CityLife

Vanilla bags bar gong

VILLAGE LEGEND: Steph Kay

DESCRIBED as the ‘lesbian mecca of the north’, Gay Village institution Vanilla has scooped this year’s gong for Best Bar None Award for the Best Gay Venue in the City.

Set up in 1998 by Steph Kay, the owner is delighted to be recognised: "Best Bar None started in Manchester in 2003, and as a result of support by the Home Office it has since been rolled out across the UK.

“The aim of the awards is to recognise those licensed premises that provide a safe and enjoyable environment through good management, discouraging binge drinking and preventing alcohol-related crime.

“Each premises is judged on a number of criteria, including their door policy, crime prevention strategy, emergency procedures and drink and drugs policies."
 
Steph, whose bar beat off a plethora of competition, added that she would like to personally thank all the Vanilla team and everyone who voted for the bar.

Story supplied by Canal-st.co.uk