The AHA WA has announced the winners of its 2025 AHA & Coca-Cola Hospitality Awards for Excellence, at Crown Perth, before more than 1,100 guests.
The Hahn Gala Ball spanned over 40 categories, recognising the state’s best pubs, hotels, taverns, bars and restaurants, and the passionate professionals who make them a vital part of Western Australia’s economy.
Competition this year was said to be exceptionally high, leading to a record 605 nominations and multiple joint winners and highly commended acknowledgements, as several venues were also inducted into the Hall of Fame for having won their category for the third consecutive year.
“This year’s winners showcase the incredible diversity and creativity across our industry, from vibrant regional pubs and boutique breweries to sophisticated dining venues and dynamic hotel bars,” declared AHA(WA) CEO Bradley Woods.
“Their achievements strengthen our tourism offering, support local jobs and help cement WA’s reputation as one of Australia’s premier destinations for food, drink and travel.”
The stand-out performer on the night was LocalsCo, which this year has capitalised on its experience restoring historic pubs and developing modern community venues, executing multiple major investment and revitalisation projects.
The result was an impressive six awards for the group across its portfolio, capped by the major prize of Group Venue Operator.
LocalsCo pledges a commitment to elevating regional and suburban hotels, through training, design reinvestment and “a culture of collaboration” and the accolades cement its reputation as one of WA’s most progressive and community-minded operators.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see the effort of our teams recognised at this level,” says group operations manager Matt Marinich.
“We’ve built LocalsCo around great people and solid hospitality, and this award reflects the pride and ownership our staff bring to every venue.”
The group’s Rose Hotel in Bunbury recently completed a heritage restoration to revitalise the landmark 160-year-old pub, and was rewarded with the titles of WA’s Best Regional Hospitality Venue, which it also won in 2017, and Casual Pub Dining – Regional, which it shared with Froth Craft Bunbrewery, also in Bunbury.
LocalsCo’s Bayswater Hotel was treated to an extensive $7 million redevelopment, recognised for its visionary design and a renewed connection to the local community, and was awarded Redeveloped Venue.
Rounding out the night for the team, LocalsCo’s Eaton Tavern went home with Family Dining Award Regional – for the second consecutive year – and the Treendale Farm Hotel in Australind took TAB Hotel / PubTAB Venue Award Regional.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS
OVERALL AWARDS
WA’s Best Group Venue Operator Award
LocalsCo
WA’s Best Regional Hospitality Venue
The Rose Hotel, Bunbury
Perth’s Best Hospitality Venue
Stories, Perth
GENERAL AWARDS
Community Service Award
Rustlers Steakhouse & Grill, Albany
Training Initiative Award
Optus Stadium, Burswood (inducted into Hall of Fame)
Retail Bottleshop Award
Cellarbrations The Gate Bar and Bistro, Success
Draught Beer Quality Award
Wedgetail Brewing, Falcon
The Lion Bar Presentation and Service Award
Stories, Perth
Small Bar Award
Bertie Wine Bar, Bassendean (inducted into Hall of Fame)
Cocktail Bar Award
Terrarium Perth (inducted into Hall of Fame)
Highly commended: Sweetwater Rooftop Bar & Restaurant, East Fremantle
Tourism Initiative Award
The Marina Mindarie
Conference and Functions Award – Joint winners
Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre
The Amberton Beach Bar & Kitchen, Eglinton
Outdoor Area Award
Gage Roads Freo Brewery
Craft Brewery Award
Beerfarm, Metricup
Redeveloped Venue Award
Bayswater Hotel
Highly commended: Exchange Hotel, Pinjarra
New Hospitality Venue Award
Sunny Social & Caddy’s, Karrinyup
Marketing and Promotions Award
Seven Sins Perth Hills, Roleystone
DINING AWARDS
WA’s Best Steak Sandwich
Carrington’s Bar & Grill, Hamilton Hill
Bar Menu Award
BrewDog Perth
Casual Pub Dining Award Metropolitan
Boundary Island Brewery, Erskine
Casual Pub Dining Award Regional – Joint winners
Froth Craft Bunbrewery, Bunbury
The Rose Hotel, Bunbury
Family Dining Award Metropolitan
The Henley Brook
Family Dining Award Regional
Eaton Tavern
Restaurant Award Metropolitan – Joint winners
KARLA at Stories, Perth
The Shorehouse, Swanbourne (inducted into Hall of Fame)
Restaurant Award Regional
Fiorita Wine Bar & Restaurant, Karratha
New Restaurant Award
The Embassy by Devlin’s, Subiaco
Superior Restaurant Award
Gibney, Cottesloe
Wine List Award
Gibney, Cottesloe
ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS
TAB Hotel / PubTAB Venue Award Metropolitan
The Byford Tavern
TAB Hotel / PubTAB Venue Award Regional
Treendale Farm Hotel, Australind
Sporting Entertainment Venue Award
The Wray Hotel, Fremantle
Live Entertainment Award
Universal Bar Perth
Themed Venue Award
Wild West Bowling, Orana
EMPLOYEE AWARDS
Rising Star
Aidan Skraha, Optus Stadium
Highly commended: Tyla Main, Greenwood Hotel
Cookery Services Employee Award
Ishwor Giri, The Sandbar Scarborough Beach
Highly commended: Alexa Joyce Ubas, Hyde Park Hotel
Head Chef Award – Joint winners
James Cole-Bowen, Gibney
Charlie Vargas, The Embassy by Devlin’s
Highly Commended: Jules Schliesser, Boundary Island Brewery
Food and Beverage Services Employee Award
Tiffany Ley, C. Y. O’Connor Village Precinct
Administration Services Award
Jacquie Fraser, Tillbrook Melaleuka Group
Cocktail Bartender Award
Marina Vidal, The Sandbar Scarborough Beach
Excellence in Service Award
Melanie Watts, Canteen Pizza
Bar Manager Award
Joey Bryne, The Pen Mandurah
Restaurant Manager Award
Luca Fiordi, Gibney
Venue Manager Award
Tamara Burchell, Roebuck Bay Hotel
Martin Lawley, The Carine Tavern
Bar Team Award
Universal Bar
