Jacksons on George in Sydney and The Beach Hotel in Merewether have been named the best pubs in NSW at the 2024 AHA NSW Awards for Excellence.

Jackson’s on George (above) took out Metropolitan Hotel of the Year, while The Beach Hotel (main) took out Regional Hotel of the Year at a gala awards ceremony at Royal Randwick Racecourse in front of a crowd of about 1350 industry, political and business leaders.

The sought-after People’s Choice Award was won by Terrigal Beach House on the Central Coast, Best Family Friendly Hotel was Lakeside Village Tavern in Raymond Terrace, Best Live Music venue was taken out by Finnian’s Tavern in Port Macquarie, Heart of the Community was won by Coogee Bay Hotel and Best Bush Pub was awarded to the White
Cliffs Hotel in remote central NSW.

Group Hotel Operator of the year was O’Hara Hotels while Individual Hotel Operator award went to Nicholas Clark of The Shortland Hotel.

Popular Central Coast hoteliers Peter and Jane Harris and Gary and Kerry Narvo received a standing ovation when they were inducted into the AHA NSW Hall of Fame and received the Cyril Maloney Medal. It was the first time in AHA NSW history that two married couples were inducted.

More than 950 nominations for NSW pubs were received across 48 categories.

AHA NSW CEO John Whelan said: “These hotels range from mum and dad operations in the most remote parts of the state to
multi-level entertainment precincts in our nation’s greatest city.

“These hotels provide tens of thousands of jobs, raise millions of dollars for charity each and every year and drive the NSW tourism and hospitality economy. I would like to congratulate all award winners.”

Best pub drinks

• Best Draught Beer Quality: The Entrance Social Club, The Entrance
• Best Wine List – Shell House, Sydney
• Best Cocktail List – Nags Head Hotel, Adamstown
• Best Unique Bar Experience – The Underground, The Grand Hotel, Newcastle

Best pub favourite meals

• Best chips: Public House, Petersham
• Best Sunday roast: The Toxteth Hotel, Glebe
• Best burger: Lakeside Village Tavern, Raymond Terrace
• Best steak sandwich: The Coramba Hotel
• Best parmi: The Marsden Brewhouse, Marsden Park
• Best steak: Lake George Hotel, Bungendore
• Best Cheap Eat Meal (under $20) – Five Islands Hotel, Cringila
• Regional Chef of the Year – Shane Clark – Holbrook Hotel, Holbrook
• Metropolitan Chef of the Year – Scott Greves – Humphrey’s Hotel, Hurstville, and Scott
  Mills – Sinclair’s, The Log Cabin, Penrith

View all the winners here.

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