The Bar on the Hill , Newcastle University campus at Callaghan (tel 02/4921 5000). Hosts live bands; all welcome. Take bus #260.

Beaches Hotel , opposite Merewether Beach (tel 02/4963 1574). The only place to go on Sun night; live bands.

The Brewery , 150 Wharf Rd. Popular waterfront drinking hole which has a crowded bistro.

The Kent , cnr Cleary and Beaumont streets, Hamilton (tel 02/4961 3303). Beautifully renovated old pub and music venue (rock Wed, Fri & Sun nights; jazz Sat & Sun afternoon; no cover charge). Busy every night, but with several refuges, including a wonderful plant-filled beer garden and a great bistro. Pool competition Mon night, quiz Tues.

Newcastle Workers Club , cnr King and Union streets (tel 02/4926 2700). Big gigs by touring bands Fri & Sat nights.

Northern Star Hotel , 112 Beaumont St, Hamilton (tel 02/4961 1087). Music in the back bar Wed-Sun from folk to jazz, blues and rock; mostly free.

The area known as "the cultural precinct", near Civic Park on King, Hunter and Auckland streets, is the location for three refurbished Art Deco venues; pick up a monthly calendar from the tourist office for details of what's on. The Civic Theatre , 375 Hunter St (tel 02/4929 1977) hosts mainly big-budget musicals and theatre productions. At the University Conservatorium of Music on Auckland Street (tel 02/4921 8900), there are often free lunchtime concerts as well as evening performances, while the grand City Hall , 290 King St (tel 02/4974 2948) has occasional classical music events such as the Australian Chamber Orchestra. Film buffs should head for the small, single-screen Kensington Cinema, 299 Hunter St, opposite Civic Station (tel 02/4929 3893), or the three-screen Showcase City Cinemas, 31-33 Wolfe St, off Hunter Street Mall (tel 02/4929 5019); both show arthouse and mainstream releases.