Bars in Newtown

Marlborough Hotel, King St, Newtown
There's little to distinguish the Marlie from any number of pubs: it has a small stage accommodating covers bands, the usual suspects on tap and a few bottled imports hidden in the fridge. But head out back and you'll find two superb locales for a civilised brew. The balcony holds an airy bar that's perfect for a summer's afternoon, while the snug cocktail bar offers lounges and dark corners en route to the open-air deck and Prego (that's pray-go, not preggo) bistro. Crackerjack coffee next door at Campos too.

Kuleto's, King St, Newtown
The cocktail list at Kuleto's is pretty limited but there are a few people on board who know what they're doing and can make all the basics (Margaritas, Daiquiris, Cuba Libres). It's a classic room, and it's huge with Sydney Uni students, as they offer two for one cocktails 6-7.30pm Monday to Friday and until 7pm on Saturdays.

Madame Fling Flong, King St, Newtown
Walk upstairs from Soni's and you'll find a little room filled with a jumble of couches and armchairs (and drinkers) in varying states of disrepair. They have cocktails, beer and an OK selection of wine; other drawcards include Tuesday cult movie nights (check their website for details), Connect Four and tapas.

Courthouse Hotel, Australia St, Newtown
For a pub so close to Newtown's police station, you'd think there'd be more wallopers having a cleansing post-walloping schooner. But no. More likely you'll find a mixed bag of uni students, old guys in footy jumpers and stubbies and dreadlocked girls with fluoro hair. They pour a great beer and the jukebox is filled with gems. We're also big fans of the beer garden.

Town Hall Hotel, King St, Newtown
It's the place to be after the Courthouse closes. The door policy's pretty strict though, so don't bother if you're even slightly sozzled. If you do get in, head straight upstairs - downstairs is the last refuge of the damned. There's a little area outside that is great on a warm evening but now we're heading into woolly hat territory, you're better off claiming a table near the bar.

Zanzibar, King St, Newtown
It's four levels of boozing mayhem. Up the very top is a massive outdoor bar overlooking the rooftops of Newtown - bizarre, really, for a suburb with little to offer in the way of views, but there you have it. It can be a real zoo on Friday and Saturday nights, but that's part of the fun.

Carlisle Castle, Albermarle St, Newtown
It's a bit of an institution in Newtown. Dogs wait for their owners on the pavement, drinking out of takeaway containers, while inside the taps are flowing. The skinny front bar houses a couple of cages of budgies, and regular meat raffles; back of house is a bistro that does a great burger and steak sambo.

The Bank, King St, Newtown
One of the most popular pubs in the 'hood. It's massive and loud and very stainless steel. If you're a fan of cosy little pubs and bars, this won't be your cup of tea, but it's constantly packed and people love to dance here until the wee hours. They've got a good selection of beers on tap, and some nice stuff by the bottle.

The Union, King St, Newtown
The Union's one of the few pubs in the area to have a beer garden. (Weird, huh? You'd think every pub in Sydney would be equipped with somewhere to enjoy our frequently beautiful weather.) The front bar is a large open space and is great in winter. There's free pool on Tuesday nights and, on Sundays, a $10 roast.

The Sandringham, King St, Newtown
The infamous Sando has as much a reputation for the bands that cut their musical teeth here (The Whitlams, for starters) as their deadly, deadly Long Island Iced Tea and well poured schooners.

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