MOST music-loving Novocastrians have been aware for years how important the Cambridge Hotel is to this city’s entertainment scene.
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Finally NSW has caught on. Last week the Newcastle West pub was crowned Best Live Music Venue for the first time in the state final of the Australian Hotels Association Awards held at Sydney’s Star City.
The Cambridge beat a host of iconic pubs, including the Coogee Bay Hotel and last year’s winner Manly’s Hotel Steyne.
It’s been a massive 12 months for the Cambridge, after they unveiled their renovation of the Glasshouse band room, which boosted capacity to 800 and installed a state-of-the-art PA system. This has attracted a host of major acts including Bernard Fanning, Everclear, Meg Mac, Illy, The Living End and Grinspoon.
The smaller Warehouse bar was also renovated and has since become the home of Newcastle’s underground scene.
Cambridge licensee Dru Russell said renovations had re-invigorated the hotel.