Glasgow Bar Awards crown favourite venues

The city's favourite bars and pubs have officially been named, as the Glasgow Bar Awards 2024 unveiled its winners at a prestigious award ceremony in Saint Luke's!

Article Source: Glasgow Bar Awards
Last Updated: 14 February 2024 15:08

‘Glasgow’s BAFTAs for Bartending’ crowned winners including Redmond’s of Dennistoun, Tabac, Jack’s Bar at Dakota Hotel and more, as the city’s hospitality industry came together to celebrate the very best bars, cocktails and those working behind the scenes.

Ten winners took home top prizes from an overall long list of 150 venues, drinks and bartenders from across the city. With each category voted for by the industry itself, the winners received a neon pineapple trophy at the awards bash, in front of 300 of their peers.

Glasgow Bar Awards 2024 Winners:
Best Bar – Sponsored by Mangrove UK - Jack’s Bar @ Dakota Hotel
Best Pub – Sponsored by Cutty Sark- Redmond’s of Dennistoun
Best Bar Team - Sponsored by Heads Up Hospitality - Tabac
Unsung Hero – Sponsored by Bruichladdich - Aimee Ashworth, La Jupe Helensburgh
Best Shake – Sponsored by Angostura UK - Ally Shaw
Best Drink - Sponsored by Pochle - Sticky Toffee Pudding at Daddy Marmalades
Social Sell Out – Sponsored by Liquid Oats - Jess Campbell
Far Side of the Bar - Sponsored by Atomic10 - Sarah Berardi, Hendricks Gin
Rising Star - Sponsored by Mangrove UK and Franklin & Sons - Winner: Sophie Pettifor, Red Sky Bar @ Radisson Red. Highly Commended: Sascha Montague from Bar & Tender.
Legend Award sponsored by BACKS! Hospitality - David Ali

Bringing Glasgow’s hospitality industry together to toast to another successful festive season, the Glasgow Bar Awards celebrated its third year in serious style, with live music and cocktails flowing all night long at Saint Luke’s whilst the event highlighted the best spots in the city.

The awards recognised venues from the east to the west of the city, honouring sky-high cocktail bars, neighbourhood locals and new kids on the block. Winners were chosen by peer voting, narrowed down from a Top Six in each category, to be crowned the very best of Glasgow venues.

Considered the event’s top prize, the highly competitive Best Bar category saw Absent Ear and The Gate battle it out with the likes of Charlie Brown’s and The Rum Shack, with Jack’s Bar @ Dakota Hotel claiming the award. The perfect spot for late night cocktails on West Regent Street, the bar’s classic vibe and delicious drinks secured its accolade as Glasgow’s favourite bar.

Best Pub went to Redmond’s of Dennistoun, with the neighbourhood favourite beating out competition from legendary spots like The Laurieston, The Pot Still and Ben Nevis. Beloved by locals in the East End, the friendly pub serves up classic cocktails and simple pints, runs a famous pub quiz and even offers vinyl DJ sets on weekends.

Glasgow’s greatest drink was officially unveiled as Daddy Marmalades ‘Sticky Toffee Pudding’. A fiercely competitive category which included a classic pint of Tennent’s Lager from The Gate, ‘Balche Anna’ from La Jupe and Tabac’s playful ‘Holiday in Cambodia’, the Trongate bar took home the top prize for its creative concoction.

In a nod to the hospitality heroes working hard behind the scenes, the Best Bar Team recognised finalists from The Winged Ox, Oran Mor and more, with Tabac clinching the ultimate prize. A mainstay of the city’s Mitchell Lane, Tabac is one of Glasgow’s best hidden bars, serving up exquisite cocktails and an intimate vibe.

The ceremony even awarded the bartender with the Best Shake in town, judged via a specially held ‘shake off’ to decide the finalists. Following a speed round and shake off, bartenders had to prove their pour and dish up the perfect serve, with Ally Shaw (currently unsigned) awarded Best Shake in Glasgow, holding off competition from bartenders from The Absent Ear and Jack’s Bar.

2024’s Rising Star recognised the industry’s newcomers, with Radisson Red Sky Bar’s Sophie Pettifor named as one to watch in Glasgow’s bustling scene whilst Sascha Montague from Bar & Tender received a Highly Commended in the category. Unsung Hero went to Aimee Ashworth from La Jupe Helensburgh, whilst Jess Campbell was named Social Sell Out and Sarah Berardi from Hendrick’s Gin took home the title of Far Side of the Bar.

The awards toasted the crème de la crème of Glasgow's vibrant nightlife from intimate cocktail bars, cosy pubs and innovative menus.

Alex Riches, Co-Founder of Backs! Hospitality and Operations Manager of Saint Luke’s said: “What an incredible night! We welcomed over 300 of the city’s top hospitality industry, to raise a glass to all their achievements from the past year. 2024 saw some of our toughest categories yet, with venues raising the bar across every aspect of the competition.

“A huge congrats to all our well deserved winners, finalists and venues - we hope the awards will encourage the public to get out and try somewhere new this year, support local bars and pubs, and potentially find their new favourite spot.”

Organised by Backs! Hospitality - a community interest company created by David Smillie and Alex Riches, anyone who works across the hospitality industry was invited to attend - from brand ambassadors to bartenders. Funds raised from ticket sales go towards nurturing the next wave of bartending talent and frontline hospitality staff through various initiatives like events, networking, mentoring, and training.

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