Watch above: This week, 53 businesses in Edmonton were given a special designation. The Best Bar None accreditation is given to establishments that raise the bar when it comes to customer service and safety. Shallima Maharaj has the details.
EDMONTON — The Druid Irish Pub, Schanks Sports Grill, Sherlock Holmes Pub and O’Byrne’s Irish Pub are just a handful of the Edmonton establishments that have been awarded for their commitment to service and safety.
Fifty-three Edmonton bars, clubs, pubs and lounges have received Best Bar None accreditation this year. Best Bar None is a program for liquor-licensed venues that aims to reduce alcohol-related problems by:
- Encouraging nightspots to adopt best practices related to customer safety and responsible levels of alcohol
- Giving nightspots the tools to be better prepared for any violent incidents
- Building positive relationships between the industry, enforcement, agencies, government and community
“Edmonton’s nightlife is an important part of what makes our city a great place to live,” said Mayor Don Iveson. “Best Bar None is an important initiative in ensuring a positive and safe nighttime experience for citizens. I am proud of all the venues that have been recognized by Best Bar None.”
This year’s winners include:
- Bar/Lounge: Schanks Sports Grill
- Hotel/restaurant lounge: The Lion’s Head Pub (Radisson Edmonton South)
- Pub: Sherlock Holmes Pub (Rice Howard Way)
- Large Pub: O’Byrne’s Irish Pub
- Club: The Ranch Roadhouse
- Casino: The gaming centre at Northlands Park Racetrack and Casino
The 5th annual Best Bar None awards were handed out earlier this week. This is the second year in a row O’Bryne’s has received the Best Bar None accreditation.
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“We’re thrilled to take it home, completely honoured and humbled,” O’Bryne’s marketing manager Samantha O’Connell said of taking home the Best Large Pub award.
“Just before the competition … over 200 man-hours go into making sure all of our policies are up to date and all of our practices are in place and everybody is doing their job and everything is in line. And it’s an ongoing process throughout the year,” said O’Connell. “Really, the customer benefits after that and when they come they have a great experience, they feel safe, they feel secure.”
The owner of Edmonton Hospitality Group, which operates The Druid Irish Pub and On The Rocks on Jasper Avenue, says both of his venues have been accredited for the fifth straight year.
“It’s definitely an honour to be a part of that,” said David Wilk. “Once upon a time it was really encouraged within hospitality establishments to push liquor out and you didn’t really worry about the repercussions. Now it’s all about the repercussions. You have to be aware of what you’re doing and how you’re doing it.”
Best Bar None is a partnership between the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission, the City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Police Service, with support from the Alberta Safer Bars Council.
Edmontonians can determine if a venue is Best Bar None accredited by a plaque and door sign, which will be on display at the venue.
For more information on the program, and for a complete list of accredited establishments, visit Best Bar None’s website.
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