Northern Star Hotel

Northern Star Hotel is a long-running Irish pub on Beaumont Street in Hamilton, Newcastle, with a history reaching back to 1877. The Ramplin family has owned and operated the hotel for decades, and the venue is now run by Michelle and John Ramplin. Originally a smaller, one-bar hotel, it has grown into a larger establishment with three bars, a restaurant, entertainment, accommodation and a bottleshop.

The pub’s Irish identity became a defining part of its character in the 1990s, when it developed a strong following among Newcastle’s Irish community and gained recognition from Guinness among the top 150 Irish hotels in Australia. Guinness remains a notable part of the drinks offering, alongside more than 20 beers on tap and a whisky selection spanning Irish, Scotch, American and Japanese styles. Wine, spirits and cocktails are also available, while the bottleshop stocks standard and craft beers, Hunter Valley wines, spirits and mixers.

For food, the restaurant combines traditional Irish cooking with classic Australian pub meals. The Beef and Guinness pie is one of the venue’s named old favourites, and the menu includes gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian choices. Dining is available inside the restaurant, in the comfortable bar or outdoors, with an expanded beer garden and alfresco, flower-lined street seating. Meal bookings are preferred because capacity is limited, particularly for groups planning a special occasion.

The venue caters to more than a casual drink or meal. Its events offering is designed for family functions, work gatherings and friendly get-togethers, with entertainment and outdoor event areas available. The 15 refurbished rooms provide another reason to stay, whether for a romantic getaway, a work visit or a sports weekend, and are positioned minutes from Newcastle’s entertainment precinct. With its mix of pub dining, drinks, outdoor areas, functions and accommodation, Northern Star Hotel suits locals dropping in for a pint, groups meeting over a meal and visitors wanting to stay in Hamilton.