Paddington's The Dolphin Hotel has been recognised as Australia's Best Bar Design at the Eat Drink Design Awards held last night at Melbourne’s Victorian Arts Centre.

The winners were revealed at the ceremony last night by MC, chef and restaurateur, Karen Martini.

The Eat Drink Design Awards, which are in their sixth year, recognise and celebrate design excellence and innovation in restaurants, bars, cafés, nightclubs, retail spaces, and temporary venues across Australia and New Zealand.

New South Wales dominated the awards, with three venues named winners in their respective categories, and Sydney's Fratelli Paradiso (pictured below) by Mike Murphy, with additions by Mike Hanna and Don Cameron, being inducted into the Eat Drink Design Awards’ Hall of Fame.

“In an industry characterised by transience, this special accolade acknowledges enduring excellence in the design of a hospitality venue of more than 10 years standing,” the jury said.

Sydney’s inner-city suburb of Barangaroo stood out as a design hug. Campos Barangaroo, designed by Woods Bagot, took out Best Retail Design, and Noma Australia, designed by Foolscap Studio, claimed the title of Best Installation Design.

The Dolphin Hotel, designed by George Livissianis, in Paddington was awarded Best Bar Design for its whimsy yet disciplined approach.

Victoria’s only awards came from suburban and regional areas. Morris and Heath, which is almost 25 kilometres south west of the city centre in Hoppers Crossing and designed by Ritz & Ghougassian won Best Café Design.

Jackalope Hotel on the Mornington Peninsula, designed by Fabio Ongarato Design, received recognition for Best Identity Design.

Viet Next Door in Pennington, Adelaide, designed by Genesin Studio, won Best Restaurant Design.

This year's jury consisted of: 

• Ingrid Richards (Co-founder, Richards & Spence Architects)
• Nat Cheshire (Director, Cheshire Architects)
• Vanessa Crichton (General Manager, Rockpool Bar & Grill)
• Ross Lusted (Chef and Owner, The Bridge Room)
• Cassie Hansen (Editor, Artichoke magazine).

Image: Best Retail Design, Campos Barangaroo by Woods Bagot.

“This year's entries were united by a sweeping sense of ambition across all categories – one focused on careful detail. Within the scope of such ambition we saw more genteel and conservative entries, and entries with irony, verve and wit. The winners in each category display multiple such qualities, combined with a sense of rigour in the application of detail and materials,” said Cassie Hansen, jury chair.

The total total prize pool is $9,000, with each winner receiving $1,500 cash.

All awarded and commended projects receive a certificate and are able to use the Eat Drink Design logo for printed and promotional materials.

2017 Eat Drink Design Award winners

Best Bar Design

• The Dolphin Hotel – George Livissianis

Best Restaurant Design

• Viet Next Door – Genesin Studio

Best Cafe Design

• Morris and Heath – Ritz and Ghougassian

Best Retail Design

• Campos Barangaroo – Woods Bagot

Best Identity Design

• Jackalope Hotel – Fabio Ongarato Design

Best Installation Design

• Noma Australia – Foolscap Studio

Hall of Fame

• Fratelli Paradiso by Mike Murphy with later additions by Mike Hanna and Don Cameron was inducted into the Hall of Fame – an award given each year to an establishment of enduring cultural and design value.

To read more about each design, visit the Eat Drink Desgn Awards web site.

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