Award Categories

Let's take a look at the awards on offer this year, and how to enter!

Pub of the Year: Rural

Premises with a rural, hamlet or village location

Pub of the Year: Urban

Premises with an urban or town centre location

Pub of the Year: City

Premises with a city centre or similar location

The Ulster Pub is world famous for its craic and has always played an important role in both our communities and our economy. From the smallest country pub to the largest city centre bar, we have the best in the world and it’s something we should celebrate. That’s why we have introduced three Pub of the Year Awards, recognising the best Pubs and Bars in rural, urban and city locations.

***Hotel Bar of the Year (1* - 3*)***

***Hotel Bar of the Year (4* - 5*)***

Our Hotel Bars play an important role in showcasing our world-class service backed by our famous hospitality. With a great range of quality hotels catering for every need, we have introduced two Best Hotel Bar Awards, recognising the differing offers and expectations of their customers.

Commitment to Local Food: Pub

Commitment to Local Food: Restaurant

Commitment to Local Food: Hotel

(in partnership with Food NI / Taste of Ulster)

Eating out is a huge part of the modern hospitality industry and locally produced food is now a growing and important part of what our Pubs, Hotels and Restaurants have to offer. So, to recognise this important development, we have joined forces with FoodNI / Taste of Ulster to introduce three Commitment to Local Food Awards, recognising the commitment to local food in our Pubs, Hotels and Restaurants.

FoodNI/Taste of Ulster are all about showcasing the finest food and drink from Northern Ireland, promoting the people who produce it and distribute it to shops and catering outlets. FoodNI/Taste of Ulster believe we have world class ingredients and chefs who work tirelessly to get that message out near and far. FoodNI/Taste of Ulster are lead partners working with Tourism NI to deliver Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink 2016.

Commitment to the Community (open to pubs, restaurants and hotels)

The hospitality industry is a huge economic driver for Northern Ireland but its impact reaches much further than that. The people behind our best hospitality venues have contributed greatly to the communities in which they operate and this category seeks to recognise and reward those people.

Barperson of the Year (in partnership with Sunday Life)

The hospitality business is about people so it goes without saying that we should recognise the people that make our industry so great. So once again we have partnered with the Sunday Life newspaper to allow your customers to choose the Best Bar Person for 2016.

This remains the only award that is nominated and voted for by your customers. This award MUST be entered via The Sunday Life newspaper itself.

How to enter:

Buy the Sunday Life newspaper.
Nominate your Best Barperson (This is someone who really has something special; a big personality; and who goes ‘above and beyond’ for your local pub).
The short-listed nominees will then be profiled in Sunday Life over a number of weeks.
The public will vote for who they want to win.
Shortlisted pubs will be vetted by Hospitality Ulster and mystery shoppers to ensure they adhere to industry standards.
The top five attend an interview with a panel of experts and the judges will determine the overall winner.
The winner will be announced on the Gala night.

Food & Beverage Manager of the Year (open to pubs, restaurants and hotels)

With combined food and beverage sales becoming even more important to maximise profit and deliver a quality customer experience, for 2016 we have introduced a new Award category for 2016 - Food & Beverage Manager of the Year

Hospitality Ulster’s Rising Star (in partnership with Ulster University Business School)

As the leading hospitality educator, Ulster University Business School will recognise the achievements of one of its outstanding students – someone they believe to be a rising star.

Industry Legend (in partnership with Hospitality Review NI)

The Industry Legend Award will recognise an industry figure for their outstanding contribution over the years to any element of the local hospitality sector. The award is open to nominees from the Pub, Hotel and Restaurant sectors.

For further information or to nominate an Industry Legend, contact Hospitality Review NI editor Alyson Magee on 028 9078 3246 or by email alysonmagee@greerpublications.com.