The Boolers is county’s favourite pub bar none
Whether you’re a drinker or not, the heart of a community is quite often the pub.
And Drongan’s The Boolers is just that after winning our Ayrshirewide Pub of the Year award.
The Millmannoch Avenue boozer came out on top when the votes were counted - with Ayr’s Smugglers coming second and the Alton Inn in Kilwinning bagging third.
Thousands of votes were cast, highlighting the importance of a good local to our readers and communities. The staff at the The Boolers were presented with their award at the weekend .
Manager Ryan McCubbin has hailed his “wee pub’s” victory a massive underdog story.
Ryan, 26, took over The Boolers three years ago when the place was set to be demolished - now people are travelling from all over Ayrshire and beyond to visit the boozer.
He declared : “I can’t believe we won it. What a buzz, it’s an underdog story; a wee pub in Drongan beating big pubs in Kilmarnock and Ayr I am over the moon and it’s my proudest achievement taking this pub from where it was to winning an award .”
Ryan was just 23 when he took over the place -but being a local lad, he knew how important it was to get a community boozer in place.
With countless functions held almost weekly, there is plenty to do for The Boolers’ punters.
He added: “I’m a local guy, I grew up here, there was nothing in Drongan. When I grew up this place had been shut since 2013, another pub shut when I was 18. I think The Boolers changed the village in some ways, a lot of people say that. There are kids’ parties, all kinds of functions, it gives a place for people to be proud of. A community pub is the heart of a place like this, but I didn’t expect this.”
Ayrshire Live Digital Editor Ross Dunn said: “I would like to congratulate The Boolers on winning our Pub of the Year 2022 competition. I commend all of the finalists who were shortlisted for the award.
“Finally, a huge thanks goes to you, our loyal readers, for voting for your favourite pub and supporting this competition.”