Edinburgh’s Bartenders Announce the Capital’s Best Pubs & Bars Ahead of New Awards

The Capital’s bartenders have spoken. After thousands of votes were cast for the inaugural Edinburgh Bar Awards, the top venues in Edinburgh’s vibrant bar scene have been announced. 

With less than two weeks to go, the highly anticipated Edinburgh Bar Awards will reveal all winners at the inaugural Edinburgh Bartenders Ball on Monday 16th September- a new celebration of the city’s lively hospitality scene and bar culture. 

The awards span 10 categories, including Best Bar, Best Pub, Best Drink, Best Shake, and Rising Star, with 150 venues and individuals in the running. After an intense voting process, the top five finalists in each category have been revealed, representing a diverse array of establishments from across the city. From iconic spots like Bramble and The Athletic Arms (The Diggers) to Leith’s popular pubs Nauticus and Mother Superior, and the indulgent restaurant bar at The Hawksmoor, Edinburgh’s finest venues will compete for the prestigious titles supported by Halewood, Base Spirits Collective, X Muse Vodka, Born Irish Whiskey and Heverlee. 

The fiercely contested Cutty Sark Best Bar category showcases a variety of venues known for their exceptional atmosphere and service. The bars vying for this title include award-winning cocktail haunts, Bramble and Hey Palu, the stylish Raging Bull, late night spot Starbar, and the themed Cocktail Geeks.

For the Pintail Best Pub award, finalists include the classic Edinburgh pub, The Diggers (The Athletic Arms), community-focussed Polwarth Tavern and Malones Haymarket, as well as independent whisky bars, Mother Superior, and Nauticus. 

The Royal Mile Whiskies Best Bar Team  finalists include Nauticus, Bramble, Raging Bull, Starbar, and Cocktail Geeks, which all  secured additional recognition for outstanding teamwork. 

The Best Restaurant Bar category finalists include family-run, Eleanore, Italian-inspired Tipo, split-level contemporary cocktail bar, Old Pal, British brasserie, Dine, and the striking Hawksmoor steakhouse.

Edinburgh cocktail lovers have also chosen the city’s top serves in the Schweppes Best Drink category. Top creations include the ‘Cranachan Manhattan’ from the romantic Commons Club at Virgin Hotel Edinburgh, the classic ‘Gimlet’ from the team at Hawksmoor, a ‘Porridge Colada’ hailing from Nauticus, the fresh ‘Yuzu Margarita’ at Hey Palu, and a ‘Coconut Daiquiri’ at secret speakeasy, Panda & Sons.

The much-discussed Best Shake category has received thousands of votes with Leon Wilkes Black at Commons Club, Sian Buchan at Uno Mas, Fowwaz Ansari at Bittersweet, Jake Harris at Hawksmoor, and Sam Milne at Panda & Sons shaking up the biggest storm on socials!

The Edinburgh Bar Awards will take place at the atmospheric Caves on Monday, 16th September, during the Bartenders Ball. Previous events at the Glasgow equivalent ball have featured a wine bottle bucking bronco, a Sailor Jerry arm wrestling competition, DJ sets from Shaka Loves You, live performances from a nine-piece New Orleans brass band, Al and the Bad Decision, and more.

David Smillie, co-founder and organiser of the Bar Awards and Bartender’s Ball said: “We are overwhelmed with the response from the Edinburgh Bar Awards and the thousands of votes which were cast by Edinburgh’s hospitality scene.  Join us this September to raise a glass to Edinburgh’s finest in a post-Fringe celebration to remember!”

“The first of its kind in Edinburgh, the Bartenders Ball will be supported by Halewood, Base Spirits Collective, X Muse Vodka, Born Irish Whiskey and Heverlee. These partners will provide samples during the event as part of the ticket price, and their support has made the whole thing possible!” 

Guaranteed to sell out, tickets to the Bartenders Ball cost £30 with tickets on sale now. The ticket includes drinks from premium brands, delicious street food, smoked barbecue classics like hog roast buns with vegan and gluten free options available. Alongside live music, entertainment, the Edinburgh Bar Awards, and many high-octane surprises. 

Organised by Backs! Hospitality -  a community interest company created by David Smillie and Alex Riches, anyone who works across the hospitality industry is invited to attend – from brand ambassadors to bartenders. Funds raised from the £30 ticket sales go towards nurturing the next wave of bartending talent and frontline hospitality staff through various initiatives like events, networking, mentoring, and training. 

The 2024 Finalists:  

TOP 5 x BEST BAR – sponsored by Cutty Sark (alphabetical order) 

• Bramble 

• Cocktail Geeks 

• Hey Palu 

• Raging Bull 

• Star Bar 

TOP 5 x BEST PUB – sponsored by Pintail – Purveyors of precious wines and spirits (alphabetical order) 

• Diggers (The Athletic Arms) 

• Malones – Haymarket 

• Nauticus 

• Polwarth Tavern 

• The Mother Superior

TOP 5 x BEST BAR TEAM – sponsored by Royal Mile Whiskies (alphabetical order) 

• Bramble 

• Cocktail Geeks 

• Nauticus 

• Raging Bull 

• Star Bar

TOP 5 x BEST RESTAURANT BAR (alphabetical order) 

• Dine 

• Eleanore 

• Hawksmoor 

• Old Pal 

• Tipo 

TOP 5 x BEST DRINK - sponsored by Schweppes (alphabetical order) 

• Coconut Daiquiri – Panda & Sons  

• Cranachan Manhattan – Commons Club 

• Gimlet – Hawksmoor 

• Porridge Colada – Nauticus 

• Yuzu Margarita – Hey Palu 

TOP 5 x BEST SHAKE (alphabetical order) 

• Fowwaz Ansari – Bittersweet 

• Jake Harris – Hawksmoor 

• Leon Wilkes Black – Commons Club  

• Sam Milne – Panda & Sons 

• Sian Buchan – Uno Mas 

TOP 5 x UNSUNG HEROES – sponsored by Holyrood Distillery (alphabetical order) 

• Ben Leslie – Raging Bull 

• Jane Ross – Mother Superior 

• Max Swift – Wildcat 

• Niall Mcmillan – Hawksmoor 

• Rachael Carpenter – Cocktail Geeks 

TOP 5 x RISING STARS – sponsored by X Muse Scottish Barley Vodka (alphabetical order) 

• Alessia Impedovo – Cocktail Geeks 

• Alex Moore – Nauticus 

• Alfie Chisholm – Dine 

• Cassius Haresign – Paradise Palms 

• Sofie Gonzales – Old Pal 

TOP 5 x SOCIAL STARS – sponsored by Atomic10 (alphabetical order) 

• Carrie Smith – Hoot the Redeemer 

• Chloe Yeung – Panda & Sons 

• Hazel Macleod – Woven / William Grant & Sons 

• Iain McPherson – Panda & Sons 

• Ryan Snedden – Indy

TOP 5 x FAR SIDE OF THE BAR  – sponsored by Heads Up Hospitality (alphabetical order) 

• Ashton Williamson – Monin 

• Daniela Liverani – Sazerac 

• Ellie Raeside – Bacardi 

• Jody Buchan – Speciality Brands 

• Ross Lawrie – Schweppes 

LEGEND – awarded on night and sponsored by BACKS! Hospitality 

For more information, stay updated:  

The Edinburgh Bar Awards take place at The Edinburgh Bartender’s Ball at The Caves on Monday, 16th September 2024. Tickets include complimentary food and drink, entertainment and cost £30 Buy tickets from here.

Instagram.com/theedinburghbartendersball