Queensland Hotels Association

🥪 The nominees are in!

The search for Queensland’s Best Steak Sandwich is officially underway, with 43 venues from across the state throwing their hats in the ring.

Now it’s over to you! The People’s Vote is officially open, so there’s never been a better excuse to get out, explore Queensland’s pubs and hotels, and eat your way around the state in search of your favourite steak sandwich.

Visit them in venue to cast your vote! 🏆

Beef Australia Great Northern Brewing Co. PFD Food Services McCain Foods Australia

🥂 Meet the woman bringing a taste of Champagne to Brisbane.

After surviving a life-threatening brain tumour, Winnifred’s founder Megan Nunn turned her love of sparkling wine into a passion for championing small, independent producers from France.

Today, her French-inspired Champagne bar and bistro is home to more than 550 cuvées, creating a place where Brisbane can experience the very best of the region without the expensive airfare.

Discover Megan’s story and more in the latest issue of QHA Review, via the link: https://qha.org.au/media/qha-review/

That’s a wrap on QHA’s 2026 Hotel Market & Economic Outlook Event!

We brought the industry together to unpack what’s ahead for Queensland’s hotels, from rising costs and workforce pressures to major events, the visitor economy and AI.

The takeaway? Challenging times, but plenty of opportunity ahead.

With Brisbane 2032 on the horizon and our visitor economy building momentum, there’s plenty to be cautiously confident about.

Thanks to our speakers and everyone who joined us for a day of great insights and important conversations. Bring on what’s next!

Small steps forward. But Queensland hospitality needs a giant leap.

Today’s Nightlife Economy Action Plan is a start but it’s nowhere near enough.

Queensland’s hospitality industry has been calling for bold reform. Instead, too many of the recommendations that matter have been kicked further down the road.

We need action on:
🍻 Extended trading hours
🔊 Practical, modern noise laws
🪪 Simpler ID scanning for low-risk venues
📋 Reduced red tape
💰 Licensing fee reform

Queensland’s pubs, clubs, restaurants and hospitality businesses are ready to grow. They need Government to give them the room to do it.

The message from QHA is clear: we’re ready for reform. Now we need to see it delivered.

Six years to go. Six priorities for Queensland hospitality.

The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympics Games are a once-in-a-generation opportunity to put Queensland’s pubs, bars, restaurants and venues on the world stage.

To make the most of it, there are a few things we need to get right between now and then.

Here are six changes we're advocating for:

✔️ Let us stay up late! It’s time for modern trading hours that meet customer demands
✔️ Cut the red tape. Less time spent on paperwork means more time doing what we do best.
✔️ Build the workforce. Let’s create more pathways into rewarding, long-term careers in hospitality
✔️ Let us talk about what we sell. We know alcohol comes with responsibility. But we should be able to talk about it responsibly, too.
✔️ Get people back out there. Let’s build a culture that celebrates going out, connecting with each other and supporting our local venues.
✔️ The world is coming! Let’s use every opportunity between now and 2032 as a practice run to make sure Queensland is ready.

The countdown is on. Let's make the next six years count.

The QHA ER Conference is just under a month away 📅

Tuesday, 18 August | Brisbane

Employment law. Workforce strategy. Migration challenges. Real answers.

Featuring presentations from Mullins Lawyers, Tanda, Hostplus and more, this is the must-attend event for hospitality's HR and IR professionals.

- Elsa Bland (courtesy of Tanda)
- Sarv Singh (courtesy of Mullins Lawyers)
- Peter Bruce (courtesy of Hosplus)
- Jordanna Vanderstadt (courtesy of Hostplus)
- Vice President Ingrid Asbury (courtesy of Fair Work Commission)
- Commissioner John Dwyer (courtesy of Queensland Industrial Relations Commission)

Register now via the link: https://qha.org.au/events/employment-relations-conference-aug-2026/

It’s not just about grabbing a parmy and a pint anymore. Brisbane's pubs are officially in their competitive socialising era 🎯

Pool cues, putters, batting cages, bowling alleys, mechanical bulls, candle-making and full-scale game show nights. Whether you’re in it for the glory or the experience, we've rounded up the best spots to take your mates for a proper showdown 👇

The Calamvale Hotel, The Ballpark Portside, The Lord Stanley Hotel, Riverland Brisbane, Netherworld, Carindale Hotel, Archive Beer Boutique, Eatons Hill Hotel, The Glen Hotel, The Prince Consort, The Colmslie Hotel, The Wickham

Where are you heading first?

If you haven’t been back to Madame Wu since its lush refurb, this is your sign to book a table 🥢

The views over the Brisbane River were always unbeatable, but pair that with a multi-million-dollar transformation, bold Asian-inspired flavours and service that really delivers, and you've got something seriously special on your hands.

Check out the full feature in our latest issue of QHA Review: https://qha.org.au/media/qha-review/