Glasgow bar MacSorley’s fought off tough competition to win Sunday Mail pub of the year.
Sunday Mail Pub Of the Year 2025 – MacSorleys, Glasgow.
Mikey Sharp, Mary Doherty, Barndon Doherty and Sean Trainer.
LOVED Glasgow bar MacSorley’s is celebrating after being named Sunday Mail Pub of the Year.
The city centre institution fought off tough competition to win our treasured mirror at an Oscars themed awards ceremony last week.
Sunday Mail Pub Of the Year 2025 – MacSorleys, Glasgow.
And publican Mary Doherty, who runs the bar with son Brandon, has admitted they have been on a high ever since.
She said: “We are just utterly thrilled and delighted, we still can’t quite believe it.
“We just want to make the bar the best it can be and a friendly and welcoming and fun place for everyone who comes in.
“I have had the lease on the bar for the last six years and we have worked so hard to get great live music, great drinks, great food and a great atmosphere about the place.
“We are so proud to be Sunday Mail bar of the year and we will be proudly showing off our new mirror, you can be sure of that.”
Family run MacSorleys is famed for its music, food, drinks and brilliant atmosphere.
Brandon added: “We had not long taken on the pub when Covid hit and there were moments when we thought we could lose everything so this is just brilliant.
“It has been tough at times but we were determing and we managed to see it through and everything is going great now.
“We have got a brilliant team of 15 people and our success is down to all of the hard work and dedication and everyone puts in making it the best bar in Glasgow.”
There has been a licensed premises on the MacSorleys site since 1861.
It was initially called the Clan Vaults before Philip MacSorley took over in 1897 and built a new tenement with the pub as it is now on the ground floor.
Situated at the corner of Jamaica Street and Ann Street, the interior had a large mahogany oval shaped bar counter.
In 1904 MacSorley’s had a reputation of being the quickest service restaurant in the city.
A dining room and grand smoking room was soon added with a room for the ladies as well as an American cocktail bar.
All the best drinks were served here including Champagne and MacSorley’s special blend of Peacemaker whisky.
The four Marys Pub in Linlithgow which has been Shortlisted for the Sunday Mail Pub of the Year and pub manager Ian Riddle is pulling the Pints
The Anglers, Annan
The Athletic Arms
Angle Park Terrace
Edinburgh
Susan Young, editor of hospitality industry bible DRAM, admitted the judges had their work cut out, but in the end MacSorleys was the clear winner.
She said: “It is just a great family run place that is genuinely loved by its customers and consistently delivers brilliant down to earth service, food, drinks and entertainment.”
Thousands of nominations were received from readers keen for their favourite watering hole to win the title, awarded last year to the Smokin’ Fox in Glasgow.
The win was announced on Tuesday at the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards at Glasgow’s Hilton Double tree hotel.
Four Marys, in Linlithgow, The Anglers from Annan and Edinburgh’s Athletic Arms were the others on the shortlist that hugely impressed mystery visitors.