Best Bar None Awards: Winners include The Frog & Parrot, Forum Kitchen and Bar and Corporation

Forum Kitchen & Bar collecting the award for Best Bar/Late Bar, photography provided by Edit Sheffield

Tuesday 25th February saw 11 Sheffield-based pubs, clubs and bars win a range of awards across 15 categories. Best Bar None Sheffield is led by Sheffield Business Improvement District, along with Sheffield Council and South Yorkshire Police. The project acknowledges responsible, safe, and higher licensing standards in entertainment venues.

Diane Jarvis, Head of Business Operations at Sheffield BID, said: “A thriving night time economy which is going to attract people into the city centre requires a partnership approach to maintaining a safe, welcoming environment. Best Bar None Sheffield is the jewel in the crown of that work. I'd like to congratulate all our award winners but also all the businesses which took part in Best Bar None Sheffield this year.”

Sheffield’s project won the “best overall scheme in England and Wales” title. After a four-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Sheffield awards are back. Diane added: “There's a lot we can do to develop Best Bar None Sheffield to get more businesses involved and make Sheffield a showcase for the national scheme. We'd like to encourage more venues to join in - such as hotels, theatres and restaurants - next year.”

Sheffield residents will recognise a lot of familiar names in the winners list, which includes The Frog & Parrot (best pub), Forum Kitchen and Bar (best bar/late bar) and Corporation (best nightclub). Nick Simmonite, manager of “best pub” and “best chain” winner The Frog & Parrot, said: "It was fantastic to see Best Bar None Sheffield return. There has been a lot of hard work behind the scenes, and across different organisations, to make this happen.”

Nick is also chairman of the not-for-profit organisation UNIGHT Sheffield. He added: “By working together at both a premises and city-wide level, we can improve both the safety of nightlife for customers and the night-time economy which is so vital to Sheffield's prosperity."

With around 200 licensed venues, Sheffield nightlife and many of these bars are staples of the city and particularly beloved by Sheffield’s large student population. Councillor Joe Otten, Chairman of the Waste and Street Scene Committee at Sheffield Council, said: “Sheffield’s night-time economy sector employs thousands of people and welcomes thousands more each year.

“Best Bar None gives visitors the confidence that venues are following best practices. Our recent reaccreditation for a Purple Flag for the 12th year running, an award given to town and city centres that surpass standards of excellence in managing the evening and night-time economy, highlights the excellent partnership working taking place in Sheffield. Last night’s awards are a fitting thank you to everyone who works so hard to make a night out in Sheffield positive and safe.” 

The awards ceremony also saw winners of several categories voted for by the public. These include: The Benjamin Huntsman (People’s Choice, best pub), Tiger Works (People’s Choice, best bar/late bar) and Tank People’s Choice, best nightclub).

For more information and to view the full list of Best Bar None Sheffield awards’ winners for 2023-2024, click here. Sheffield venues which would like more information on the next Best Bar None Sheffield scheme for 2024/25 can email enquiries@sheffieldbid.com.