Best Bar None - the UK's national awards scheme for best practice in the licensed trade

Birmingham City Council, in partnership with West Midlands Police and Fire Service, launched this year’s Best Bar None competition on Tuesday 27th January at the Old Contemptibles, the winner of last year’s “Best City Centre Pub” award.

The scheme encourages social responsibility among licensees by rewarding good management for discouraging binge-drinking and helping prevent alcohol related crime. This year’s awards will be presented at a ceremony, sponsored by Bacardi Brown-Forman, at the International Convention Centre on Thursday, 10th September.

Birmingham pubs, clubs and bars and hotels will be assessed on criteria such as door and security policies, first aid, how they deal with abusive customers and what systems they have in place to deal with alcohol related crime. As well as an overall winner – Best Bar None – there will be winners and finalists in seven categories:-

• best city centre pub
• best city centre bar
• best suburban pub
• best suburban bar
• best nightclub
• best hotel bar
• best independent venue

Those venues achieving accreditation to the will receive a Best Bar None certificate to display in the premises.

Bruce Ray, Director of External Affairs for Bacardi, said: “When Birmingham City Council and its partners approached us last year to be sponsors we were impressed with their commitment and passion towards their city and improving standards within the trade. We look forward to being part of another successful award event in 2009, rewarding those licensees who go &lsquoabove and beyond’ in areas of responsible retailing.”

Jacqui Kennedy, Director of Regulatory Services said: “We were thrilled with the response we received last year. Sixty-six venues were assessed, of which 57 achieved accreditation. The scheme will help to secure the city’s growing reputation for having some of the safest pubs, bars and nightclubs in the country. We’re confident that this year’s scheme will be even bigger and better than last year’s!,

The winners of last year’s awards were:

• Best City Centre Bar: Walkabout, Broad Street
• Best City Centre Pub: Old Contemptibles, Edmund Street
• Best Suburban Bar : Joe’s Bar, Guild of Students, University of Birmingham
• Best Suburban Pub:The Junction, Harborne
• Best Hotel Bar: Holiday Inn, Smallbrook Queensway
• Best Nightclub: Bar Risa, Broad Street
• Judges's Special Award: Three Horseshoes, Stirchley
• Best Bar None: Bar Risa, Broad Street

Licensees wishing to apply should contact: Ann Hyland, Best Bar None Co-ordinator 0121 303 699 on via E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Further information is available on the website: www.birmingham.gov.uk/bestbarnone