With less than a month to go, anticipation is building for the exclusive inaugural Edinburgh Bartenders Ball, a prestigious event that promises to illuminate the city’s hospitality scene with the launch of the Edinburgh Bar Awards.
This event is a proud celebration of Edinburgh’s vibrant bar culture, with the top 15 long-listed bars now announced, all competing for the title of Edinburgh’s finest.
Every Vote Counts! Nominations close on 28 August, so vote for your favourite and raise a glass to Edinburgh’s finest. As voted by bartenders, the first-ever Top 15 list in the Best Bar category showcases various venues known for their innovation, ambience, and exceptional service.
Highlights include the secret speakeasy Panda & Sons, the sophisticated Spence at Gleneagles Townhouse, the maritime-inspired bar at Port of Leith Distillery, and the iconic cocktail haunt Bramble.
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In the Best Pub category, the Top 15 features classic Edinburgh establishments such as The Diggers (The Athletic Arms), independent whisky bars like The Black Cat and Mother Superior, Leith’s Nauticus, and the historic Guildford Arms.
The Best Bar Team category includes votes for lively venues such as Three Sisters, the specialist rum bar Ruma, the dynamic Cocktail Geeks, and the romantic Commons Club at Virgin Hotel Edinburgh.
The awards ceremony will be held during a lavish event for bartenders, known as the Bartenders Ball, a first for Edinburgh, on Monday, 16 September, at the atmospheric Caves.
This inaugural event will celebrate the exceptional talent within Edinburgh’s vibrant hospitality scene, spotlighting the city’s top bars, cocktails, and industry professionals from hotels, bars, and restaurants.
The Edinburgh Bartenders Ball is an opportunity for those in the trade to come together and unwind after a busy Fringe season.
With high-energy entertainment and eclectic performers, past events have featured unique attractions like a bucking bronco shaped like a wine bottle, a Sailor Jerry arm wrestling competition, DJ sets from Shaka Loves You, and live performances from a nine-piece New Orleans brass band, and Al and the Bad Decisions.
Tickets for the Bartenders Ball, priced at £30, are on sale now and are expected to sell out quickly. The ticket includes drinks from premium brands, delicious street food, smoked barbecue classics, live music, entertainment, the Edinburgh Bar Awards, and many high-octane surprises.
David Smilie, co-founder and organizer of the Bar Awards and Bartender’s Ball, stated: “We’ve had thousands of votes cast for the first-ever Edinburgh Bar Awards. There’s still time left to vote for your favourite before 28 August.
“The competition is fierce, and we wait to see who comes out top!”
Organised by Backs! Hospitality, a community interest company created by David Smillie and Alex Riches, the event invites anyone working in the hospitality industry—from brand ambassadors to bartenders—to attend.
Funds raised from the £30 ticket sales will support nurturing the next wave of bartending talent and frontline hospitality staff through initiatives like events, networking, mentoring, and training.
How to Vote! The Edinburgh Bar Awards invites nominations from licensed premises within the EH postcode. Winners will be selected after a comprehensive judging process involving industry votes and an esteemed panel of judges. Make your voice heard and vote online.
The 2024 Long List for Top 3 CategoriesTOP 15 Best Bar (alphabetical order)
- Bramble
- Chancho
- Cocktail Geeks
- Dragonfly
- Hey Palu
- Hoot the Redeemer
- Lucky Liquor
- Old Pal
- Panda & Sons
- Paradise Palms
- Port of Leith Distillery
- Raging Bull
- Smith & Gertrude Stockbridge
- Star Bar
- The Spence @ Gleneagles Townhouse
TOP 15 Best Pub (alphabetical order):
- Bowlers Rest
- Diggers (The Athletic Arms)
- Kays Bar
- Malones – Haymarket
- Meadows Tap
- Nauticus
- Polwarth Tavern
- Teuchters Landing – Leith
- The Barony
- The Black Cat
- The Blue Blazer
- The Bow Bar
- The Desert Island @ The Lost Close
- The Guildford Arms
- The Mother Superior
TOP 15 Best Bar Team (alphabetical order):
- Bramble
- Diggers (The Athletic Arms)
- Cocktail Geeks
- Commons Club – Virgin Hotel
- Dragonfly
- Hey Palu
- Hoot the Redeemer
- Nauticus
- Panda & Sons
- Raging Bull
- Ruma
- Scotch @ The Balmoral
- Spry
- Star Bar
- Three Sisters
For more information and updates, remember that the Edinburgh Bar Awards will take place at the Edinburgh Bartender’s Ball at The Caves on Monday, 16 September, 2024. Tickets include complimentary food and drink, entertainment, and cost £30.
