Best pubs, bars and clubs - awards night will reveal all

Ipswich people will find out which pubs, clubs and bars have won a prestigious award when the long-awaited Best Bar None awards night takes place later this month.

Nine awards are up for grabs - including the People's Choice (sponsored by Archant Ltd), and the overall winner (the Best Bar None Award) - and all will be revealed at the Sir Bobby Robson Suite at Ipswich Town Football Club on Wednesday 23rd March.

The idea behind the awards is to reward good practice by licensed premises in the town and to put Ipswich on the map as Suffolk's premier destination for a great safe night out.

Ipswich Best Bar None officer Caroline Elias said: "This is going to be close and I don't envy the judges their task. We are all really pleased with the way Best Bar None has taken off in Ipswich and by the very positive reaction of the licensed trade. We should remember that all the accredited premises are winners, whether they have an award or not, because they all have demonstrated high standards. Of course, the scheme won its own award late last year when we were voted the Most Innovative Best Bar None scheme in the country."

The judges are: Councillor Liz Harsant (Leader, Ipswich Borough Council), Russell Williams (Chief Executive, Ipswich Borough Council), Stuart McCreery (Archant Managing Director), Supt. David Skevington (Suffolk Constabulary) and William Coe (Chair, Ipswich Central).

The shortlisted premises for each award (and the award sponsors) are listed below:
BEST BAR (sponsor: Hawk Express Cabs): Zing Wine Bar, Robert Ransome, Cock & Pye
BEST CLUB (Diageo): Pals, Liquid, Groove
BEST COMMUNITY PUB (Ip-art): The Kingfisher, Isaacs, The Dove
FAMILY FRIENDLY (Ipswich Town FC): Old Orleans, The Kingfisher, The Cricketers
BEST INDEPENDENT BAR: Aqua 8, Ipswich Town Football Club, Zing Wine Bar
BEST TOWN CENTRE PUB: Robert Ransome, The Cricketers, The Cock & Pye
BEST INDEPENDENT PUB: Isaacs, The Dove

For further comment: Caroline Elias, tel: 01473 433276

List of Ipswich Best Bar None accredited premises: PJ McGinteys & Sons, The Kingfisher Pub, Old Orleans, Pals, Aqua 8, Isaacs, Bowmans, Robert Ransome, The Cricketers, Corn Exchange, The Regent, The Dove, Ipswich Town Football Club, Curve, The Water Lily, Colmans, Liquid, Groove, Zing Wine Bar, Quayside, The Cock & Pye, The Golden Hind.