Alhambra, Napoleons, Ginger Goose and more scoop awards

The Best Bar None Awards are now in their second year in Bradford.

The Ginger Goose won the Best Pub and the People's Choice - Venue awards. (Image: Kiran Mehta – KM Images LTD)

The event recognised the contributions of bars, pubs, businesses, and nightlife venues to the city's social economy as well as a commitment to customer safety and satisfaction.

Organised by Bradford at Night, the awards showcased the efforts of businesses that go above and beyond to provide memorable experiences while prioritizing customer welfare.

Napoleans Casino won the Best Last Night Venue and Overall Winner awards. (Image: Kiran Mehta – KM Images LTD)

Each year, a panel of independent judges - including Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime Alison Lowe - meticulously evaluate venues achieving accreditation based on various criteria including responsible alcohol service, staff training, cleanliness, and overall customer experience.

The awards not only celebrate excellence but also act as a catalyst for continuous improvement within the industry.

The Midland Hotel won the Best Hotel awards. (Image: Kiran Mehta – KM Images LTD)

The 2024 Best Bar None Award winners were:

• Best Pub: Ginger Goose

• Best Bar: The Brass Owl, North Parade

• Best Late Night Venue: Napoleons Casino

• Best Live Music/Performance Venue: Alhambra Theatre

• People’s Choice - Venue: Ginger Goose

• People’s Choice - Team Member: Tierney Devanney

• The Stephanie Sexton Award (Operational Excellence): Nightrain

• Best Hotel: Midland Hotel

• Community Award: The Light Cinema

• Best Independent Venue: University of Bradford

• Best Chain: Turls Green, Wetherspoons

• Outstanding Contribution Award: Mits Mistry and Adam Wright

• Overall Winner: Napoleons Casino

The Alhambra Theatre won the Best Live Music / Performance Venue award. (Image: Kiran Mehta - KM Images LTD)

Alison Lowe OBE said: “Congratulations to all the night’s winners for their amazing efforts in making Bradford a safe, vibrant, and welcoming place.

"The Best Bar None awards are a fantastic opportunity both to celebrate the improvements made by our venues while also highlighting important initiatives such as Ask for Angela and safety apps.

The Brass Owl on North Parade won the Best Bar Award. (Image: Kiran Mehta - KM Images LTD)

"I’m pleased to support Bradford At Night’s excellent partnership approach to improving the city’s night-time economy as two of our top priorities remain the safety of women and girls and reducing serious violence."

As well as individual establishments, the Best Bar None Awards set the tone for Bradford at Night's managing director to unveil its new strategy -  ‘Improve, Inspire, and Innovation’ - to more than 200 guests.

Wetherspoons pub The Turls Green won the Best Chain Award. (Image: Kiran Mefta - KM Images LTD)

The new strategy will lead the organisation out of Covid recovery and into an ethos focusing on support and guidance for members in its network.

Elizabeth Murphy, managing director of Bradford At Night, said: “We’re proudly fostering an ethos of community engagement and collaboration among businesses, local authorities, and residents.

Elizabeth Murphy, managing director of Bradford At Night. (Image: Kiran Mehta - KM Images LTD)

"By promoting responsible trading and safer nightlife environments, participating venues contribute to the well-being and enjoyment of patrons citywide.

"The Best Bar None Awards highlight the exceptional standards upheld by our hospitality sector.

The University of Bradford won the Best Independent Award. (Image: Kiran Mehta - KM Images LTD)

"We commend all nominees for their dedication to providing enjoyable experiences while prioritizing customer safety.

"As we celebrate excellence tonight, we also reaffirm our commitment to fostering a culture of responsibility and inclusivity within our nightlife community."

Nightrain won the Stephanie Sexton Award. (Image: Kiran Mehta - KM Images LTD)

The evening included the first Stephanie Sexton Award for Operational Excellence.

Director Tom Walling gave a touching tribute to Stephanie - a founding member of the organisation who passed away last year.

Bradford At Night director Tom Walling speaks at the Best Bar None Awards. (Image: Kiran Mehta - KM Images LTD)

Mr Walling said: “Such hard work has been put in this year, and despite negative perceptions, we’re continuing the path that our members have helped create.

"While the Best Bar None awards showcase commitment across the city, the Stephanie Sexton award not only harnesses the spirit we want to see in our network, but also acts as a catalyst for others to strive for excellence in the name of somebody who did so every day.

The People's Choice Awards winners at the Best Bar None Awards. (Image: Kiran Mehta - KM Images LTD)

"Not only has the Bradford at Night Network grown, but those completing accreditation increased from 15 in 2023 to over 23 in 2024. We'd like to encourage more venues to join in - such as hotels, theatres and restaurants - next year.”

A spokesperson for Best Bar winner The Brass Owl, on North Parade, said: “We are absolutely over the moon to have won Best Bar at Thursday’s Best Bar None awards.

"Since opening at the end of July, we’ve absolutely had the time of our lives, growing our team with some of the best humans we could find, working amongst our mates, and some of the best neighbours you could ask for, not to mention the most amazing customers ever.”