Australian Hotels Association names Sydney's top 10 pubs for 2013
They are the best of the best in a city that prides itself on hospitality, service and a beer with a view. But is your favourite watering hole in the top 10?
The list of Sydney's top ten pubs was released this week by the Australian Hospitality Association NSW after independent judges carried out enviable "painstaking research" at hundreds of establishments over the course of a few months.
James Paterson, John McGurk, Tori Briggs at Willoughby Hotel.
They nominated 10 of the best pubs from across the city for Best Overall Hotel, with the winner to be announced a gala function on November 25.
The top 10 pubs in Sydney include eastern suburbs favourites like the Coogee Bay Hotel and the Clovelly Hotel, the north shore's The Oaks and Willoughby Hotels and inner city pubs including The Clock Hotel , Le Pub and Establishment Hotel.
The Oaks at Neutral Bay has one of the best beer gardens in Sydney. Source: Supplied
Sydney's outer suburbs have not been neglected, with nods going to the Bella Vista Hotel, Fairfield Hotel and Hotel Pennant Hills.
Pubs in the running were selected based on key criteria including the standard of their retail liquor outlet, food services, bar presentation, customer service, community support and overall presentation.
Aside from best overall pub in Sydney, the awards honour the best boutique bar, best redeveloped hotel, best outdoor area, best family friendly bar and best restaurant.
AHA NSW CEO Paul Nicolaou said the finalists were the result of "painstaking research by a team of independent judges and auditors".
He said NSW pubs continued to be the best in the country.
"NSW hotels are second to none - we see that on display every day," Mr Nicolaou said.
Owner Angela Gallagher and Chef Ronny Ghantous from Le Pub in Sydney CBD.
The Coogee Bay Hotel in Coogee Bay Road Coogee. Source: News Limited
Licensee at Hotel Pennant Hills Roman Nalywajko said he was excited to be nominated but was not getting ahead of himself.
"We don't want to get too confident before the awards. There are some great pubs in the running."
He said the hotel's change to a more family friendly athmosphere was behind its nomination.
"We decided to close down our old nightclub Patrick's and open up a big kitchen. We put a big emphasis on food and family and it's really paid off."
The awards are in their 140th year.
The newly refurbished Pennant Hills Hotel, Pennant Hills. Peter Paulino Snr. Chef.
THE TOP 10
- Bella Vista Hotel, 13-15 Lexington Dr, Bella Vista
- Coogee Bay Hotel, 253 Coogee Bay Rd, Coogee
- Establishment Hotel, 5 Bridge St, Sydney
- Fairfield Hotel, 1 Hamilton Rd, Fairfield
- Le Pub, 66 King St, Sydney
- HPH - Hotel Pennant Hills, Pennant Hills, 352 Pennant Hills Rd, Pennant Hills
- The Clock Hotel, 470 Crown St, Surry Hills
- The Clovelly Hotel, 381 Clovelly Rd, Clovelly
- The Oakes, 118 Military Rd, Neutral Bay
- Willoughby Hotel, 315 Penshurst St, North Willoughby
The new Bella Vista Hotel.
Source: The Australian, 1 November 2013
