Edinburgh’s Best Bars Crowned at 2025 Edinburgh Bar Awards
It was cocktails, cheers and plenty of celebration last night (Monday, 22 September) as over 300 of the Capital’s hospitality stars gathered at The Biscuit Factory for the second Edinburgh Bartenders’ Ball. The city’s most exciting pubs and bars were recognised at the 2025 Edinburgh Bar Awards, where the energy was high and the drinks flowed as freely as the applause.
The awards, voted for by the public and Edinburgh’s bar community, shone a spotlight on the people and places that make the city’s drinks scene world-class — from late-night favourites to rising stars shaking up the future.
And the big winner? Panda & Sons, the speakeasy-style cocktail bar that scooped not one but two titles: Best Bar and Best Bar Team. Over in Leith, much-loved Nauticus was crowned Best Pub, while Uno Mas proved itself as the place to party, taking home Best Late Night Venue. Neighbourhood gem Old Pal toasted a double win, being named Best Restaurant Bar and seeing their very own Freya Kemp celebrated as Rising Star.
The evening’s most heartfelt moment came when Siân Buchan was honoured with the Legend Award by Backs! Hospitality — a fitting tribute to her outstanding contribution to Scotland’s hospitality scene.
“From iconic venues to rising stars, the winners represent the best of the best, the people and places that make this scene truly world-class,” said David Smillie, co-founder of Backs! Hospitality and organiser of the Bartenders’ Ball.
With complimentary drinks, food and entertainment, the Ball was a true celebration of a city that knows how to raise the bar.
2025 Edinburgh Bar Awards Winners
Best Bar (sponsored by Schweppes)
Winner – Panda & Sons
Highly Commended – Hey Palu
Best Pub
Winner – Nauticus
Highly Commended – The Mother Superior
Best Restaurant Bar (sponsored by Liberty Wines)
Winner – Old Pal
Highly Commended – Little Capo
Best Bar Team (sponsored by Monkey Shoulder)
Winner – Panda & Sons
Highly Commended – The Cocktail Geeks
Best Late Night Venue (sponsored by Red Bull)
Winner – Uno Mas
Highly Commended – Nightcap
Unsung Hero (sponsored by Jubel)
Winner – Cam Chittleborough
Highly Commended – Sam Baxendale
Rising Star (sponsored by Bacardi)
Winner – Freya Kemp – Old Pal
Highly Commended – Emily Weston – The Cocktail Geeks
Best Shake (sponsored by Royal Mile Trade)
Winner – Logan Pope
Highly Commended – Saul Lavelle
Best Cocktail (sponsored by Marie Brizzard)
Winner – Yuzu Margarita – Hey Palu/Chancho
Highly Commended – Porridge Colada – Nauticus
Social Star (sponsored by Atomic10)
Winner – Ross Lawrie – Schweppes
Highly Commended – Groundskeeper Fanny (Murray Tait)
Far Side of the Bar (sponsored by Dunns)
Winner – Connie Macdonald – Port of Leith
Highly Commended – Kaitlin Wilkes – The Ada Coleman Project
Legend
Winner – (sponsored by Backs! Hospitality) Siân Buchan