Guildford’s Night-Time Economy in the Spotlight at 2026 Best Bar None Awards

Guildford’s Night-Time Economy in the Spotlight at 2026 Best Bar None Awards

GUILDFORD, UK – 29 January 2026 – Experience Guildford officially celebrated the stars of the town’s evening and late-night economy at the annual Best Bar None Awards, held on Tuesday, 28 January, at The Stoke Pub in Guildford.

The ceremony recognized 32 local businesses that successfully achieved accreditation under the nationally recognized Best Bar None scheme. The programme, delivered in partnership with Guildford Borough Council, Surrey Police and Surrey Fire & Rescue, sets the gold standard for responsible management, safety, and customer care in licensed venues.

A major highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Outstanding Contribution to the Late Night Economy award to Jane Lyons. Having served as the Chair of Guildford Pubwatch for over 25 years, Jane was honoured for her tireless dedication to the town’s safety and prosperity. The award was presented by Sophie Jordan from the National Association of Business Crime Partnerships (NABCP), marking a historic milestone for Guildford’s business community.

G Live emerged as the big winner of the night, securing both the Best Entertainment Venue award and the prestigious Overall Winner title. The venue was praised for its exceptional operational standards and contribution to the town’s cultural vibrance. Meanwhile, the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre was celebrated as the Most Improved Venue, reflecting a significant commitment to evolving their safety protocols and enhancing the visitor experience over the past year.

Championing Safety and the Ask for Angela Scheme

Safety remained a key theme throughout the awards. Popworld received the Ask for Angela Award, with judges highlighting the venue’s proactive approach and successful staff interventions to support vulnerable customers.

Pete Lambert, Town Safety & Venue Liaison Manager, said: “I am incredibly proud of the strong sense of community we have built in Guildford this year. Having 32 venues achieve accreditation clearly demonstrates how seriously our businesses take the safety of their customers. Seeing McDonald’s achieve such a high score in the Food on the Go category also shows that professionalism and safety are priorities for all types of businesses, not just those selling alcohol.”

Emma White, Town Safety & Venue Liaison Officer, added: “It has been really encouraging to see the continued dedication from local venues to safer socialising. The energy and professionalism across the town clearly demonstrate the strength of Guildford’s night-time economy.”

2026 Best Bar None Award Winners

• Overall Winner: G Live
• Outstanding Contribution: Jane Lyons (25 years as Chair of Guildford Pubwatch)
• Ask for Angela Award: Popworld
• Most Improved Venue: Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
• Best Entertainment Venue and overall wine: G Live
• Pub National: The George Abbot
• Pub Independent: The Royal Oak
• Bar National: The Long Bar
• Bar Independent: The Guildford Jubilee Club
• Late Night Venue: Alley Bar
• Late Night Large Venue: Rubix
• Restaurant National: The March Hare
• Restaurant Independent: Positano
• Food on the Go: McDonald’s

Community Support and Sponsorship

The success of the evening was made possible through the generous support of local partners. Experience Guildford extends sincere thanks to The Stoke Pub for hosting the event and to The Hogs Back Brewery for sponsoring the drinks, showcasing the very best of Surrey’s local produce.

Accredited Venues 2026: The Stoke; The White House; The Britannia; The Star Inn; BLF Events; Yvonne Arnaud Theatre; Gordo’s; Tortilla; Turtle Bay; Giggling Squid; Zizzi’s; The Townhouse– Coppa Club; The Guildford Tup; Kings Head (Quarry Street); Kings Head (Kings Road); Thirty3Hz; All Bar One; The Rodborough Buildings; Labyrinth; Pop World.