Best Pub Bar (Regional and Metropolitan)
* Winner is eligible to enter the AHA National Awards (Best Bar Presentation and Service)
* Venues nominating in this category will be invoiced to reimburse the cost of judging
With a strong focus on customer service, this category recognises excellence in traditional pub bar trade and service in Victoria. Top performing hotels will provide a reasonable variety of draught and bottled beers, wines by the glass, mixed drinks and cocktails, all which are accompanied by quality food. This category is best suited to venues with a dedicated area in the hotel with a strong focus on traditional pub bar trade.
Judges will base their assessment on the following:
Please find judging criteria here.
Best Pub Bar Criteria
Hotel
- Décor, design, ambience, atmosphere, lighting and comfort
- Quality and appearance of the venue (furniture, table setting, crockery, cutlery, glassware)
- Popularity of venue and alignment to local market
- Pricing relevant to local market, quality of the restaurant and fine dining experience
- Hygiene and cleanliness (all areas including restrooms)
Beverage
- Excellent variety of wines to include regional, Victorian and interstate wines
- A reasonable variety of wines offered by the glass
- A variety of beers local and imported available
- A variety of non-alcoholic beverages offered
- Wine description to enhance menu
Staff and Service
- Excellent customer service
- Staff presentation and quality of interaction
- Staff knowledge of all products is a must with the ability to suggest food and wine pairings
- Efficiency of order taking, meal delivery, table clearing
- Staff efficiency and ability to be discreet
- Staff well-groomed
- Knowledge of Responsible Service of Alcohol
- Telephone technique
Menu
- Presentation
- Seasonal variation
- Value for money
- Integration of specials
Food
- Relative price
- Presentation, innovation, accuracy & composition of dishes
- Originality, selection & variety of menu
- Quality of dish
Categories
Individual Employee Awards - $175 per nomination
- Emerging Leader of the Year
- Chef of the Year
- Excellence in Service
- Local Legend Award
- Apprentice of the Year
- Venue Manager of the Year
Dining Awards – $230 - $250 per nomination
Anonymous site visit reimbursement required
- Best Pub Restaurant - Regional & Metropolitan
- Best Casual Dining - Regional & Metropolitan
- Best Family Dining
General Awards - $175 per nomination
Anonymous site visit reimbursement required
- Best Pub Bar - Regional & Metropolitan
- Parma of the Year
- Best Specialty Bar
- Best Presented Beer
- Best Non-Alcoholic Beverage Menu
- Best Live Entertainment Venue
- Best Sports Bar - Regional & Metropolitan
- Best Retail Liquor Outlet
- Best Outdoor Experience - Regional & Metropolitan
- Best Rooftop Experience
- Cocktail Menu of the Year
- Bush Pub of the Yea
Accommodation Awards - $250 per nomination
Anonymous site visit reimbursement required
Gaming & Wagering - $175 per nomination
Anonymous site visit reimbursement required
Performance Awards - $175 per nomination
- Best Marketed Hotel
- Outstanding Achievement in Training
- Heart of the Community
- Best Hotel Group Operator
- Best Function & Event Space