Two Edinburgh pubs in the running to be named as ‘Scotland’s Cocktail Bar of the Year 2023’

The Capital’s Hey Palu and The Cocktail Geeks are this year's finalists, along with Glasgow bar The Absent Ear.

Two popular Edinburgh venues will go up against each other to be named as Scotland's Cocktail Bar of the Year.

It come as the finalists for the 2023 Scottish Licensed Trade News (SLTN) Awards were announced, with several other local businesses making the shortlist across the catergories.

The Capital’s Hey Palu and The Cocktail Geeks are this year's finalists, along with Glasgow bar The Absent Ear.

Edinburgh venues Hey Palu and The Cocktail Geeks are in the running to be named as Scotland's Cocktail Bar of the Year 2023.

In its description of Hey Palu, located on Bread Street, the SLTN Awards website says: “Staff development has been a major focus this year at this modern Italian bar in Edinburgh that serves classy cocktails apertivo style.

“A new plan has been put in place for in-house training, but as one of the country’s foremost experts in amaro, head mixologist and co-owner Alex Palumbo has also begun offering guidance on the liqueur to other bars. The menu flexes seasonally and is full of delightful surprises, like the Coconut White Russian that looks nothing like you’d expect.”

As for The Cocktail Geeks, the East Market Street pop-culture themed bar, they write: “The self-proclaimed geeks at this Edinburgh bar don’t do things by halves. Every four months, punters queue out the door to sample a new immersive theme based on pop-culture phenomena such as Stranger Things, Star Wars and The Last of Us.

“The décor, glassware and staff outfits even change in tandem with the drinks menu. The team spend time workshopping each subject, so it can be presented authentically and enthusiastically – and it shows in the scrumptious drinks.”

A spokesperson for the awards said: "The annual STLN awards recognise excellence across Scotland's world-famous hospitality industry.

"From bar staff to industry leaders; from a beloved local pub to national operators; the SLTN Awards are your opportunity to be recognised for what you do, and how well you do it."

To see the full list of nominees for the SLTN Awards, visit www.sltn.co.uk/sltn-awards-2023/finalists/