Well, maybe not but WARP Films have been to both and they told our gaffer it was, while they compared lurchers (not a euphemism!). Anyway, we’re taking it, as we’d like to think we gave it a run for it’s money.
That’s because, Sheffield once again showed up in style for the sold-out – and quite frankly, packed-to-the-rafters – Exposed Awards 2026, our annual celebration of the city’s finest in nightlife, hospitality, music, retail and more.
Before we get onto the winners, we just wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved – especially all the amazing, hard-working independents who helped make the night such a special celebration of Sheffield’s creativity, resilience and community spirit.
Hosted by Chris Arnold at the ever-buzzing Peddler Warehouse, it was an evening packed with fun, a few surprises and plenty of Steel City pride.
The big winner on the night was *checks notes* Creative Colour! Who were announced as Best New Bar despite actually being the manufacturer of the envelopes (doh)! That particular accolade actually went to the fabulous Kapital.
Before that, kicking things off on the night was our brand-new award for Best New Café, and one of the biggest cheers of the night erupting as Groke Café scooped the hotly contested title.
The city’s bar scene also proved it’s in rude health, with The Old Shoe retaining the Best Bar crown for a second consecutive year. Having become one of Sheffield’s most loved bars, the win capped off another huge year for the city centre favourite.
Always one of the evening’s most poignant moments, the Sarah Nulty Special Recognition Award went to Warp Films, who shook off any potential awards fatigue after a year spent sweeping up acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic for their latest release, Adoloesence. A well-deserved and very popular winner.
The city’s thriving music scene had its moment too, with Best Unsigned Band or Musician going to the gloriously noisy Femur, whose ferocious live energy has made them one of the most exciting acts on the local circuit and beyond.
And just when you thought the evening couldn’t get any more vibey, local music legend Steve Edwards closed the night with a trip through his back catalogue, including a special rendition of global dancefloor anthem ‘World, Hold On’.
Of course, no Exposed Awards night is complete without a proper knees-up afterwards, and guests did exactly that at the official afterparty hosted by Factory Floor. Rumour has it there are more than a few sore heads doing the rounds this morning.
A huge thanks goes to all our sponsors, judges, performers and every single person who came out to celebrate what makes Sheffield so special. Massive congratulations to all our nominees and winners – your hard work, creativity and graft are what make this city such an incredible place to live, work and go out in.
See the full list of 2026 Exposed Awards winners below…
BEST NEW CAFÉ
(Sponsored by Pago Premium Fruit Juice)
Groke
THE SHEFFIELD ARTS AND CULTURE AWARD
(Sponsored by The Pride of Yorkshire)
Cryptid Queers
THE SHEFFIELD WELLBEING AWARD
Güs
BEST INDEPENDENT RETAILER
(Sponsored by Leah’s Yard)
Hillsborough Bookshop
THE HENDERSON’S RELISH MADE IN SHEFFIELD AWARD
Bullion Chocolate
BEST VEGAN OR VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT
Church – Temple of Fun
BEST CAFÉ
(Sponsored by Pago Premium Fruit Juice)
Caffè Tucci
BEST INDEPENDENT FASHION RETAILER
Glass Onion
BEST NEW RESTAURANT
(Sponsored by Birra Moretti)
Greetaly
BEST NEW BAR
(Sponsored by Beavertown Neck Oil)
Kapital
BEST TAKEAWAY
Urban Pitta
BEST CLUB
(Sponsored by Napoleon’s Casinos)
Corporation
TRAMLINES AWARD FOR BEST LOCAL EVENT
Sheffield Wine Week
THE SUSTAINABLE SHEFFIELD AWARD
(Sponsored by TravelMaster)
Beanies Wholefoods
BEST UNSIGNED BAND OR MUSICIAN
Femur
BEST TRADITIONAL PUB
(Sponsored by Cruzcampo)
Fagan’s
BEST LOCAL BREWERY
Triple Point Brewery
BEST MICRO PUB
The Canary
BEST LIVE VENUE
(Sponsored by Wildfire)
Yellow Arch
THE SOCIAL HUB AWARD
The Mowbray
BEST RESTAURANT
Domo
BEST BAR
(Sponsored by Caffrey’s Black Stout)
The Old Shoe
THE SARAH NULTY SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD
Warp Films
