Beer, Rock, and Pride: The Rise and Fall of the Star Hotel Newcastle

Three Bars. Three Worlds. One Legendary Pub. In the heart of Newcastle, one pub did the impossible: it brought together three completely different subcultures under a single roof. The Star Hotel wasn't just a place to grab a drink; it was a cultural mixing pot where working-class surfers, rock and roll fans and pioneering drag performers coexisted, partied, and made history. From the cheap beer of the public bar to the sweat-soaked walls of the rock room, all the way to the glitter and glamour of Newcastle’s early pride scene—this is a look in at the special role of the Star Hotel Newcastle holds to many Novacadtrians. Benny and The Jets started the rock'n'roll period from about 1974 and from there on, more and more bands appeared at the Star to appreciative audiences. Enjoy a trip down memory lane from the early beginnings of jazz to the rock and roll years, the Queer and Drag performances and the present day bar now called Bernies Bar . Credits : Bernies Bar Website : https://berniesbarnewcastle.com/ Ed Tonks https://www.edtonks.com.au/books Mark Tinson " Too Much Rock'nRoll" https://marktinsonmusic.com/ Rick Pointon "Hey Rock'n'Roll" Contact [email protected] Gioia Di Donato   / gioiadidonato     / gioiadidonato   https://buymeacoffee.com/gioia67 Spotify Podcast https://creators.spotify.com/pod/prof... Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Mark Tinson Books: https://amzn.to/4uelqdV Rock this City: https://amzn.to/4uOCEjh In this video, we dive deep into: The Three Bars: How the Star divided its space to cater to entirely different walks of life. The Music & The Magic: The legendary rock bands that played here and the iconic cross-dressing performers who smashed boundaries. The Culture Clash: How an unlikely community formed in an era of strict social division. The Flashpoint: The story behind the infamous 1979 Star Hotel riot that changed Newcastle forever. Whether you were there pushing past the crowds in the front bar, or you're just discovering the legend today, hit play to see how one hotel became the beating, chaotic heart of Newcastle. 🎵 Love Australian music and subculture history? Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT your own Star Hotel memories, and SUBSCRIBE for more deep dives into legendary local history! #StarHotel #NewcastleHistory #AustralianRock #PrideHistory #NewcastleNSW #AusHistory