- 50 city centre venues have been accredited as part of the Best Bar None scheme, recognising their commitment to creating safe and vibrant spaces for Leicester’s nightlife.
- Seven venues were crowned winners across various categories, with the Cosy Club and the Rutland & Derby earning wins for two consecutive years.
The best of Leicester’s pubs, clubs, restaurants and venues have been celebrated at this year’s Best Bar None Awards, recognising their exceptional commitment to customer safety and high operating standards. The awards, organised by BID Leicester in partnership with Leicestershire Police, Leicester City Council Licensing, and Leicester City Watch, honour venues that excel in creating a safe and vibrant nightlife. The project has ben made possible through support from De Montfort University and Community Safety Partnership.
The scheme accredits venues based on stringent criteria, including safety procedures, staff training, and promoting a welcoming atmosphere, recognising venues that demonstrate the highest standards of safety, customer care, and community engagement. With 50 venues accredited in 2024, the scheme highlights Leicester’s commitment to creating a safe and enjoyable environment for residents and visitors alike.
The awards also highlighted repeat successes, with the Rutland and Derby and Cosy Club winning in their respective categories for the second year in a row. These achievements underscore the consistent dedication of these venues to excellence.
Among the accredited venues, seven stood out as category winners, earning coveted Best Bar None awards:
Best Live Entertainment Venue:
Winner: 2Funky Complex
Highly Commended: Firebug
Best Late Night Venue:
Winner: Mosh
Highly Commended: Platinum Lace
Best National Pub/Bar:
Winner: Cosy Club (winner for the second year running)
Highly Commended: The Corn Exchange
Best Scheme Newcomer:
Winner: The Marquis of Wellington
Highly Commended: Tonne
Best Leisure Venue:
Winner: Lane7 Leicester
Highly Commended: Grosvenor Casino
Best Restaurant:
Winner: Sonrisa
Highly Commended: Knight and Garter
Best Independent Pub/Bar:
Winner: The Rutland and Derby (winner for the second year running)
Highly Commended: Queen of Bradgate
A total of 50 venues achieved Best Bar None accreditation, reflecting their commitment to high standards:
- 1573 Bar and Grill
- 2Funky Complex
- Audrey
- Bistro Live
- Bodega
- Caddyshackers
- Cosy Club
- Curve
- East Street Lanes
- Firebug
- Genting Casino
- Grosvenor Casino
- Herb
- High Cross
- Hogarths
- Holiday Inn
- Kayal
- Knight and Garter
- Lane7 Leicester
- Merchant Of Venice (Granby Street)
- Merchant Of Venice (Loseby Lane)
- Middletons
- Mosh
- O’Neill’s
- Phoenix
- Platinum Lace
- Prana
- Queen of Bradgate
- Revolution
- Riley’s Leicester
- Sixes Social Cricket
- Sonrisa
- Roxy Ballroom
- The Basement
- The Big Difference
- The City Rooms
- The Corn Exchange
- The Exchange Bar
- The Gadabout
- The Globe
- The Gresham
- The Marquis of Wellington
- The Metal Monocle
- The Real Ale Classroom
- The Rutland and Derby
- The Y Theatre
- Tonne
- Turtle Bay
- Veeno
- Watsons Cocktail Bar
The Best Bar None scheme provides a wide range of benefits for people enjoying Leicester’s night life:
- Enhanced safety: Accredited venues undergo rigorous assessments to ensure a secure and welcoming environment.
- Improved customer experience: Training and benchmarking help venues deliver consistent, high-quality service.
- Community trust: The scheme builds trust among residents and visitors, reinforcing Leicester as a destination for safe and enjoyable nightlife.
Simon Jenner, Director at BID Leicester, said: “The Best Bar None scheme isn’t just about celebrating excellence, it’s about raising the bar for everyone. By participating, venues demonstrate their dedication to safety, quality, and customer care, which ultimately benefits the entire community.”
Sarah Thomson from De Montfort University (DMU) added: “At DMU, we’re proud to work alongside initiatives like Best Bar None that foster a safe and inclusive environment for our students and the wider community. This programme demonstrates the power of collaboration in creating a thriving city centre where everyone feels welcome and secure.”