Town's pubs and clubs aim to be best bar none (From Streatham Guardian)

Kingston's pubs and clubs aim to be best bar none

8:00am Tuesday 18th September 2012 in Drink By Nazia Dewji, Reporter

Kingston’s bars, clubs and pubs are about to be pitted against each other to find the best boozer.

Kingstonfirst, organisers of the Best Bar None awards have managed to whittle down all licensed venues in the borough down to just 18 worthy establishments that will go head to head.

Over the next few weeks organisers will be visiting all nominated pubs, bars and clubs to find out whether they make the cut in categories such as best pub, best late night venue, best atmosphere, best staff and best door staff.

Woody’s bar in Ram Passage prides itself on being a television-less living room and is a contender to pick up a prize.

Basking in competitive spirit, John Bacon, general manager at the bar, said: “Last year we didn’t win anything so we are definitely up for winning something this year.

“We have a lot of regular customers who come in – students and even a crowd who come in after performances at the Rose. It is varied.

“We want all our customers to relax as if they are in their own living room so they can even come in at 11pm on a Saturday night and have a coffee and cake.”

Mr Bacon said his staff did not use fancy tricks in pouring pints or mixing cocktails, but said they were a happy lot that may well nab the best staff award.

The UK-wide awards, which are in their sixth year in Kingston, aim to recognise the positive contribution made to communities by responsible licensees and promote sensible drinking.

The Best Bar None awards night will be held at Oceana nightclub on November 6.

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The Surrey Comet is also getting involved in the judging process and is calling on readers to vote for the establishment with the best atmosphere and best bar staff from the nominations list.

Send your answers to ndewji@london.newsquest.co.uk or leave a comment below by October 19.

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Acorn 20

McCluskys,
 

Oceana,
 

Woody's,
 

O’Neill’s,
 

The Hippodrome,
 

Bacchus,
 

The Cricketers,
 

Barcadia,
 

The Bishop out of Residence,
 

The Druids Head,

The Ram,
 

The Kings Tun,
 

The Boaters,
 

The Slug and Lettuce,
 

The Gazebo,
 

Kingston Uni's Knights Park Bar and Space Bar.