ASH and Libby Walker's Armatree Hotel, Merrigal, NSW, has won the Best Bush Pub award for the second year running.
The Walkers have been well-respected hosts at the pub for many years and continue to please the crowds, and locals with good beer, service, food and friendship.
Their award was announced this week among the 2019 Australian Hotels Association's (AHA) NSW Awards of Excellence.
Scone's Thoroughbred Hotel took out the best steak category, while parmigiana connoisseurs will have to travel to Broken Hill to feast on the "Best Parmi" at the Tydvil Hotel and Bistro.
The Hunter's Bradford Hotel in Rutherford took out the best regional pub title while best family friendly was Toormina Hotel.
Best traditional pub accommodation award went to the Prince of Wales Hotel, Gulgong, which also won the best cheap eat meal under $15.
Tattersalls Hotel, Armidale, won the best regional new/redeveloped venue while best retail liquor outlet was Harrigans Irish Pub and Accommodation, Pokolbin.
Some 600 nominations were received for the industry's most prestigious awards across a record 45 categories.
AHA NSW CEO John Whelan said it was pleasing to see so many regional hotels entering when many had been doing it tough in drought-stricken, and bushfire ravaged communities.
