The best bars, pubs and restaurants in Leicester named Best Bar None in 2024

Mosh wins Best Late Night Venue.

The Marquis of Wellington and Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews

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 been made possible through support from De Montfort University and Community Safety Partnership.

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."

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 47 venues accredited in 2024, the scheme highlights Leicester’s commitment to creating a safe and enjoyable environment for residents and visitors alike.

Deputy city mayor and chair of the Leicester Community Safety Partnership Cllr Sarah Russell said: "Best Bar None is an important part of our efforts to promote public safety and reduce crime across the city. By working together with licensed venues, we can create a safer and more enjoyable environment for everyone to enjoy Leicester’s nightlife."

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 

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

Highly Commended: Queen of Bradgate

Lane 7 and Suraj Madlani Metro Bank and BID Board member

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 nightlife:

• 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.

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."