Glasgow took home two of the top bar trophies in the inaugural Scottish Bartenders Network Awards, with accolades for Kelvingrove Café and Blythswood Square hotel (pictured).
The title of best cocktail bar went to Kelvingrove Café which was opened less than a year ago in Finnieston in west Glasgow by Mal Spence, former head bartender at Blythswood Square.
The award for best hotel bar went to Blythswood Square which also took home the award for best bar manager for Scott Ingram who has worked at the hotel since it opened four years ago.
Aidan Bowie, also from Blythswood Square, was named bartender of the year. His achievements include winning the European final of the Auchentoshan Switch competition last month.
The title of best new bar went to The Tippling House which was opened in Belmont Street, Aberdeen, in October last year by the team behind Aberdeen cocktail destination 10 Dollar Shake.
The award for young bartender of the year went to Rosie Paterson of The Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh.
Two bars in Edinburgh shared the award for cocktail list of the year: Sygn and The Lucky Liquor Co. The extensive craft beer selection at The Hanging Bat in Edinburgh’s Lothian Road earned the Beer Champion Award for its assistant manager Joe Dick.
The “Legend Award” went to Iain McPherson, who was at The Voodoo Rooms for seven years, most recently as general manager, and is now poised to open speakeasy bar Panda & Sons in Queen Street, Edinburgh.
The awards were held on Wednesday (November 6), after the Boutique Bar Show, at 99 Hanover Street, Edinburgh.
They were sponsored by Ish Gin, Patrón tequila, Hendrick’s Gin, Santa Teresa rum, Portobello Road Gin, Chairman’s Reserve rum and Innis & Gunn, plus support on the night from Caorunn Gin, La Fée absinthe and Evan Williams bourbon.
Full list of nominees and winners
Young Bartender of the Year
WINNER: Rosie Paterson of The Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh
Scott Liddle of Strata, Glasgow
Jamie Cardwell of The Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh
Bartender of the Year
WINNER: Aidan Bowie of Blythswood Square, Glasgow
Mal Spence of Kelvingrove Café, Glasgow
Michael Cameron of Guy’s Restaurant & Bar, Glasgow
Cocktail Bar of the Year
WINNER: Kelvingrove Cafe in Glasgow
Monteith’s in Edinburgh
Orchid in Aberdeen
Best New Bar
WINNER: The Tippling House in Aberdeen
The Hanging Bat in Edinburgh
Kelvingrove Cafe in Glasgow
Best Cocktail List
WINNER: Sygn in Edinburgh
WINNER: The Lucky Liquor Co in Edinburgh
Guy’s Restaurant & Bar in Glasgow
Bar Manager of the Year
WINNER: Scott Ingram of Blythswood Square in Glasgow
Simon Smith of The George Hotel in Inveraray, Argyll
Calum Carmichael of The Hanging Bat in Edinburgh
Beer Champion Award
WINNER: Joe Dick of The Hanging Bat in Edinburgh
Legend Award
WINNER: Iain McPherson of Panda & Sons in Edinburgh
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