Hear from Newcastle’s nightlife visionary
It’s that time again where we’ll be taking you behind the scenes with our favourite local business owners and creatives to find out where they go to eat, what playlist they’re listening to, where they take their out-of-town friends, and ultimately, what makes them tick.
For our 24th instalment of SPILL, we’re hearing from Newcastle’s nightlife visionary Dylan Oakes of mad poet.
Dylan Oakes
Firstly, what and where would people across Newcastle recognise you from?
Mad Poet, Les Poétes Pop, West Best Bloc Fest, The Family Hotel, or other distinguished platforms.
Where are you from originally? If not Newcastle, what made you decide to make Newcastle home?
I grew up in Newcastle. I left 20 years ago and have been back for eight years.
Do you consider yourself more of an early bird or a night owl?
I’m in a moment of my life where time morphs, and I couldn’t really say that on a weekly or monthly basis that I am either.
What’s your morning ritual?
Coffee and get in the ocean.
Where’s your late-night hangout spot?
Late night in Newcastle? That’s against all laws.
What’s your coffee order?
Either a large lahday (latte) with 1 sugar, a piccolo for the quick hit, and definitely an iced lahday (latte) in summer.
Speaking of coffee, which local venue knows your order by heart?
I honestly spread the love, I like to drop in to all the cafes. But I’d have to say that Cadre at Harris Farm on my way out of the house, and The Happy Wombat when I’m working.
Tell me about your biggest career highlight…
Creating dope music with friends. I think the best is yet to come.
In your spare time, what are your top favourite things to do in Newcastle?
Spare time is hard to find, but when I have it, I enjoy walking up to the beach for swims in summer, the gym and sauna, going to any events happening in the city, and just having beers with mates and watching live music at The Ori, especially on Sundays.
I love film, so I am also REALLY looking forward to the cinema on King Street re-opening, I hear great things – hopefully they will be showing “interesting” films.
If you wanted to dazzle your out-of-town friends and family, where would you take them?
Breakfast – Autumn Rooms (they serve alcohol)
Lunch – I’d do two lunches, midday lunch at either Thermidor or Nagisa on the Harbour and then roll up to Roundhouse for a later lunch, then off to the Rooftop at QT to watch the sun go down over the city.
Dinner – Has to be Bistro Penny.
Drinks – And jazz at The Underground, get a booth at Coal & Cedar, and then we’d get down in Midtown and sing karaoke at Jam’s, see a live band at The Den or Rogue Scholar, dance to Kylie at Bernie’s Bar, devour a couple of Chris’ cocktails at The Koutetsu, and then finish up with a late night vinyl session with a hotdog and beers at mad poet.
Kick-ons would be at The Rydges as they start serving bubbles in the AM.
Beer? Wine? Cocktail? Mocktail? What is your tipple of choice and where do you frequently visit?
I love a beer at The Ori, The Commonwealth Hotel, or at Bar Beach Bowlo. I like the classic old school beers, Reschs, Melbourne Bitter, Great Northern, XXXX, Tooheys New, Tooheys Old. I am liking the new Young Henry’s crisp lager at the bar.
I love my wine, usually French and Italian. For whites, a heavy buttery Chardonnay, Di Gino Verdicchio, Dune El Beyda Blend, or Marsanne. For reds, anything but a Shiraz. Something crunchy with tannin/earthy and a random vintage. Lucky I have a great wine supplier…
For cocktails, an old-fashioned is my go-to, and I love a bloody mary. Chris at Koutetsu for my old-fashioned, and the best bloody mary I’ve had is Sven’s at the Falcon.
On the daily, what’s guaranteed to make you smile?
Mates, staff, other bars/restaurant staff, my family and a bunch of people on Instagram (my favourite at the moment is @humantabasco).
What do you NEVER leave the house without?
Sunnies, keys, and my bag of tricks.
We’re all about keeping it local here at HUNTERhunter – tell me THREE of your favourite local businesses that you live and breathe by and why you couldn’t live without them…
1. Abicus is a saviour for real life fashion needs.
2. Hayley Alexander Pilates for posture and core strength.
3. Imprint – Jan is a hustler!
What are you reading / watching / listening to now?
Last month I downloaded The New York Times app and I’m about to get stuck into Guardian by local writer and journalist Nick Milligan.
I watch new films every week, this week it was Spit with David Wenham, The Surfer with Nicholas Cage, and I just finished the series Welcome to Wrexham.
I listen to a ridiculous amount of music at mad poet but some new discoveries are Diiv, GANS, Frenzee, and local outfits The PeeWee50s, Louise, and Finlay Ross. Looking forward to hearing Dust’s new album too.
If you’re needing a short break away from Newcastle, where do you go and why?
Literally anywhere, new discoveries are the way to a healthy beating heart. I’m thinking a four-day trip to Darwin next…
What’s your go-to playlist?
Come to mad poet I have 3,000 records there. Can’t beat that playlist!
What would you like to see more of in Newcastle?
Risk-taking socialites. Progressive and non-traditional jobs. More support for individual individuals. Less talk, more walk. A proper resort would be nice. I’d like to see more tertiary education within the arts and media sector that isn’t the UON. More late, late-night venues for hospitality workers wanting to party after work. I’d also like the Jets’ home ground moved to the Number 2 Sports Ground. More pickleball!
Lucky last – who would you recommend we interview next for SPILL?
The mayor.
