The best-run pubs, bars and entertainment venues offering a great night out in Nottingham city centre have been revealed. Following a two-year absence due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Best Bar None Awards have returned.
The awards fell into eight categories. The honours for Best Small Bar went to 31K in Goose Gate, Hockley. The Best Large Bar winner was OZ Bar in St James's Street.
Fat Cat in Chapel Bar scooped the crown for Best Restaurant, while Rock City, in Talbot Street, was named Best Live Entertainment Venue. The award for Best Small Pub was picked up by Ye Olde Salutation Inn, in Maid Marian Way, and the accolade for Best Large Pub went to The Bierkeller, in Friar Lane.
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Roxy Ball Room, in Thurland Street, took the prize for Best Entertainment Venue. The Level, at Nottingham Trent Students' Union, was named Best Club. Best Bar None, a national initiative supported by the Home Office and drinks industry, aims to improve standards in the evening and night-time economy and highlights efforts to maintain and create safe, responsible and well-operated venues.
In a ceremony at Nottingham's Albert Hall, the awards were staged by Nottingham Business Improvement District (BID), which has been operating the scheme since 2010. This year over 90 establishments within Nottingham city centre were successful in gaining Best Bar None accreditation across the different categories.
Covering national and independent operators, each venue was assessed and judged on criteria including prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and protection of children from harm. For the first time venues were measured on their ability to meet strict criteria to protect women and girls from harm and reduce vulnerability as part of the Safe Space Pledge.
Will Chambers, a director of 31K, said: "We are a cocktail bar and restaurant and are relatively new to the scene - we’ve been in Nottingham for four years, but only open for two of those, with the pandemic, so being here amongst the other accredited venues, is something we’ve worked towards. Even to be shortlisted is a nice thing, it proves to us that we’re doing the right thing in how we operate, it’s really humbling actually.
"We’re really proud of where we work, and who we work with and feel honoured to be part of it. It’s down to the team, they’re amazing people to work alongside. We came out of the pandemic with 14 staff, and now we have 25, so we’ve grown, which we feel very lucky to be able to say. We’re looking forward to the future, to taking over the world but starting with Hockley.”
OZ Bar operations manager, Matin Keshavarz, said: "We’ve been nominated a few times but this is the first time we’ve won which is really, really good, it’s a real shock. The future looks good for us, as a sports bar we’ve got the World Cup coming up, and with Forest in the Premiership, it’s great to see the fans coming in, and spending time with us in high spirits.”
Workers within the industry also had the opportunity to nominate a colleague for the Community Champion award, which was won on the night by Jess Wakefield-Boyd from The Cosy Club, in Victoria Street. Jess was praised for going above and beyond her role, bringing positivity to the job and for always showing patience and respect.
The businesses that gained the highest scores in their Best Bar None assessments were shortlisted as finalists. All of them then received a mystery visit.
The other finalists in the various categories were:
Best Club: Pryzm, Ink, NG-ONE, Popworld
Best Restaurant: Annie’s Burger Shack, Crowne Plaza, Hilton Hotel, Wildwood
Best Live Entertainment Venue: Rescue Rooms, Stealth, Rough Trade
Best Large Pub: Joseph Else, The Roebuck Inn
Best Small Pub: Six Barrels Drafthouse, The Ned Ludd, O'Neills, The New Foresters
Best Large Bar: Revolucion de Cuba, Lloyds No. 1
Best Small Bar: Cock & Hoop, Icon Bar, Mojo, Route One, The Alchemist
Best Entertainment: Alea Casino, Lost City Golf Adventure
Alex Flint, CEO of Nottingham BID, said: “It is a great achievement for all the venues who have worked exceptionally hard, above and beyond the required standards, to ensure a better, safer social environment.
"Not only does Best Bar None acknowledge all the efforts and hard work that venues put into achieving high standards of operation, but it also conveys a positive message that Nottingham is a safe and responsible place for a night out, encouraging more people to visit.”
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