The Best Pubs & Bars in Newcastle Worth Checking Out

Newcastle, which is Australia's seventh-largest city, is known for its relaxed beachy vibes, beautiful ocean vistas, thriving nightlife and amazing foodie scene. Newcastle serves as the gateway between the big smoke of Sydney and rural NSW and is the perfect mix of a small town and urban. And for this reason, it makes sense that Newcastle's pubs and bars are the perfect combination of metropolitan chic and good old-fashioned country hospitality. 

From breweries and pubs, to themed bars and old-fashioned speakeasies, these are the best pubs and bars in Newcastle you have to check out.

QT Rooftop 

With views stretching out across the city skyline and an impeccable drinks list, we can't think of anywhere we'd rather be than QT Rooftop on a sunny arvo. 

Even better is the summer offering coming from these guys. Rooftop at QT is taking the spritz season very seriously indeed. Their curated spritz selection includes Aperol Spritz, Campari Spritz, SKYY Spritz and a non-alcoholic Crodino Spritz. As for bites, they've been perfectly paired - think confit duck hotdog, Campari jam, pickles and comte cheese and a mother fungus mushroom tart. Beat that! 

Until February 2024 

185 Hunter Street, Newcastle 

Romberg's Bar

With expansive views of the city, Romberg's is one of Newcastle's most popular (and pretty!) rooftop destinations. For a spectacular sunset viewing, grab a table at dusk and soak in the panoramic views and the impressive drinks list. Whether you're in the mood for an artisanal cocktail or a local wine, you're sure to find something to suit your cravings. Feeling peckish? Their delish grazing menu will keep that belly full.

Level 9/282 King Street, Newcastle 

Custom's House Hotel

Once the location of the Australian Customs offices, Customs House Hotel is a beautiful heritage-listed building that makes you feel a million miles away from where you actually are. The stunning location on the Newcastle Harbour foreshore is matched by the exceptional food and drinks.

There's a restaurant menu with modern-Australian offerings if you're up for an elevated meal or a more casual snack menu with small bites and share plates. Soak up the breathtaking views and buzzing atmosphere as the live band plays. 

1 Bond Street, Newcastle

Earp Distilling Co.

With a passion for the creative and experiential, Earp Distilling Co. was created to craft spirits synonymous with quality, sustainability, and adventure. Kick back at the bar and work your way through their extensive menu of spirits (think knock-your-socks-off vodka, unforgettable and award-winning gin, and their unique twist on absinthe) while chowing down on the delish bar snacks (edamame beans with kaffir lime salt, say no more), or book yourself in for one of their wildly fun gin mixing classes. 

41 Darling Street, Carrington

The Lucky Hotel

Every trip away needs a classic local pub experience and the Lucky Hotel more than delivers. If you're looking for a fun night out, the outdoor courtyard has DJs and live music on Fridays and Saturdays. 

This glamorous mid-century urban oasis, which was recently renovated, also serves up top-notch pub grub, delicious local wines, and an extensive cocktail list. Looking for a place to stay, too? The historic building also has 30 boutique guest rooms that are modern and tastefully appointed. 

237 Hunter Street, Newcastle

The Edwards

Newcastle pub The Edwards is known for their live music and truly epic food menu. Far from your typical pub fare, The Edwards is known for serving up seasonal farm-to-plate dishes. Think burgers (including vegan burgers), buttermilk chicken, ceviche and pandan, and brown sugar pavlova for dessert. Their relaxed vibe and enviable beer garden make this Newcastle bar the perfect spot for a Sunday sesh or a Friday night hang.

148 Parry Street, Newcastle West

The Beach Hotel

The Beach Hotel, or as the locals affectionately call it — 'The Beaches', is one of Newcastle's most iconic landmarks and a must-visit. The popular surfside pub was taken over by hotelier Glenn Piper in 2022 and was recently reopened after an extensive revamp. 

The reopening of the Merewether Beach Hotel has breathed new life into the hotel, while still retaining its unique character and charm. The chic, new-look fit-out is perfect for a sun-soaked meal, a night out with friends enjoying live music, or an easy pub bite.

99 Frederick Street, Merewethe

Merewether Surfhouse

With some of the best views Newcastle has to offer, the cocktail bar at Merewether Surfhouse is the perfect place to watch the sunset over the ocean. With a major drinks menu that has great summertime spritzes and signature cocktails, as well as seriously stunning views, this is the ultimate pick for a girls' night. 

5 Henderson Parade, Newcastle

Coal and Cedar

One of the best bars in Newcastle, Coal and Cedar is the place to be. To get into this hidden Prohibition-style speakeasy you’ll need to text a special code to a number written on the wall of this signage-free bar and wait for the door to open.

This moody and eclectic small bar from duo, Ethan Ortlipp and Ryan Hawthorne, serves up some of the best cocktails in Newcastle. All the classic cocktails are available but the bartenders can mix anything your heart desires... so get creative! The Coal and Cedar team also hosts cocktail masterclasses for budding mixologists - which we can 100% recommend.

380 Hunter Street, Newcastle

Uptowns Bar

You had us at ‘underground cocktail and toastie bar’! Uptowns Bar is all about celebrating the sheer silliness of the 80s and 90s. Get ready for an interior that includes odes to the NBA, Nintendo, VHS, sneakers, and Wrestlemania. The team behind Uptowns doesn’t take themselves too seriously and that’s what makes them one of the coolest bars in Newcastle.

Start with their Golden Gaytime cocktail before ordering a Sizzler toast-inspired grilled cheese, a mac and cheese toastie, and a classic sloppy joe. A place where you can play old-school games, eat comfort food and drink great signature cocktails? Sign us up!

6/23 Watt Street, Newcastle

Foghorn Brewery

Newcastle’s first brewery, Foghorn Brewhouse, first opened its doors to the public back in 2015. Housed in a historic warehouse on King Street, Foghorn is known for hosting a mix of live music and comedy events.

At this unique Newcastle brewery, beer travels straight from the brewery to four 1800L serving tanks and then right into your glass, making this the freshest beer in all of Newcastle. The food is also well worth checking out for its American foodie flare. We recommend asking about the best food and beer pairings next time you visit. 

218 King Street, Newcastle

The Criterion Hotel

With an epic beer garden, live music, trivia, 99-cent wing night, and $12 margaritas on Saturdays, what more could you want from a Newcastle pub? The Criterion is a pub and hotel with a surprisingly great selection of bar food. With mushroom schnitzel and a vegan burger on the menu, this is the perfect Newcastle spot for vegetarians. Plus, if you need somewhere to stay, you can spend the night too!

81 Bourke Street, Carrington

The Ship Inn

This sandstone pub on bustling Hunter Street is the place to sink a few drinks (pun intended)! With great classics like palomas and gin spritzes, as well as some pirate-y themed drinks and classic, greasy comfort feeds like hush puppies, mac and cheese, burgers, sangas and parmas, this is one of the best pubs in Newcastle.

102 Hunter Street, Newcastle

The Landing Bar & Kitchen

The Landing Bar and Kitchen is one of the best waterfront bars in Newcastle with a great view of Newcastle’s impressive working harbour. They’ve got a wine list, beers on tap, and a mix of signature and classic cocktails but the food menu is where this bar really shines. With a modern-Australian share plate menu, this bar pays tribute to Newcastle’s thriving food scene as well as its local artisan producers. 

1 Honeysuckle Drive, Newcastle

Want to keep nutting out your Newcastle itinerary? Check out our comprehensive deep dive on everything to do in Newcastle during your stay. Then, why not take a look at our guide to the best shopping in Newcastle?