Toronto, ON – Regulars Bar, Crocodile Rock and Wayne Gretzky’s have been recognized as the best licensed establishments with respects to implementing the highest standards for the responsible sales and service of alcohol in Toronto’s downtown core.
These establishments have been selected by a judging panel comprised of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada), the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), and Best Bar None (BBN) Ontario. BBN is an industry-led international accreditation and awards program that rewards excellence amongst responsible liquor sales licensees.
There are ten winners for this year’s Best Bar None Awards in Toronto:
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Best Bar/Lounge: Regulars Bar
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Best Members Club: The Spoke Club
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Best Restaurant: Wayne Gretzky’s
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Best Hotel: Hyatt Regency Toronto on King
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Best Club: Crocodile Rock
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Best Venue: Scotiabank Arena, Coca-Cola Coliseum, BMO Field
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Best Pub: Firkin on Yonge
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People’s Choice: CODA
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Left to Right - Jean Major, CEO (AGCO), Tony Elenis, President & CEO (ORHMA), Antonio Viegas (Hyatt Regency Toronto), Nik (Firkin on Yonge), Heather Santsche (Wayne Gretzky’s), Kevin Ramlal (Scotiabank Arena), Dustin Smith, (BMO Field and Coca-Cola Coliseum), Mathias Mieusel (Crocodile Rock), Tom Mungham, COO (AGCO), Maxwell Mitchell (Regulars Bar), Byron Fabricius (CODA).
A key component of the accreditation and awards process is an independent third party assessment to verify that an establishment is in compliance with its own processes and the BBN accreditation criteria developed largely from provincial laws.
These winners with the newly accredited establishments receive BBN signage and other marketing materials to promote their status as a BBN-accredited venue. The Best Bar None Ontario symbol assures patrons an establishment has met the highest standards for responsible service of alcohol.
BBN Ontario partners include MADD Canada, the AGCO, the LCBO, King Spadina Residents Association, Toronto Entertainment District Business Improvement Area, Toronto Police Service and the City of Toronto.
"These establishments have proven that they deserve to receive these inaugural awards for the
high standards they have established. They all serve liquor responsibly and reduce the potential
for alcohol-related issues. These makes them leaders in building a vibrant and safer ByWard
Market, more attractive to visit while developing positive relationships with industry partners, law
enforcement and the community at large,"
- Tony Elenis, the President and CEO of ORHMA (the Ontario Restaurant, Hotel and Motel Association).
"Together with our industry partners, we are working towards our goal of stopping impaired
driving and keeping our roads safe. The Best Bar None Ontario program is a key component in
this effort – it establishes a framework of operating standards for licensed establishments that
keeps their customers and the public safe."
- Andrew Murie, CEO of MADD Canada
"The AGCO is proud to once again be involved in recognizing those businesses that uphold the
highest standards for their patrons and staff, in the responsible sale and service of alcohol, and
in maintaining important working relationships with the community and industry partners. The
public can be assured that these accredited establishments maintain the greatest standards in
their operations, in compliance with Best Bar None and the Liquor Licence Act and regulations."
- Tom Mungham, Chief Operating Officer of the AGCO
About Best Bar None Ontario
Best Bar None is an industry-led annual international accreditation and awards program for liquor sales licensees.
The program originated in Manchester, U.K in 2003 and has been credited with increasing levels of public safety and reducing crime in downtown entertainment districts. The program also improves the economic viability of these districts and builds positive relationships between owners of licensed establishments and local community groups and police.
Media contact:
Tony Elenis
President and CEO
Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association
Ph. 905-361-0268 ext. 320
telenis@orhma.com