TRENDИG Awards Derby 2026 Winners Announced: Celebrating the Very Best of Culture, Music, Food and Drink in the City

Derby has spoken. The votes have been counted. And the winners of the TRENDИG Awards Derby 2026 have officially been announced.

Created to celebrate culture, arts, music, food, drink and everything the city has to offer, the TRENDИG Awards were never about industry panels or closed-door decisions. They were about the public. They were about passion. They were about engagement. Over the course of several months, thousands upon thousands of you took the time to cast your votes online.

First and foremost, we want to thank every single nominee. Not just for being exceptional at what you do, but for embracing the awards, rallying your communities and encouraging people to vote. The energy around this year’s awards was undeniable. The competition was fierce, and in several categories the margins were incredibly tight.

In our opinion, everyone shortlisted deserved to be there. Derby’s creative and independent scene is so strong right now that predicting winners would have been impossible. But the votes are what counted. These are your winners.

Best Local Band

Taking the top spot for Best Local Band is Porcelain Girl, ahead of Hot Fuzz and Skattabox in a tightly contested category.

Porcelain Girl’s win is significant. As a midwest emo and hardcore band, they represent the heavier, more emotionally charged edge of Derby’s grassroots music scene. Their victory shows that heavy music is not just surviving in the city, it is thriving. Crowds are turning up. Mosh pits are forming. And audiences are backing bands who bring intensity, vulnerability and raw energy to the stage. The Best Local Band category proved that Derby’s alternative and heavier sounds are getting people moving.

Best Live Music Venue

The Hairy Dog claims the crown for Best Live Music Venue. Widely regarded as one of Derby’s premier live music venues, The Hairy Dog has built a reputation for consistency, quality and atmosphere. It showcases not only local grassroots talent but also attracts established and touring bands, giving audiences the chance to see both rising acts and recognised names under one roof.

It held off strong competition from The Flowerpot and Dubrek Studios, both of which are vital to the city’s scene in their own right.

Live music is the heartbeat of Derby, and this result reflects just how much people value the spaces that give bands a stage and audiences a home.

Best Promoter

RAW Promotions took the Best Promoter title, ahead of Third Eye Live Events and Musikbox.

Promoters are often the unsung heroes of the scene. They book the bands, build the line-ups, take the risks and keep the calendar full. The public recognition here speaks volumes about the trust and appreciation the community has for those working behind the scenes.

Best Independent Eatery

Lorentes topped the Best Independent Eatery category, with The House Boat and Brownie Points Bakery also receiving strong support.

Derby’s independent food scene continues to thrive, and this category proved just how passionate locals are about backing homegrown hospitality.

Best Bar / Nightclub

Bunk took first place, narrowly ahead of The Orange Tree and Suds and Soda.

With margins this fine, it is clear that Derby’s nightlife scene is competitive, diverse and deeply supported by its regulars.

Best Pub

Exeter Arms claimed the Best Pub title, ahead of The Blessington Carriage and The Old Bell Hotel.

From historic buildings to live music back rooms, Derby’s pubs remain central to community life.

Best Coffee House

BEAR emerged as the clear favourite in the Best Coffee House category, with Nixon Coffee and Mr Shaw’s House also strongly backed by voters.

Independent coffee culture continues to flourish in Derby, blending community, creativity and caffeine.

Best Brewery or Distillery

Dancing Duck Brewery secured the top spot, ahead of Derby Brewing Company and Brunswick Brewing Company.

This category underlined Derby’s proud brewing heritage and the strength of its craft scene.

Best Brewery/Distillery Dancing Duck Brewery

Best Independent Shop

The Fig secured first place, closely followed by Rollersnakes and Foulds Guitars.

Independent retail is vital to the character of the city centre, and voters made it clear they value originality and personality over chains.

Best Artist

Sam and Alex Bolton took the Best Artist award ahead of Soap and Sam Saxby.

Sam and Alex Bolton are filmmakers, representing Derby’s growing film and visual storytelling scene. This category highlighted just how broad Derby’s artistic community truly is. Alongside filmmakers were traditional artists, street artists, photographers and creatives working across multiple disciplines. From gallery walls to city streets to cinema screens, creativity in Derby is not confined to one format. The diversity of this shortlist speaks volumes about the depth of talent in the city.

Best Culture Hub

Dubrek Studios won Best Culture Hub, with QUAD and Electric Daisy also strongly supported.

Culture hubs are the glue of a creative city. They provide space, opportunity and collaboration, and Derby clearly values its creative infrastructure.

Best Tattoo Studio

Rapture Tattoo Co. took the title, ahead of Studio One Tattoo and Vivid Ink.

Tattoo culture remains a powerful form of self-expression in the city, and the support shown here was significant.

Best Alternative Activity

Rollerworld secured first place, followed by GloryHoles and Moorways Sports Village.

This category proved that Derby’s cultural life stretches far beyond music and food, embracing sport, community spaces and alternative entertainment.

Arts and Heritage Award

Museum of Making won the Arts and Heritage Award, ahead of Elvaston Castle and Derby Museum and Art Gallery.

This category celebrated the city’s rich history and its commitment to preserving and showcasing it for future generations.

Arts and Heritage Award Museum of Making

Local Legend Award

The Local Legend Award is always one of the most powerful categories. This year’s shortlist reflected a truly diverse range of people. From individuals creating cultural hubs, to those helping people behind the scenes, to those who simply love Derby and do everything they can to build it up, every nominee brought something very special to the city.

Forde Brookfield was named this year’s Local Legend, ahead of Jay Dean in second place and Dani Bello in third.

Forde is a huge part of the Derby skate scene and a regular familiar face at Rollersnakes. Both in person and online, he has worked tirelessly to gain support for Derby’s new skatepark, using his videos and platform to push for better facilities and real investment in the city’s skateboarding community.

He has helped reinvigorate Derby and keep skateboard culture alive in the city. Skateparks are more than ramps and rails. They are places for children, teenagers and adults to hang out, feel part of a community and stay active. Forde understands that deeply. His passion for skateboarding is authentic and relentless.

From championing the local scene to premiering his skate film at QUAD, he has consistently given back. His impact is cultural, social and generational. He has given a lot to Derby.

Jay Dean and Dani Bello also deserve recognition. Both bring their own unique energy and contribution to the city, whether through community building, creative involvement or unwavering support for Derby’s independent culture. The strength and diversity of this category shows just how many people are working tirelessly to make Derby better.

Derby Should Be Proud

The TRENDИG Awards Derby 2026 were never about exclusivity. They were about community. They were about recognising the independent spirit that runs through Derby’s music venues, pubs, coffee houses, studios, breweries, galleries, skateparks and grassroots initiatives.

To every nominee, thank you. You are all part of what makes Derby a special city. To everyone who voted, thank you for making these awards meaningful. The engagement and passion behind the votes made the results exciting, unpredictable and genuinely earned.

And to all the winners: congratulations. You deserve it.

Derby’s culture is not slowing down. If anything, the TRENDИG Awards 2026 have shown that it is stronger, louder and more united than ever.