Edinburgh’s top bartenders have had their say, as the Edinburgh Bar Awards yesterday (Thursday, 11 September) revealed the 2025 finalists across 11 categories. Winners will be crowned at the second annual Edinburgh Bartenders’ Ball on Monday 22 September 2025 at The Biscuit Factory.
With the biggest ever public vote, thousands of votes were cast earlier this year, before Edinburgh’s bar community – the people who know it best – had the final say in the shortlist, alongside a 50/50 public vote.
This year the awards celebrate the very best of the Capital’s bar scene, from cocktail creativity to pub culture, late-night spots, and outstanding teams.
In the best restaurant category, newcomers Little Capo have been recognised alongside established favourites Old Pal, Paradise Palms, Copper Blossom and The Devil’s Advocate.
While in the best bar category, legendary spots Bramble, Panda & Sons, Hey Palu, The Cocktail Geeks are all in the running, joined by new kid on the block, The Powder Room,
You can’t beat a brilliant pub, and it’ll be hard to pick from these Best Pub contenders: Mother Superior, The Finch, Nauticus, The Black Cat, and Athletic Arms (The Diggers). Some pub crawl!
Best Late Night Venue sees Nightcap, Sneaky Pete’s, Mother Superior, NQ64 and Uno Mas competing for the title.
Speaking about the awards, David Smillie, co-founder of Backs! Hospitality and organiser of the Bar Awards and Bartender’s Ball
“Edinburgh’s bar scene is stronger than ever, and this year’s finalists prove why the city is recognised on the world stage. With the trade having the final say, the shortlist reflects real industry respect – and we can’t wait to bring everyone together at The Biscuit Factory for the biggest industry night of the year.”
Final tickets for the Edinburgh Bartenders’ Ball, priced at just £35, are on sale now. The event includes complimentary drinks, food, entertainment, and a night of industry celebration.
2025 Finalists Picks
(alphabetical order within each category)
Best Bar
Bramble • Hey Palu • Panda & Sons •The Cocktail Geeks • The Powder Room •
Best Pub
Athletic Arms (Diggers) • The Black Cat • The Finch • The Mother Superior • Nauticus •
Best Restaurant Bar
Copper Blossom • The Devil’s Advocate • Little Capo • Old Pal • Paradise Palms •
Best Bar Team
The Mother Superior • Hey Palu • Nauticus • The Cocktail Geeks • Panda & Sons
Best Late Night Venue
The Mother Superior • Nightcap • NQ64 • Sneaky Pete’s • Uno Mas •
Best Cocktail
Bramble – Bramble • Yuzu Margarita – Hey Palu / Chancho • The Perfect Pear – Mother Superior • Porridge Colada – Nauticus • Make Love Not Warcraft – Cocktail Geeks •
Unsung Hero
- Adam Fraser Gray “Herman” – Panda & Sons
- Sam Baxendale – Bramble
- Cam Chittleborough – The Cocktail Geeks
- Sian Buchan – Uno Mas
- Cullen Hutchison – The Mother Superior
Rising Star
- Logan Pope – Lucky Liquor Co
- Freja Kemp – Old Pal
- Emily Weston – The Cocktail Geeks
- Saul Lavelle – The False Widow
- Walt Webster-Curran – Panda & Sons
Best Shake
- Saul Lavelle – The False Widow
- Sam Milne – Panda & Sons
- Logan Pope – Lucky Liquor Co
- Cam Chittleborough – The Cocktail Geeks
- Fowwaz Ansari – Bittersweet
Social Star
- Chloe Archibald-Ansari
- Groundskeeper Fanny
- Carrie Smith
- Ross Lawrie
- Rachel Dixon
Far Side of the Bar
- Connie Macdonald – Port of Leith Distillery
- Ross Lawrie – Schweppes UK
- Kaitlin Wilkes – The Ada Coleman Project
- Ellie Raeside – Bacardi UK
- Dan Bartley – Miscellaneous
Legend
- This year’s Legend Award will be announced on the evening of the Ball — recognising a longstanding contribution to Scotland’s hospitality scene.
The Edinburgh Bar Awards take place at The Edinburgh Bartender’s Ball at The Biscuit Factory on Monday, 22nd September 2025. Tickets include complimentary drinks, food, and entertainment, and cost £35.
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Buy tickets from https://backshospitality.com/.
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