{"id":227350,"date":"2021-08-19T12:42:30","date_gmt":"2021-08-19T02:42:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.australiantraveller.com\/?p=227350"},"modified":"2023-02-16T14:58:17","modified_gmt":"2023-02-16T03:58:17","slug":"newcastle-pubs-bars-and-breweries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.australiantraveller.com\/nsw\/hunter\/newcastle\/newcastle-pubs-bars-and-breweries\/","title":{"rendered":"A guide to Newcastle\u2019s best pubs, bars and breweries"},"content":{"rendered":"
The city of Newcastle\u2019s drinks scene has come of age. Here are some top places for a tipple.<\/h5>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>A few decades ago, knock-off drinks in Newcastle<\/a> amounted to little more than a few full-strength schooners at the pub on a Friday arvo. Oh how the Steel City has evolved. Nowadays, Newcastle is threaded together with everything from ambitious sake bars to swanky waterfront lounges, old-school pubs and atmospheric craft beer halls.<\/p>\n\n

Here are a few of Newcastle\u2019s best pubs, bars and breweries<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The best bars in Newcastle<\/h2>\n

The Edwards<\/h3>\n

The band Silverchair was one of Newcastle’s most successful exports and former bassist Chris Joannou remains one of the city\u2019s most successful sons. When his parents retired their commercial laundrette in Newcastle West, the ex-muso turned hospitality star transformed it into The Edwards\u00a0<\/a><\/u>where locals go to sing themselves hoarse cheering on live bands. Joannou also co-owns Flotilla<\/a><\/u>, located in the back streets of Wickham and The Criterion<\/a><\/u> in Carrington.<\/p>\n

\"The

Find locals cheering live bands at The Edwards.<\/p><\/div>\n

Coal & Cedar<\/h3>\n

Text a special code to a number on the wall outside this hidden speakeasy to gain entry to Coal & Cedar<\/a><\/u>, a dimly lit speakeasy-style whisky bar with scuffed-up walls and dark timber tones. Here, the drinks are made with attention to detail and the customers look like they\u2019ve all filed in from The Lincoln Room Barbershop & Shaving Parlour<\/a><\/u> next door.<\/p>\n

\"Coal

A smorgasboard of options at Coal & Cedar (Photo: Angela Hardy)<\/p><\/div>\n

The Rum Diary Bar<\/h3>\n

Set yourself a reminder to visit The Rum Diary<\/a><\/u> on International Talk Like A Pirate Day and you will feel right at home in this slightly bonkers bar that looks like it has been furnished with the salvaged contents of a shipwreck that hit the nearby seawall. Order the \u2018dark and stormy\u2019 and enjoy it with artful excess in the First Ship Captain\u2019s Cigar Lounge.<\/p>\n

\"he

Set yourself a reminder to visit The Rum Diary.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Koutetsu<\/h3>\n

The Koutetsu<\/a> is a small speakeasy bar located on a ho-hum section of Hunter St. Koutetsu means \u2018steel\u2019 in Japanese and is a nod to both the bar\u2019s d\u00e9cor and city\u2019s history as a site for steelworks. Look for the neon sign that whispers \u2018TK\u2019 to passers-by and head in past the original window filled with junk and ephemera that celebrates the building\u2019s past as a pawnbroker.<\/p>\n

\"The

The Koutetsu is a small speakeasy bar on Hunter St.<\/p><\/div>\n

Basement on Market St<\/h3>\n

Step inside Basement on Market St and you will feel like you have fallen into one of your nonna\u2019s sepia-toned photographs from life back in Rome. Located in Newcastle\u2019s hip and happening East End<\/a><\/u>, Basement on Market St is all framed photographs and hanging greenery; bunker down in the basement bar for crowd-pleasing cocktails and antipasto.<\/p>\n

\"Basement

Bunker down at Basement on Market St.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Falcon<\/h3>\n

The Falcon has landed. And it\u2019s via Florida in the US where co-owner and chef Brendhan Bennison hails from. Create a Venn diagram of all that The Falcon offers and you\u2019d find common elements such as great food, drinks and vibes intersecting in the circles. The popular Newcastle East haunt, which is famed for its jambalaya, has a sister venue where you can drop anchor in the form of the Ship Inn<\/a><\/u>.<\/p>\n

\"The

The Falcon has landed.<\/p><\/div>\n

Rosa Bar \u2013 Lambton<\/h3>\n

This shoebox-sized tapas bar presents like an old-school joint for bar bites in a back alley in Barcelona. Rosa Bar<\/a><\/u> is the kind of place you go to before a gig at Lizotte\u2019s or Newcastle Theatre Company. Located in Lambton, the bar has daily specials in addition to bestselling share plates such as spicy chorizo, patatas bravas and empanadas.<\/p>\n

Saints Bar<\/h3>\n

A former mechanic\u2019s warehouse has been reimagined as small bar, Saints<\/a><\/u>, an understated hangout with scuffed-up brick walls, neon-bright murals, comfy Chesterfields and a soundtrack of thumping beats. Ask the barkeep to mix up a hyper-local espresso martini using vodka from Newcastle Distilling Company<\/a> or sling a few G+Ts your way.<\/p>\n

\"Saints

Saints is housed in a former mechanic\u2019s warehouse.<\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Merewether Surfhouse Bar<\/h3>\n

Make your way to Merewether Surfhouse<\/a><\/u> after hitting the beach for a surf, walk or swim. The bar has one of the best beach views in Newcastle and is a great example of how Newcastle is morphing to accommodate a whole new demographic. Order spritzers with a side of pizza during Aperitivo Hour from 3.30pm-5pm Monday to Friday.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Indulge in an alfresco sundowner at the Surfhouse.<\/p><\/div>\n

The best pubs in Newcastle<\/h2>\n

The Beach Hotel<\/h3>\n

The Beach Hotel<\/a><\/u> is an Art Deco pub that has been given a makeover influenced by its sun-drenched location opposite Merewether Beach. The coastal venue offers big-sky views over Merewether, Dixon Park and Bar beaches: sit and sip by the sea on coconut coladas or craft beers paired with hearty fare such as schnitties, steaks, ribs and burgers.<\/p>\n

\"

The brick beauty of The Beach Hotel.<\/p><\/div>\n

Customs House Hotel<\/h3>\n

An architecture geek\u2019s guide to Newcastle would surely include a pint and a plate of Appellation oysters at the Customs House Hotel<\/a><\/u> in Newcastle. Designed in 1877, the Customs House building now houses a bar, restaurant and function centre and, with nearly 150 years as a landmark building in Newcastle, is a great way to tap into the city\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

\"The

The Customs House building is a historical artefact of Newcastle.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Prince of Mereweather Hotel<\/h3>\n

Pubs are as ubiquitous as seeing salty-haired surfers in Newcastle. But they\u2019re not all created equal. The Prince of Wales<\/a><\/u>, or The Prince as it\u2019s known locally, has been a much-loved alehouse since 1876. Sink a few schooners of Old-School IPA on the breezy Balcony Bar of the newly renovated pub while watching much of Mereweather go by.<\/p>\n

\"The

The Prince has been a much-loved alehouse since 1876.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Bennett<\/h3>\n

Colourful yellow beach umbrellas, shady picnic benches, breeze blocks, communal tables, and potted plants are just a few of the reasons to plonk yourself down in the courtyard at The Bennett<\/a><\/u>. The newly renovated pub is regarded as one of the reasons the suburb of Hamilton is so hot. Oh, and they stock a selection of locally brewed beers and Hunter Valley wines.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"The

Hamilton is now hot thanks to The Bennett.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Great Northern Hotel<\/h3>\n

No guide to Newcastle\u2019s pubs would be complete without a mention of The Great Northern Hotel<\/a><\/u>. Despite being built in 1864, renovated in 1906 and rebuilt in the 1920s, the now Art Deco-style pub has stood its ground and is a smart space that serves classic pub grub and a varied selection of beers, wines and spirits. Lovers of live music are also well catered for.<\/p>\n

\"The

The now Art Deco-style pub has stood its ground over time.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Burwood Inn<\/h3>\n

The Burwood Inn<\/a><\/u> is the sort of old-school pub where you can buy a few raffle tickets for a meat tray, gather with your mates to watch the footy, and enjoy a few ales in the smart courtyard where all the action is on a sunny day. The Merewether inn is heaven for carnivores: think rumps, sirloins, scotch fillets and rib eyes and has a well thought-out drinks list.<\/p>\n

The Greenroof<\/h3>\n

Look out for the pots of cascading greenery outside The Greenroof Hotel<\/a><\/u> in Hamilton, an old-timer\u2019s pub that has had a mini makeover that extends to its menu. The Greeny is a favourite place to gather for off-duty bartenders on Hospo Nights and it\u2019s just as a pub should be in the front room on a Friday, which is a friendly and unpretentious place for a gatho.<\/p>\n

\"Greenroof

Busting Greenroof Hotel in Hamilton.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Cricketers Arms<\/h3>\n

In addition to its large, wrap-around bar, The Cricketers Arms<\/a><\/u> in Cooks Hill has one of the best beer gardens in Newcastle. And the cricket-themed menu knocks it out of the park with offering such as the Bradman of Schnitzels paired with a premium selection of beer and other beverages.<\/p>\n

The Grain Store<\/h3>\n

Corey and Kristy Crooks are credited with kicking off the craft beer revolution in Newcastle. After transforming The Albion into Australia\u2019s first 100 per cent craft beer venue, the husband-and-wife team built The Grain Store<\/a><\/u>, which has been feeding and watering Novocastrians since 2013. All up there are 21 taps of independently owned Aussie craft beer and cider for sale.<\/p>\n

\"The

The Grain Store is credited with kicking off the craft beer revolution in Newcastle.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Lucky Hotel<\/h3>\n

Behind the faithfully restored fa\u00e7ade of this once hidden-away old CBD pub, built in the 1800s, is a cosy enclosed courtyard festooned with lights and greenery. The Lucky<\/a><\/u>, which was previously The Lucky Country Hotel, is full of quirky design touches from brothel-red velvet banquettes to drum-kit chandeliers.<\/p>\n

\"The

The Lucky is full of quirky design touches.<\/p><\/div>\n

Best breweries & brewery bars in Newcastle<\/h2>\n

Foghorn Brewhouse<\/h3>\n

The Foghorn Brewhouse<\/a><\/u> is the contemporary equivalent of an alehouse, serving a selection of beers from its restored factory floor that travels straight from the brewery to the gleaming 1800-litre tanks. Embark on a brewery tour around the Art Deco warehouse to learn about the grain-to-glass brewing process at Foghorn Brewhouse.<\/p>\n

\"The

The Foghorn Brewhouse is the contemporary equivalent of an alehouse.<\/p><\/div>\n

Rogue Scholar Brewing<\/h3>\n

Step inside the dimly lit Rogue Scholar Brewing<\/a><\/u> and bar venue and you\u2019ll find it\u2019s as much about the music and open-mic nights as the beer. Grab a pie and an amber ale at the swill house in Newcastle West where the walls are plastered with a hotchpotch of classic concert posters and there are 12 taps and four hand pumps on rotation.<\/p>\n

Styx Brewery<\/h3>\n

Styx Brewery<\/a><\/u> was established in an old coal-testing facility in Carrington and is named after the creek that leads to the old gasworks in Newcastle. The small-batch brewery sold its first keg in 2018 and today produces two core beers, an IPA and Pale Ale without preservatives or additives. Crack open a few cans during a tasting at the brewery (by appointment only).<\/p>\n

But wait there\u2019s more \u2026<\/h3>\n

Australian Traveller<\/em> readers search \u2018Newcastle Pubs\u2019 on Google about 5000 times per month, so we know this is a popular topic. Still thirsty to find the best bars and pubs in Newcastle? We recommend all-rounders such as The Exchange,<\/a><\/u> The Junction Hotel<\/a><\/u>, where you can eat, drink and sleep, Young Street Hotel<\/a><\/u>, which gets top billing for its beer garden, and Maryville Tavern<\/a><\/u>, which is much-loved by locals.<\/p>\n\n

For more great travel tips and itineraries read our Ultimate guide to Newcastle holidays.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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