Where you’ll be drinking this weekend: the winners of the Australian Bar Awards 2019
There was once a time when we had to hop on a plane to Sydney or Melbourne to wet our whistles at the best bars in Australia. Those days are long gone, dear friends. According to the results of the 19th annual Bartender Magazine Australian Bar Awards, Brisbane is killing it on the libations front. And we’re happy to reap all the benefits.
Bartender Magazine’s 19th annual Australian Bar Awards saw more than 650 of the bar industry’s leading professionals gather at Sydney’s Doltone House on Tuesday September 17 to celebrate the wonderful people who keep us well lubricated. When we say some of the best bars in Australia are right here in Brisbane we aren’t exaggerating – Brisbane City’s Death & Taxes won Bar of the Year in the State Awards as well as Whisky Bar of the Year. Fortitude Valley’s Savile Row took out Cocktail Bar of the Year for Queensland and that wasn’t all, Alba Bar & Deli nabbed the honour of Best Bar Food and Brooklyn Standard won Live Music Bar of the Year. Woo!
If you are planning a trip to the southern states in the near future (although, why bother?), here is the full list of winners:
Cocktail Bar of the Year
Maybe Sammy, Sydney
New Bar of the Year
Cantina Ok!, Sydney
Best Sustainable Bar Program
Bulletin Place, Sydney
Rum Bar of the Year
Jacoby’s Tiki Bar, Sydney
New Pub of the Year
The Hotel Esplanade, St Kilda Melbourne
Nightclub of the Year
The Cliff Dive, Sydney
Restaurant Bar of the Year
Tiny’s, Western Australia
Restaurant Bar of the Year
Boilermaker House, Melbourne
Pub of the Year
The Lincoln, Melbourne
Wine Bar of the Year
Bar Liberty, Melbourne
Cocktail List of the Year
Maybe Mae, South Australia
Small Bar of the Year
Above Board, Melbourne
Regional Bar of the Year
The 18th Amendment Bar, Melbourne
Gin Bar of the Year
The Barber Shop, Sydney
Tequila Bar of the Year
Cantina Ok!, Sydney
Hotel Bar of the Year
Evolve Spirits Bar, Tasmania
Best Bartenders’ Bar
Hats & Tatts, Melbourne
Bar of the Year
The Baxter Inn, Sydney
State Awards Bar of the Year
Australian Capital Territory: Hippo Co, Canberra
New South Wales: The Baxter Inn, Sydney
Northern Territory: Hot Tamale, Darwin
Queensland: Death & Taxes, Brisbane
South Australia: Cry Baby Bar, Adelaide
Tasmania: Evolve Spirits Bar, Hobart
Victoria: Union Electric, Melbourne
Western Australia: Tiny’s, Perth
State Awards Cocktail Bar of the Year
Australian Capital Territory: Molly, Canberra
New South Wales: Maybe Sammy, Sydney
Queensland: Savile Row, Brisbane
South Australia: Maybe Mae, Adelaide
Tasmania: The Glass House, Hobart
Victoria: The Everleigh, Melbourne
Western Australia: Long Chim Perth, Perth
This is just a snapshot of the winners, to take a peek at the complete list, head to Australian Bartender Magazine.
The Stumble Guide is our comprehensive Brisbane dining guide with more than 2400 places to eat, drink, shop and play.