Nottingham Best Bar None 2025 – Celebrating the city’s safest and best venues

An evening of celebration took place at Saltbox on Tuesday 9 September 2025, with winners from across the city’s vibrant night-time economy invited on stage to collect their awards.

For those new to Best Bar None, it’s an industry-backed accreditation scheme, supported by the Home Office and the hospitality sector, designed to reward venues that put safety, customer care, and community at the heart of what they do. Simply put, it’s about raising standards and making Nottingham one of the safest and most welcoming city centres in the country to enjoy a night out. In each category, only the very highest-scoring venue wins — one category, one winner, the best of the best.

Since 2010, It’s in Nottingham – the city’s Business Improvement District (BID) – has proudly run the scheme and hosted the annual awards. Working closely with both national chains and independent operators, the BID team assesses venues on efforts to prevent crime and disorder, protect children, enhance public safety, and safeguard women and girls as part of the Safe Space Pledge.

This year, 89 venues across twelve categories earned accreditation, making Nottingham’s Best Bar None scheme the largest in the UK. Venues are assessed on a wide range of criteria, including efforts to prevent crime and disorder, protect children, enhance public safety, and safeguard women and girls as part of the Safe Space Pledge.

2025 Winners

Best Bar None Club – Rock City

Best Bar None Hotel – Crowne Plaza & Park Plaza (Joint Winners)

Best Bar None Independent Bar or Pub – Saltbox

Best Bar None Leisure Venue – Grosvenor Casino

Best Bar None Live Music Venue – The Level

Best Bar None National Bar or Pub – The Roebuck Inn

Best Bar None Restaurant – Son of Steak

Best Bar None Accessible Venue – Rileys Sports Bar

Best Bar None Initiative – Cosy Club

Best Bar None Safe Space Contribution – Broadway Cinema

Best Bar None Scheme Newcomer – The Palais

Outstanding Contribution Award – The Level

Commenting on collecting the award for Best Bar None Live Music Venue and the Outstanding Contribution Award, James Slater from The Level said:

“The awards are always a special moment for Nottingham hospitality to come together and celebrate a year of hard work. We’re proud to have been recognised in two categories this year. Winning Best Bar None Live Music Venue shines a light on the incredible efforts of our teams to deliver outstanding experiences with the highest standards of safety and care.

The Outstanding Contribution award is especially meaningful, reflecting our work on community projects, partnerships, and showcasing Nottingham’s vibrant, diverse nightlife to students and residents alike.

“It’s in Nottingham and the Best Bar None scheme do an amazing job supporting and celebrating operators of all kinds. We always leave inspired - thank you for raising the bar for our city.”

Alex Flint, CEO of It’s in Nottingham, said:

“The Best Bar None Awards are an annual highlight for Nottingham’s night-time economy. They recognise the hard work and dedication venues put into creating safe, welcoming, and vibrant spaces.

“Over 85 city centre leisure and hospitality venues have met and exceeded the Best Bar None standards this year. Visitors can enjoy Nottingham’s pubs, bars, clubs, and hotels with confidence, knowing they’re experiencing the best in customer care, safety, and community.”