The one-month countdown is officially on for one of the biggest nights in Scotland’s hospitality calendar – the Edinburgh Bar Awards 2025, as the longlist of nominees is revealed.
Now in its second year in the Capital, the awards will culminate in the Edinburgh Bartenders’ Ball, taking over The Biscuit Factory on Monday 22 September 2025. Promising an end-of-summer blowout like no other, the Ball will bring together Edinburgh’s bar community for an unforgettable night of cocktails, music, food, and celebration.
This year, more than 150 bars, bartenders, and hospitality stars have made the longlist across 11 categories, following an overwhelming public response to nominations. From iconic cocktail institutions and legendary pubs to fresh talent shaking up the city, the longlist is a true showcase of the people and places that make Edinburgh one of the world’s leading drinking destinations.
And now, it’s time to vote. The longlist will be narrowed down to five finalists per category, with results decided by a 50/50 public and trade vote. The final winners will be revealed live at the Edinburgh Bartenders’ Ball.
Every vote counts – nominations close on 31st August, so get voting for your favourite before it’s too late.
Speaking about the longlist, David Smillie, co-founder and organiser of the Bar Awards and Bartender’s Ball
“Edinburgh is home to some of the best bars and bartenders in the world, and this year’s Edinburgh Bar Awards longlist proves it. This city’s talent, creativity and community spirit is unmatched, and the Bartenders’ Ball is our chance to celebrate that together in style. We can’t wait to welcome everyone to The Biscuit Factory this September for what promises to be the ultimate industry party.”
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 Categories & Longlist
(alphabetical order within each category)
Best Bar
4042 • Bittersweet • Bramble • Chancho • Dragonfly • Hey Palu • Lucky Liquor • Old Pal • Panda & Sons • The Bonnington • The Cocktail Geeks • The Powder Room • The Raging Bull • The Volley Leith • Uno Mas
Best Pub
Athletic Arms (Diggers) • Bennets of Morningside • The Black Cat • The Bonnington • The Finch • The Golden Rule • The Hanging Bat • Joker & The Thief • Kay’s Bar • Malt & Hops • The Mother Superior • Nauticus • The Oxford Bar • St Vincent Bar • Teuchters (Landing & West End)
Best Restaurant Bar
The Alchemist • Bittersweet • Bonnie & Wild • Copper Blossom • The Devil’s Advocate • Hawksmoor • Leith Depot • Little Capo • Lucky Yu • Old Pal • Paradise Palms • Smith & Gertrude • Tipo • The Bonnington • Voyage of Buck
Best Bar Team
Bramble • The Bonnington • The Cocktail Geeks • The Mother Superior • Hey Palu • Lucky Liquor • Nauticus • Nightcap • Old Pal • Panda & Sons • The Powder Room • The Raging Bull • The Three Sisters • Voodoo Rooms • West Port Oracle
Best Late Night Venue
4042 • Banshee Labyrinth • Liquid Rooms • The Jazz Bar • The Mother Superior • Nightcap • NQ64 • Paradise Palms • The Raging Bull • Sneaky Pete’s • Stramash • The Street • Tonic • Uno Mas • The Voodoo Rooms
Unsung Hero
Adam Fraser Gray (Herman) • Anthony Crowther • Ben Leslie • Cam Chittleborough • Cullen Hutchison • Dom Cummings • Fiona Hamilton • Gavin Whyte • Jane Ross • Kaelum-Ian Mullen • Kristaps Baranovs • Logan Pope • Mon Nelson • Sam Baxendale • Sian Buchan
Rising Star
Cal Lister • Cameron Finlay • Emily Weston • Flora Luckman • Freja Kemp • Jack Smith • Ketan Mackenzie • Levi Reed • Logan Pope • Noah French • Pierre Martin • Saul Lavelle • Walt Webster-Curran
Best Shake
Alessia Impedovo • Ben Jones • Cameron Chittleborough • Connor Bleakley • Fowwaz Ansari • Jake Harris • Jay Braby • Kielan Davidson • Logan Pope • Pierre Martin • Sam Baxendale • Sam Milne • Saul Lavelle • Stuart McBain • Toby Peters
Best Cocktail
Baltic Bru • Bramble • Coco Colada • Feta Mezcal Negroni • Indominous • Make Love Not Warcraft • Paper Dragon • The Perfect Pear • Port Hayward • Porridge Colada • Spicy Peach Margarita • Spring Fizz • Stinger • Sweet Manhattan • Yuzu Margarita
Social Star
Ben Greig • Camille Le Courtois • Carrie Smith • Chloe Archibald-Ansari • Chloe Yeung • Gracie Goggins • Groundskeeper (Murray Tait) • Kaelum Mullen • Lara Sinclair • Millie Harley • Rachel Dixon • Ross Lawrie • Ryan Snedden • Tasha Corfield • Cal Lister
Far Side of the Bar
Adam Murphy • Ashton Williamson • Connie Macdonald • Damian Koval • Dan Bartley • Dana Crombie • Ellie Raeside • Josh Knox • Kaitlin Wilkes • Mike McGinty • Niamh Savage • Ross Lawrie • Ruth Mason • Ryan Snedden • Stevie Aitken
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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Vote now or buy tickets from https://backshospitality.com/.
Follow on Instagram: Instagram.com/theedinburghbartendersball
