Guildford’s Night-Time Economy Shines at 2026 Best Bar None Awards: G Live and Industry Veteran claim Top HonoursGUILDFORD, 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 thatsuccessfully achieved accreditation under the nationally recognized Best BarNone scheme. The programme, delivered in partnership with Guildford BoroughCouncil, Surrey Police, and Surrey Fire & Rescue, sets the gold standardfor responsible management, safety, and customer care in licensed venue
A major highlight of the evening was the presentation of theOutstanding 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 vibrancy.
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.
Safety remains at the heart of the Best Bar None initiative.This year, Popworld was presented with the Ask for Angela Award. The venue was specifically commended for its proactive use of the safety initiative, with staff successfully intervening on several occasions to ensure the protection and well-being of their patrons.
"I am incredibly proud of the strong sense of community we have built in Guildford this year," says Pete Lambert, Town Safety& Venue Liaison Manager. "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."
Overall Winner - G Live
Outstanding Contribution – Jane Lyons 25 Years as Pubwatch Chair
Ask for Angela Award – Popworld
Most Improved Venue – Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
Best Entertainment Venue – 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 Small – Alley Bar
Late Night Venue Large – Rubix
Restaurant Independent – Positano
Restaurant National – The March Hare
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.
Emma White, Town Safety & Venue Liaison Officer: "It has been really encouraging to witness the ongoing dedication from local venues to safer socialising. The energy and professionalism across the town clearly demonstrate the strength of Guildford’s night-time economy."
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; Popworld.
