Announcement

AHA (Vic) State Awards for Excellence 2026

Victoria's finest pubs, hotels and hospitality professionals have been recognised at the 2026 Australian Hotels Association (Victoria) State Awards for Excellence, celebrating outstanding venues, exceptional service and the best of the state's thriving hospitality industry.

AHA (Vic) State Awards for Excellence 2026

Victoria's hospitality sector came together to celebrate the industry's highest achievers at the Australian Hotels Association (Victoria) State Awards for Excellence.

Held on Monday 18 May 2026 at the iconic Palladium at Crown in Melbourne, the annual gala recognised the state's leading pubs, hotels and venue staff across 39 award categories.

The prestigious awards honour excellence in hospitality, recognising outstanding achievements in customer service, dining, accommodation, entertainment, innovation and venue operations.

Winning an AHA (Vic) State Award for Excellence is regarded as one of the industry's highest accolades, showcasing the venues and hospitality professionals setting the benchmark for Victoria's hotel and pub sector.

AHA (Vic) State Awards for Excellence

The AHA (Vic) State Awards for Excellence is Victoria's biggest and most prestigious hospitality awards event of the year!

Discover which pubs and hotels truly stand out for exceptional service and outstanding customer experiences.

Judging Process: Depending on the category, awards are judged by an anonymous site inspection, written submission, or Zoom interview.

State Awards for Excellence 2026

2026 FINALISTS & WINNERS (PDF)

In 2026, Victoria's top pubs, hotels, and venue staff will be celebrated across 39 award categories at a gala dinner, to be held on Monday, 18 May 2026, at Melbourne's iconic Palladium at Crown.

WINNERS

2026 Nikakis Benchmark Award - Rob Pitt

People's Choice Award - The Oxford Scholar

Overall Hotel of the Year (Metro) - The Grand Hotel Warrandyte

Overall Hotel of the Year (Regional) - Macedon Village Hotel

Best Casual Dining (Metro) - Alpine Hotel, Warburton

Best Casual Dining (Regional) - Western Hotel (Ballarat) and Five Flags Hotel (Campbells Creek)

Best Family Dining - Castello's Victorian Tavern, Gisborne

Best Pub Restaurant (METRO) - St Andrews Hotel, Fitzroy

Best Pub Restaurant (Regional) - The Victoria Rutherglen

Bush Pub of the Year - Victoria Hotel, Dimboola

Cocktail Menu of the Year - The Yackandandah Hotel

Best Function and Event Space (Regional) - The Middle Hotel Korumburra

Best Live Entertainment Venue - The Fifth Province, St Kilda

Best Outdoor Experience (Metro) - Notting Hill Hotel

Best Outdoor Experience (Regional) - San Remo Hotel

Best Presented Beer - The Terminus North Fitzroy

Best Pub Bar (Metro) - The Clifton Hill Hotel

Best Pub Bar (Regional) - Old Faithfulls Brew Bar (Wangaratta)

Best Retail Liquor Outlet - Notting Hill Hotel

Best Rooftop Experience - Corner Hotel, Richmond

Best Specialty Bar - The Social Bar & Eating House (Bendigo)

Best Sports Bar (Metro) - Rosstown Hotel, Carnegie

Best Sports Bar (Regional) - Grovedale Hotel

Parma of the Year - Lindenow Farmers Home Hotel, Newborough Hotel & The Creekside Hotel, Warracknabeal

Best Hotel Accommodation - Hotel Sorrento

Best Gaming Venue (Metro) - Lower Plenty Hotel

Best Gaming Venue (Regional) - Hogans Hotel, Wallan

Best Pubtab (Metro) - Kealba Hotel

Best Pubtab (Regional) - All Seasons Resort Hotel Bendigo

Apprentice of the Year - Olivia Hansen, The Victoria Hotel, (Woodend)

Chef of the Year - Tony Twitchett, Taxi Kitchen

Emerging Leader of the Year - Ellie Searle, Cherry Hill Hotel (Doncaster)

Excellence in Service - Gina Cimarosti, London Tavern Hotel (Richmond)

Local Legends Award - Jim & Anne McIlroy, The Caledonian Inn (Port Fairy)

Venue Manager of the Year - Rachael Grisold, Sir Henry Barkly Hotel (Heidelberg)

Best Hotel Group Operator - Kickon Group

Best Marketed Hotel - Transport Hotel, Melbourne

Outstanding Achievement in Training - The Old Town 'n' Country Tavern (Wangaratta)

Best Redeveloped Hotel - The Waterside Hotel and Macedon Village Hotel

Best Refurbished Venue Space - The Terminus North Fitzroy

Heart of the Community - The Grand Hotel Warrandyte (Metro) and Dargo Hotel (Regional)