South Lanarkshire’s pubs, bars, restaurants and hospitality heroes are celebrating after a host of local businesses and individuals were named finalists in the Scottish Bar & Pub Awards 2026.
Now in its 31st year, the competition is Scotland’s longest running celebration of pubs, bars, restaurants and the people who make them great. The awards have become one of the biggest nights on the licensed trade calendar, recognising the businesses, teams and individuals who go above and beyond across Scotland.
Glam rock theme for 2026 awards
This year, the awards are taking a walk on the wild side, with a spectacular glam rock theme set to bring some serious rock ‘n’ roll glitz to the celebrations on Tuesday, September 1.
South Lanarkshire is strongly represented among this year’s finalists, with local pubs, bars, hospitality businesses and individuals making their mark across a number of categories.
Local finalists and categories
Among the local finalists are The Parkville in Blantyre, Ruby’s and Struan Barclay in East Kilbride, Newton Arms in Newton and Lisini Pub Company and Danny Stewart of Angels Hotel in Uddingston.
Struan Barclay, owner of Ruby’s, is in the running for the Black Ivy and Montpeliers Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Award, while Ruby’s itself is also a finalist for New Bar of the Year. The Parkville is competing for Best Bar Team, while the Newton Arms is a finalist for Community Pub of the Year.
Lisini Pub Company is in the running for Hospitality Health Employer of the Year, while Danny Stewart of Angels Hotel is competing for HOSPO Manager of the Year.
Recognition for the region’s hospitality scene
Susan Young, publisher of the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards, said: “It is fantastic to see such a strong showing from South Lanarkshire’s hospitality businesses and individuals this year.
“What I love about these nominations is the sheer variety. We have emerging entrepreneurs, new bars, brilliant bar teams, community pubs and hospitality employers all receiving recognition. 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 South Lanarkshire getting the recognition they deserve.”
More than 600 of Scotland’s hospitality stars will gather on September 1 for the Scottish Bar & Pub Awards, with the industry embracing this year’s Glam Rock theme and finding out who will take home Scotland’s highest hospitality honours.
Full list of South Lanarkshire contenders
Here’s the full roll call of South Lanarkshire contenders vying for glory:
- Black Ivy and Montpeliers Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year – Struan Barclay, Ruby’s, East Kilbride
- Best Bar Team – The Parkville, Blantyre
- Community Pub of the Year – Newton Arms, Newton
- Hospitality Health Employer of the Year – Lisini Pub Company, Uddingston
- HOSPO Manager of the Year – Danny Stewart, Angels Hotel, Uddingston
- New Bar of the Year – Ruby’s, East Kilbride
