear, Glasgow

The Absent Ear’s current menu is themed around minimalism and maximalism, but there’s nothing too much or too little about Ari’s craft; flavour, garnish and glassware are all showcased with technique and precision. She oversaw the development of every drink on the conceptual, experience-led list, personally creating 11 of the 15 serves. Pushing creativity and innovation at every turn, her approach delivers cocktails that are thoughtful, delicious and beautifully presented.

Kelvingrove Cafe, Glasgow

At this bustling Finnieston haunt, head bartender Bran has honed impeccable mixology skills under high-tempo conditions, delivering engaging service and a memorable guest experience. While the bar’s reputation rests on its classics, his monthly menus and competition entries showcase creativity and innovation. Every new drink is sketched with a story, balancing tradition with experimentation, and presented with a confidence and style that keeps customers coming back.

The American Bar at Gleneagles, Auchterarder

Known for flair, a meticulous eye for detail and technical mastery, Emilio has international pedigree, having represented Scotland on the global stage. The ‘Rose Compendium’ cocktail list that he curated, however, remains rooted locally, championing by-products from the wider Gleneagles ecosystem and ingredients from artisan Perthshire producers. The resulting serves are artful and balanced, each presented in exquisite glassware to match, all hand-painted by the bartenders themselves.

Glasgow

Housed in a beautifully-converted church, Saint Luke’s is a breathtaking venue, complete with original stained-glass windows and a historic pipe organ dating from the early 1800s. At its heart, it has always been about the music, with everything else—the food, the drinks, and the vibrant programme of events—built around that passion. Music-led décor leaves no doubt about the venue’s identity, while even the drinks offering has been carefully curated to complement the musical experience.

Glasgow

Opened on 1st April 1987, this venue has earned its place in history as the longest-running underground dance club in the world. Purpose-built around its legendary sound system, it has become a global destination for DJs and artists from every corner of the planet. With an unwavering focus on world-class sound, outstanding performances, and cutting-edge artwork, the club continues to set the standard for what an underground music experience should be.

Edinburgh

Why Not Nightclub is Edinburgh’s premier late-night destination, welcoming up to 1000 guests for unforgettable nights on the dance floor. Designed for music lovers, partygoers and thrill-seekers alike, it delivers an experience that goes far beyond the ordinary, with every night designed around a specific theme. Every detail—from the stunning LED graphics to the state-of-the-art lighting—is built around the music, echoing the club’s mantra: “The Music Sounds Better With You.”

Leith

Having taken on the neighbouring unit to their established restaurant, The Little Chartroom, Roberta Hall-McCarron and Shaun McCarron set about creating a cosy café bar and bottle shop that would provide quality food and drink in a relaxed environment. An extensive refit included the installation of a kitchen, which has since secured the venue a coveted Bib Gourmand from Michelin, while on the drinks side customers can choose from a range of top quality wines, beers and spirits.

Glasgow

A Catalan-style wine bar and restaurant in Glasgow’s west end, Corner Shop offers small plates/tapas accompanied by an excellent range of old and new world wines in a relaxed, intimate space. While the venue is a new name in the city, the team behind it are anything but – having been drawn from a range of top-end Scottish eateries. Knowledgeable, well-trained staff and authentic, high-quality food are at the heart of what Corner Shop is offering its customers.

Glasgow

The Corona Bar in Glasgow’s Shawlands area was in need of some love when Gerry Tartaglia and his team took it on last year, and that’s exactly what it got. Under its new ownership, The Corona has been transformed; not only has the interior received a facelift, the offer has been overhauled and expanded, with a broad range of beers, wines, spirits and cocktails as well as quality pub grub. The new team has also worked hard at establishing the bar as a core part of the local community.

Pitlochry

From the moment you step inside Killiecrankie House, everything feels intentionally curated. The welcome is warm, setting the stage for a dining experience that marries creativity with precision. Service is attentive and knowledgeable, enhancing the visit without ever intruding.

Edinburgh

The space in Timberyard radiates an effortlessly cool yet welcoming energy, setting the tone for a dining experience that’s both creative and playful. Each dish is beautifully presented—simple but bursting with flavour. The vibe is relaxed but electric and service is seamless.

Glasgow

Five March has a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere, with a menu that offers a dynamic selection of seasonal plates, highlighting local produce and inventive flavour combinations. The kitchen’s creativity and dedication to taste are matched by a thoughtfully curated drinks list.

Dunfermline

A restaurant with a warm and contemporary setting where relaxed dining meets creative flair. This family-run business celebrates the best of local produce, with every dish thoughtfully crafted in-house and shaped by each family member’s unique strengths.

Broughty Ferry

Full of local heart, but conscious of the high standards needed to stand out on the national stage, Bruach in the affluent Dundee suburb of Broughty Ferry is a little gem of a venue, lovingly managed by husband and wife team Jacqueline and Tommy Fox. From a standing start in 2023, Bruach has carved out a niche based on the excellence of both its service and drinks list, with its spirits carefully chosen to create a range with real depth, attention to quality in relation to price point, and every product being used to its full potential.

Aberdeen

First created to meet the challenge of Covid, The Ivy Lodge’s original outdoor element has since been complemented by a spectacular upstairs bar, justifying the venue’s claim to be Aberdeen’s premier party palace. Under the leadership of Monica McQuilter, the team constantly strive to innovate and improve their offer, and the diverse and comprehensive spirits range housed on the Ivy Lodge’s vast wrought iron back-bar is a key part of that effort, appealing as it does to all tastes and occasions.

Kirkcudbright

Home to the biggest collection of gins in Scotland, possibly even the entire UK, Simon and LJ Jackson’s Masonic Arms pulls off the impressive feat of prospering as a seven-days-a-week wet-led bar in the charmingly remote Dumfries & Galloway ‘artists’ town’ of Kirkcudbright. With a back-bar freshly augmented by a smart selection of single malts, rums, vodkas and agave spirits, visitors and locals alike have access to a unique liquid resource in the unlikeliest of settings, served by true spirits experts.

Edinburgh

Under the exacting eye of Murray Ainslie, The Black Grape on Edinburgh’s Canongate maintains an eclectic yet focused wine list, regularly updated and never resting on its laurels. With a modern approach to that list’s construction, and a busy programme of tastings and tuition to keep its staff up to speed on the latest bottles so that their knowledge can underpin every recommendation, The Black Grape aims to be inclusive towards wine novices and experts alike, while offering the very best value to both.

Edinburgh

With a cellar curated to rival the most respected lists in the country, Timberyard is as dedicated to wine as both craft and culture. Its selection balances classics with contemporary producers, celebrating diversity of region, style, and philosophy. Each bottle is chosen for both its quality and the story it tells. Knowledgeable yet unpretentious service brings the list to life, guiding guests from discovery to delight. The result is a place where wine isn’t just poured, but shared with passion, reverence, and joy.

Glasgow

With a comprehensive wine list encompassing both old and new world wineries, The Chip succeeds at serving a broad customer base, whether they are seeking the comfort of an old favourite, or the thrill of something entirely new. Recently refurbished, this Glasgow institution has its sights set firmly on the future, with a renewed focus on wine-paired fine dining supported by a highly trained staff team, led by a pair of WSET level threes, all enthused with the possibilities that lie ahead.

Dornoch

The renowned whisky bar at Dornoch Castle Hotel is owned by the same family that operates bottler and distiller Thompson Bros, so bottlings from that company feature extensively on the back-bar. That said, there’s no shortage of other distilleries and brand names on offer – with particular attention paid to those distilleries located in the venue’s north Highland area. When it comes to staff training the bar has something of an advantage: it has its own distillery on the grounds.

Isle of Skye

A busy island bar serving tourists by the bus-load, Seumas’ Bar is able to cater to a wide range of whisky tastes through an array of whisky flights, cocktails and a 400-strong range of bottlings, while regulars are kept on their toes through the Flight of the Week and Whisky of the Week selections. As well as training from specialist provider Whisky Ambassador, close ties to local distilleries mean there are regular training sessions for bar staff throughout the year, so customers can be assured that staff know their stuff.

Edinburgh

The continually-evolving offer at Tipsy Midgie now includes ‘Memories Monday’, a weekly look at whisky bottlings from the past, ‘Colin’s Cheese Clan’, where owner Colin Hinds pairs artisan cheeses with whiskies, and the bar’s own whisky club – the Tipsy Tasters. That’s in addition to a regularly updated menu of over 1000 bottles, a selection of whisky flights and a stacked calendar of tastings and other events. If Tipsy Midgie isn’t doing it, it’s probably not worth doing.