Best Live Entertainment Venue
JUDGING - 100% ANONYMOUS SITE INSPECTION
ELIGIBLE FOR ENTRY INTO THE AHA NATIONAL AWARDS
VOUCHER OR JUDGING FUNDS REQUIRED: to fund drinks, bar snacks and any cover charges affiliated with a live entertainment for two adults to cover the cost of judging.
OVERVIEW
This category is best suited to licensed venues offering live performed entertainment including bands, solo artists, concerts, and performances. However, please note that the majority of points in this category are awarded to live music performances.
To be eligible for this category, the venue must offer live shows or performances on a regular basis and provide a list of events with days, times, and dates that the venue best operates as a live music venue.
GENERAL CRITERIA
- Décor and design characteristics
- Design/layout of the venue
- Condition of furniture, fittings and electrical
- Popularity of the establishment
BAR CRITERIA
- Professionalism and outstanding customer service
- Staff neat, clean attired and well groomed
- Knowledge and implementation of RSA
- Availability of a selection of food
- Comfortable and positive experience for customers
- Beverage experience and offerings (presentation, accuracy, appearance, variety, and quality)
- Hygiene and cleanliness
MARKETING CRITERIA
- In-house promotions on offer
- Website – ease of search, use and finding information
- Social Media presence
- Range of promotional products and activities
- Effective promotion of live music venue through advertising and marketing (in-house, website, print, digital, social media)
- Active promotion of upcoming events via social media and other channels
OVERALL CRITERIA
- Ambience – audio visual, lighting, music
- Staff friendliness and knowledge
- Efficiency of operations throughout the experience
- Pricing relevant to local market, quality of the venue and live music performances
- Technology related to purchasing of tickets if cover charge is applicable (ease of booking etc)
- Quality of in-house audio-visual production
- Crowd control techniques, safety, and security
- Promotional material/posters up to date within venue
Categories
PROPERTY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
The following categories are judged by written submission. Entries are limited to ONE nomination per venue in each category:
PEOPLE AWARDS
The following categories are judged firstly by written submission, and then by an interview. Entries are limited to ONE nomination per venue in each category.
Applicants are awarded on their performance with the nominating property, over the qualifying period 1 January – 31 December 2025. The candidate must be available to appear for an interview via zoom between June - July 2026. Applicants require a minimum of 6 months employment with the nominating property.
EXPERIENCE AWARDS
The following categories are judged 100% by anonymous site inspection some which require vouchers or funds to be provided to cover the cost of judging. Entries are limited to ONE nomination per venue in each category:
Judging voucher information guidelines
FOOD AWARDS
The following categories are judged 100% by anonymous site inspection, which require vouchers or funds to be provided to cover the cost of judging. Entries are limited to ONE nomination per venue in each category:
ACCOMMODATION AWARDS
The following categories are judged 100% by anonymous site inspection, which require vouchers or funds to be provided to cover the cost of judging. Entries are limited to ONE nomination per venue in each category:
Judging voucher information guidelines
OVERALL HOTEL AWARDS - nominations are not required
- People’s Choice Award
- Hotel of the Year - Accommodation Division
- Hotel of the Year - General Division