What a night.
Last Night, Australia’s bar industry came together at Razz Room for the reveal of the 2026 Top 20 Most Influential, proudly sponsored by Spirits Academy, as part of Sydney Bar Week.
After releasing the Top 100 in alphabetical order earlier this year, tonight was the moment everyone had been waiting for, with the final 20 revealed live.
The room was packed with bartenders, venue owners, operators, brand leaders and some of the biggest names in Australian hospitality as we celebrated the people making a serious impact on the industry right now.
And taking out the number one spot for 2026 is Dre Walters of Old Mate’s Group.
Here is your 2026 Top 20 Most Influential:
1. Dre Walters – Old Mate’s Group
2. Daisy Tulley – Mucho Hospitality Group
3. Stefano Catino – Maybe Group
4. Luke Whearty – Byrdi
5. Natalie Ng – Suntory Global Spirits Oceania
6. John Galiatsatos – Suntory Global Spirits Oceania
7. Claudia Morgan – Bar DEMO
8. Dylan Howarth – Fortunate Son + Palomino Lounge
9. Jenna Hemsworth – Real Good Drinks
10. Pippa Dowden – Mix Haus + Bar Love
11. Mark Hickey – Spirits Platform + Spirits Academy
12. Anneliese Grazioli – Hanky Panky Lounge + Bar Kokomo
13. Matthew Stirling – Fancy Free Group
14. Cynthia Litster – Pollen Hospitality
15. Dim Rtshiladze – Foxtrot Hospitality Group
16. Kate McGraw – Diageo
17. Michael Madrusan – The Everleigh Group + Bartender’s Choice Consultancy
18. James Thorpe – Odd Culture Group
19. Leah Dunnigan – Savile Row
20. James Irvine – Merivale
Walters’ number one ranking recognises the influence he continues to have through Old Mate’s Group and across the wider Australian bar industry.
At a time when influence means much more than simply running a successful venue, Walters has continued to make his mark through the venues, teams and hospitality culture he has helped build. His position at the top of this year’s list reflects not only what he has achieved, but the impact he continues to have on the people and businesses around him.
Walters appeared genuinely lost for words after being announced as this year’s number one, admitting the result had caught him completely off guard.
“I think you’re all wrong, but thank you. I’ll take it,” Walters said.
“Hopefully we provide a good voice to the industry. Man, that’s wild. I don’t know what to say. Thank you.”
Coming in at number two was Daisy Tulley of Mucho Hospitality Group, who used her acceptance speech to recognise the team and business partners behind her.
“I wouldn’t be here without my business partners, Jeremy Blackmore and Alex Dowd,” Tulley said. “They’ve obviously been in the industry for a lot longer than I have. I came in 10 years ago and have made the best of it I possibly can.”
Tulley also paid tribute to the wider Mucho team and the Australian hospitality industry.
“My team is amazing. I wouldn’t be here without them, so thank you so much to Mucho,” she said.
“And thank you so much to the industry for welcoming me, because I am a bit of a blow-in, I understand. I really appreciate it. This is so nice.”
At number five, Natalie Ng of Suntory Global Spirits Oceania was quick to shift the attention to the people around her and, in particular, the women making their mark across the industry this year.
“The legacy always goes to the people around you,” Ng said. “This year is for the women. This year is for you guys, and I’m so glad to just be part of it.”
Following closely at number six was John Galiatsatos of Suntory Global Spirits Oceania, who thanked his entire team for supporting him throughout his career and made clear there is still plenty he wants to achieve for the profession.
“I won’t stop until bartenders are as celebrated as chefs,” Galiatsatos said.
From number one through to 20, this year’s list celebrates the people shaping the direction of Australian bars, whether they are behind the stick, running hospitality groups, building drinks programs, representing major brands or creating opportunities for the next generation.
For Walters, though, tonight belonged to him.
Congratulations to Dre Walters, our 2026 Most Influential person in the Australian bar industry, and to everyone who made this year’s Top 100 and Top 20.