The LassO'Gowrie Hotel

Newcastle's oldest pub, trading in the Wickham backstreets since 1877 and long the cradle of original live music in the city — Mojo Juju, Kira Puru and Winston Surfshirt all cut their teeth on its stage. Original bands play most weeks, free and local-first, across a Friday outdoor stage, a Thursday house jazz night and Sunday sessions. The palm-shaded beer garden is widely called the best in town, and the bistro now cooks Latin American share plates over a parrilla. Not just a pub.