Key Facts:
- Mooloolaba’s WAT Den has won Regional Bar of the Year at the 2026 Australian Bar Awards, marking the first time a Sunshine Coast venue has claimed a category at Australia’s premier bar industry awards.
- The award was announced at Sydney Bar Week, with the Australian Bar Awards now in its 25th year, judging the country’s best venues across more than 30 categories.
- WAT Den, which opened on the Mooloolaba Esplanade in 2023, has built its reputation on an extensive whisky and tequila list, a playful cocktail menu, and a walk-in-only, laid-back atmosphere.
- The win coincides with the team opening Hid Den, a new 20-seat speakeasy a short walk from WAT Den, inspired by Japanese omakase bars and featuring theatrical cocktails using techniques such as liquid nitrogen, spherification, and open-flame presentations.
- Co-owner Jeanelle credited the award to the team’s passion and commitment to warm, engaging hospitality, while venue manager Bri Reilly praised the support of staff, regulars, and the broader Queensland bar community.
Mooloolaba’s WAT Den takes out top honours at the 2026 Australian Bar Awards capping off a big month that also saw the team open Hid Den, their new Mooloolaba speakeasy.
WAT Den has taken out Regional Bar of the Year at the 2026 Australian Bar Awards, the first time a Sunshine Coast venue has won a category at Australia’s peak bar industry awards.
The win was recently announced at Doltone House, Jones Bay Wharf, as the marquee event of Sydney Bar Week. Now in its 25th year, the Australian Bar Awards is run by Australian Bartender Magazine and judges the country’s best venues across more than 30 categories, with WAT Den’s Regional Bar of the Year sponsored by Club Suntory.
“This award is a huge recognition of passion in action,” said Jeanelle, co-owner of WAT Den.
“We share it with our amazing team who bring the energy our guests experience, and we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve created in this beautiful community. We have always truly believed in warm and engaging hospitality, and this award proves it still matters to people.”
Since opening on the Mooloolaba Esplanade in 2023, WAT Den has built its name on an extensive whisky and tequila list, a playful cocktail menu, and a laid-back, walk-in-only atmosphere, bringing a bit of big-city bar culture to the Coast without losing what makes it a local.
The award caps off a huge month for the team, who also just opened Hid Den, a 20-seat hidden cocktail bar a short walk from WAT Den. Where WAT Den is the local you walk into, Hid Den is the one you have to find, a modern speakeasy inspired by Japanese omakase bars and coastal minimalism, built around theatrical, experimental cocktails using techniques like liquid nitrogen, spherification, rapid infusion and open-flame presentations. It’s walk-ins only, Wednesday to Sunday, with WAT Den doubling as the waiting room for guests on the list.
“Winning this award is nothing short of a dream,” said Bri Reilly, venue manager and drinks program lead at Hid Den.
“We are so lucky to be surrounded by such support, and an incredible family of regulars and staff. We are so grateful to know our fellow QLD and Aussie bars are supporting us with such intensity. This award would never have graced us without our incredible team of dedicated, talented and one-of-a-kind staff over the last three years.”
