Pubs, clubs, bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues in York are set to be recognised for their commitment to safety and customer care at the inaugural York Best Bar None Awards on 11 June 2026. The new local ceremony follows the city’s recent success on the national stage, where it was named Best New Scheme at the National Best Bar None Awards in London earlier this year.
The local initiative is managed by York BID, which has been running the accreditation programme since July 2024. Currently, 22 local businesses have earned accreditation after meeting rigorous standards set by four qualified assessors. The assessment process examines four key areas: venue management, staff training and care, customer safety and welfare, and the venue’s role within the community.
The programme is backed by a partnership including North Yorkshire Police, British Transport Police, City of York Council, Minster Police, Make It York, and the Mayoral Combined Authority. This collaborative effort helps support the city’s standing as a holder of Purple Flag accreditation, an honour that marks York as one of the safest and best-managed destinations for nighttime socialising in the country.
By celebrating excellence at the upcoming event, organisers hope to further encourage high standards across the city’s nightlife venues. The scheme continues to work with both independent businesses and national chains to ensure that visitors and residents can enjoy a safe and welcoming experience across the city.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
