Have your say in The Glasgow Bar Awards 2026!

🏆 About the Bar Awards 🏆

At Backs! Hospitality, our awards exist to celebrate the industry by the industry — accessible, inclusive, and driven by genuine peer recognition.

From the beginning, these awards have been about bringing the hospitality community together to celebrate one another in a way that feels open, transparent, and meaningful. Being voted the best by your peers has become a true badge of honour — symbolised by the now-iconic Disco Pineapple.

These Awards celebrate everyone who makes hospitality what it is:
Bartenders. Waiting staff. Kitchen teams. Managers. Head office. Owners. Every role matters.

This year, we’ve refined the process to make it even more transparent and impactful — while staying true to the spirit that makes these awards special.

Round 1 – Nominations (Now Open!)

Vote below.

Suggest anyone you believe deserves recognition.

At the close of this round, nominations will be reviewed and the Top 15 in each category will form the official longlist.

🗓️ Closes: Midnight, Sunday 8th March

Round 2 – Voting

Public and expert panel votes (50/50) will decide both the Top 5 Finalists and the Winners, from the Top 15 in each category.

• Public Vote (50%) – Your vote counts for half of each nominee’s final score.

• Expert Panel (50%) – The remaining half comes from a panel made up of last year’s Top 5 finalists, bringing valuable industry insight and peer perspective.

🗓️ Opens: Monday 9th March
🗓️ Closes: Sunday 12th April

Key Dates

Finalists Announced: Monday 13th April

Winners Revealed: Monday 27th April at the Glasgow Bartenders Ball
Tickets available here.

Let’s celebrate the best, together.
Nominate now.

Important Notes

Eligibility:
Bars located in Glasgow and surrounding areas (all G postcodes) are open for nomination.

Shortlist Process:
This peer questionnaire determines the Top 15 nominees in each category.

Finalists & Winner:
The Top 5 finalists will be revealed in the lead-up to the Glasgow Bartenders Ball on April 27th, where the winner will be announced live.

Self-Nominations:
Accepted — but consider the opportunity to celebrate your peers when casting your vote.

Thank you for helping recognise the very best of Glasgow’s hospitality community.

Nominee announcements will be shared via our social channels:
@theglasgowbartendersball & @backshospitality

Follow now and stay involved.