Coventry’s bars, pubs and clubs have celebrated achieving a leading industry standards accreditation, with Mister Shenanigans and Dhillon’s Brewery taking home the top honours at an annual awards ceremony.

More than 100 representatives from across the city’s hospitality sector attended the Best Bar None 2026 awards at Drapers Hall in the city centre.

The awards followed a landmark year for Coventry, with the city recently achieving prestigious Purple Flag status that recognises the city as a safe, vibrant and well-managed destination after dark.

Best Bar None is an accreditation scheme supported by the Home Office and drinks industry that aims to improve standards in licensed premises. It highlights to customers that a venue excels in safety, training, management and customer experience.

It is a partnership in the city between Coventry Business Improvement District (BID), West Midlands Police and Coventry City Council.

A total of 16 venues were accredited on the night, including 147 Nightclub, Club Heat, City Arms, Dhillon’s Brewery, Elles, The Flying Standard, The Earl of Mercia, Mister Shenanigans, Slug & Lettuce, Turtle Bay, Phoenix, Boom Battle Bar, Las Iguanas, The Yard, Genting Casino and Putt Putt Social.

There were also special prizes on the night, with Mister Shenanigans named City Centre Overall Winner and Dhillon’s Brewery taking home the title of Neighbourhood Overall Winner.

The night saw a range of category awards presented to recognise excellence in specific areas. The Flying Standard received the Safety & Security award, Las Iguanas was recognised for preventing Public Nuisance and Genting Casino was awarded Gambling Venue of the Year.

Putt Putt Social took home the award for Staff Training & Care, 147 Nightclub was recognised for Customer Safety & Welfare and The Yard received the Customer Experience & Community award. Slug & Lettuce and Elle’s were named Best Newcomers in the city centre and neighbourhood categories respectively, while Mister Shenanigans also received the Most Improved Venue award.

The night also saw recognition from the National Pubwatch for Rob Jones, who received a special award for his work as a doorman in the city.

Coventry BID’s street patrol team and taxi marshals were also honoured for their continued efforts to help keep people safe and support visitors to get home safely on nights out.

Joanne Glover, Chief Executive of Coventry BID, said: “This year was a huge year for Coventry as we achieved Purple Flag.

“Every venue in the room at the awards had a huge part to play in that and there aren’t many towns and cities across the world that have it.

“We’ve continued to strengthen key safety initiatives across the city, including the relaunch of Ask for Angela, with all of the venues signing the pledge on the night.

“Thank you to all of the operators and venues, their commitment to high standards within the industry and creating great experiences is what makes Coventry’s night-time economy what it is.”

The ceremony also featured speeches from Dal Dhillon on behalf of Pubwatch, Chief Inspector Michael Clark from West Midlands Police and the Lord Mayor of Coventry, Councillor Rachel Lancaster.

Gordy Mazvihwa, Director of Operations at Dhillon’s Brewery, added: “The Best Bar None Awards are integral to Coventry’s Night Life Economy.

“It is wonderful to see all of Coventry’s operators in one room celebrating each other and
raising a glass to the high standards and vibrant nightlife that Coventry has to offer.”