Winners celebrate success at biggest and best LCN Awards

The results are in after the biggest and best night in Northern Ireland Hospitality and 18 worthy winners are celebrating picking up a prized LCN Awards gong.

On a night of drama, glam and glitz at Belfast’s Europa Hotel more 450 guests gathered for a Gatsby inspired party which kicked things off at a wonderful Schweppes sponsored drinks reception before moving to the Grand Ballroom which was sea of black and gold, perfectly complementing those in attendance who filly embraced the theme with their wonderful outfits.

Following an introduction by show hosts Joe Lindsay and Sarah Travers it was over to overall Jim Creaney MD of overall sponsor Linencare  to tell guests why he was thrilled to throw his support behind such an important night for the industry and LCN publisher and awards organiser Bill Penton to welcome all of the hopefuls to The Europa.

With 18 awards to be handed out the event, complemented by superb entertainment from Peter Corry Productions, was split into two parts and the big winners on the night were:

• Killeavy Castle, Hotel of the Year (up to 75 rooms), sponsored by Bibendum Wine.
• Margot, Style Bar of the Year, sponsored by Schweppes.
• The Bushmills Inn, Outstanding Customer Service, sponsored by Tourism NI.
• Friel’s Bar and Restaurant, Tourist Pub of the Year, sponsored by Rockshore.
• The Rabbit, Newcomer of the Year, sponsored by McMahon McKay.
• Hop House, Live Music Venue of the Year, sponsored by PPL PRS. 
• Chipmongers, Fish and Chip Shop of the Year, sponsored by McWhinney Sausages.
• Felipe Sanchez-Hutchinson, Barperson of the Year, sponsored by Bushmills.
• Jonathan McBride, Haptik, Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by  FEB Chartered Accountants.
• Head O’The Road, Community Pub of the Year, sponsored by Drinks Inc.
• Julie Hastings, Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by McKee’s law firm.
• Groucho’s on the Square, Pub Food of the Year, sponsored by Go NI.
• The Grand Central, Cafe/Bistro of the Year, sponsored by Frylite.
• The Clover Group/Jailhouse, Digital Marketing Campaign of the Year, sponsored by Linencare.
• Ryan Stringer, James St, Chef of the Year, sponsored by Lynas Foodservice.
•  Galgorm, Hotel of the Year (More than 75 rooms), sponsored by Titanic Distillers.
• Blank, Restaurant of the Year, sponsored by Sysco Ireland.
• The Corner House, Pub of the Year, sponsored by Tennent’s NI. 

Speaking afterwards, LCN publisher Bill Penton said: “The 2022 LCN Awards were a new high for us, both in terms of the event itself and the outstanding entries and winners who of course have excelled in very trying times.

“Of course none of this would be possible without our wonderful sponsors and we look forward to them returning next year and seeing even more great venues in the running to win a prestigious LCN gong.”