An Alberta initiative that aims to ensure the province’s drinking establishments are safe and welcoming to patrons named its top 10 Edmonton bars Tuesday night.
Best Bar None, a partnership between the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC), the City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Police Service, first started in Alberta’s capital in 2010.
READ MORE: Edmonton bars brace for assessments by accreditation program Best Bar None
According to the coordinators, 79 “bars, clubs, pubs and restaurants” earned their Best Bar None accreditation this year for their commitment to “high service and safety standards.” However, 10 establishments went above and beyond according to Best Bar None and were named winners in their respective categories. The 2016 Best Bar None winners are:
- Bar/Lounge: OTR Kitchen + Drink
- Hotel Bar: The Lion’s Head Pub – Radisson Edmonton South
- Restaurant and Bar-Independent: Teddy’s Palace
- Restaurant and Bar – Chain: Boston Pizza Lounge (Mill Woods)
- Small Pub: Kelly’s Pub
- Pub: Hudson Canada’s Pub (Whyte Avenue)
- Large Pub: O’Byrne’s Irish Pub
- Club: The Ranch Roadhouse
- Campus: The Nest Taphouse Grill (NAIT)
- Casino: The Casino at Northlands Park Racetrack and Casino
“Thank you to these establishments who have put the safety of their patrons at the top of their priority list,” Mayor Don Iveson said in a statement Tuesday night. “Their commitment to excellence contributes to a safe and vibrant nightlife for Edmontonians as well as a strong local economy.”
The Best Bar None strives to reduce alcohol-related issues and by “encouraging nightspots to adopt best practices related to customer safety and responsible levels of alcohol.”
Watch below: On Nov. 12, 2016, Julia Wong filed this report about 75 Edmonton drinking establishments being evaluated on their best practices.
“Over the past seven years, we’ve seen continued growth of this program through the collaborative efforts of industry and our partners, the City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Police Service, who are helping to address alcohol-related harms and promote responsible consumption,” Bill Robinson, president and CEO of the AGLC, said in a statement.
The program also tries to foster improved relationships between the hospitality industry, police, government and the community.
“In general, bars that adhere to industry best practices are the ones police are called to less often,” Darlene Savoie, Acting Deputy Chief with the Edmonton Police Service, said in a statement. “The increase in the number of accredited vendors is testament to the reputation of the Best Bar None program, and we’re more confident than ever that it helps reduce crime in and around those premises.”
Patrons can tell if a venue is Best Bar None accredited because they should have a plaque and door signage on display within the establishment.