Coopers Hotel

A relic of genuine Newtown from before it got 'cool', the kaleido-carpeted downstairs bar still captures that dingy TAB vibe of yore. Upstairs, it's a different picture. There's no better poster-child for smoking restrictions than the de-roofed garden deck. So much so, the bistro is easy to overlook, which is a crime. For a pub steak, $25 may seem pricey, but the Black Angus strip loin beats many fine-dining experiences. The crisp-skin mulloway with gnocchi, sauteed pancetta and asparagus will make you forget it's a pub at all. Draught ales like One Fifty Lashes are a welcome reminder that it is.