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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Ryan Thom

Scotland's best beer garden: Ayrshire pub takes the crown as it bounces back from lockdown

An Ayrshire pub has bounced back from Covid to have their beer garden named as Scotland's best.

The Buf in Prestwick are celebrating after their huge outdoor spot was crowned at the Dram Awards.

The popular bar owned by Kevin Finnie claimed the top prize in the Best or Most Improved Outside area category.

Delighted bar bosses have told how punters have flocked post-lockdown to enjoy an outdoor pint in the sun and spend summer nights cheering on Scotland at the Euros.

The Main Street venue bounced back from lockdown restrictions opening up its huge outdoor space to customers with a new bar launched to allow fresh pints to reach tables even quicker.

The Buf are celebrating after their beer garden won an award (Ayrshire Post)

Marketing manager Connor Kelly believes the award is a major boost after dark days of Covid hammering the industry.

He told Ayrshire Live: "This award has has really put us on the map — we are so proud of it.

“It is a big thing now to have an outdoor area — it was always the first thing to return from lockdown before indoor drinking.

“This summer was superb, we got the weather and the customers enjoyed spending sunny days in our beer garden.

Owner Kevin Finnie was delighted (Ayrshire Post)

“After the trouble the industry has faced it just great to have some good news for a change.

"We have been through quite a lot — there has been some difficult periods.

“But the award was also for the service and the atmosphere and that is a credit to the staff who have been amazing."

The Buf joins a host of other Ayrshire venues who were big winners on the night at the award ceremony in Glasgow.

Ayrshire Live told how Lido in Troon wowed judges with a seaweed infused cocktail to have their bar named the best cocktail bar in Scotland.

Along the road in Ayr, Fox and the Willow were named Scotland's best restaurant after facing the toughest 18 months in business.

And another beer garden made it to the finals with Smokin' Goat in Ayr losing out to their neighbours in Prestwick.

Connor added: "Ayrshire venues have really bounced back — there are plenty of winners in Ayrshire.

"For the amount of pubs compared to Glasgow we should all be really proud of ourselves.

"Even to see Ayrshire venues nominated is a big boost. The Smokin’ Goat that have a fantastic beer garden as well and would have been just as worthy winners.

"It has done a lot to highlight these amazing venues."

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