Sydney's best pubs honoured at Australian Hotels Association NSW Awards

The results are in and Sydney's best pubs have been named.

Held last night, the Australian Hotel Association NSW 2013 awards saw gongs handed out across 32 categories to pubs including the Willoughby Hotel for best traditional hotel bar, Palmer & Co. for best boutique bar, Coogee Bay Hotel for best sports bar, Bella Vista Hotel for best cocktail bar and Hotel Pennant Hills for best family-friendly hotel.

The Clovelly Hotel was named hotel of the year for the Sydney region.

 
The Clovelly Hotel took out the top award at the industry's big night on Monday.

Justin Hemmes was inducted into the industry hall of fame for ventures like The Ivy on George St.

John and Justin Hemmes, the men behind bars such as Establishment and The Ivy - both winners at last night's awards - were inducted in the AHA Hall of Fame last night.

AHA NSW CEO Paul Nicolaou said the pair had "made an enormous contribution to the hospitality sector in Sydney and it's great to see them recognised."

A change of culture and a decision to scrap its nightclub landed Hotel Pennant Hills an award last night.

Roman Nalywajko from Hotel Pennant Hills said a change of culture was behind its AHA NSW award.

Licensee Roman Nalywajko said the Pennant Hills Rd pub had focused on becoming a family-friendly hotel and the results had justified their decision.

"We decided to close down our old nightclub (Patrick's) and open up a big kitchen," Mr Nalywajko said.

"We put a big emphasis on food and family and it's really paid off."

Willoughby Hotel was awarded best traditional hotel bar at the AHA NSW awards on Monday night. 

 

 

The Winners

• Overall hotel of the Year - Clovelly Hotell
• Best traditional hotel bar - Willoughby Hotel (Willoughby)
• Best cocktail lounge/bar - Bella Vista Hotel (Bella Vista)
• Best boutique bar - Palmer & Co - Establishment (Sydney)
• Best boutique beer offering - Grain Store Craft Beer Cafe (Newcastle)
• Best family-friendly hotel - Hotel Pennant Hills (Pennant Hills)
• Best new/redeveloped hotel country - Central Hotel (Shellharbour)
• Best new/redeveloped hotel city - The Morrison Bar & Oyster Room (Sydney)
• Outstanding community service - Camden Valley Inn (Camden Park)
• Best restaurant country - 221 Restaurant and Bar, Royal Oak Hotel (Cessnock)
• Best restaurant city - Bistro Moncur Woollahra Hotel (Woollahra)
• Best steak venue - Willow Tree Inn (Willow Tree)
• Best entertainment venue - Cargo Bar (Sydney)
• Best sports bar - Coogee Bay Hotel (Coogee)
• Cocktail bartender of the year - Matt Fitzgerald - Palmer & Co
• Chef of the year - Nathan Johnson - Ivy - Felix
• Group operator of the year - Merivale
• Individual property owner of the year - Graham Campion - Longueville Hotel
• Best Retail Liquor Outlet - Harrigans Irish Pub & Accommodation (Pokolbin)
• Best Outdoor/Non-Enclosed Facility - Albion Hotel (Parramatta)
• Best Promotional Concept - Ivy (Pacha Sydney Launch) (Sydney)
• Best Social Media Activity - The Morrison Bar & Oyster Room (Sydney)
• Best Restaurant - Country - 221 RESTAURANT & BAR, Royal Oak Hotel Cessnock
• Best Fine Dining Restaurant ( Majority of Mains $35+) - Bonville Golf Resort - Flooded Gums Restaurant
• Best Gaming Venue - Eastwood Hotel
• Best Keno Venue - The Fairfield Hote
• Best Pub Tab - Country - Potters Hotel & Brewery (Hunter Valley)
• Best Pub Tab - City - Quakers Inn
• Best Budget Pub-Style Accommodation - Crossroads Hotel (Narrabri)

Source: The Daily Telegraph, 26 November 2013