MOJO

You'll spot the skulls and dark wood before you even step inside, but don't let the heavy metal aesthetic fool you – this isn't some teenage rebellion theme park. The bartenders here actually know their way around a shaker, turning out decent cocktails while Metallica pounds through the speakers at a volume that lets you still have a conversation. The crowd skews older than your typical metalhead hangout, which means less posturing and more people who genuinely love the music. Live bands play regularly, and they've got the sound system to do justice to both the performers and the carefully curated playlist when it's just the DJ. Located in The Gate, it's perfectly positioned for pre-gig drinks or a proper night out when you want something with more edge than the usual Newcastle bar crawl.