Newcastle may be a regional city, but boy do we have a thriving music scene. There's stacks of venues across the city – from dedicated performance spaces, to pubs and bars – that are passionate about live music in our city.

Keen to go and catch a gig in Newcastle? Try our guide to the best venues for your live music fix.

Adamstown Bowling Club

Adamstown Bowling Club has become a hub for live music in recent years – head in for live, free, original music all weekend long. There's always a huge mix of genres, so everyone can find an act they love at Adamstown Bowling Club.
Where: 504 Glebe Rd, Adamstown

Bar on the Hill

Bar on the Hill is an iconic live music venue at University of Newcastle's Callaghan campus. It's so much more than just the uni bar – keep an eye on their upcoming gigs to catch a wealth of local and Australian artists.
Where: Ring Rd, Callaghan

Bartholomew's

Considering Bartholomew's is located in what was once a theatre, it's fitting that the restaurant and bar is host to live music. Usually spanning genres like blues, rock, and jazz, expect a show in a grand space when you head to Bartholomew's.
Where: 145 King St, Newcastle

Civic Theatre

Civic Theatre doesn't need much of an introduction. The renowned theatre not only hosts theatre shows, musicals, and comedians, but plenty of live music. If you're after bigger international and Australian acts, you'll typically find them here.
Where: 375 Hunter St, Newcastle

FogHorn Brewery

Need a spot of live music on your Tuesday nights? Get down to FogHorn's Homebrew open mic night to get amongst some local talent. Keep an eye on FogHorn's social media for one-off gigs too.
Where: 218 King St, Newcastle

Hamilton Station Hotel

Hamilton Station Hotel may be a pub, but live music is definitely the name of the game at this Islington watering hole. With five night of live music a week, both free and ticketed, there's so much variety that music lovers from all walks of life will find something to love.
Where: 2/6 Beaumont St, Islington

Hiss & Crackle Records

Hiss & Crackle Records is a record store in Wallsend that also puts on a bunch of gigs each month. They're all ages and free, so everyone in the community can get amongst live music by local bands.
Where: 18 Council St, Wallsend

King Street

Brought to you by the same passionate team that ran the Cambridge Hotel before its closure, King Street is all about live music with multiple levels showcasing all genres and hosting international and national heavyweights, as well as providing a platform for emerging local acts. 
Where: 15 Steel St, Newcastle West

Lizotte's

The buzzing theatre venue and bistro is always putting on a show, with performances spanning local, national, and international music acts.
Where: 31 Morehead St, Lambton

The Beach Hotel

After undergoing a massive revamp, The Beach Hotel is back and its live music offering is one to get around. The Homegrown live music series showcases the best of Australian talent, featuring local acts as well as well-known Aussie bands like Lime Cordiale and Crocodylus.
Where: 99 Frederick St, Merewether

The Exchange Hotel

Hosted in its Live at the X music space, live music has been happening for 140 years at The Exchange Hotel. From hosting gigs in series like Great Southern Nights to championing local musicians, this Hamilton pub is a hub for live music.
Where: 125 Denison St, Hamilton

The Gal

Otherwise known as Gallipoli Legion Club, The Gal is a multi-faceted live music venue that also hosts other performers like comedians and cabarets in its LGBTQIA-friendly space.
Where: 3/5 Beaumont St, Hamilton

The Grand Hotel

Every Tuesday night the Newcastle Improvised Music Association brings jazz to The Underground at The Grand Hotel, plus you can find some great bands from all over the country on each week upstairs in the pub.
Where: 32 Church St, Newcastle

The Lass O'Gowrie Hotel

The Lass O'Gowrie has long been a Newcastle favourite for live music. With gigs on every week, plus huge DJ nights, chill open mic nights, and more, there's always something on for the musically-inclined at The Lass.
Where: 14 Railway St, Wickham

The Newcastle Hotel

There's something for every music fan at The Newcastle Hotel, more affectionately known as The Newy. Catch an international death metal band one week, and an Australian country singer the next. 
Where: 139 Maitland Rd, Islington

The Oak

While you'll find live music on every weekend at The Oak, the pub also hosts bigger gigs for touring acts stopping in Newcastle. With a laidback vibe and an old-school charm, The Oak makes for a great spot to enjoy some live tunes.
Where: 207 Maitland Rd, Tighes Hill

The Rogue Scholar

You might know The Rogue Scholar as a brewpub, but did you know the Union Street venue is also a live music space? With live music every night they're open (Thursdays to Sundays) and even a rooftop space that the team opens up for special events, gigs, and performances, there's plenty of tunes to be had with your local craft beer.
Where: 4-6 Union St, Newcastle West

The Stag & Hunter Hotel

The Stag & Hunter Hotel is a standout pub on Newcastle's live music scene. The Mayfield local regularly hosts local acts, but also stacks of touring artists. With an intimate vibe and tasty pub grub, The Stag & Hunter Hotel is a great spot to go and watch a gig.
Where: 187 Maitland Rd, Mayfield

The Wickham Park Hotel

The Wickham Park Hotel (or The Wicko as it's known to most) always plays host to some of the best live music in town. Head to the front bar for more rock-oriented gigs or hang out in the beer garden for more chilled tunes.
Where: 61 Maitland Rd, Islington

Toronto Hotel

Toronto Hotel is known for hosting some of the heavyweights of Australian music as part of their Live on the Lake concert series – think Daryl Braithwaite, The Screaming Jets, and The Angels.
Where: 74 Victory Pde, Toronto

Know somewhere in Newcastle with killer live music acts not on the list? Email us!