Newcastle pubs, bars and breweries have come of age – let’s raise a glass.

Newcastle pubs are a dime a dozen. From gritty pubs that are all blue-collar cool to others that feature potted palm trees and DJs. A few decades ago, the option for knock-off drinks in Newcastle was limited to a few full-strength schooners at the pub on a Friday arvo. But oh, how the Steel City has evolved. In addition to its old-school pubs, Newcastle now has everything from ambitious bars to clubby waterfront hangs and atmospheric breweries. Here are a few of Newcastle’s best pubs, bars and breweries.

The best bars in Newcastle

1. Coal & Cedar

Text a special code to a number on the wall outside this hidden gem to gain entry to Coal & Cedar, 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’ve all filed in from The Lincoln Room Barbershop & Shaving Parlour next door.

Address: 380 Hunter St, Newcastle

2. Granddad’s Jacks Bar

If Granddad’s Jacks Bar looks like it has been decorated with heirlooms donated by a beloved family member, that’s because it has been. The bar only crafts cocktails with spirits made at its Gold Coast craft distillery, Granddad Jack’s. Both the bar and the distillery pay tribute to founder David Ridden’s whisky-loving grandfather, Jack. Toast to the old man and his penchant for artful excess with one of the bar’s expertly made cocktails.

Address: 515 Hunter Street, Newcastle

3. The Koutetsu

The Koutetsu is a small speakeasy bar located on a ho-hum section of Hunter St. Koutetsu means ‘steel’ in Japanese and is a nod to both the bar’s decor and the city’s history as a site for steelworks. Look for the neon sign that whispers ‘TK’ to passers-by and head in past the original window filled with junk and ephemera that celebrates the building’s past as a pawnbroker.

Address: 555 Hunter St, Newcastle West

4. Market St Basement

Step inside Market St Basement and you will feel like you have fallen into one of your nonna’s sepia-toned photographs from life back in Rome. Located in Newcastle’s hip and happening East End, Market St Basement is all framed photographs and hanging greenery. Bunker down in the basement bar for pizza and a glass of wine.

Address: 1/2 Market Street, Newcastle

5. Earp Distilling Co.

Earp Distilling Co. is a destination unto itself. It’s the kind of place you go to spend a lazy afternoon taking a distillery tour or geeking out at spirit school. The distillery bar is in harbourside Carrington, known colloquially as Carrodise. Take a selfie in front of the botanic-themed mosaic tile facade, which winks back to the Earp family business, one of the oldest tile manufacturers in Australia.

Address: 41 Darling Street, Carrington

6. The Falcon

The Falcon has landed. And it’s 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’ll find common elements such as food, drinks and vibes intersecting in the circles. The popular Newcastle East haunt has a sister venue, Ship Inn, which is also a top spot to sink a few cold ones.

Address: 10 Pacific St, Newcastle

7. Bar Mellow

Bar Mellow is set in a handsome 1920s building known as Bank Corner, notable for its ornate facade and dramatic timber doors. Step inside the intimate bar to find leather booths, murals and an old bank vault. There’s also an enticing menu of snacks such as olives, cheese plates and charcuterie. Bar Mellow is, as the name suggests, a good place to chill. But it’s also where the action happens. Don’t worry, what happens in Bar Mellow stays in the vault.

Address: 744 Hunter St, Newcastle

8. Lock’s Paddock

Lock’s Paddock is a beloved local haunt that contains a lot of the Steel City’s history. The go-it-alone bar is named after a nearby plot of land that was known as ‘Lock’s Paddock’. Drink to the town’s history and the story that has been passed down, literally, from paddock to plate. The style of cooking in the homey dining room, which features a collection of hats and a painting of a horse, is seasonally driven European fare.

Address: 16 Watt Street, Newcastle

9. Merewether Surfhouse

Make your way to Merewether Surfhouse after hitting the beach for a surf, walk or swim. The bar has one of the best ocean views in Newcastle and is a great example of how the city is morphing to accommodate a whole new demographic. Order spritzers with a side of pizza then watch the sunset over one of Newcastle’s most beautiful beaches.

Address: 5 Henderson Parade, Merewether

The best pubs in Newcastle

10. The Lucky Hotel

Behind the faithfully restored facade of this once hidden-away CBD pub built in the 1800s, is a cosy enclosed courtyard festooned with lights and greenery. The Lucky, which was previously The Lucky Country Hotel, is full of quirky design touches, from brothel-red velvet banquettes to drum-kit chandeliers. The cocktail menu is plenty of fun.

Address: 237 Hunter St, Newcastle

11. The Beach Hotel

The Beach Hotel is an Art Deco pub that was 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 on Aperol spritzes with hearty fare such as meatballs with woodfired bread or steak sangas. Time your visit with a gig from the venue’s rotating roster of local acts.

Address: 99 Frederick St, Merewether

12. The Young Street Hotel

The Young Street Hotel is much-loved by locals and gets top billing for its beer garden. Formerly known as Carrington Place, the Young Street Hotel is run by local Luke Tilse, who also heads the Happy Wombat. The regular roster of entertainment – from trivia to uno and live music – fills the pub, which has a 20-tap tower and large-screen TVs.

Address: 132 Young St, Carrington

13. Customs House Hotel

An architecture geek’s guide to Newcastle would surely include a pint and a plate of oysters at Customs House Hotel. Designed in 1877, the Customs House building now houses a bar, restaurant and function centre. Tap into the landmark attraction’s 150+ years in Newcastle over a schooey and burger with the lot.

Address: 1 Bond St, Newcastle

14. The Grand Hotel

You’ll always find a few English expats quaffing lagers in this grand old dame in the heart of Newcastle. This pokies-free pub looks very much the part with comfy couches, a checkerboard floor and a well-stocked bar. But the pièce de résistance at The Grand is the fireplace. Want a change of scene? Head downstairs to The Underground, the pub’s late-night speakeasy.

Address: 32 Church St, Newcastle

15. The Greenroof

Look out for the pots of cascading greenery outside The Greenroof Hotel in Hamilton, an old-timer’s pub that has had a mini makeover extending to its menu. The Greeny is a favourite place for off-duty bartenders to unite on hospo nights. And it’s just as a pub should be in the front room on a Friday – a friendly and unpretentious place for a gatho.

Address: 71 Tudor St, Hamilton

16. The Prince of Merewether

Pubs are as ubiquitous as salty-haired surfers in Newcastle. But they’re not all created equal. The Prince of Merewether, or The Prince as it’s known among locals, has been a much-loved alehouse since 1876. Sink a few schooners on the breezy balcony of the pub while watching much of Merewether go by. The beach is a beautiful backdrop.

Address: 1 Morgan St, Merewether

17. The Great Northern Hotel

No guide to Newcastle’s pubs would be complete without a mention of The Great Northern Hotel. Despite being built in 1864, renovated in 1906 and rebuilt in the 1920s, the Art Deco-style pub has stood its ground. It is a smart space that serves classic pub grub such as beer-battered barra and chips, plus a varied selection of beers, wines and spirits. Lovers of live music are also well-catered for.

Address: 83-89 Scott St, Newcastle

18. The Bennett

Colourful yellow beach umbrellas, shady picnic benches, breeze blocks, communal tables and potted olive plants are just a few of the reasons to plonk yourself down in the courtyard at The Bennett. The renovated pub stocks a selection of locally brewed beers and Hunter Valley wines. Love your sports? The outdoor projector makes this one of the best pubs in Newcastle for watching sport.

Address: 146 Denison St, Hamilton

19. The Cricketers Arms

In addition to its large, wrap-around bar, The Cricketers Arms in Cooks Hill has one of the best beer gardens in Newcastle. And the cricket-themed menu knocks it out of the park with offerings like proper fish and chips or bangers and bash. Pair lunch with a premium selection of beer and other beverages.

Address: 61 Bruce St, Cooks Hill

20. The Grain Store

Corey and Kristy Crooks are credited with kicking off the craft beer revolution in Newcastle. After transforming The Albion into Australia’s first 100 per cent craft beer venue, the husband-and-wife team built The Grain Store, which has been feeding and watering Novocastrians since 2013. All up, there are over 20 independently owned Aussie craft beers and ciders on tap.

Address: 64-66 Scott St, Newcastle East

21. The Exchange

Thirsty to find the best pub in Newcastle? We recommend The Exchange, a character-filled pub established in 1880. Hear about the pub’s history over the past 145 years while chatting to locals on the balcony overlooking Beaumont Street. Come for the good food and extensive beverage list, stay for the trivia, live DJs and musical bingo.

Address: 125 Denison St, Hamilton

22. Commonwealth Hotel

The Commy is the sort of old-school pub where you can choose your own adventure. Buy a few raffle tickets for a meat tray. Gather with your mates to watch the footy. Or enjoy a few ales in the courtyard on a sunny day. The Cooks Hill local is heaven for pub classics: think chicken wings, beef burgers and crumbed lamb cutlets.

Address: 35 Union St, Cooks Hill

23. The Hamilton Station Hotel

It’s difficult to separate the tatted and moustachioed bartenders from the patrons at The Hamilton Station Hotel in the hip hood of Islington. What stands out about this place is not just its Art Deco facade and plethora of plaid-clad punters. It’s the dedication to live music five nights a week. The meat trays, good beer and motley collection of gig-goers make the Hamo one of the best pubs in Newcastle.

Address: 6 Beaumont St, Islington

24. The Maryville Tavern

Newcastle has no shortage of great pubs and the Maryville Tavern is a mainstay. Despite having a nip and tuck a few years back, this 1930s Newcastle pub still does a great job of attracting rusted-on locals. The convivial venue now has a dedicated outdoor bar draped in greenery, which serves great cocktails too. Regular Djs and quiz nights contribute to the lively atmosphere.

Address: 71 Lewis St, Maryville

The best breweries and brewpubs in Newcastle

25. Foghorn Brewery

Foghorn Brewery is the contemporary equivalent of an alehouse, serving a selection of craft beers from its restored factory floor that travels straight from 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 this Newcastle stalwart.

Address: 218 King St, Newcastle

26. The Rogue Scholar

Step inside the dimly lit Rogue Scholar and you’ll find it’s as much about the music and open-mic nights as the beer at this Newcastle brewpub. Grab a pie and an amber ale at the swillhouse in Newcastle West, where the walls are plastered with a hotch-potch of faded posters. There are 12 taps and four handpumps on rotation, plus a great cocktail and wine list too.

Address: 4-6 Union St, Newcastle West

27. Thirsty Messiah

The Steel City continues to attract people with ideas, enthusiasm and perseverance. Why waddle to a corporate job in Sydney dressed like a penguin when you can do something you love and have a better work-life balance in Newcastle? We prophesise you will be spending a lot of time at the Thirsty Messiah, heaven on Earth for those who love an amber ale. Enjoy great beers brewed onsite along with handmade sourdough pizza.

Address: 140 Lambton Rd, Broadmeadow

28. Modus 

You will soak up a sense of what Newcastle is all about when you mingle with Newcastle’s craft-beer community at Modus Operandi. The best place to try one of the Modus beers is at its Merewether brewery, which has a strong focus on sustainability. Enjoy everything from zero-carb lagers to pale ales and porters, alongside comforting brewpub grub.

Address: 20 Merewether St, Merewether

29. Method Brewing

Method Brewing knows the way to Novocastrians’ hearts: have ‘Independent Bar & Brewery’ as part of your signage. This brewpub is the favourite local in Islington. While the beers on tap are constantly on rotation, the crowd changes on the regular as word gets out about the brewery that began life as a home-brew shop. There’s a Method to the madness.

Address: 18 Maitland Rd, Islington

30. Grainfed Brewing

Don’t miss the family-run Grainfed Brewing, which has been 10 years in the making. It takes a lot to succeed in a thirsty city like Newcastle, but the MacBeans have taken their time to get the formula right, believing beer and community are ingrained in the Steel City. As well as all-day pale ales, the taphouse offers IPAs, porters, lagers, pilsners and more. Rock-solid toasties and pizzas are also made to order.

Address: 1/52 Young Rd, Lambton

31. Shout Brewing 

Bring your mate with short hands and long pockets to Shout Brewing in the hope he gets the hint it’s his turn to buy a round. If he’s feeling uncharacteristically generous, he might even plump for a gorgonzilla pizza. The small-batch brewery is dog and family-friendly, inclusive to everyone from hardened hopheads to budding craft-beer connoisseurs.

Address: 22 Clyde St, Islington