The 'best' in Chesterfield have been crowned at the annual Best Bar None 2025 Awards – an event that celebrates positive steps licensed venues are taking to improve nighttime safety.
Sponsored by Global Brands, and Gough and Kelly, the annual Best Bar None awards took place at the SMH Group Stadium on Wednesday 23 July, where more than 20 venues from across the borough were recognised for their commitment to creating a safer night out.
A total of 27 licensed premises have received the Best Bar None accreditation in 2025, including: Apartment, Aruba, Association, Beach and Groove, Brampton Social, Bulls Head, Chandlers, Chesterfield Arms, Chesterfield Football Club, Crown and Anchor, Crown and Cushion, Derby Tup, Dirty Habit, Donkey Derby, Einstein’s, GAS Bar, Holme Hall Inn, Junction Bar, Lockoford Inn, Original Gravity, Portland Hotel, Rose and Crown, Rosie O’Learys, Spa Lane Vaults, Star Inn, Winding Wheel and Ye Royal Oak (Shambles).
As well as the Best Bar None accreditation awards, five special awards were up for grabs on the night. The winners of each category are:
Best managed venue
Winner: Portland Hotel
Runners up: Donkey Derby, The Winding Wheel Theatre
Best tenanted venue
Winner: Rose & Crown
Runners up: Derby Tup, Chesterfield Arms
Best independent venue
Winner: Einstein’s
Runners up: Association, Chandlers
People’s Choice award
Winner: Chandlers
Overall winner
Winner: Chesterfield Football Club
Runners up: Einsteins, Rose & Crown
The Best Bar None scheme - supported by the Home Office and drinks industry – was initially launched in the town in 2024 by Chesterfield Borough Council, in partnership with Best Bar None, Chesterfield Pubwatch and Derbyshire Constabulary with the aim of reducing alcohol-related crime and providing a safer night out for everyone.
The scheme is designed to build positive relationships between the licensed trade, police and local authorities and also aims to champion improvements in the way venues are managed and encourage best practice to be shared.
Since its launch, Chesterfield Borough Council has expanded the scheme, and now invites all licensed premises from all across the borough to register for Best Bar None accreditation.
Those that apply will be assessed against a set criteria and successful businesses are invited to the annual awards ceremony to celebrate the achievement of local premises.
More information on the scheme can be found on our Best Bar None page.
Councillor Steve Lismore, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Chesterfield is a very safe place to live, socialise and visit, and while alcohol-related crime and disorder can occasionally arise - as it does in towns and cities across the country - we are committed to ensuring that Chesterfield remains safe, welcoming and fun for everyone, and the Best Bar None scheme is helping us to do just that.
“We’re lucky to have so many great bars, pubs and clubs across the town and it is really positive to see so many of them passing their assessment and picking up the Best Bar None accreditation at the awards ceremony. It was a great night to celebrate the fantastic businesses we have on offer across our borough, and we will continue to highlight the work they are doing to ensure we have an attractive night life and to keep our town safe for all.”
Jane Randall, Chair of Chesterfield Pubwatch, added: "Chesterfield boasts a fantastic range of pubs, restaurants, bars, and clubs, making it a wonderful place to enjoy an evening out and we want to make sure everyone feels safe when out and about.
“We are really pleased to see so many local businesses coming together and picking up their Best Bar None accreditation again-it really does show how serious we all are to making sure everyone can enjoy themselves safely on a night out.”
Other licenses business from across the borough are being encouraged to sign up to the Best Bar None scheme too. They can find out more and sign up by contacting the council’s licensing team via email: glenn.holden@chesterfield.gov.uk or by calling 01246 345230.
