FOR many, it's more homely than their own living room. Always a warm welcome, good food and drink, top music, plus the sport's always on the telly...
But is your local good enough to be crowned Scotland's Pub of the Year?
Your barmaid doesn't have to be as famous as the ones on our cover - EastEnders' Peggy, Mel and Tiffany, Coronation Street's Bet, Geena and new barmaid Shelley, or Emmerdale's Tricia - all they need to have is your vote.
The Sunday Mail has joined forces with trade mag The DRAM to find the best boozer in the land.
Our pub trawl will take in all corners of Scotland and the winner will pick up the prestigious title at a classy awards ceremony in July.
The Sunday Mail's team of pub spies will be out in force, but we need your help to draw up the definitive list of the best bars in Scotland.
Just tell us why you think your favourite pub should win. It could be because its food would rival Betty's hotpot in Coronation Street or that the bar staff pour a better pint than Bet Lynch.
Or maybe the landlord and landlady are more entertaining than Den and Angie were in EastEnders. Whatever the reason, we want to know about it.
Our staff know a thing or two about pubs, but for a true expert opinion we've drafted in Susan Young, publisher of The DRAM and author of the book, Scotland's Best Bars. Today, Susan names 40 of her favourite bars.
She has visited more than 400 pubs in her quest to find the perfect place to have a pint and has strong ideas about what she is looking for.
Her criteria for the best boozer include:
High standard of service
Great atmosphere
Friendly and efficient staff
An excellent selection of beers, spirits and wine at reasonable prices
Tasty snacks and great pub grub
Clean and tidy interiors
Susan said: 'I am delighted the Sunday Mail is backing the search for the best pub in Scotland. I have visited many and there are a great number of fabulous ones out there.
'The Sunday Mail Pub of the Year Award is the accolade every pub owner in the country wants to win and I'm delighted Sunday Mail readers are getting the chance to nominate their favourite pub. Good pubs come in all shapes and sizes and are located all over the place, but they have some common elements such as a welcoming atmosphere and good staff.
'These awards seek to reward bars, pubs, hotels and restaurants that have excelled throughout the year.
'I don't know anyone who doesn't have a favourite place they like to go... and now they have a chance to see if their favourite pub stacks up against the best in Scotland.'
The first 100 people to enter Pub of the Year will be given a free copy of Susan's book, Scotland's Best Bars.
Susan added: 'I've been writing about pubs, clubs and bars for seven years and felt we needed one detailing Scottish pubs.
'The great thing about Scotland is that pub culture is alive and kicking and I am delighted to be able to show you some of the best places to have a drink.
'My list is not a definitive guide, merely a collection of some of the best in Scotland. I look for service and atmosphere, followed by a degree of cleanliness. Some are renowned for their beer and some for atmosphere.
'But every one I've featured I've visited personally and I hope you will, too.'
We launched our Pub of the Week series last October and every bar featured so far will be entered into the Pub of the Year competition.
Our pubs of the week have been: West of the Moon, Ayr; The Mallard, Dingwall; The Old Aberlady Inn, Aberlady; Fox and Hounds, Horseshoe Bar, Houston; Oban Inn, Oban; World's End, Edinburgh; Auld Cross Keys Inn, Denholm; Deacon Brodie, Dundee; The Loft, Troon; Blackfriars, Inverness; The Champion Shell Inn, Stevenston; Drouthy Neebors, Stirling; Drovers Inn, East Linton; Gold Hotel, Crail; Old Chain Pier, Edinburgh; Wheatsheaf Inn, Symington; Allanton Inn, Allanton; Bridge House Hotel, Ardrishaig; The Burnbrae, Bearsden; Sullivan's Bar, Saltcoats; Clyde Tavern, Auchtermuchty; Athenaeum, Aberdeen; Cottier's, Glasgow; Tannahill Bar, Paisley; Kilberry Inn, Kilberry, Argyll; The Garvel Point, Greenock; The Salt Cot, Saltcoats; and Flannigan's Cafe Bar, Largs.
But even if your favourite has been mentioned, please still fill in the entry form on the right because the more we know about every pub the better.
Alongside the Pub of the Year award sponsored by the Sunday Mail, other categories in the licensed trade competition are: Bell's Community Pub of the Year, Carlsberg Award for Customer Service, Coors Light Nightclub of the Year, Cuervo Style Bar of the Year, ic scotland Hotel of the Year, The Famous Grouse Manager of the Year, The Macallan Whisky Bar of the Year, McEwan's SPA Successful Progress Award, Morgan's Spiced Gold Bar Personality and Repertoire New Restaurant of the Year.
THE GRANARY
14-16 Kilmarnock Road, Glasgow
Tel: 0141 632 8487
A real southside institution, where you may spot the odd celebrity.
What to look out for
The life-sized stuffed ostrich and the draught beer and lager pitcher deals on Sundays.
TORMAUKIN HOTEL
Glendevon, near Gleneagles
Tel: 01259 781295
A haven for hungry hillwalkers and locals, who flock to enjoy the excellent dining.
What to look out for
Wine and whisky tastings, jazz evenings, quiz nights, pub grub and a la carte food.
ALL BAR ONE
62-72 St Vincent Street, Glasgow
Tel: 0141 229 6060
Massive, glass-fronted bar, ideal for meeting a crowd and popular with office groups. What to look out for
Champagne by the glass, friendly, helpful staff, the queue on a Friday night.
THE CAIRN
Main Road, Carrbridge, Inverness-shire
Tel: 01479 841212
An excellent local, popular with skiers and tourists. Fairly jumpin' at weekends.
What to look out for
A warm welcome, The Carrbridge Music Festival and chatty bar staff.
PARAMOUNT
21 Bon Accord Street, Aberdeen
Tel: 01224 590500
A talking point when it first opened, for the TVs in the loos, and still a trendy haunt.
What to look out for
Cheap drinks for the girls on Thursdays, good-value food and the pre-club buzz.
LISMORE
206 Dumbarton Road, Glasgow
Tel: 0141 576 0103
Public bar is never empty, as customers relax with their pints and a newspaper.
What to look out for
The stained glass windows, the characters propping up the bar and the live music.
THE FISHERMAN'S TAVERN
10 -14 Fort Street, Broughty Ferry
Tel: 01382 775941
This pub is a real local, fitted with original ships' tables. Renowned for its beer.
What to look out for
Its range of real ale, the chatty staff, regulars with a tale or two and the food - lots of it.
RAB HA'S
80 Hutcheson Street, Glasgow
Tel: 0141 572 0400
Cosy, traditional bar, with a roaring fire. Full of chat that's well worth eavesdropping on.
What to look out for
The roaring fire, leaflets about what's on in Glasgow and a wide range of customers.
SCOTIA BAR
112 Stockwell Street, Glasgow
Tel: 0141 552 8681
One of the city's most famous pubs, a haunt of musicians, artists and comedians.
What to look out for
Traditional Scottish entertainment, great banter and the snooker hall upstairs.
ESTAMINET
Littlejohn Street, Aberdeen
Tel: 01224 622657
Housed in the former anatomy building of Aberdeen University. Bright and airy.
What to look out for
The bongo and saxophone sessions, lively DJs and the tempting snack menu.
CAFe ROYAL
17/19 West Register Street, Edinburgh
Tel: 0131 556 1884
Two bars - the Circle Bar and the Bistro Bar next door which is a haunt of rugby types and a must during rugby internationals.
What to look out for
The striking architecture in the Circle Bar and rugby memorabilia in the Bistro.
THE BEN NEVIS
1147 Argyle Street, Glasgow
Tel: 0141 576 5204
A mix of modern and traditional Scottish, a city centre pub with the attributes of a local.
What to look out for
Scottish folk music, the 'stork's nest' log fire, friendly staff and lot of whiskies.
OXYGEN
2-5 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh
Tel: 0131 557 9997
Light, airy and comfortable. Won the Cuervo Gold Style Bar of the Year 2000.
What to look out for
Fabulous Sunday brunch - the perfect hangover cure, I'm told.
NEO
9 Queen's Road, Aberdeen
Tel: 01224 208494
Popular with mums, who pop in for morning coffee, and a trendy crowd at nights.
What to look out for
An extensive menu, outdoor dining in summer and big plasma TV screens.
THE HORSESHOE
17-21 Drury Street, Glasgow
Tel: 0141 229 5711
The longest continuous bar in the UK - and one of the most successful. Very traditional.
What to look out for
The karaoke, and the gold, silver and platinum discs of Travis, who rehearsed here.
FOX & HOUNDS
South Street, Houston
Tel: 01505 612448
A family-run pub which brews its own beer and hosts beer festivals in the car park.
What to look out for
Award-winning own brew St Peter's Well, renowned food and cosy atmosphere.
THE PARK BAR
1202 Argyle Street, Glasgow
Tel: 0141 339 1715
Busy Heilan' bar. Regulars come from as far as Lewis - every weekend - but non-teuchters are also very welcome.
What to look out for
CDs recorded live in the bar, big screen for the football and cheap, but hearty, lunches.
THE DOME
14 George Street, Edinburgh
Tel: 0131 624 8624
Domed main bar, with a more intimate Cocktail Bar and superb beer garden.
What to look out for
The imperious glass-domed interior, a good cocktail list and posh nosh
BANNERMAN'S
212 Cowgate, Edinburgh
Tel: 0131 556 3254
Student haunt that's so dark you can't help but wonder what everyone is getting up to.
What to look out for
The dripping candles, people watching, two-for-one offers and the snooker room.
THE TARTAN ARMS
Main Street, Bannockburn
Tel: 01786 812056.
Won Bell's Community Pub of the Year 2000. Boasts snooker, a disco and cabaret.
What to look out for
The warm welcome, huge entertainment area and fabulous weekend atmosphere.
GUILDFORD ARMS
1 West Register Street, Edinburgh
Tel: 0131 556 4312
Predominantly a male domain, the sort of place where men could nurse a pint all day.
What to look out for
Its range of cask beers, a wide variety of malt whiskies and good-value lunches.
THE MISHNISH
Main Street, Tobermory, Mull
Tel: 01688 3020098
Known the world over to sailors and visitors to the island as a welcoming, friendly pub.
What to look out for
A game of pool with locals, the lively entertainment at weekends and filling pub grub.
THE CORINTHIAN
191 Ingram Street, Glasgow
Tel: 0141 552 1101
A restaurant, nightclub and private members' bar - and a real mix of customers.
What to look out for
Stunning architecture, people-watching, The Piano Bar - when the pianist's in.
INDIGO YARD
7 Charlotte Lane, Edinburgh
Tel: 0131 220 5603
Mellow surroundings, quite a haunt for the young, and not-so-young, free and single.
What to look out for
A yummy, frequently-changing menu, tasty cocktails and the beautiful bar staff.
THE OLD MILL INN
4-6 Balfron Road, Killearn
Tel: 01360 550068
A pub with a beer garden, gift shop and baby shop, too - very popular on Sundays. What to look out for
The welcoming atmosphere, regular entertainment, parties and summer barbecues.
FRANKENSTEIN'S
401-405 Union Street, Aberdeen
Tel: 01224 626720
Features Frankenstein memorabilia and spooky music in the toilets. Good, fun pub.
What to look out for
Frankenstein - he drops in, literally. Good, reasonable food and the weekend parties.
IGUANA
41 Lothian Street, Edinburgh
Tel: 0131 220 4288
Has its own magazine to tell regulars what's happening in the chilled-out tropical bar.
What to look out for
The chilled atmosphere, all-day breakfasts and an extensive list of cocktails.
CONNELLY'S BAR
23 Nicolson Street, Greenock
Tel: 01475 888972
Rustic and earthy, but the party kicks off big time at nights, with great music and DJs. What to look out for
Live music and disco most nights of the week and their legendary Steak Sandwich.
RICK'S
55a Frederick Street, Edinburgh
Tel: 0131 622 7800
Has one of the best cocktail lists in town and the bar staff really know how to make them.
What to look out for
Raspberry Martinis, the posh menu, featuring lobster, and all the beautiful people.
MA' CAMERON'S INN
Little Belmont Street, Aberdeen
Tel: 01224 644487
The oldest pub in the city. Traditional snug packed with regulars, plus a modern area.
What to look out for
The atmosphere and people saying: 'I've been to the oldest pub in Aberdeen.'
THE CLACHNAHARRY INN
17 Clachnaharry Road, Inverness
Tel: 01463 239806
People come from miles around to enjoy the ale and the view from the lounge bar.
What to look out for
Ales commended by CAMRA, a pint on the old station platform and range of whiskies.
BAR SIRIUS
Dock Place, Leith, Edinburgh
Tel: 0131 555 3344
Busy, revamped bar, full of lush greenery. Laidback evening atmosphere.
What to look out for
The food - very tasty - the live music and DJs and a good range of cocktails.
JINTY McGINTY'S
23-29 Ashton Lane, Glasgow
Tel: 0141 339 0747
A real Irish bar that's jumpin' most nights. Great Guinness and good craic guaranteed. Serves traditional Irish fare.
What to look out for
The chance to chat away to strangers, and outside drinking in fine weather.
THE DORIC TAVERN
15-17 Market Street, Edinburgh
Tel: 0131 225 1084.
A long-time media haunt, with an excellent menu at around pounds 20 for three courses.
What to look out for
The bar snacks, including stovies, and the paintings on sale.
AZZURRO
The Academy, Schoolhill, Aberdeen
Tel: 01224 640900
Situated on top of a shopping centre, its roof terrace is a real hit on sunny days.
What to look out for
The cheap and tasty food, DJs most weekends and the resident jazz/funk band.
SEAMUS' BAR
Sligachan Hotel, Sligachan, Skye
Tel: 01478 650204
A haven for hillwalkers, popular summer and winter, with a September beer festival.
What to look out for
The spectacular view, good cask ales, regular entertainment and 80 malts on optic.
SIMPSON'S
59 Queens Road, Aberdeen
Tel: 01224 327777
All palm trees and tall columns, it's very popular with Aberdeen's style crew. The terrific restaurant is something else.
What to look out for
The sweeping staircase, the sun terrace, the colonial feel and spaciousness.
CUBA NORTe
192 Morrison Street, Edinburgh
Tel: 0131 221 1430
Learn salsa or merengue in this lively bar, or just watch others strut their stuff.
What to look out for
A healthy collection of cigars, the party atmosphere and tasty, Cuban-style food.
THE ILLICIT STILL
Nether Kirkgate, Aberdeen
Tel: 01224 623123
Traditional, but modern. If you have good arm muscles look out for the two-pint mug.
What to look out for
The literary quotes on the bar mirrors, the candle sculpture and weekend DJs.
BLACKFRIARS
Bell Street, Glasgow
Tel: 0141 552 5924
Still one of the most popular pubs in the area. Great range of real ales and whisky.
What to look out for
The comedy club downstairs, live music at the weekends and the caricatures.
HERE is your chance to vote for Scotland's best pub. Size is not an issue, but atmosphere is.
We're looking for great pubs that have:
A welcoming atmosphere
Friendly and efficient staff
Excellent selection of beers, spirits and wine at reasonable prices
Tasty snacks or great pub grub
Clean and tidy interiors
High standard of service
If you think your local fits the bill, then fill out the entry form below and send it to: Sunday Mail Pub of The Year, Marketing Dept, Sunday Mail, One Central Quay, Glasgow, G3 8DA. Closing date for entries is Monday, May 21.
