PLYMOUTH VENUES WIN IN BEST BAR NONE AWARDS
The best Plymouth’s pubs and clubs have been announced at the city’s second Best Bar None Awards held last week. Top prize went to Varsity, located at Derry’s Cross, who also won the Best Late Night Venue category. Manager Tracey Hosker said she was “over the moon” at the double triumph. “I’ve been there five years and this is the best thing that has happened to me,” she said, paying tribute to her team – seven door staff, 10 bar staff, three assistant managers and a DJ – and said: “We try to do the best we can. It’s a proper team effort.”
Overall, 15 venues in the city had been considered but Varsity (which will represent Plymouth at the national final next year), had been the one outstanding and shining award winner. Other awards went to Oceana, named Best Student Venue for the second time, and Crownhill’s The Tamar, which won for Best Community Pub run by a national chain. Mannamead’s Tap and Barrel was the Best Independent Community Pub, and took the Best Food award too. Another double winner was Ride, on North Hill, named best independent Late Night and Student Venue. St Andrews Street’s Kitty O’Hanlon’s, was the Best Independent Live Music Venue, with Royal Parade’s Brass Monkey the Best Live Music Venue run by a chain. The Fortescue, in Mutley Plain, picked up the prize in the new “special recognition category” for “serving the best real ale in the South West”.
The awards were organised by Plymouth’s City Safe scheme, which recognises the highest standards in the city’s evening and night time economy (ENTE).
