Ruby’s also named Best Bar less than a year after £700,000 transformation
East Kilbride hospitality entrepreneur Struan Barclay, joint owner of Ruby’s, has been recognised as a rising star of Scotland’s licensed trade. He was named the winner of the Black Ivy and Montpeliers Rising Star Entrepreneur award at the 2026 DRAM Awards, which were held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow. His venue, Ruby’s, also received the Best Bar award at this year’s ceremony, achieving this double success less than a year after its £700,000-plus transformation.
Barclay, who co-owns Ruby’s alongside former Crystal Palace and Scotland internationalist James McArthur, was acknowledged for his work in launching and establishing the East Kilbride hospitality destination. The vision for Ruby’s was to create a vibrant, modern venue designed to cater to various occasions, from breakfast and lunch to evening cocktails and celebratory events.
You Might Also Like:
Since opening, Ruby’s has established itself within the local community. The venue, located in the former Coppertrees restaurant on St James Way, features more than 100 covers, an adjoining bar, and a heated outdoor garden. Its menu focuses on locally sourced ingredients and bold, flavour-packed dishes. The DRAM recognition is described as a significant milestone for the independent venue.
Commenting on the awards, Struan Barclay said: “We’re absolutely thrilled with the recognition Ruby’s has received. From the outset, our aim was to create somewhere that East Kilbride could genuinely be proud of, and the team has worked incredibly hard to make that happen. James and I had a clear vision for what we wanted to create when we took on the project and bringing that vision to life has been a huge team effort. Winning Best Bar so soon after opening is a fantastic achievement and a real testament to everyone who has played a part in building Ruby’s. We’re incredibly proud of what the team has created and excited about what’s still to come.”
The DRAM Awards are among Scotland’s longest-established hospitality industry awards, celebrating the people, venues, and businesses shaping the country’s licensed trade. Table bookings are live at www.rubys-eastkilbride.co.uk, where visitors can also explore the full menus and follow the latest updates. Ruby’s can be found on Instagram at @rubyssocial and on Facebook at Ruby’s Social.
