TORONTO — Glasses clinked to honour award recipients and newly accredited businesses in Toronto’s entertainment district yesterday at the inaugural Best Bar None Ontario accreditation presentation and awards ceremony, held at Toronto’s Hyatt Regency hotel.
“This is an exciting day for Ontario’s liquor and hospitality industry,” said Tony Elenis, president and CEO of the Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association (ORHMA), of the two-year pilot program launched in 2012 in Toronto’s entertainment district.
“Best Bar None is a unique program in that it is voluntary, and it’s an industry-led accreditation program recognizing businesses who maintain the highest standards in the sale and service of alcohol.”
After certificates were distributed to newly accredited establishments such as The Fifth Social Club, Lone Star Texas Grill and Real Sports Bar & Grill, the awards ceremony, which recognized the top-performing establishments, began. Bier Markt took home the top prize for Best Overall winner and Best Bar/Lounge; Footwork won Best Club; The InterContinental Toronto Centre won Best Hotel Lounge; Fionn MacCool’s won Best Pub; 360 Restaurant won Best Restaurant and The Spoke Club won Best Member Club.
Best Bar None is an international industry-led accreditation program for liquor-licensed businesses, with two other Canadian programs in Edmonton and Calgary. Led by ORHMA in conjunction with various hospitality organizations, community and government organizations, the program is in its first year in operation in Toronto.
