Pub lovers will love this!
There’s a bar on almost every corner in some Newcastle suburban areas. Cooks Hill’s Delany Hotel has been a New institution for many years and is known for its relaxed atmosphere and great pub food. The Del is a great place to enjoy late-night partying upstairs and the quintessential university pub vibe. The Prince of Merewether has a more relaxed beach vibe with classic pub deals and big sports matches shown on TV. On most Fridays and Sundays, there will be live music downstairs as well as DJs upstairs.
A little further out in the suburbs, you will find The Bennett. This relaxed pub is nestled in Hamilton and has a retro-style courtyard with olive trees. It’s the perfect place to spend the day. The Bennett offers all the pub staples: pub food, live music, and Sunday sessions, with a retro feel thanks to neon lights, big yellow umbrellas, and baby pink accents.
Dance and music fans will love this!
This seaside city is a hotbed of music and dance. Parties and gigs are common and highly regarded. Palm Springs The Lucky Hotel has a legendary pub-dancing venue. Every Friday, live music is played, and on Saturdays, there are DJs. The outdoor courtyard is a great place to catch up with friends and enjoy a Palm Springs Mule or tuna tacos.
The Wickham Hotel in Islington, also known as The Wicko and affectionately called The Wicko by locals, is Newcastle’s premier blues-and roots-themed pub. Live music is played on Saturdays and Sundays, and the pub hosts events such as the Newcastle Blues and Roots Festival. Uptowns Bar is a nostalgia bar from the 90s and 2000s with old-school consoles, live DJs, and retro gaming. It can be a lively dance floor or a quiet place to enjoy a beer with a game of Mario Kart.
Cocktail lovers will love this!
Newcastle is home to many hidden bars that are popular with locals. The Merewether Surfhouse is a three-level restaurant and bar overlooking Merewether Beach. Enjoy the view from the outdoor terrace with a Sydney Rock Oyster and a glass of Champagne.
Up the hill and in the city, you’ll find Coal & Cedar – a New York-style speakeasy. This is a sophisticated cocktail bar that’s perfect for settling in. The staff will create drinks based on a brief given over the bar. The rooftop at QT is perched on top of the newest Newcastle hotel QT Newcastle and offers views over the city. The bar has a Tokyo-esque feel, with Japanese interiors and a variety of Japanese whiskies. It also provides Harajuku Highballs as well as gyoza and other Japanese snacks.
Brewery and distillery Fans will love this!
If you enjoy a good craft beverage, there are many options in Newcastle. The 1883-established distillery Earp offers guided spirit tastings, gin classes, or gin schools where you can be a distiller. While you aren’t doing that, take in the distillery with a gin flight or even a simple cocktail.
Modus Merewether is a brewery that has won awards for its beer. It offers 36 taps of Modus’ core selection, non-alcoholic options, and specials such as IPAs and sours. The entire space is powered by 100% green energy. Walls and bars are made of earth taken from bushfire-ravaged areas, and tiles are made from recycled shampoo bottles. FogHorn Brewhouse is a brewery with a capacity of 1,800 liters, located in an Art Deco-style building in the heart of the city. The beer is poured directly from the tank into the glass.
Food-obsessed? Here are some ideas for you
Late-night snacking in Newcastle is a great way to end the day. Ginger Meg’s serves dumplings on Wednesdays and Thursdays and $12 cocktails. This dark, moody pan Asian cocktail bar has booths for you to snuggle into. It also offers a $60 set menu at a good price and Sunday lunch yum-cha to help you recover from a night out dancing. Parry Street Garage also makes for a great dinner. This chic industrial garage serves Italian dishes such as woodfired pizzas, carpaccio, and crudo. The space, which is spacious and has high ceilings, is buzzing with energy when it is filled with punters on Saturday nights.
For a tasty pre-dancing meal, try the tacos. This casual Californian Mexican taqueria offers authentic street food, including carnitas and burritos. It’s also a great place to enjoy Coronas and specialty beverages like Horchata. The city is taken by a food festival every April, Newcastle Food Month, which includes pop-up restaurants and wine tastings. Evening events include Le Diner en Blanc Newcastle, where hundreds of guests gather to enjoy a large dinner party in their best white attire. Other nighttime features include Mediterranean seafood tasting and Italian cheese and wine classes.