Top Scots crowned at SLTN Awards

Scotalnd's champion pubs, bars, and nightclubs have all been honoured at the Scottish Licensed Trade News Awards.The country's biggest city, Glasgow,...

Scotalnd's champion pubs, bars, and nightclubs have all been honoured at the Scottish Licensed Trade News Awards.

The country's biggest city, Glasgow, took the titles in the Spirits Bar of the Year, Outlet Relaunch of the Year, Social Responsibility Award, Independent Pub of the Year, Independent Multiple Operator of the Year, Restaurant of the Year, and Barperson of the Year categories.

In Edinburgh the modern, highly fashionable bar Sygn was named SLTN's Style Bar of the Year for the third year running, while Edinburgh-based company Montpeliers took the Training Award.

And - as the finale of the big event - James Mortimer, founder of Glasgow-based Lynnet Leisure was given the special Award for Industry Achievement.

Patrick Duffy, managing editor of Scottish Licensed Trade News said this year's awards programme had been one of the most important ever.

"The licensed trade hasn't had its difficulties to seek in the last couple of years with everything from the smoking ban to massive price cuts on drinks in supermarkets presenting challenges," he said.

"But as our judging panels travelled round hundreds of shortlisted finalists through Scotland it was clear that many, many businesses are performing excellently and are responding to the challenges with style and imagination.

"2007 has certainly been a good year for Glasgow in the SLTN Awards but the overall variety of winners shows that the trade features excellent businesses all over the country."

The full list of winners:

Spirits Bar of the Year: Bobar, Glasgow

Outlet Relaunch of the Year: Bank Café Bar, Glasgow

The Social Responsibility Award: The Arches, Glasgow

The Training Award: Montpeliers (Edinburgh)

Music Pub of the Year: The Doghouse, Dundee

The Inspiration Award: Rocpool Reserve

The Beer Quality Award: The Tullie Inn Balloch

Independent Pub or Bar of the Year: The Lismore, Glasgow

The Wine Award: The Buccleuch Arms Hotel, Moffat

Community Pub of the Year: The Thistle, Hurlford, Kilmarnock

Independent Multiple Operator of the Year: G1 Group, Glasgow