Best Bar Finder can help with St. Patrick’s Day research

Local residents looking for a place to go for St. Paddy’s Day have a number of options today, and many of them can be found with the help of the AGLC’s Best Bar Finder. The Best Bar Finder is a mobile-friendly plug-in for the Best Bar None website.

BBF can filter different establishments by categories, such as craft beer, live music, dance floor, food, and special events to make St. Paddy’s Day planning easier.

It also allows users to find Best Bar None accredited venues in Lethbridge that demonstrate a commitment to excellence in safety and service.

This year, the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission is using the hook of St. Patrick’s Day to get the word out about the BBF service.

“(St. Patrick’s Day) is obviously a very well-attended pub and bar occasion,” said David Young, AGLC program co-ordinator.

Best Bar None is an accreditation program for bars that want to commit to holding to a higher standard to the customer with a focus on safety and service.

In order to be accredited, establishments need to meet a criteria checklist with more than 100 requirements. The result is an opportunity to help patrons find a safe, welcome establishment to enjoy their evenings.

The program was originally developed in the U.K., and Alberta was the first place to adopt it outside that country.

It was first launched in Edmonton in 2010 and introduced in Lethbridge in 2016. There are four cities in Alberta running the BBN program, which is a partnership between local emergency responder groups, the AGLC and the hospitality industry.

AGLC is providing a number of safety tips for people to keep in mind when they festivities this weekend.

For those who will be adding an alcohol content to their evening, AGLC suggests getting a good night’s sleep the night before, making sure not to drink on an empty stomach, avoiding caffeine and energy drinks, being careful to be sure drinks are coming from a trusted source, and to avoid mixing alcohol and drugs.

For those avoiding alcohol, AGLC is also offering suggestions for the evening that include being a designated driver, hosting a pre-or post-pub party, having food on the table for drinkers and non-drinkers to share, staying hydrated, and being on the lookout for friends who may have imbibed too many green beers and are looking a little green themselves.

This year, in honour of St. Paddy’s Day, the BBF locator has been changed to a four-leaf clover.

To access Best Bar None or the Best Bar Finder plug-in, visit bestbarnone.drinksenseab.ca.

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