Recognising the best bar none in Inverness
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Bars and pubs in Inverness are hoping for top honours in an awards ceremony which will return for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
The 2022 Best Bar None Awards will be held at the city’s Waterside Hotel on Monday, January 9.
A total of 20 venues are taking part with 160 guests attending on the night, with charitable donations at the event going to mental health cause Mikeysline.
Awards include independent pub, independent bar, chain pub, chain bar, hotel bar and specialist bar.
In addition there are three special awards for heart of the community, innovation and best newcomer.
Event spokesman John McDonald, the community safety manager from Inverness BID which is involved in the awards, said: “Due to the onset of the global pandemic and the necessary restrictions imposed as a result, the Best Bar None Scheme has not taken place since 2019/20 so this year it is a welcome return to celebrate everything that is best about Inverness hospitality venues. Unfortunately, the regular venue at the Mercure Hotel is no longer able to host the event, nor is there a city centre alternative available to cater for the large number of guests.”
Inverness Provost Glynis Sinclair and Highland Council’s Inverness area committee leader Ian Brown have been asked to host the event and make the presentations in recognition of the link between the local authority and the evening economy.
Mr McDonald said: “The hospitality industry within Inverness is crucial, not only for the economic wellbeing of Inverness but also for the wider Highland economy.”
The Best Bar None Awards have been operating across Scotland since 2005 and they have been a feature within the Inverness hospitality sector since 2006.
Mr McDonald said they recognised the contribution made by venues in the promotion of high standards and professionalism, adding: “In the formative years, civic hospitality kindly provided an awards lunch within the Town House for 70 persons.”
He added that 2014 saw the first evening black tie awards event being held at the Mercure Hotel.
The awards are due to start at 7pm when guests will be welcomed by Don Lawson, who runs Johnny Foxes and The Den, as well as Jimmy Badgers in the city centre.
Mr Lawson, who is the chairman of Inverness Pub Watch, said the evening gave hospitality staff the opportunity to let their hair down after working so hard over Christmas and the New Year.
He added: “It’s a celebration of everything that is good in the hospitality sector in Inverness. It is the only day we get together as a group.”
