The Newtown Hotel

The Newtown Hotel has been serving booze to thirsty patrons since the late 1800s. After a huge, nine-month makeover, it re-opened in 2012. That was thanks to the Keystone Group, which has since sold to Colonial Leisure Group, a company that operates about 30 venues around Australia.

The public bar was re-imagined. Now, a grand rectangular service area takes pride of place, surrounding by metal bar stools, plush Chesterfields, a stage for gigs, a kissing booth, pool tables and even some pinball machines.

Adjoining the main drinking area, the beer garden comes complete with its own bar and a retractable roof. Throughout these two areas, there’s a bar menu offering burgers, pizzas, salads and those perennial pub classics, the steak and the parma. At key times, such as Friday dinner and lunchtime on weekends, pizzas are an incredible $4. Or if you're a student, they're always $4.

On tap there are standards such as Coopers, Peroni and Asahi. These are backed by a huge range of beer and cider tinnies from breweries such as Young Henrys, 4 Pines, Balter, Colonial, Feral and Oskar Blues. There are also "cheap wines", "decent wines" and "good wines" to suit any budget.

The best bit about the revitalised Newtown is at the top of the stairs, though. Stake out a spot on the lovely sunny balcony – surely one of the most splendid perches along King Street.