Discover the most loved pubs across Newcastle
Pubs have a long and colourful history in Newcastle, and they’ve been some of our favourite places to dine, drink, and gather for many decades; some for more than 100 years.
While we could argue until the cows came home about which pub is objectively the ‘best’ (does such a thing even exist?), we definitely have our favourite Newcastle watering holes that we frequent thanks to their winning combination of tasty pub fare, ice-cold drinks, welcoming vibes, and live entertainment. So, with this in mind, here are our most loved pubs in Newcastle.
The Beach Hotel
After undergoing a complete overhaul in 2023, The Beach Hotel is back and serving up a hefty dose of surfy nostalgia with plenty of modern touches. We’re big fans of the incredible views from Merewether to Bar Beach from the balcony – having the ocean in eyeshot and a salty breeze just makes a pub feed taste even better, whilst Peregrin upstairs takes it up a notch with both the views and menu.
Where: 99 Frederick St, Merewether
The Bennett Hotel
The Bennett is Hamilton’s one-stop shop for daily food specials, Sunday sessions, live tunes, and a beautifully renovated outdoor beer garden. This golden combination results in an atmosphere that’s always convivial – the drinks are flowing, the burgers are hitting the spot, and the beer garden is buzzing.
Where: 146 Denison St, Hamilton
Commonwealth Hotel
Built in 1880, The Commonwealth Hotel is still thriving nearly 150 years later. We’re very partial to trivia at the Commy, as well as stopping by when we’re barracking for the Knights – the sports bar and screens in the main bar offer a lively atmosphere for backing your team. There’s always something on at this Cooks Hill mainstay, making it a prime candidate for your new local.
Where: 35 Union St, Cooks Hill
Cross Keys
After more than 40 years, Tighes Hill’s iconic Cross Keys Hotel has reopened under Corey and Kristy Crooks of The Grain Store. Blending heritage charm, art deco touches, 24 taps, gastropub eats, family-friendly spaces, and local artwork, it’s set to become the suburb’s new community local.
Where: 1A Elizabeth St, Tighes Hill
Customs House Hotel
Situated inside a heritage-listed building, Customs House Hotel offers a relaxed lounge atmosphere and a modern Australian menu. Driving along Newcastle’s foreshore, you can’t miss its stunning facade and striking clock tower. Head in on a balmy afternoon and experience the top-tier beer garden or cosy up inside with bar snacks and a pint.
Where: 1 Bond St, Newcastle
The Del
The Del has long been one of Newcastle's most iconic pubs, and that status continues following an extensive renovation in 2025 that revealed a refreshed downstairs bar and dining space, flexible upstairs function area, and a polished food and drink offering spanning share plates, pizzas, pastas, local steaks, rotisserie roasts, and pub classics.
Where: 134 Darby St, Cooks Hill
Grain Store
Grain Store Newcastle is a funky independent beer venue found inside a former grain and keg storage warehouse. There’s 21 beers on tap, all of them from Australian and independent breweries, pairing deliciously with Grain Store’s American-influenced food menu. From stouts and pilsners to pale ales and IPAs, there’s a brew for every beer lover at Grain Store.
Where: 64-66 Scott St, Newcastle East
The Grand Hotel
The Grand Hotel is an iconic and historic venue, conjuring up the vibes of a classic British pub right in the heart of Newcastle. With no pokies, hearty food (like Scotch eggs and Sunday roasts), the fireplace going in winter, and comfy, cosy furnishings, the Grand is guaranteed to make you feel at home. We also love The Underground, the pub’s downstairs late-night speakeasy.
Where: 32 Church St, Newcastle
The Hamilton Station Hotel
While The Hamilton Station Hotel has all the hallmarks of a great Aussie pub – an Art Deco facade, meat trays, and cheap drinks – live music is definitely the name of the game at this much-loved watering hole. With gigs on five nights a week, both free and ticketed, plus karaoke every Thursday and Friday night, there's so much variety that music lovers from all walks of life will find something to love at the Hammo Station.
Where: 2/6 Beaumont St, Islington
Islington Barracks Hotel
Islington’s historic corner pub is back as the Islington Barracks Hotel. Restored by Lukas Thodas and John Elsley, the 1890 Maitland Road venue blends classic local pub character with live music, a beer garden, fresh interiors, and a French-inspired rotisserie menu with plenty of gluten-free options.
Where: 139 Maitland Rd, Islington
The Lass O'Growrie
This long-standing Wickham-based watering hole sits Newcastle institution – The Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, also known as The Lass. Make the most of the venue’s large beer garden out the back, settle in to enjoy some live music, or dig into the kitchen’s Mexican and South American flavours.
Where: 14 Railway St, Wickham
The Lucky Hotel
There are plenty of things to love at The Lucky Hotel, from the tasty pub grub and airy courtyard to schmick accommodation and delicious cocktails. The inner-city venue is also particularly notable as a hub for events – whether you’re playing two-up on Anzac Day, partying at Made on Sunday, or hosting your own shindig at the pub’s stunning function spaces, there’s always fun to be had at the Lucky.
Where: 237 Hunter St, Newcastle
The Oak
The balance of the old and the new is what we love about The Oak in Tighes Hill. Recently undergoing renovations, The Oak has retained its old-school, local feel while adding some fresh additions, including a small but tasty food menu, live music, and a quality selection of wine and beer.
Where: 207 Maitland Rd, Tighes Hill
The Oriental Hotel
In case you’re not already a regular at The Oriental Hotel, or the Ori, you might be surprised to find that some of the best pizzas in Newcastle can be found at this unsuspecting Cooks Hill pub. Think crispy yet chewy pizza dough with creative toppings – some of our favourites are the Three Little Pigs, the fresh and zesty Chilli Prawn, and of course, the classic Margherita.
Where: 53 Bull St, Cooks Hill
The Prince of Merewether
Although we love a traditional pub meal, we’re not mad about the pubs that have taken things up a notch dining-wise in recent years. The Prince of Merewether is one such pub, with feature dishes like kingfish carpaccio and blue swimmer crab linguine. Typical pub fare is still accounted for, but The Prince has kicked things up a level, doing one of the best steaks in Newcastle and excellent pizzas on house-made dough.
Where: 1 Morgan St, Merewether
The Stag & Hunter Hotel
The Stag & Hunter Hotel is a charming pub that stands proudly on Mayfield’s main strip, and for many years it's been a community hub. With a welcoming atmosphere, a balance of contemporary and classic interiors, quality pub grub, and of course, some of the best live music in town, The Stag & Hunter is a stand-out in the Newcastle pub scene.
Where: 187 Maitland Rd, Mayfield
The Ship Inn
Since opening in August 2020, The Ship Inn, on the corner of Hunter and Bolton Streets in Newcastle’s CBD has become a fixture in our inner-city pub scene. Owners Brendhan and Mike have grown the venue into a community-centric spot that invites visitors in to pull up a stool, relax, share a drink, and enjoy good food.
Where: 102 Hunter St, Newcastle
The WIckham Park Hotel
The Wickham Park Hotel (or The Wicko) is home to one of the best beer gardens in Newcastle. It’s super spacious and chilled out, making it the perfect hang out spot with friends and family. You can expect plenty of live music in the beer garden, plus it’s dog-friendly, so everyone is welcome for a good time.
Where: 61 Maitland Rd, Islington
The Young Street Hotel
Taken over by Emily Box in April 2025, the Young Street Hotel continues to be a well-loved, family-friendly pub in portside Carrington. The corner pub features a spacious dining area that adjoins a fantastic alfresco beer garden (with a playground, of course) where kids and furry friends can hang out while the adults get social and enjoy a pub feed.
Where: 132 Young St, Carrington
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