Weekender’s Readers’ Choice results are in, celebrate Thursday with all the winners at The River Street Jazz Cafe

Another year, another round of voting and a new list of winners for Weekender’s Readers’ Choice awards is here. We asked and you voted for your favorites in more than 100 categories.

This year, Weekender’s own Melissa Hughes took home the honor of Best Columnist. Chris Emanski took the gold for Best Club D.J. and Gene Philbin won for Best Chef. Skip Monday brought in two awards this year, Best Original Band and Best Musical Duo. Our best bartenders include Dan Weller over at Sabatini’s and Cat Letteiri from Cooper’s Seafood House in Scranton.

Speaking of, Cooper’s raked in 10 awards including Best Bar, Best Restaurant and Best Restaurant Service.

“It feels great to get acknowledgement back from the community,” said Joe Restuccia, bar manager at Cooper’s. “We’re so glad so many of our patrons took the time to vote and recognize us.”

Best New Bar went to Franklin’s.

“We just want to thank everybody for giving us a chance and coming in. We just want to make it better and better every day for more and more people,” said Matthew Kovalski, Franklin’s bar manager.

For the second year in a row, Heat has earned the award for Best Alternative Lifestyle Bar.

“We’re honored. This would be our second year running,” said Estella Sweet, general manager at Heat. “My business partner and I strive our very hardest to bring professional entertainment to our venue. Our new slogan is ‘The Premier LGBT Experience,’ and that’s what we strive to bring to the area. I think it’s something that’s really needed, especially in this area.”

It’s not all about bars and nightclubs though. The Lands at Hillside Farms won Best Ice Cream.

Chet Mozloom, executive director at the farm said it’s an honor to be selected.

“Being the Readers’ Choice for best ice cream is a great honor for The Lands at Hillside. We strive to combine high quality local products with a fantastic experience and we are humbled by our desire to never be satisfied with what we offer. We’re always looking for ways to improve our products and services. Thank you everyone for your votes and especially for supporting our work and non-profit mission.”

Come celebrate with all the winners from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 28 at The River Street Jazz Cafe. There’s no cover charge for the event. Hope to see you there.

Best Bar: Cooper’s Seafood House

Best New Bar: Franklin’s

Best Corner Bar: G.I.’s Bar

Best College Bar: Senunas’ Bar and Grill

Best Dance Club : The Woodlands

Best Karaoke Night: Ole Tyme Charley’s

Best Bike Night: J J Banko’s Seafood

Best Irish Bar: Kildare’s Irish Pub

Best Sports Bar: Beer Boys

Best Alternative Lifestyle Bar: Heat

Best Restaurant: Cooper’s Seafood House

Best New Restaurant: The Anthracite Cafe

Best Chef: Gene Philbin

Best Restaurant Service: Cooper’s Seafood House

Best Patio/Deck: Cooper’s Seafood House

Best Food Truck: What The Fork

Best Deli/Lunch: Goldstein’s Deli

Best Ice Cream: The Lands at Hillside Farms

Best Bakery: Bakery Delite

Best Hoagies J&J Deli

Best Burgers: Five Guys Burgers and Fries

Best Hot Dogs: Abe’s Hot Dogs

Best Fries: Five Guys Burgers and Fries

Best Diner: Eddie’s

Best Desserts: Cooper’s Seafood House

Best Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurant: Eden — A Vegan Cafe

Best Fine Dining Ruth’s Chris Steak House

Best Chain Restaurant: Fridays

Best Chinese Restaurant: Peking Chef

Best Italian Restaurant: Leggio’s

Best Japanese/Sushi Restaurant: Mirakuya

Best Mexican Restaurant: La Tolteca

Best Seafood Restaurant Cooper’s Seafood House

Best Steakhouse: Ruth’s Chris Steak House

Best Pizza: Angelo’s

Best Local Brewery: Susquehanna Brewing Company

Best Wings: Nina’s Pizza and Wings

Best Locally Made Beer: Susquehanna Brewing Company

Best Martini Selection: Cooper’s Seafood House

Best Wine Selection: Cooper’s Seafood House

Best beer selection, bar/restaurant Coopers

Best Beer Selection, non-bar/restaurant: Wegmans

Best Unique Menu: Aurants

Best Strip Club: Diamond Club

Best Happy Hour: Cooper’s Seafood House

Best Drink Specials: Cooper’s Seafood House

Best Coffee Shop: Northern Light Espresso Bar & Cafe

Best Hookah Lounge: Ali Baba Liquor Lounge

Best Original Band: Skip Monday

Best Cover Band: The Chatter

Best Solo Musician/Duo: Skip Monday

Best Rapper: CrimZn (Joey Cipriano)

Best Club D.J.: Chris Emanski

Best Large Music Venue: The F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts

Best Club-Sized Music Venue: River Street Jazz Cafe

Best Open-Mic Night: Wise Crackers Comedy Club

Best Comedian: Sergio Marzitelli

Best Cocktail Selection: Cooper’s Seafood House

Best Radio Station: 98.5 KRZ

Best Radio Personality: Jeff Walker 98.5 KRZ

Best College Radio Station: 90.7 WCLH

Best Columnist/Writer: Melissa Hughes

Best Female Bartender: Cat Letteiri, Cooper’s Seafood House, Scranton

Best Male Bartender: Dan Weller, Sabatini’s

Best Bouncer: Brett Williamson, River Grille

Best Local Blog: NEPA Scene

Best Festival/Bazaar/Annual Event: Scranton’s Italian Festival

Best Movie Theater: Movies 14 in Wilkes-Barre

Best Visual Artist: Fresh Focus Studios

Best Photographer: Fresh Focus Studios

Best Video Production: Fresh Focus Studios

Best Tattoo Artist: Angelo Parente from Black Casket

Best Barber: Johnny from Unique Shop

Best Hair Stylist: Jacki Lahr from Amplify Hair Studio

Best Local Athlete: Rebecca Jones

Best Piercer: Bruce Fairchild

Best Art Gallery: AFA

Best Theater Group: Act Out Theatre

Best Bookstore: Barnes & Noble

Best College: King’s College

Best Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn

Best Wedding Venue: Genetti’s Best Western

Best Place to Work: Cooper’s Seafood House

Best Ski Resort: Montage Mountain

Best Golf Course: Hollenback Golf Course

Best Trainer: Mike Marcinek

Best Bowling Alley: Chacko’s Family Bowling Center

Best Exotic Dancer: Sofia from Diamond Club

Best Auto Sales, new: Wyoming Valley Motors in Larksville

Best Auto Sales, used: Pierce Street Motors

Best Motorcycle Shop: Two Jacks Cycle

Best Jeweler: Rainbow Jewelers

Best Florist: McCarthy Flowers

Best Garden Center: Corky’s Garden Path

Best Eco-Friendly Business: Free People

Best Record Store: Gallery of Sound

Best Gaming/Comic Store: GameStop

Best Musical Instrument Store: Rock Street Music

Best Place to Buy a Pipe: Primal

Best Day Spa: J. Madison Wellness Spa

Best Hair Salon: Amplify Hair Studio

Best Nail Salon: My Nails in Kingston

Best Tanning Salon: Heat Wave Tanning

Best Tattoo/Piercing Parlor: NEPA Tattoo Club

Best Clothing Boutique: Park Avenue Boutique

Best Vintage Store: Design 2 Consign Boutique in Olyphant

Best Place to Buy Accessories: Duffy Accessories

Best Pet Store: Pet Smart

Best Place to Buy Lingerie: Victoria’s Secret

Best Adult Store: Emerald City Boutique

Best T-shirt printing: Wet Paint Printing + Design

Best Embroidery: Wet Paint Printing + Design

Best Vehicle Graphics: Show Stoppers Customs

Cooper’s won 10 awards including Best Restaurant and Best Bar. Cooper’s Waterfront Seafood House co-owner Paul Cooper, left, and general manager Nicole Best sit in the dining room overlooking the river in the restaurant in Pittston.

https://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL021115Coopers_1.jpgCooper’s won 10 awards including Best Restaurant and Best Bar. Cooper’s Waterfront Seafood House co-owner Paul Cooper, left, and general manager Nicole Best sit in the dining room overlooking the river in the restaurant in Pittston. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Gene Philbin plates an order —–Fred Adams|for Times Leader3-12-14

https://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_philbin3_faa.jpgGene Philbin plates an order —–Fred Adams|for Times Leader3-12-14Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Susquehnna Brewing Company won Best Locally Brewed Beer and Best Local Brewery. “That’s whats the nicest thing about it is; it’s independently voted on by the people that love your product. It’s not like your going to distributors and other people in the industry. It’s voted on by taste buds,” said Fred Meier, Susquehanna Brewing Company co-founder and vice president

https://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_WBW030916SBCLWYM8.jpgSusquehnna Brewing Company won Best Locally Brewed Beer and Best Local Brewery. “That’s whats the nicest thing about it is; it’s independently voted on by the people that love your product. It’s not like your going to distributors and other people in the industry. It’s voted on by taste buds,” said Fred Meier, Susquehanna Brewing Company co-founder and vice president Sean McKeag | Times Leader

Montage Mountain won Best Place to Ski. “Despite different management over the years, we’re thankful people have stuck with us and have given us that title. We’re a new company and we thank the loyal people and the thousands of new people we’ve been able to attract with the changes we’ve made. We’re glad people have us a shot and they’re appreciating what we have to offer.” — Tyler Crawford, Montage Mountain director of front end operations

https://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL021715Skiers_3.jpgMontage Mountain won Best Place to Ski. “Despite different management over the years, we’re thankful people have stuck with us and have given us that title. We’re a new company and we thank the loyal people and the thousands of new people we’ve been able to attract with the changes we’ve made. We’re glad people have us a shot and they’re appreciating what we have to offer.” — Tyler Crawford, Montage Mountain director of front end operations Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Samual Carrera a baker at Bakery Delite on River Road in in Plains puts Irish soda bread in the oven reently. Clark Van Orden | Times Leader

https://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL031715bestbakery1.jpgSamual Carrera a baker at Bakery Delite on River Road in in Plains puts Irish soda bread in the oven reently. Clark Van Orden | Times LeaderBill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Ali Baba Lounge won Best Hookah Lounge. “It’s an honor to have been voted as the best hookah lounge! We would like to thank all of our current and future customers for all of our success. We take hookah and nightlife very seriously. We will continue to be the best hookah lounge and nightlife experience,” said Ali Abualburak, general manager.

https://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_ali-baba5.jpgAli Baba Lounge won Best Hookah Lounge. “It’s an honor to have been voted as the best hookah lounge! We would like to thank all of our current and future customers for all of our success. We take hookah and nightlife very seriously. We will continue to be the best hookah lounge and nightlife experience,” said Ali Abualburak, general manager. Amanda Hrycyna | For Weekender

Gallery of Sound won Best Record Store.

“Thanks everybody for still supporting us and the physical music business as it evolves for a new generation of music lovers,” said Joe Nardone Jr., Gallery of Sound co-owner.

https://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_TTL041815joe-nardone.jpg

Gallery of Sound won Best Record Store.

“Thanks everybody for still supporting us and the physical music business as it evolves for a new generation of music lovers,” said Joe Nardone Jr., Gallery of Sound co-owner. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Skip Monday won Best Original Band and Best Musical Duo. “It means a lot, because we’re putting a lot of hard work into what we’re doing. We’re trying to make the band a career and our lives, and it means a lot that people are noticing that and care enough to go online and put our name in. It’s really cool to know that people are supporting us that much.” — Nathan Montella, Skip Monday drummer

https://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_SkipMonday.CMYK_.jpgSkip Monday won Best Original Band and Best Musical Duo. “It means a lot, because we’re putting a lot of hard work into what we’re doing. We’re trying to make the band a career and our lives, and it means a lot that people are noticing that and care enough to go online and put our name in. It’s really cool to know that people are supporting us that much.” — Nathan Montella, Skip Monday drummer Submitted photo

Genetti’s won Best Wedding Venue. “Our guests have been very kind to us, supporting us in many different venues, including yours and TripAdvisor. We’ve been the largest and most popular wedding venue for decades. We’re glad to see we’re on the cutting edge, and all of the advancements we’ve seen in the hotel are recognized and appreciated,” said Gus Genetti, Best Western Genetti Hotel & Conference Center owner

https://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_GusGenetti1.jpgGenetti’s won Best Wedding Venue. “Our guests have been very kind to us, supporting us in many different venues, including yours and TripAdvisor. We’ve been the largest and most popular wedding venue for decades. We’re glad to see we’re on the cutting edge, and all of the advancements we’ve seen in the hotel are recognized and appreciated,” said Gus Genetti, Best Western Genetti Hotel & Conference Center owner Submitted photo