Barracuda Varsity bar in Manchester (Oxford Road) has fought off fierce competition from over 65 other pubs in the city to be named Best Bar in Manchester for the third year running in the Best Bar None scheme.  It is the first time that any bar in Manchester has won the accolade for three consecutive years, since the Best Bar None scheme started in 2003.
 
The ceremony took place at the Midland Hotel in the city centre on 20 September and was hosted by Coronation Street star Anthony Cotton.  Barracuda’s second Varsity bar in Manchester, Wilmslow Park, was also awarded the Best Pub at the ceremony.
 
Manager of the student-focused Varsity bar on Oxford Road, Matthew Abbott, said: “It is a massive achievement to have been publicly named the Best Bar in Manchester city centre, so to have won the award for three consecutive years is a testament to the high quality of service and standards that are put in place by the whole Varsity team.”
 
Best Bar None is one of the highest honours in the licensed trade and aims to reward safe licensed venues that provide good management, prevent alcohol-related crime and offer a safe and enjoyable environment for customers.  The Best Bar None scheme began in Manchester in 2003 and has since rolled out across over 50 councils and police forces across the UK.
 
The Best Bar None scheme is operated by Greater Manchester Police’s City Safe unit and the awards are scored on a point system by an independent panel.

Photo shows: L-R: Awards host and Coronation Street star Anthony Cotton, Manager of Varsity Manchester (Oxford Road) Matthew Abbott and Neil Robertson, Chair of the British Institute of Innkeepers (BII).