At the inaugural Toast the City Awards, one of the most touching moments was seeing Sheila Dixon, co-owner of the City pub the Rising Sun, shed a tear as she collected the award for Best Boozer. The Rising Sun is a pub where everyone feels like a local, thanks to the dedication of its owners.
A Win for the Team
Sheila Dixon, who runs the pub with her husband, shared what the award meant. “As a second-generation family-run independent pub, winning Best Boozer meant a huge amount to the team,” she said. “Everyone at the Rising Sun wants every customer to have a great experience, and having that hard work recognised put a spring in our step. The support of our loyal customers did it for us, but it’s also been a pleasure seeing new faces popping in for a pint after the win.”
A Historic Pub with Modern Charm
The Rising Sun has been a City staple since the 1820s, witnessing the Square Mile’s evolution over centuries. Dixon, who has worked there for 26 years, describes City workers as “great fun to be around; they work hard and play hard.” She also praised City AM as “the City’s local paper – its audience are the people we rely on to keep our business thriving.”
What sets the Rising Sun apart? An amazing selection of drinks, a perfect toastie menu, and staff who genuinely care. But there’s also the canvas of its windows, where the pub commissions artists to create murals. Currently, the windows celebrate winning the Best Boozer award. “We have constantly changing artwork reflecting City life,” says Dixon. “Our Toast Award window has been a huge draw for new customers.”
Passing the Torch
This year, last year’s winners are invited to return as judges. So while the Rising Sun cannot win again, Dixon will help decide the next Best Boozer. She names the Cockpit pub as a top pick. “My neighbours at the Cockpit are one of my top picks,” she says. And she should know.
