OTTAWA — Ottawa’s Best Bar None (BBN) Ontario Accreditation and Awards Presentation took place today at Fatboys Southern Smokehouse. The event recognized the best among bars, restaurants and clubs when it comes to implementing the highest standards for the responsible sales and service of alcohol in Ottawa’s ByWard Market.
Five establishments were selected by a judging panel comprising Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada), the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and BBN Ontario — an industry-led international accreditation and awards program that rewards excellence amongst responsible liquor sales licensees.
The winners for this year’s BBN Awards – ByWard Market are:
• Best Pub — Lowertown Brewery
• Best Restaurant — Sens House
• Best Club — The Green Room/The Liquor Store Party Bar
• Best Hotel — The Bistro at the Courtyard Marriott
• People’s Choice — Fatboys Southern Smokehouse
“These establishments have proven that they deserve to receive these inaugural awards for the high standards they have established,” says Tony Elenis, president and CEO of the Ontario Restaurant, Hotel and Motel Association (ORHMA). “They all serve liquor responsibly and reduce the potential for alcohol-related issues. This 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.”
A key component of the accreditation and awards process is an independent third-party investigation to verify that an establishment is in compliance with its own processes and the appropriate provincial regulations as administered by the AGCO. Both the winners and the newly accredited establishments receive a BBN decal and other marketing materials to promote their status as a BBN-accredited venue. The BBN Ontario decal assures patrons an establishment has met the highest standards for responsible service of alcohol.
