On the hunt for a stand-out cocktail in Newcastle? Thankfully, our city has a host of excellent cocktail bars where you can enjoy your cocktail fix.

From the classics through to modern concoctions, you can get it all at Newcastle's best cocktail bars – read the guide below to find your new favourite.

5 Sawyers

Darby Street’s original cocktail bar has generated a number of iconic cocktails over the years, like the The Weis Bar and the Kit Kat Gold Martini. The menu is extensive, so no doubt you'll be finding it hard to decide what creative creation to order. Need help choosing? Perch yourself at the front window to people watch and order the $10 cocktail of the week.
Where: 115 Darby St, Cooks Hill

Bar Mellow

Taking up residence in the Bank Corner building on Hunter Street, Bar Mellow offers an extensive, elevated cocktail list. Cosy up in a booth and take your pick – right now, the Salty Smash with dry gin, lemon sherbet, herbal liqueur, basil salt, and cucumber is a refreshing kickstart, while the French Breaky with brandy, toasted croissant, raspberry, meringue goats cheese foam, and lemon is a fantastic sub for dessert.
Where: 744 Hunter St, Newcastle West 

Blue Kahunas

Calling Hunter Street Mall home, Blue Kahunas is Newcastle’s very own tropical rum bar with a passion for cocktails. Expect the unexpected with drinks served in pineapples, mini barrels, or even in a miniature Tiki. Complement your funky cocktail with dumplings, a deli board, or bar snacks.
Where: 3/146 Hunter St, Newcastle

Bartholomew's

One of Newcastle’s most beautiful buildings is home to Bartholomew's, a 1920s-style bar and restaurant with a sophisticated cocktail menu. Sit up at the bar or recline an alcove while you sip on one of the team's concoctions. You'll find an extensive whiskey collection at Bartholomew's too, so make sure you chat to the team and try a few – you might even find your new favourite.
Where: 145 King St, Newcastle

Castle del Mar

Walk through the double doors into a completely transformed space. The left side is lined with intimate booths and the walls feature floor-to-ceiling red velvet curtains. To the right is a semi-private elevated space complete with furry wall (it’s a Get Him To The Greek reference for those confused), a mural of Nobby’s Beach, and a jam-packed bar.
Where: 32 King St, Newcastle

Charlies Rooftop

The cocktail list at Charlies Rooftop traverses the classics as well as some new inventions by the team. The selection of Fizz cocktails – all made on Usher Tinkler prosecco – are a fun take on the spritz, with options like Berry Fizz (featuring Chambord plus cranberry and raspberry puree) and Peach Fizz (with St Germain and peach puree). The food menu is full of tasty share plates, and the Palm Springs vibes are high across Charlies two levels – time to get yourself down for a drink stat.
Where: 529 Hunter St, Newcastle

Coal & Cedar

Finding Prohibition-style speakeasy Coal & Cedar may be a bit of a challenge, but once you're inside, you'll discover a bar that's worth the effort it took to locate it. Winning Australia's Best Regional Bar in 2016, Coal & Cedar has been a favourite with locals since 2014. Want something that's not on the menu? Ask the talented team to whip something up just for you.
Where: 380/382 Hunter St, Newcastle

Earp Distilling Co.

Run by one of Newcastle's oldest family businesses, Earp Distilling Co. distils gin, rum, vodka, brandy, limoncello, and absinthe on site at its Carrington distillery. Naturally, the cocktail offering shows off Earp's premium spirits, with plenty of twists on your favourites. Expect creations like The Junipepper with Earp's Just Juniper gin, house habanero extract, mango, lime, and agave, and Spill the Beans, featuring Earp's Vodka Pure, house wattleseed extract, cold brew coffee, and agave, paired with an Asian-influenced food menu.
Where: 1 Darling St, Carrington

Ginger Meg's

Each of the cocktails at Ginger Meg's continue the Asian fusion flavours the venue is known for, with ingredients like kaffir lime, chilli, and lychee all making an appearance. You can even grab $14 cocktails on Wednesday and Thursday nights down at Gingertown Bar – date night anyone?
Where: 212 King St, Newcastle

Granddad's Bar

There’s a bit of a twist at Granddad’s Bar – it only serves up spirits by Granddad Jack’s Craft Distillery. The distillery has a core range of three gins, a vodka, a coffee liqueur, and a whiskey, plus limited-edition releases each month, so spirit-lovers will always have something to look forward to. Grab a seat up at the bar and chat with the super friendly bar staff while you sip your cocktail.
Where: 515 Hunter St, Newcastle

The Koutetsu

Newcastle’s not-so-secret cocktail bar, The Koutetsu is the place to try interesting cocktails that are out of the ordinary. With almost 20 Japanese whiskeys and nearly 40 gins on offer, you know the team is passionate about quality spirits. The cocktail menu at The Koutetsu changes up pretty regularly, so it's a good excuse to back time after time and enjoy the talents of the bar's mixologists.
Where: 555 Hunter St, Newcastle West

Meantime

Meantime is the backdrop for your next good time, with a focus on cocktails and tasty, gluten-free food. The cocktail menu is comprehensive, with a balance between classic favourites like an amaretto sour and a spicy margarita and in-house creations. The best (and most unique) offering, however, might just be the cocktail tasting paddle – get four half cocktails of your choice for just $50. What a clever way to take away indecision!
Where: 104 Beaumont St, Hamilton NSW

Merewether Surfhouse

Sip a cocktail while you admire the view at Merewether Surfhouse's terrace bar. It's an ideal place to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon in the sunshine, enjoying an espresso martini. You can also head down to the Beach Bar on the lower level for Mexican food and cocktails.
Where: 5 Henderson Parade, Merewether

MoneyPenny

Located on the Honeysuckle Boardwalk, MoneyPenny changes its cocktail menu weekly based on what fresh ingredients are available. Don't expect anything too serious here – MoneyPenny is all about simple yet fun cocktails, made to enjoy with friends. Feeling peckish? Order some dishes to share from their food menu full of global flavours.
Where: 1 Honeysuckle Dr, Newcastle

Romberg's

Make your way up to level nine of Crystalbrook Kingsley to experience panoramic views and cocktails with a focus on native ingredients at Romberg's. Heading up to Romberg's is certainly a way to classy-up your evening quick smart – don't miss the sophisticated bar food offering to pair with your cocktail.
Where: Level 9/282 King St, Newcastle

The Rooftop at QT

Dotted with lunar motifs and enjoying gorgeous views over the harbour, The Rooftop at QT transforms the heritage David Jones building into a captivating culinary and cocktail experience. Opt for a Japanese-inspired cocktail or pick from the many gins and Japanese whiskies on offer.
Where: 185 Hunter St, Newcastle

The Underground

Located underneath The Grand Hotel on Church Street, The Underground is a cosy, intimate oasis for cocktail lovers. The team have non-drinkers covered with non-alcoholic cocktails too, and there's antipasto and pub grub from upstairs available.
Where: Lower Ground, 32 Church St, Newcastle

Uptowns Bar

The 80s and 90s cocktail bar on Watt Street is known for its love of the NBA, sneakers, video games, hip hop and, of course, cocktails. Order a round of their classic with a twist cocktails, and play your bestie at a game on the Nintendo 64.
Where: 6/23 Watt St, Newcastle

Vecina

Taking its name from the Spanish word for neighbour or place, Vecina draws inspiration from some of Spain's most iconic flavours and techniques for its snack menu, served up alongside cracking cocktails and wines. Much like its sister venue Flotilla, you can always expect a fun yet laidback atmosphere, excellent service, and of course, some of the best cocktails in town.
Where: 9 Albert St, Wickham