At Backs! Hospitality, we’re incredibly proud of the impact our awards have on the communities they celebrate. From the beginning, these awards have been about bringing the industry together to celebrate one another – in a way that feels more inclusive and accessible than traditional awards evenings.

What’s become clear, especially after speaking with past winners, is just how meaningful our peer voting system has become. While we originally chose this approach for its simplicity and transparency, it has since grown into something much more significant.
Being voted the best by the best – by your peers – has become a true badge of honour for those who take home the now-iconic Disco Pineapple.

That’s why this year, we’re making the biggest evolution to our awards since our very first Ball in January 2020.

After thoughtful, and spirited, debate about whether to change a system that clearly resonates, we’ve decided to make a slight but important shift. The changes outlined below are designed to elevate the role of peer voting and increase transparency, helping take the Bar Awards to the next level – while staying true to the spirit of what makes them special.

Round 1: Nominations

You Nominate!
Everyone is welcome to suggest nominees for any category. This keeps the process open and inclusive – we want to hear from YOU.

At the end of this round, nominations will be reviewed and compiled into a longlist of 15 nominees per category.

Nominations close at midnight on Sunday, 20th July.

Round 2: Voting – Finalists & Winners

Voting reopens on Monday, 28th July, and is open to both the public and a panel of past nominees.

Voters will select their favourites from the longlist. These votes will determine both the Top 5 Finalists and the Winners in each category.

• Public Vote (50%): Your vote counts for half of each nominee’s final score.
• Expert Vote (50%): The remaining half comes from a panel made up of last year’s Top 5 finalists in each category. These peers bring valuable insight and industry knowledge to the process.

Voting closes at midnight on Sunday, 31st August.

Finalists & Endorsements

Top 5 Finalists Announced – Monday, 8th September

Expert Endorsements
The expert panel will provide short endorsements for each finalist, highlighting their strengths and achievements. These will be published alongside the results to ensure transparency and provide valuable context.

Winners Announced

Monday, 22nd September at The Edinburgh Bartenders Ball

WINNERS & HIGHLY COMMENDED – EDINBURGH 2024

  BEST BAR 

THE RAGING BULL

HIGHLY COMMENDED – STAR BAR

  BEST PUB 

NAUTICUS

HIGHLY COMMENDED – POLWARTH TAVERN

  BEST RESTAURANT BAR 

OLD PAL

HIGHLY COMMENDED – HAWKSMOOR

 BEST BAR TEAM 

THE COCKTAIL GEEKS

HIGHLY COMMENDED – BRAMBLE

 BEST DRINK 

CRANACHAN – COMMONS CLUB

HIGHLY COMMENDED – COCONUT DAIQUIRI – PANDA & SONS

  UNSUNG HERO 

JANE ROSS – MOTHER SUPERIOR

HIGHLY COMMENDED – BEN LESLIE – THE RAGING BULL

  RISING STAR 

ALESSIA IMPEDOVO – PANDA & SONS

HIGHLY COMMENDED – ALEX MOORE – NAUTICUS

  BEST SHAKE 

FOWWAZ ANSARI – BITTERSWEET

SAM MILNE – PANDA & SONS

  FAR SIDE OF THE BAR 

ELLIE RAESIDE – BACARDI

DANIELA LIVERANI – SAZERAC UK

  LEGEND 

JOHANNA ELIZABETH COLE