It’s been a long wait! The results are in: these are the finalists for the 21st annual Bartender Magazine Australian Bar Awards. With an increase in votes of about 50 per cent this year, we know you guys are pumped to get involved, be involved and to find out who made the list.
The Bar Awards will take place on Wednesday, 7th of September this year at Doltone House, and is just one of the 30-plus events in store for Sydney Bar Week this year, which takes place from September 3rd to 7th — click here to visit sydneybarweek.com.au and check out the full timetable.
If you’re a finalist in this year’s awards, you can book your tickets now, by simply clicking here and downloading the form. Tickets are exclusively available for sponsors and the bar trade.
And don’t forget, if you’re a finalist, you should be receiving and email to cast your vote in the second round of voting in coming weeks. If you don’t get an email, please reach out to us at amy@spantonmedia.com.
To all the finalists: congratulations! To all the sponsors, thanks so much for making the Bar Awards a possibility each year. We’ll see you in September at the Bar Awards.
Bar of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Jägermeister
- Beneath Driver Lane, Melbourne, VIC
- Black Pearl, Fitzroy, VIC
- Burrow Bar, Sydney, NSW
- Door Knock, Sydney, NSW
- Fortunate Son, Enmore, NSW
- Foxtrot Unicorn, Perth, WA
- Memphis Slims House of Blues, Adelaide, SA
- Old Mate’s Place, Sydney, NSW
- Shady Pines Saloon, Sydney, NSW
- The Baxter Inn, Sydney, NSW
- The Gresham, Brisbane, QLD
- The Rover, Surry Hills, NSW
Wine Bar of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Unico Zelo
- Bar Liberty, Fitzroy, VIC
- Bar Mellow, Newcastle, NSW
- Bar Rochford, Canberra, ACT
- Bar Rogue, Perth, WA
- Bartolo, Surry Hills, NSW
- Dear Saint Eloise, Potts Point, NSW
- La Lune Wine Co, South Brisbane, QLD
- La Salut, Redfern, NSW
- Love Tilly Divine, Darlinghurst, NSW
- Nieuw Ruin, Fremantle, WA
- Public Wine Shop, Fitzroy, VIC
- Sonny, Hobart, TAS
Pub of the Year
Proudly sponsored by ALM
- Coogee Pavilion, Coogee, NSW
- East Village Hotel, Darlinghurst, NSW
- Goldy’s Tavern, Collingwood, VIC
- Hats & Tatts, Melbourne, VIC
- The Beresford, Surry Hills, NSW
- The Harbord Hotel, Freshwater, NSW
- The Hotel Esplanade, St Kilda, VIC
- The Lincoln, Melbourne, VIC
- The Prince Consort Hotel, Fortitude Valley, QLD
- The Prince, St Kilda, VIC
- The Stag Public House, Adelaide, SA
- The Unicorn, Paddington, NSW
Regional Bar of the Year
- 18th Amendment Bar, Geelong, VIC
- Bar Que Sera, Sawtell, NSW
- Bar Two, Launceston, TAS
- Births & Deaths, Wollongong, NSW
- Blue Kahunas, Newcastle,
- Hooch & Fellow, Townsville, QLD
- Howlin’ Wolf, Wollongong, NSW
- Robbie Brown’s, Kingston Beach, TAS
- Rosella’s, Gold Coast, QLD
- Rum Diary Bar Newcastle, NSW
- Santé Cocktail Bar, Toowoomba, QLD
- Three Wolves, Cairns, QLD
Nightclub of the Year
- Angel Music Bar, Melbourne, VIC
- Bar Bambi, Melbourne, VIC
- Cliff Dive, Sydney, NSW
- Club 77, Darlinghurst, NSW
- Hey Chica, Brisbane, QLD
- Ivy, Sydney, NSW
- La La Land, Brisbane, QLD
- Marquee, Sydney, NSW
- New Guernica, Melbourne, VIC
- The Rechabite, Perth, WA
- The Toff, Melbourne, VIC
Host of the Year
- Anneliese Grazioli, Hanky Panky Lounge, Darwin, NT
- Carmen Ianni, Palmer & Co, Sydney, NSW
- Chau Tran, Burrow Bar & Cash Only Diner, Sydney, NSW
- Ethan Taitoko, Old Mate’s Place, Sydney, NSW
- Kayla Grigoriou, Bar Torino, Adelaide, SA
- Matt Stirling, Caretaker’s Cottage, Melbourne, VIC
- Natalie Ng, Door Knock, Sydney, NSW
- Nick Winter, Frog’s Hollow Saloon, Brisbane, QLD
- Olivia Rockwell, Continental Deli CBD, Sydney, NSW
- Pete Ehemann, The Cumberland, Manly, NSW
- Pippa Canavan, Mechanics Institute, Perth, WA
- Simon Rose-Hopkins, Jolene’s, Sydney, NSW
Bar Team of the Year
Proudly sponsored by FORDS Gin
- Above Board, Collingwood, VIC
- Apollonia, Sydney, NSW
- Cantina OK!, Sydney, NSW
- Caretaker’s Cottage, Melbourne, VIC
- Door Knock, Sydney, NSW
- Double Deuce Lounge, Sydney, NSW
- Frog’s Hollow Saloon, Brisbane, QLD
- Maybe Sammy, Sydney, NSW
- Memphis Slims House of Blues, Adelaide, SA
- Old Mate’s Place, Sydney, NSW
- Savile Row, Brisbane, QLD
- The Baxter Inn, Sydney, NSW
Brand Ambassador of the Year
Proudly presented by Bartender Magazine
- Ross Blainey, Balvenie & Glenfiddich
- Tristram Lilliburne-Fini, Campari Academy
- Brendan Scott Grey, Beam Suntory/CCA
- Lucille Rose-Hopkins, Sailor Jerry & Monkey Shoulder
- Shay Chamberlain, Never Never Distilling Co
- Andrew Tsai, Brown Forman
- Alice Newport, Pernod Ricard
- Krystal Hart, Diageo World Class
- James Irvine, Four Pillars Gin
- Martin Hudak, Mr Black Spirits
- Trish Brew, Fever Tree
- Jeremy Shipley, Lyre’s Spirit Co
Cocktail List of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Moët Hennessy
- Above Board, Collingwood, VIC
- Apollonia, Sydney, NSW
- Byrdi, Melbourne, VIC
- Cantina OK!, Sydney, NSW
- Eau de Vie, Melbourne, VIC
- Gimlet, Melbourne, VIC
- Long Chim – The Lone Traveller Vol.2, Perth, WA
- Maybe Mae, Adelaide, SA
- Maybe Sammy, Sydney, NSW
- PS40, Sydney, NSW
- RE, Eveleigh, NSW
- The Cumberland, Manly, NSW
Cocktail Bar of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Campari Academy
- Above Board, Collingwood, VIC
- Apollonia, Sydney, NSW
- Byrdi, Melbourne, VIC
- Charlie Parker’s, Paddington, NSW
- Double Deuce Lounge, Sydney, NSW
- Dr Gimlette, Brisbane, QLD
- Eau de Vie Melbourne, VIC
- Gimlet, Melbourne, VIC
- Maybe Sammy, Sydney, NSW
- RE, Eveleigh, NSW
- The Cumberland, Manly, NSW
- The Everleigh, Melbourne, VIC
Hotel Bar of the Year
- Curious at W Hotel, Melbourne
- Dean & Nancy on 22 at A by Adina, Sydney, NSW
- Evolve Spirits Bar, Hobart, TAS
- Flaggerdoot at Jackalope, Merricks North, VIC
- Grain Bar at Four Seasons, Sydney, NSW
- Hennessy Bar at Mayfair Hotel, Adelaide, SA
- IXL Long Bar at Henry Jones Art Hotel, Hobart, TAS
- La Madonna at Next Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
- Lobby Bar at Ace Hotel, Sydney NSW
- Mary Mary at The Tasman Hotel, Hobart, TAS
- Miss Moneypenny’s at Avani Hotel, Broadbeach, QLD
- Zephyr Sky Bar at Hyatt Regency, Sydney. NSW
Gin Bar of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Hendrick’s Gin
- Bar Torino, Adelaide, SA
- Barber Shop, Sydney, NSW
- Covent Garden, Brisbane, QLD
- Frank Mac’s, Sydney, NSW
- Frisk Small Bar, Perth, WA
- Gin Lane, Chippendale, NSW
- Gin Palace, Melbourne, VIC
- Hains & Co, Adelaide, SA
- Malt & Juniper, Adelaide, SA
- Moya’s Juniper Lounge, Redfern, NSW
- Society Salamanca, Hobart, TAS
- The Koutetsu, Newcastle, NSW
New Bar of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Lyre’s
- About Time, Sydney, NSW
- Bar Planet, Enmore, NSW
- Caretaker’s Cottage, Melbourne, VIC
- Dr Gimlette, Brisbane, QLD
- Frank Mac’s, Sydney, NSW
- Frog’s Hollow Saloon, Brisbane, QLD
- Hanky Panky Lounge, Darwin, NT
- Menzies Bar & Bistro, Sydney, NSW
- Nieuw Ruin, Fremantle, WA
- Odd Culture Newtown, NSW
- PAR., Melbourne VIC
- Pearl Diver Cocktails & Oysters, Melbourne, VIC
Best Bartenders’ Bar
Proudly sponsored by De Kuyper
- About Time, Sydney, NSW
- Big Poppa’s, Darlinghurst, NSW
- Burrow Bar, Sydney, NSW
- Foxtrot Unicorn, Perth, WA
- Frog’s Hollow Saloon, Brisbane, QLD
- Gold Bar, Hobart, TAS
- Hats & Tatts, Melbourne, VIC
- Mechanics Institute Bar, Northbridge, WA
- Old Mate’s Place, Sydney, NSW
- Ramblin’ Rascals Tavern, Sydney, NSW
- Spleen Bar, Melbourne, VIC
- The Gresham, Brisbane, QLD
Best Distillery Bar
Proudly sponsored by Fever-Tree
- Anther Distillery, Geelong, VIC
- Archie Rose, Rosebery, NSW
- Brix Distillery, Surry Hills, NSW
- Four Pillars Distillery, Healesville, VIC
- Hickson House Distilling Co, Sydney, NSW
- Imperial Measures Distilling Ounce Bar, Thebarton, SA
- Never Never Distilling Co, McLaren Vale, SA
- Poor Toms Gin Hall, Marrickville, NSW
- Prohibition Bar, Adelaide, SA
- Republic of Fremantle, Fremantle, WA
- Starward, Port Melbourne, VIC
- Wolf Lane Distillery, Cairns, QLD
Best Bar Food
- Alba Bar & Deli, Brisbane, QLD
- Apollonia, Sydney, NSW
- Bar Rogue, Perth, WA
- Big Poppa’s, Darlinghurst, NSW
- Burrow Bar, Sydney, NSW
- Continental Deli, Newtown, NSW
- Door Knock, Sydney, NSW
- Gimlet, Melbourne, VIC
- High Jinks, Canberra, ACT
- Nieuw Ruin, Fremantle, WA
- Pearl Diver Cocktails & Oysters, Melbourne, VIC
- The Duke of Clarence, Sydney, NSW
Best Brewery Bar
- Atomic Brewery, Redfern, NSW
- Bentspoke, Canberra, ACT
- Bodriggy Brewing Company, Abbotsford, VIC
- Bowden Brewing, Bowden, SA
- Capital Brew Co, Fyshwick, ACT
- Felons Bar & Brewing, Brisbane, QLD
- Grifter, Marrickville, NSW
- Hobart Brewing Co, Hobart, TAS
- Mixtape Brewing & Bar, Marrickville, NSW
- Pirate Life, Perth, WA
- Wayward Brewing Co, Camperdown, NSW
- Young Henrys, Newtown, NSW
Best Live Music Venue
Proudly sponsored by Sailor Jerry
- Beneath Driver Lane, Melbourne VIC
- Blackbird, Canberra, ACT
- Brooklyn Standard, Brisbane, QLD
- Cherry Bar, Melbourne, VIC
- Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney, NSW
- Jolene’s, Sydney, NSW
- King Lear’s Throne, Brisbane, QLD
- Lefty’s Music Hall, Brisbane, QLD
- Memphis Slim’s House of Blues. Adelaide, SA
- Shady Pines Saloon, Darlinghurst, NSW
- Suzie Wong’s Good Time Bar, Brisbane, QLD
- The Triffid, Brisbane, QLD
Bar Operator of the Year
- Barrelhouse Group, NSW
- Camorra Bar Group, VIC
- Gonzo Group, SA
- House Made Hospitality, NSW
- Liquid & Larder, NSW
- Made in the Shade, VIC
- Martin Lange, QLD
- MUCHO., NSW
- Odd Culture Group, NSW
- Speakeasy Group, NSW & VIC
- Swillhouse, NSW
- The Maybe Group, NSW
Best Specialty Beer Venue
Proudly Sponsored by Young Henrys
- Bitter Phew, Darlinghurst, NSW
- Boilermaker House, Melbourne, VIC
- Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney, NSW
- Odd Culture Newtown, NSW
- Petition Beer Corner, Perth, WA
- Mr West, Footscray, VIC
- Beer Mash, Collingwood, VIC
- Dutch Trading Co., Victoria Park, WA
- Keg & Brew, Surry Hills, NSW
- St John’s Craft Beer, Launceston, TAS
- Besk, West Leederville, WA
Bar Manager of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Pernod Ricard
- Alissa Gabriel, Hinchcliff House, Sydney, NSW
- Cameron Parish, Gimlet, Melbourne, VIC
- Emma Crisp, Mechanics Institute/ Si Paradiso, Perth, WA
- Jacob Cohen, Savile Row, Brisbane, QLD
- Jacob North, Burrow Bar, Sydney, NSW
- Jay Cozma, The Baxter Inn, Sydney, NSW
- Kayla Reid, Nick & Nora’s Melbourne, VIC
- Matt Baker, Dr Gimlette, Brisbane, QLD
- Michael Keogh, Memphis Slims House of Blues, Adelaide, SA
- Pete Hollands, Frog’s Hollow Saloon, Brisbane, QLD
- Petr Dvoracek, The Cumberland, Manly, NSW
- Rebecca Goodman, Evolve Spirits Bar, Hobart, TAS
Whisky Bar of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Glenfiddich
- Baxter Inn, Sydney, NSW
- Boilermaker House, Melbourne, VIC
- Death & Taxes, Brisbane, QLD
- Evolve Spirits Bar, Hobart, TAS
- Frog’s Hollow Saloon, Brisbane, QLD
- J&M, Sydney, NSW
- Savile Row, Brisbane, QLD
- The Doss House, The Rocks, NSW
- The Elysian, Melbourne, VIC
- The Gresham, Brisbane QLD
- Varnish on King, Perth, WA
- Whisky and Alement, Melbourne, VIC
Small Bar of the Year
- Above Board, Collingwood, VIC
- Apollonia, Sydney, NSW
- Burrow Bar, Sydney, NSW
- Cantina OK!, Sydney, NSW
- Caretaker’s Cottage, Melbourne, VIC
- Double Deuce Lounge, Sydney, NSW
- Little Felix, Sydney, NSW
- Maker, Brisbane, QLD
- Romeo Lane, Melbourne, VIC
- Rude Boy, Hobart, TAS
- The Cumberland, Manly, NSW
- Yarra Falls, Melbourne, VIC
Rum Bar of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Bacardi Rum
- Blue Kahunas, Newcastle, NSW
- Burrow Bar, Sydney, NSW
- Flamingo’s Tiki Bar, Cairns, QLD
- Grandma’s Bar, NSW
- Hains & Co., Adelaide, SA
- Hula Bula Bar, Perth, WA
- Jacoby’s Tiki Bar, Enmore, NSW
- Jolly Roger Bar, Brisbane, QLD
- Jungle Bird, Fremantle, WA
- Rude Boy, Hobart, TAS
- Rum Diary Bar, Fitzroy, VIC
- The Lobo, Sydney, NSW
Training Program of the Year
Proudly presented by Bartender Magazine
- Ananas
- Campari Academy
- Diageo Bar Academy
- JERRY powered by Allara Global
- The Blend by Beam Suntory & The Exchange by CCEP
Tequila Bar of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Tequila Patrón
400 Rabbits, Brisbane, QLD- Bodega Underground, Melbourne, VIC
- Caballitos, Perth, WA
- Cantina OK!, Sydney, NSW
- El Grotto, Perth, WA
- Esteban, Sydney, NSW
- Hey Chica, Fortitude Valley, QLD
- Hot Tamale, Darwin, NT
- La Cholita, Northbridge, WA
- Mesa Verde, Melbourne, VIC
- Pancho Villa, Hobart, TAS
- Tio’s Cerveceria, Surry Hills, NSW
Restaurant Bar of the Year
- Alberto’s Lounge, Surry Hills, NSW
- Banco, Manly, NSW
- Bar Margaux, Melbourne, VIC
- Continental Deli Newtown, NSW
- Gimlet, Melbourne, VIC
- Hubert, Sydney, NSW
- Leonards Bar & Bistro, Brisbane QLD
- Long Chim, Perth, WA
- Mjølner, Sydney, NSW
- Pearl Diver Cocktails and Oysters, Melbourne, VIC
- Society, Melbourne, VIC
- The Gidley, Sydney, NSW
Rookie of the Year
Proudly Sponsored by The Blend
Ana Mitchell, 18th Amendment Bar, Geelong, VIC- Brianna Aboud, Ramblin’ Rascal Tavern, Sydney, NSW
- Dylan Field, Gimlet, Melbourne, VIC
- Hunter Gregory, Maybe Sammy, Sydney, NSW
- Jac Van Dongen, Eau de Vie, Melbourne, VIC
- Jacob Ransom, Jolene’s, Sydney, NSW
- Jake Errey, Apollonia, Sydney, NSW
- Leah Dunnigan, The Baxter Inn, Sydney, NSW
- Madi Jeffrey, Neon Palms, Perth, WA
- Martin McConnell, Frog’s Hollow, Brisbane, QLD
- Meg Ashworth, Evolve Spirits Bar, Hobart, TAS
- Mel Hack, Beneath Driver Lane, Melbourne, VIC
Cocktail Bar of the Year State
- ACT: Miss Van’s, Volstead Repeal, High Jink’s, White Rabbit Cocktail Room
- NSW: Double Deuce Lounge, Maybe Sammy, Re, Apollonia, Charlie Parker’s, The Cumberland, Dean & Nancy on 22
- NT: Hanky Panky Lounge, Hot Tamale, The Trader Bar
- QLD: Maker, Dr Gimlette, Death & Taxes, Savile Row, Cobbler
- SA: Maybe Mae, Hains & Co, Bar Torino
- TAS: Evolve Spirits Bar, Mary Mary, IXL Long Bar, Gold Bar, Rude Boy
- VIC: Above Board, Gimlet, Byrdi, The Everleigh, Eau de Vie Melbourne, PAR.
- WA: Frisk Small Bar, Neon Palms, Bar Rogue, Bobeche
Bar of the Year State
- ACT: Bar Rochford, Molly, Hippo Co.
- NSW: Baxter Inn, Old Mate’s Place, Door Knock, Fortunate Son, The Rover, Burrow Bar, Shady Pines
- NT: Babylon Bar, Charlie’s of Darwin, Sandbar, Smoke & Oak
- QLD: The Gresham, Frog’s Hollow Saloon, Alba Bar & Deli
- SA: Memphis Slims House of Blues, Cry Baby Bar, Leigh Street Luggage, NOLA Adelaide
- TAS: Robbie Brown’s, Bar Two, Sonny Bar, Society Salamanca, The Glass House
- VIC: Black Pearl, Beneath Driver Lane, Caretaker’s Cottage, Pearl Diver Cocktails & Oysters
- WA: Foxtrot Unicorn, Mechanics Institute, Naber + IIII, Si Paradiso
The Bar Awards will take place on Wednesday, 7th of September this year at Doltone House, and is just one of the 30-plus events in store for Sydney Bar Week this year, which takes place from September 3rd to 7th — click here to visit the barweek.com.au and check out the full timetable.
If you’re a finalist in this year’s awards, you can book your tickets now, by simply clicking here and downloading the form. Tickets are exclusively available for sponsors and the bar trade.