Queenstown Hospitality Group Wins New Zealand’s Best Café and Best Bar

Future Hospitality Group’s Odd Saint and Little Blackwood have been crowned New Zealand’s Best Café and Best Bar at the 2026 LION Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence.

Future Hospitality Group is celebrating a landmark achievement after Odd Saint and Little Blackwood were named New Zealand’s Best Café and Best Bar at the 2026 LION Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence.

Hosted annually by Hospitality New Zealand, the Awards for Excellence recognise the country’s leading hospitality businesses, celebrating operators who set the benchmark for customer experience, service, innovation and overall business excellence.

For founders Bert Haines and James Ace, the double win reflects the philosophy that has shaped every Future Hospitality Group venue.

“Every venue we create has its own personality, but they’re all built around one simple idea: creating experiences that make people want to come back, tell their friends and remember their time with us long after they’ve left Queenstown,” says Ace.

“Great food and drinks are where the experience starts, but what people remember is how you made them feel. That’s why we encourage every team member to anticipate guests’ needs, notice the little details and create moments that stay with people long after they’ve left.”

The founders say the awards belong to the people behind the venues.

“Every guest interaction matters. Every detail matters. Every team member matters. This recognition belongs to the people who’ve pulled the coffees, plated the meals, shaken the cocktails, welcomed guests through the door and worked behind the scenes every single day. They’re the reason our guests keep coming back,” says Haines.

The group also acknowledged the Queenstown community and the thousands of visitors who have supported both venues.

“To our locals who continue to choose us, thank you for making us part of your lives. And to every traveller who has spent part of their Queenstown experience with us, thank you for trusting us with those moments. We never take that for granted.”

While the awards are a proud milestone, Ace says they simply reinforce the standard the team strives for every day.

“Awards are incredibly special, but tomorrow we’ll do exactly what we’ve always done. Unlock the doors, welcome every guest with genuine hospitality and do our best to create another memorable experience. That’s what hospitality means to us.”