WA’s Best Venues at the 2025 AHA Awards

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that the AHA WA Hospitality Awards are basically the Oscars of the WA dining and bar world, and the 2025 ceremony did not disappoint with more than 40 award categories and a record 605 nominations from across the state.

The annual awards recognise excellence across every corner of the sector, celebrating the venues and individuals doing big things in WA’s lively hospitality industry, from the state’s best hotels, bars, pubs, taverns and restaurants to the dedicated staff who drive their success

Image credit: Australian Hotels Association (WA) | Facebook

Here’s the wrap-up on this year’s biggest hitters across WA’s hospitality scene.

Jump to: Perth’s Best Hospitality Venue
Jump to: Small Bar Award
Jump to: Cocktail Bar Award
Jump to: Restaurant Award Metropolitan
Jump to: Wine List Award

Overall Winner: Perth’s Best Hospitality Venue

Stories, Yagan Square (Nokturnl)

Perth operators Nokturnl made history at the 2025 AHA & Coca-Cola Hospitality Awards for Excellence, becoming the only WA group to win ‘Perth’s Best Hospitality Venue’ three times. Their Yagan Square precinct, Stories, claimed this year’s top honour, joining previous wins for The Old Synagogue (2020) and The Beaufort (2022) – meaning three of Nokturnl’s four Perth venues now hold the state title.

“To win this award once is an incredible honour – to win it three times across three separate venues is something truly special,” said Nokturnl co-founder Ross Drennan, who credited the achievement to his team’s passion, creativity and the successful revitalisation of Yagan Square.

They didn’t stop at the big one either. Stories also took home the Lion Bar Presentation and Service Award, and Best Metropolitan Restaurant for KARLA, cementing its status as one of the most ambitious hospitality developments WA has seen.

Small Bar Award

Celebrating the state’s best intimate drinking spots.

• Bertie Wine Bar, Bassendean (inducted into Hall of Fame)
• Sir Henry’s, Northbridge
• Terrarium Perth
• The Broome Closet
• The Servo Taphouse, Cowaramup

Cocktail Bar Award

Recognising WA’s top cocktail-forward venues.

• Roebuck Bay Hotel, Broome
• Somewhere in the Park, Victoria Park
• Sweetwater Rooftop Bar & Restaurant, East Fremantle (Highly Commended)
• Terrarium Perth (inducted into Hall of Fame)

Restaurant Award Metropolitan

Highlighting the state’s best dining across Perth.

• Alba at Stories, Perth
• Canteen Pizza, Applecross
• Catalano Family Kitchen, Highgate
• Chakra Restaurant, Inglewood
• Il Lido Italian Canteen, Cottesloe
• **KARLA at Stories, Perth**
• La Bastide Shenton, Park
• Lima Cantina, Leederville
• Mistelle Bistro, Shenton Park
• Sweetwater Rooftop Bar & Restaurant, East Fremantle
• The Amberton Beach Bar & Kitchen, Eglinton
• Lotus at The Beaufort, Highgate
• Tonic & Ginger at The Old Synagogue, Fremantle
• The Shorehouse, Swanbourne (inducted into Hall of Fame)

Wine List Award

Honouring the most exceptional wine programs across WA.

• Canteen Pizza, Applecross
• Fiorita Wine Bar & Restaurant, Karratha
• Gibney, Cottesloe
• Hybla Tavern, Albany
• Il Lido Italian Canteen, Cottesloe
• The Shorehouse, Swanbourne
• The Steak House, Piara Waters