By James Atkinson
Sydney venue Establishment and The George Tavern in East Maitland have taken out the top awards at the New South Wales hospitality industry's premier awards night – the 2012 AHA (NSW) Awards for Excellence.
Establishment won the hotly contested Best Overall Hotel (City) category and also picked up an award for Best Fine Dining Establishment for Est restaurant; while The George Tavern won Best Overall Hotel (Country) and Best Liquor Retail Outlet.
More than 1000 hoteliers, business and community leaders – including NSW Hospitality Minister George Souris and AHA (NSW) President Scott Leach – attended Monday's ceremony at the Westin, Sydney.
There were a record 277 finalists across 32 categories.
AHA (NSW) Awards for Excellence – winners:
Best Traditional Hotel Bar
WINNER: Australian Hotel & Brewery
Best Contemporary Cocktail Lounge/Bar
WINNER: theloft
Best Small Bar
WINNER: Bar Petite
Best Boutique Beer Offering
JOINT WINNERS: Australian Hotel & Brewery and Bavarian Bier Café
Best Retail Liquor Outlet
WINNER: The George Tavern
Best Family Friendly Hotel
WINNER: Camden Valley Inn
Best New/Redeveloped Hotel – Country
WINNER: The Royal Hotel, Queanbeyan
Best New/Redeveloped Hotel – City
WINNER: Coolibah Hotel
Best Outdoor/Non-Enclosed Facility
WINNER: Clovelly Hotel
Outstanding Community Service & Achievement
WINNER: Hotel Steyne
JUDGES SPECIAL COMMENDATION: Shoalhaven Heads
Best Promotional Concept
WINNER: The Argyle
JUDGES SPECIAL COMMENDATION: The Seaview Tavern
Best Social Media Activity
WINNER: The Bristol Arms Retro Hotel
Best Restaurant – Country
WINNER: Royal Oak Hotel, Cessnock – 221 Restaurant & Bar
Best Restaurant – City
JOINT WINNERS: The Union Hotel – Uncorked
and CBD Hotel – Bistrode CBD
Best Fine Dining Restaurant
WINNER: Establishment – Est.
Best Casual Dining Venue – Country
WINNER: Gunyah Hotel
Best Casual Dining Venue – City
WINNER: Golden Sheaf Hotel
Best Steak Venue
WINNER: Willow Tree Inn
Best Entertainment Venue
WINNER: Slip Inn
Best Sports Bar
WINNER: Coogee Bay Hotel
Best Gaming Venue
WINNER: Three Swallows Hotel
Best Budget Pub-style Accommodation
WINNER: Sunnyside Tavern
Best Pub Tab – Platinum
WINNER: Coolibah Hotel
Best Pub Tab – Gold
WINNER: Light Brigade Hotel
Best Pub Tab – Silver
WINNER: Star Hotel
Best Pub Tab – Bronze
WINNER: Melton Hotel
Best Keno Venue
WINNER: The Fairfield Hotel
Cocktail Bartender of the Year
WINNER: Jason Williams – theloft
Chef of the Year
WINNER: Brad Sloane – The Riverview Hotel
2012 AHA (NSW) Hall of Fame
INDUCTEE: Peter Ryan
Overall Hotel of the year – Country
WINNER: The George Tavern
Overall Hotel of the year – City
WINNER: Establishment