The inaugural Edinburgh Bar Awards officially crowned the capital’s top talent in hospitality last night at the glittering Edinburgh Bartender’s Ball, hosted at The Caves.
Marking its debut in Edinburgh after three successful years in Glasgow, the event celebrated creativity, dedication, and passion of the city’s hospitality professionals.
Over 250 of Edinburgh’s bars, pubs, and industry leaders gathered for an unforgettable evening of recognition, celebration and entertainment.
Guests at the Edinburgh Bartender’s Ball enjoyed music from Al and the Bad Decisions, tasty BBQ and performances from the Enticing Ecdysiasts Burlesque.
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The Edinburgh Bar Awards, which are entirely peer-nominated, shone a spotlight on those who go above and beyond in the capital’s vibrant hospitality scene.
Spanning 10 categories, including Best Bar, Best Pub, Best Drink, Best Shake, and Rising Star, 150 venues were nominated for prestigious awards.
The event was supported by Halewood, Base Spirits Collective, X Muse Vodka, Born Irish Whiskey, Heverlee, Royal Mile Whiskies, Schweppes, Atomic10 and Cutty Sark Whisky.
Highlights of the night include Raging Bull winning Best Bar, and Nauticus taking the title of Best Pub. A surprise Legend Award sponsored by Backs! Hospitality was presented to Johanna Cole in recognition of her lasting impact on Edinburgh’s bar scene and her exceptional contributions to the industry.
David Smillie, co-founder and organiser of the Edinburgh Bar Awards and Edinburgh Bartender’s Ball, said:
“Bringing the Bartenders Ball to Edinburgh for the first time has been epic. Tonight’s winners reflect the incredible talent we have working in Edinburgh’s hospitality industry, and it’s been fantastic to celebrate their hard work and passion with such a supportive community.
“Congratulations to all the winners and highly commended finalists —this is just the beginning of what will become a yearly celebration of Edinburgh’s best!”
Organised by Backs! Hospitality – a community organisation established in Glasgow by dedicated hospitality industry veterans. As a non-profit Community Interest Company (CIC), its mission is to elevate and sustain the standards of hospitality across Scotland and beyond.
The 2024 Edinburgh Bar Award WINNERS and Highly Commended Finalists:
TOP 5 x BEST BAR – sponsored by Cutty Sark (alphabetical order)
- Bramble
- Cocktail Geeks
- Hey Palu
- Raging Bull – Winner Known for its energetic atmosphere and signature espresso martinis, Raging Bull has become a must-visit destination for cocktail lovers in Edinburgh.
- Star Bar – Highly Commended Finalist A neighbourhood favourite, Star Bar is loved for its warm hospitality and inventive drinks.
TOP 5 x BEST PUB – sponsored by Pintail – Purveyors of precious wines and spirits (alphabetical order)
- Diggers (The Athletic Arms)
- Malones – Haymarket
- Nauticus – Winner A Leith-based gem, Nauticus focuses on celebrating Scottish produce and ingredients, offering a thoughtfully curated drinks menu with local flair.
- Polwarth Tavern – Highly Commended Finalist A charming pub known for great drinks and a friendly, down-to-earth vibe.
- The Mother Superior
TOP 5 x BEST BAR TEAM – sponsored by Royal Mile Whiskies (alphabetical order)
- Bramble – Highly Commended Finalist One of Edinburgh’s most iconic cocktail bars, Bramble’s talented team continues to set the standard for craftsmanship and hospitality in the city.
- Cocktail Geeks – Winner Famed for its geek culture-inspired drinks, the team at Cocktail Geeks delivers not only excellent cocktails but an unforgettable themed experience with every visit.
- Nauticus
- Raging Bull
- Star Bar
TOP 5 x BEST RESTAURANT BAR – sponsored by Whisky and Cynicism (alphabetical order)
- Dine
- Eleanore
- Hawksmoor – Highly Commended Finalist Known for its exquisite steaks and even better drinks, Hawksmoor offers an exceptional bar experience that perfectly complements its food offerings.
- Old Pal – Winner A cosy yet sophisticated bar within a restaurant setting, Old Pal has earned a reputation for its expertly curated drinks list and inviting atmosphere.
- Tipo
TOP 5 x BEST DRINK sponsored by Schweppes (alphabetical order)
- Coconut Daiquiri – Panda & Sons
- Cranachan Manhattan – Commons Club – Winner
- Gimlet – Hawksmoor
- Porridge Colada – Nauticus
- Yuzu Margarita – Hey Palu – Highly Commended Finalist – A refreshing and zesty take on a classic margarita, the Yuzu Marg has become a crowd favourite for its vibrant citrus flavours.
TOP 5 x BEST SHAKE (alphabetical order)
- Fowwaz Ansari – Bittersweet – Winner
- Jake Harris – Hawksmoor
- Leon Wilkes Black – Commons Club
- Sam Milne – Panda & Sons – Highly Commended Finalist
- Sian Buchan – Uno Mas
TOP 5 x UNSUNG HEROES – sponsored by Holyrood Distillery (alphabetical order)
- Ben Leslie – Raging Bull – Highly Commended Finalist
- Jane Ross – Mother Superior – Winner
- Max Swift – Wildcat
- Niall Mcmillan – Hawksmoor
- Rachael Carpenter – Cocktail Geeks
TOP 5 x RISING STARS – sponsored by X Muse Scottish Barley Vodka (alphabetical order)
- Alessia Impedovo – Cocktail Geeks – Winner Alessia’s passion for mixology and innovative drink creations have earned her a spot among the city’s brightest up-and-comers.
- Alex Moore – Nauticus – Highly Commended Finalist With his dedication to sustainable practices and creative cocktail crafting, Alex is quickly becoming one of the most respected young bartenders in Edinburgh.
- Alfie Chisholm – Dine
- Cassius Haresign – Paradise Palms
- Sofie Gonzales – Old Pal
TOP 5 x SOCIAL STARS – sponsored by Atomic10 (alphabetical order)
- Carrie Smith – Hoot the Redeemer – Winner Carrie has captured the hearts of her followers with her engaging social media presence, showcasing the creativity and fun that Hoot the Redeemer is famous for.
- Chloe Yeung – Panda & Sons – Highly Commended Finalist Chloe Yeung @ Panda & Sons** – Chloe’s flair for visually stunning cocktails and her engaging online persona have made her a rising star in the world of cocktail bars.
- Hazel Macleod – Woven / William Grant & Sons
- Iain McPherson – Panda & Sons
- Ryan Snedden – Indy
TOP 5 x FAR SIDE OF THE BAR – sponsored by Heads Up Hospitality (alphabetical order)
- Ashton Williamson – Monin
- Daniela Liverani – Sazerac – Highly Commended Finalist
- Ellie Raeside – Bacardi – Winner Ellie’s leadership and expertise make her a force to be reckoned with.
- Jody Buchan – Speciality Brands
- Ross Lawrie – Schweppes
LEGEND – awarded on night and sponsored by BACKS! Hospitality
- Johanna Elizabeth Cole – Winner
For more information, stay updated:
For more information visit BACKS! Hospitality, backshospitality.com
Instagram.com/theedinburghbartendersball
