EIGHT venues in Glasgow have been shortlisted as some of Scotland’s most responsible licensed premises for a prestigious annual awards ceremony.

The Croft, McNabbs, the Driftwood Bar, the Blythswood Hotel, Cathouse, The Garage, Deoch an Dorus and the University of Strathclyde Union are all finalists in the Best Bar None National Awards.

The event celebrates the nation’s bars, nightclubs and licensed premises who go the extra mile to promote responsible drinking and customer safety.

The Croft is a finalist in the Pub category, McNabbs and the Driftwood Bar are shortlisted for Independent Pub, Cathouse and The Garage for Nightclub, the Blythswood Hotel for Hotel Bar, Deoch an Dorus for the Heart of the Community category, and the University of Strathclyde Union for Specialist Entertainment Venue.

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Best Bar None, which runs the popular national accreditation scheme of the same name, said it had received the highest calibre of entries yet for the awards.

Robert Hogg, Best Bar None national coordinator, now operating in 58 towns and cities across Scotland, said: “The extremely high calibre of entries to our 2019 Best Bar None Awards proves that Scotland’s licensed trade is playing a leading role in promoting safe, responsible drinking and customer safety.

“The judges had a tough time narrowing down to these finalists. We can’t wait to see who takes home the prizes next month and wish all our finalists the best of luck.”

There are 10 categories: Pub, Independent Pub, Bar, Independent Bar, Hotel Bar, Nightclub, Specialist Entertainment Venue, Heart of the Community, Newcomer and Innovation in Social Responsibility. There is also a National Champion award.

Finalists will attend a glittering ceremony on March 28 at the Doubletree by Hilton Dunblane Hydro.