The finalists for the Scottish Bar and Pubs Awards 2026 have been announced, with food and drink venues across Scotland receiving nominations. The winners will be revealed next month at a ceremony in Glasgow.
Top categories and nominees
Five pubs and bars are in the running for the Sunday Mail Pub of the Year award: The Bush Bar in Dundee, The Tynecastle Arms in Edinburgh, The Lismore and The Maltman in Glasgow, and The Four Mary's in Linlithgow.
For the Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year title, the finalists are MacGregor's at The Whisky Vaults in Oban, The George Hotel in Inveraray, The Islay Inn and The Piper Whisky Bar in Glasgow. Nominees for New Bar of the Year include Boston Bar Old Town and Nectar in Edinburgh, Radio and SiSi Rooftop in Glasgow, and Ruby's in East Kilbride.
The cocktail category, Hendrick's Gin and Monkey Shoulder Cocktail Bar of the Year, features Atlantic Bar and Brasserie in Glasgow, Bittersweet Leith in Edinburgh, Draffens in Dundee, Jimmy Badgers in Inverness, and The Wine Spa in Broughty Ferry.
Restaurant and dog-friendly awards
The Lightspeed Restaurant of the Year award has five finalists: Barry Fish and The Dome in Edinburgh, Five March and Margo in Glasgow, and The Stravaig in Ayr. The DRAM Dog Friendly Pub of the Year nominees are Black Ivy in Edinburgh, Church on the Hill in Glasgow, The Foxton Bar and Grill in Glenrothes, The George Hotel in Inveraray, and Star and Garter in Dundee.
Ceremony details
More than 600 hospitality professionals will attend the awards ceremony on September 1 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central. The event will feature a Glam Rock theme with surprises for guests.
Publisher Susan Young commented: "It is fantastic to see such a strong showing from hospitality businesses and individuals right across Scotland this year. What I love about these nominations is the sheer variety. We have emerging entrepreneurs, family businesses, brilliant bar teams, cocktail destinations, late-night venues, community pubs and dog-friendly pubs."
She added: "It really demonstrates just how diverse and vibrant Scotland's hospitality scene is. The people working in hospitality are the real stars of these awards, and it is wonderful to see so many from across Scotland getting the recognition they deserve."
The full list of finalists includes categories such as Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year, Black Ivy and Montpeliers Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year, Best Bar Team, Best Late Night Venue, Community Pub of the Year, Deanston Whisky Guru Rising Star Award, DRAM Dog Friendly Pub of the Year, Hendrick's Gin and Monkey Shoulder Cocktail Bar of the Year, Hospitality Health Employer of the Year, HOSPO Manager of the Year, Inverarity Morton Family Business of the Year, Hotel Scotland Independent Multiple Operator of the Year, Jamesons Best Irish Bar 2026, Jump Ship Brewing Best Lo and No Destination, Kopparberg Best Outdoor Area, Lightspeed Restaurant of the Year, New Bar of the Year, Schweppes Mixologist of the Year, Sims Automatics Sports Bar of the Year, The Drum Social Media Champion, and Sunday Mail Pub of the Year.
