Leicester’s nightlife took centre stage last night as 53 city centre venues were recognised for excellence, safety, and customer experience at the Best Bar None Awards 2025, and 8 won awards across various categories.
The awards celebrate venues that help make Leicester’s night-time economy one of the most vibrant and well-managed in the country.
Now in its third year, Leicester’s Best Bar None scheme, delivered by BID Leicester in partnership with Leicestershire Police, Leicester City Council Licensing, and Leicester City Watch, forms part of a nationally recognised programme backed by the Home Office. The initiative rewards venues that demonstrate the highest standards in safety, management, and customer care across pubs, bars, restaurants, and late-night entertainment.
2025 Best Bar None Award Winners
- Best Independent Pub / Bar: Queen of Bradgate
Highly Commended: The Rutland and Derby, The Real Ale Classroom
- Best National Pub / Bar: Turtle Bay
Highly Commended: Cosy Club, The High Cross
- Best Late Night Venue: Firebug
Highly Commended: 2Funky, Mosh - Best Live Entertainment Venue: The Y Theatre
Highly Commended: 2Funky, Firebug
- Best Leisure Venue: Genting Casino
Highly Commended: Roxy, Lane7 - Best Restaurant: Sonrisa
Highly Commended: Knight and Garter, Wagamama - Best Scheme Newcomer: The Old Horse
Highly Commended: La Fontana, 33 Cank Street - Standout Growth Award: The Corn Exchange
Highly Commended: Audrey, The Globe
This year’s awards followed a rigorous independent assessment process, with venues judged on their operational standards, staff training, safety procedures and engagement with the city’s hospitality partnerships.
71 unique venues have been accredited across the 3 years since BID Leicester launched the scheme in 2023, and the Leicester scheme has rapidly established itself as one of the UK’s leading examples of Best Bar None in action, helping to build a safer, more collaborative and confident nightlife for everyone.
Simon Jenner, Director of BID Leicester, said: “Leicester’s hospitality industry continues to set exceptional standards across the sector. These 53 accredited venues are not just places to eat, drink and enjoy, they’re examples of how a city can deliver a safe, welcoming and exciting night out for everyone.”
“Best Bar None has become a real badge of pride for venues in Leicester, and we’re thrilled to see so many operators achieving accreditation again this year. Huge congratulations to all the winners and finalists who make our city’s nightlife truly exceptional.”
Here are all of the venues which achieved Best Bar None accreditation this year:
2 Funky Music Cafe, 33 Cank Street, Audrey, Baton Rouge, Bistro Live, Bryter Moon, Cosy Club, Curve, DMU: LVL1, Firebug, Genting Casino, Giggling Squid, Grosvenor Casino, Herb, Knight & Garter, Hogarth’s, Holiday Inn, Kayal, La Fontana, Lane7, Las Iguanas, Little Sister, Middleton’s, Merchant of Venice (Granby Street), Merchant of Venice (Loseby Lane), Mosh, Queen of Bradgate, O2 Academy, O’Neill’s, Roxy Ballroom, Revolution, Riley’s, Sonrisa, The Big Difference, The Bowling Green, The Corn Exchange, The City Rooms, The Globe, The Friary, The Exchange Bar, The High Cross, The Gresham, The Marquis Wellington, The Metal Monocle, The Old Horse, The Real Ale Classroom, The Rutland and Derby, The Y Theatre, Turtle Bay, Veeno, Wagamama, and Watson’s Cocktail Bar.
To find out more about Leicester’s Best Bar None scheme, head to bidleicester.co.uk/bbn