Wednesday 13 September: Last night, Heart of London Business Alliance hosted the Best Bar None awards, recognising local venues’ commitment to raising standards in responsible venue management and in turn, reducing crime and anti-social behaviour in the West End.

A glittering night in Lola’s at The Hippodrome Casino celebrated a record number of 23 assessed and accredited businesses (see below for full list), all scoring between 92% and 96% in the award’s accreditation, demonstrating the area’s reputation as a thriving and safe destination. Empire Casino achieved the highest score, securing the coveted Golden Bell.

This initiative, championed by Heart of London and supported by the Home Office, is designed to celebrate the dedication of licensed venues in upholding exceptional industry standards, cultivating safer environments and help customers identify well-run pubs, bars, clubs and other hospitality venues, an important sector in the West End’s economic ecosystem.

Venues are assessed on venue management; staff training and care; customer safety and welfare; and  customer service and contribution to the community. By working closely with Heart of London and by fostering positive relationships between businesses, the Metropolitan Police and Westminster City Council, businesses have achieved high scores by independent auditors.

These awards come after Heart of London published its Evening and Night-time Economy Strategy. A first-of-its-kind for the West End, the strategy sets out an ambitious, integrated, and deliverable plan for the iconic part of London between the hour of 6pm and 6am and supporting licensed venues.

Venues who have achieved their accreditation are:  

• Platinum Lace, 14 Leicester Square 
• All Bar One 
• Blame Gloria 
• Empire Casino 
• London Reign 

• McDonald’s, Leicester Square  
• McDonald’s, Shaftesbury Avenue  
• Moon Under Water 
• Mr Fogg’s 
• O’Neill’s 
• Piano Works 
• Ruby Blue 
• St Martin’s Lane Hotel; Blind Spot 
• Tabu 
• The Alchemist 
• The Hippodrome Casino 
• The Rialto Casino; Backstage Bar 
• The White Swan 
• Tiger Tiger 
• W Hotel; The Perception Bar 
• Waxy O’Connor’s 
• Waxy’s Little Sister 
• Zoo Bar 

Ros Morgan, Chief Executive, Heart of London Business Alliance, said: “Best Bar None is a fantastic initiative to celebrate venues across the West End who are an exemplar in responsible venue management. This year we have had a record number of accredited businesses, which demonstrates the reputation of the West End as a thriving and safe destination. As a representative of hundreds of businesses across the West End, we’re delighted to play our part in recognising and celebrating best practice across the hospitality sector.”