The 2026 Australian Liquor Industry Awards (ALIAs) were held last night at The Fullerton Hotel in Sydney, with more than 500 on- and off-premise liquor industry participants from across the country in attendance to celebrate.
With a ‘Sporting Icons’ theme, everyone got into character, coming as football players, Formula 1 drivers, basketballers – and even a few Sharons from Kath and Kim.
Throughout the festivities, the hard work of the industry was honoured. In the on-premise component of the awards, pubs were celebrated – with both large and small operators recognised with wins.
Hotel of the Year was awarded to the Bat & Ball Hotel in Sydney’s Redfern. The Bat & Ball Hotel has taken over the cultural zeitgeist of Sydney’s pub scene in the last two years, with a very traditional pub offer done very well. The venue is operated by Working Holiday Group, who have also recently reopened Carlisle Castle Hotel. Director Zac Godbolt said it was an honour for an independent operation to be acknowledged by their peers.
“To be acknowledged is incredible, considering it’s voted for by our peers, but we owe it all to our team, our community, our customers. It means so much when you’re out here just trying to reinvigorate independent pubs and give them that credit that I think everyone wants to. At the end of the day, we have the incredible captain behind the ship, Rachael at the Bat & Ball.”
Rachael Paul, licensee and co-owner of Bat & Ball Hotel – and ALIA’s 2025 Best Publican – was also thrilled by the news.
“To be nominated is unexpected every time, but to win is just incredible. It’s unbelievable,” stated Paul.
This year’s Best Publican gong went to Kayla Seeney, general manager of the Camden Valley Inn, who has spent 14 years at Lewis Leisure venue in Sydney’s south-west, and has led the venue since 2017.
“The recognition is absolutely fantastic, I love this industry. I love my job, I love the people, and I love my venue. I’m the licensee at the Camden Valley Inn and I’ve been there for 14 years now, so I’ve really seen the place evolve and grow with the community.”
Kayla Seeney (left), GM of Camden Valley Inn, was named Best Publican.
Best Hotel Group Operator went to Kickon Group, with several venues across Victoria and Queensland, including The Terminus North Fitzroy, The Doutta Galla Hotel, Osbourne Hotel in Fortitude Valley and The Grand View Hotel in Cleveland.
Kickon Group founder and director Craig Shearer was thrilled with the win and credited his team with the success.
“It’s a huge honour to be recognised by our peers and the industry as Australia’s Best Hotel Group Operator at the ALIAs. We’ve got an incredible team of people across Kickon Group who put their heart and soul into what they do, so this is a fantastic reward for all their hard work.
“We’re all super proud, and while we’ll definitely enjoy celebrating this one, it’ll only make us hungrier to keep getting better!
“A massive congratulations to all the finalists and winners. What an amazing industry we get to be part of here in Australia!”
Kickon Group was named Best Hotel Group Operator.
Industry partner awards
Taking out Best On-Premise Distributor or Wholesaler was ALM On-Premise. The hospitality wholesaler enacted a major step-change at the start of the year, backed by new resources and investment to better connect suppliers and their venue customers.
At the start of the year, Jeremy Goodale, general manager of ALM Southern Region and National On-Premise told Australian Hotelier: “This reset is about providing venues with the appropriate tools to run their business more efficiently and effectively. We have a new structure including some very experienced and passionate on-premise industry champions to support our aspiration of being Australia’s premier liquor wholesale partner, which we’re super excited about.”
Asahi Beverages was named Best On-Premise Supplier. Asahi has executed multiple on-premise activations in venues throughout the year to drive sales, as well as partnering on flagship venues.
You can view the full list of pub winners below. The complete list of 2026 ALIA winners will be available on TheShout shortly.
Best New Pub or Renovation: Waterside Hotel, Melbourne, Vic
Highly Commended: Hotel Harry’s, Surry Hills, NSW
Best Sports or Entertainment Venue: Oran Park Hotel, Oran Park, NSW
Highly Commended: The Caxton, Brisbane, Qld
Best Pub Dining: Builders Arms Hotel, Fitzroy, Vic
Highly Commended: The Lincoln, Carlton, Vic
Best Draught Product: Guinness
Highly Commended: Hard Rated
Best On-Premise Spirit/Liqueur: Never Never Triple Juniper Gin
Highly Commended: Archie Rose True Cut Vodka
Highly Commended: Campari
Best Beer List: Odd Culture, Newtown, NSW
Highly Commended: Bitter Phew, Darlinghurst, NSW
Best Wine List: The Dry Dock, Balmain, NSW; and Bar Demo, Enmore, NSW
Highly Commended: Claret Club, Darlinghurst, NSW
Highly Commended: Odd Culture, Newtown, NSW
Best Hotel: The Bat & Ball Hotel, Redfern, NSW
Highly Commended: The Old Fitzroy Hotel, Woolloomooloo, NSW
Best Hotel Group: Kickon Group
Highly Commended: Momento Hospitality
Best Publican: Kayla Seeney, Camden Valley Inn
Highly Commended: Georgia Harris
Best On-Premise Distributor/Wholesaler: ALM On-Premise
Highly Commended: Paramount Liquor
Best On-Premise Supplier: Asahi Beverages
Highly Commended: LION