The Duke of Edinburgh Hotel

You've probably been to the Duke, even if you don't know it. Just a stroll from the Enmore Theatre, it's the unofficial pre-drink (or post, given that it stays open until the wee hours on weekends) location for every gig, serving a different crowd each night: indie kids, crusty punks, comedy fans, theatresports aficionados, old rockers, metalheads and hoodies. It's a haven of piercings and hair dye, but still maintains the old charm of a working-class pub. That said, the pokies are off in their own room, as they damn well should be in any pub that respects its music-loving clientele. If you get down early enough you can get a seat near the fire in the back room or the chimeneas in the courtyard before the rest of the ticket holders pour in, or just pop in to grab a schooner and a sold-out ticket from the scalper who usually hangs out the front. The beers and ciders are what you'd expect, but it's exactly what you'll want on a summer afternoon under the sun outside, sharing a bowl of wedges with your housemate's band.