At the liquor industry’s night of nights, the Swillhouse Group solidified their position at the top of the Australian bar industry, taking home a slew of major awards including Best New Bar for Hubert, Bar Of The Year for The Baxter Inn, and Bar Group Operator Of The Year.
Speaking to b&c last night Swillhouse co-owner Anton Forte said it was an honour to win again.
“We’re fucking pumped. It’s seriously fucking awesome to have the support of all our other dumb cunt industry people. It’s really awesome. Just fucking rad,” he said.
James Irvine, who works across a range of the Swillhouse venues also scored Bartender of The Year.
The grand dame of the Australian bar scene Black Pearl, took home well deserved gongs for Bar Team Of The Year and Best Cocktail List.
Bar Manager Of The Year went to Cristiano Beretta for the second year running, while Applejack Hospitality scored Best Food Menu for their venue The Butler and a highly commended for Bar Group Operator Of The Year.
Other big winners on the night were Barrel Barons who took home highly commended for Best New Bar for Kittyhawk and Big Poppa’s, while Paige Aubort picked up a highly commended for Bartender of the Year and Dre Walters scored a highly commended for Bar Manager Of The Year.
Editor of TheShout, Andrew Young, commented: “ALIAs are voted for the industry, by the industry so I would like to congratulate all the finalists on their great work over the last 12 months being recognised. Obviously big congratulations as well to all the winners, it really is a tremendous achievement and recognition for a lot of great bars and a lot of hard work. There were 600 people and well over 100 companies in attendance at ALIA this year, so it is great to be able to recognise the industry and celebrate with them as well.”
On behalf of b&c, congrats to all the finalists, runners-up and winners for 2016!
On-Premise Awards:
BEST VENUE RENOVATION
WINNER: The Dolphin
HIGHLY COMMENDED: The Paddington
BEST NEW BAR
WINNERS: Restaurant Hubert
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Big Poppa’s; Kittyhawk
BEST FOOD MENU
WINNER: The Butler
HIGHLY COMMENDED: The Paddington
BAR MANAGER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Cristiano Beretta
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Dre Walters
BAR TEAM OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Black Pearl
HIGHLY COMMENDED: The Baxter Inn
BEST BEER LIST
WINNER: The Local Taphouse
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Beer DeLuxe
BEST WINE LIST
WINNER: Bar Brosé
HIGHLY COMMENDED: The Winery
BEST COCKTAIL LIST
WINNER: Black Pearl
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Bulletin Place
BARTENDER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: James Irvine
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Paige Aubort
BAR OF THE YEAR
WINNER: The Baxter Inn
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Black Pearl
BAR GROUP OPERATOR OF THE YEAR
WINNER: The Swillhouse Group
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Applejack Hospitality
ON-PREMISE LIQUOR SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Diageo
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Vanguard Luxury Brands
