Over 1,300 people from Victoria’s pubs, hotels and hospitality gathered Monday night to honour the state’s best at the sold-out 2026 AHA (Vic) State Awards for Excellence.
The gala dinner at Crown Palladium saw accolades presented across a total of 45 categories of excellence in the industry (full list below).
Major title Overall Hotel of the Year – Metropolitan went to the Grand Warrandyte Hotel, recognised for its holistic approach to serving and supporting its community, from courtesy buses and meat tray raffles to major fundraising events, focusing on strengthening the local economy by employing and investing in local people.
Overall Hotel of the Year – Regional went to Macedon Village Hotel. Strong sustainability credentials and a clear commitment to re-establishing the venue as the heart of the town counted toward it being described as “a standout community-focused redevelopment that combines clever use of space, smart technology and excellent finishes”.
Bush Pub of the Year was awarded to Victoria Hotel in Dimboola, with judges commending its Community Food Pantry, emergency on-call catering for local fire brigades, weekly raffles with profits directed to local groups, and active use of notice boards and social media to promote community events and initiatives.
Taking the crown for Group Operator of the Year was Melbourne-based hospitality Group Kickon, which operates nine venues spanning Victoria and Queensland and also picked up Best Refurbished Space and Best Presented Beer (for the third time) at their Terminus Hotel, and Best Functions & Events Space (for the second consecutive year) for The Continental.
Group CEO Craig Shearer said it was “incredibly special” to be recognised across multiple categories.
“The AHA awards always remind you just how many amazing venues, operators and people we have in the Victorian hospitality industry, so to be acknowledged amongst that company means a lot.”
Demonstrating how seriously Victorians take the much-loved pub classic, the award for the iconic Parma of the Year produced “an unprecedented result” as three venues – Creekside Hotel in Warracknabeal, Lindenow Farmers Home Hotel and Newborough Hotel – each achieved a perfect score of 100 from the judges and all took the title.
In the era of elevated pub fare, Chef of the Year went to Tony Twitchett, of Melbourne’s Taxi Kitchen.
Heart of the Community also saw joint winners, awarded to both Dargo Hotel and Grand Warrandyte Hotel for their “deep and genuine commitment” to the people they serve and for raising vital funds for grassroots groups, incorporating local events and fundraisers and support for bush nursing and essential services.
More than 150 pubs vied for the coveted People’s Choice Award, determined by votes from the general public. Melbourne’s The Oxford Scholar emerged as favourite, impressing with its vibrant atmosphere, diverse entertainment schedule and focus on delivering a stellar pub experience.
And the most prestigious award of the evening, the Nikakis Benchmark Award, named in memory of industry icon Nick Nikakis, was taken home by Rob Pitt from Hotel Sorrento. This revered honour recognises sustained performance and commitment by an individual or organisation that serves as an inspiration to the hospitality community.
“Our industry simply cannot be successful without the significant contributions of our people,” said AHA (Vic) CEO Paddy O’Sullivan.
“Young professionals are evolving their careers in hospitality, building skills and stepping into leadership roles, and it is their passion, professionalism and dedication that creates the best possible customer experience in pubs and hotels right across Victoria every day.”
FULL LIST OF WINNERS
- Apprentice of the Year: The Victoria Hotel, Olivia Hansen
- Best Casual Dining – Metropolitan: Alpine Hotel Warburton
- Best Casual Dining – Regional: Five Flags Hotel and Western Hotel
- Cocktail Menu of the Year: The Yackandandah Hotel
- Best Family Dining: Castello’s Victorian Tavern
- Best Function and Event Space – Metropolitan: The Continental Sorrento
- Best Function and Event Space – Regional: The Middle Hotel Korumburra
- Best Gaming Venue – Metropolitan: Lower Plenty Hotel
- Best Gaming Venue – Regional: Hogans Hotel
- Best Hotel Accommodation: Hotel Sorrento
- Best Live Entertainment Venue: The Fifth Province
- Best Marketed Hotel: Transport Hotel
- Best Outdoor Experience – Metropolitan: Notting Hill Hotel
- Best Outdoor Experience – Regional
- Best Presented Beer: The Terminus North Fitzroy
- Best Pub Bar – Metropolitan: The Clifton Hill Hotel
- Best Pub Bar – Regional: Old Faithfulls Brew Bar
- Best Pub Restaurant – Metropolitan: St Andrews Hotel
- Best Pub Restaurant – Regional: The Victoria Rutherglen
- Best PubTAB – Metropolitan: Kealba Hotel
- Best PubTAB – Regional: All Seasons Resort Hotel Bendigo
- Best Redeveloped Hotel: Macedon Village Hotel
- Best Redeveloped Hotel: The Waterside Hotel
- Best Refurbished Venue Space: The Terminus North Fitzroy
- Best Retail Liquor Outlet: Notting Hill Hotel
- Best Rooftop Experience: Corner Hotel
- Best Specialty Bar: The Social Bar & Eating House
- Best Sports Bar – Metropolitan: Rosstown Hotel
- Best Sports Bar – Regional: Grovedale Hotel
- Bush Pub of the Year: Victoria Hotel
- Chef of the Year: Taxi Kitchen’s Tony Twitchett
- Emerging Leader of the Year: Cherry Hill Hotel’s Ellie Searle
- Excellence in Service: London Tavern Hotel’s Gina Cimarosti
- Heart of the Community: Dargo Hotel
- Heart of the Community: The Grand Hotel Warrandyte
- Local Legends Award: The Caledonian Inn’s Jim & Anne McIIroy
- Outstanding Achievement in Training: The Old Town ‘N’ Country Tavern
- Parma of the Year: Lindenow Farmers Home Hotel
- Parma of the Year: Newborough Hotel
- Parma of the Year: The Creekside Hotel
- Venue Manager of the Year: Sir Henry Barkly Hotel’s Rachael Grisold
- Best Hotel Group Operator: Kickon Group
- Tom Payne OAM Overall Hotel of the Year Metropolitan: The Grand Hotel Warrandyte
- Ian Larkin Overall Hotel of the Year Regional: Macedon Village Hotel
- People’s Choice Award: The Oxford Scholar, Melbourne
