The best bars from around Australia were recognised last night as the industry came together for its biggest annual bar awards night.
Melbourne bar Seamstress was one of the stars of the night grabbing two awards at the Bartender Magazine Australian Bar Awards at Sydney’s Hilton Hotel. Seamstress and its basement cocktail bar SweatShop was named Cocktail Bar of the Year and also walked away with the award for Best Bar Food.
Sydney’s The Ivy also scored a double—Hotel of the Year and Best New Venue Design.
Melbourne bar Golden Monkey claimed the coveted Bar of the Year title while fellow Melbourne business Match Bar & Grill claimed the New Bar of the Year prize.
Melbourne also showed its strength in the bar scene in the individual awards. Black Pearl’s Natasha Conte was named Bar Operator of the Year (Single Venue) for her running of Black Pearl while industry stalwart, Vernon Chalker, took out the Bar Operator of the Year (Multiple Venues).
Meanwhile, veteran bartender Tim Wastell from Blue Diamond caused the room to erupt in applause when he walked away with the Bar Manager of the Year trophy.
Sydney showed its form too also claiming prizes for Best Small Bar of the Year (Sticky) and Wine Bar (Gazebo Wine Garden).
Here’s the full list of winners:
Bartender of the year
Chris Hysted, The Black Pearl, Melbourne
Bar of the Year
Golden Monkey, Melbourne
New Bar of the Year
Match Bar & Grill, Melbourne
Bar Team of the Year
The Lark, Brisbane
Cocktail Bar of the Year
Seamstress/Sweatshop, Melbourne
Nightclub of the Year
Kit & Kaboodle, Sydney
Cocktail List of the Year
Der Raum, Melbourne
Hotel of the Year
Ivy, Sydney
New Hotel of the Year
Cloudland, Brisbane
Best New Venue Design
Ivy Pool Club/Changeroom, Sydney
Best Drinks Selection
Byblos, Brisbane
Bar Manager of the Year
Tim Wastell, Blue Diamond, Melbourne
Registered Club of the Year
Club Swans, Sydney
Bar Operator of the Year (Multiple Venues)
Vernon Chalker, Collins Quarter, Madame Brussels, Gin Palace, Melbourne
Bar Operator of the Year (Single Venue)
Natasha Conte, Black Pearl, Melbourne
Best Music Offering
The Toff, Melbourne
The Piano Room, Sydney
Best Bar Food
Seamstress/Sweatshop, Melbourne
Small Bar of the Year
Sticky, Sydney
Best Specialty Beer Venue
The Local Taphouse, Sydney
Wine Bar of the Year
Gazebo Wine Garden, Sydney
Outstanding Contribution
Sven Almenning
Training Program of the Year
Diageo’s Alchemy Program
Beam Global’s and CCA’s Mixxit
Brand Ambassador of the Year
Mick Formosa, Club Suntory
Samantha Sedman
Senior Events Manager
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