On Monday evening, Canberra’s best hospitality venues were recognised at the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) ACT Hospitality & Accommodation Awards for Excellence, with most winners now in the running for national awards.
The gala ceremony held at Hotel Realm in Canberra highlighted the state’s outstanding hospitality providers, bringing together more than 300 industry guests to celebrate achievements across 34 categories.
Several awards were handed to pub venues, including The Dock, an esteemed sports pub located on the Kingston Foreshore, which claimed the awards for Best Pub Eatery and Best Sporting Entertainment Venue.
Belconnen’s Lighthouse Pub was named Best Traditional Pub, Inn or Tavern, and Bentspoke Brewing’s brewpub was handed several awards including Best Draught Beer Quality and Chef of the Year, awarded to Jodie Johnson, who is head chef at the venue.
Canberra cocktail bar Bar Beirut also won big, with owner Soumi Tannous claiming the title of Local Legend in Hospitality & Tourism, while the venue scooped awards for Best Cocktail Bar, Employee Excellence in Service and Best Casual Dining Venue, sharing the latter with Molto Italian in Kingston.
AHA ACT general manager Chris Gatfield congratulated the states finalists and winners: “Canberra’s venues are all winners – there’s no doubt we provide the highest possible levels of service and customer experience – and now our top venues will be competing against the best from the other states at the national AHA Awards.
“I congratulate all local finalists and winners – and look forward to further successes at the national level. This long weekend I have one message to Canberrans – get out there and support these wonderful venues,” he said.
Set to take place at The Star in Brisbane on 25 November, the 2024 AHA National Awards for Excellence will see many of the AHA ACT Awards winners compete against the country’s highest esteemed venues for top honours.
AHA ACT president Michael Capezio described the AHA ACT Awards for Excellence as a showcase of the best Canberra has to offer.
“Our industry and its 16,000 hard-working people give so much to the communities we serve and we all should be proud of that – best of luck in Brisbane,” he stated.
Soumi Tannous from Bar Beirut was named Local Legend in Hospitality & Tourism 
AHA ACT president Michael Capezio 
AHA ACT general manager Chris Gatfield with Minister Tara Cheyne 
Local Legend winner Soumi Tannous from Bar Beirut 
AHA ACT vice president Peter Barclay of King O’Malleys 
Minister Tara Cheyne addressing the crowd