AFTER a busy festive season for the hospitality industry, Glasgow is looking to reward it’s hospitality heroes with the announcement of their first-ever Bartender’s Ball and industry awards today (Wednesday, 8th January).
In a city-first for the licensed trade, Glasgow will toast hardworking bartenders for one night only at a grand bash at Saint Lukes on Monday, 20th January.
Celebrating everything great about the hospitality industry the Bartender’s Ball will also play host to the inaugural Glasgow Bar Awards which aim to recognise the talents of the city’s top bartenders from the best bars, hotels and restaurants.
Created by the Glasgow Bartenders Club community members David Smillie, Fraser McIlwraith and Andy Gemmell, hundreds of entries have been cast by the trade for the new awards, dubbed ‘Glasgow’s Baftas For Bartending’. Six gallus categories will be announced on the night including Best Shake, Best Bar Team and Unsung Hero. Nominations are still open, closing next week with winners announced during the Bartender’s Ball.
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Tickets to the Bartender’s Ball cost £20 and include drinks from premium brands, delicious street food and smoked barbeque classics from the kitchen in Saint Lukes, live music and entertainment, the Glasgow Bar Awards and a number of surprises.
David Smillie, co-founder of Glasgow Bartenders Club said: “Our Glasgow Bartender’s Club community has almost 20,000 members on Facebook and we wanted to create an event to celebrate the hardworking efforts of every bar team across the city.
“Our ambition has always been to grow and mentor the next generation of Glasgow mixology talent and our Bartender’s Ball is a chance for our industry to unwind after working a hectic festive season with a fun awards ceremony added to the mix.
“We’ve got a lot of surprises lined up for our Glasgow Bar Awards and we hope to see as many bartenders as possible joining us to celebrate everything great about our industry.”
Anyone who works across the hospitality industry is invited to attend – from brand ambassadors to bartenders, with money raised from ticket sales to be invested back in to help Glasgow Bartender’s Club develop and mentor the next generation of bartenders and frontline hospitality staff through events, networking, mentoring and training.
The Bartender’s Ball and the Glasgow Bar Awards take place on Monday, 20th January at Saint Lukes from 6pm. Tickets include complimentary food and drink, entertainment and cost £20 Buy tickets from https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/glasgow-bartenders-ball-tickets-88627570449.
