SCOTLAND’S best beer garden has been named in time for an unexpected heatwave across the UK this week.
With temperatures expected to reach as high as 25C in Glasgow on Wednesday and 26C in Edinburgh on Thursday – many across the country might be thinking about flocking to their nearest beer garden.
But what is Scotland’s best? Well, The Black Ivy hotel in the capital took home the prize for best outdoor seating at the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards ceremony last week – despite some stiff competition.
It beat The Fox and Willow in Ayr, Hugo’s Bar and Pavilion in Dalgety Bay, and The Ivy Lodge in Aberdeen.
Overlooking Bruntsfield Links, by Edinburgh's Meadows, the hotel has its own bar and pub with an idyllic outdoor terrace area that is open until 1am.
Their website describes the area as "the perfect spot for friends, couples, and families to meet and enjoy a delicious meal or a couple of cold drinks in the sun and watch the world go by".
The awards held their 28th event with more than 100 finalists attending the ceremony in Glasgow, making it Scotland’s longest-established hospitality awards. Previously, they were known as the DRAM awards.
The full list of winners is below:
- Lifetime Achievement Award - Billy Lowe
- Caledonia Inns Heart of Hospitality Award - Michael Bergson
- Bucks Bar ARO Procurement Customer Service Award - Prime Steak & Seafood
- Inverness Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year Tipsie - Midgie, Edinburgh
- Buzzworks & Montpeliers Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year - Brandon Van Rensburg, Tempura, Ayr
- Campari Mixologist of the Year - Adrian Gomes, The Tippling House, Aberdeen
- Deanston Whisky Guru of the Year - Colin Hinds, Tipsy Midgie, Edinburgh
- Hospitality Employer of the Year - Buzzworks, Ayrshire
- Drinks Express Best Outdoor Area - Black Ivy, Edinburgh
- THE DRUM Digital Innovator of the Year Siberia Bar & Hotel, Aberdeen
- ‘Giving More’ Award in partnership with Edrington UK - Graham Chalmers, Radisson RED, Glasgow
- Flor de Cana Rum Sustainability Award - Lisini Pub Company, Uddingston
- Golden Jubilee Award for Hospitality Excellence - The Original Rosslyn Inn, Roslin
- HI-SPIRITS Best Live Music Venue - St Lukes & The Winged Ox, Glasgow
- HOSPO Manager of the Year - Rory McGinley, Two Fat Ladies at The Buttery, Glasgow
- Hotel Scotland Family Business of the Year - The Oak Tree Inn, Balmaha
- Inspirational Woman of the Year - Gillian Kirkland, The Piper Whisky Bar, Glasgow
- Inverarity Morton Scotland’s Best Drinks Offering - The Fox and Willow, Ayr Kopparberg
- New Bar of the Year - The East End Fox, Baillieston
- Makers Mark Cocktail Bar of the Year - Hey Palu, Edinburgh
- Mediaworld Casual Dining Award - Our Place, Annan
- Molinari Hotel Bar of the Year - Great Scots’ Bar, Cameron House
- Molson Coors Scottish Bar of the Year - Brewhemia, Edinburgh
- Pernod Ricard Best Late-Night Venue - Stramash, Edinburgh
- Premier Card Services Independent Operator of the Year - WORQ Group, Glasgow
- Bar Personality of the Year - Pete Harvey, Sportsterz
- Sheep Dog Whisky Dog Friendly Pub of the Year - The Forth Inn, Aberfoyle
- Scottish Hospitality Group Contribution to the Industry Award - Caroline Loudon, TLT LLP
- DRAM Licensee of the Year 2023 - Brian Flynn, Behind the Wall, Falkirk
- William Grant & Sons Bar Apprentices - Bryony Baxter, Meraki Bar & Restaurant, Bridge of Don
- Pub of the Year - Malones, Aberdeen
