John Barleycorn's Taphouse sits on the rooftop of Westfield Newmarket, on the site formerly occupied by the Bavarian. It's a classic pub with a modern, vibrant twist — a rooftop bar built for craft beer lovers, sports fans and anyone after a good feed and a cold pint in the heart of Newmarket.
The pub leans into its role as a community gathering spot, with a curated selection of craft beers, rotating taps, cocktails and a pub menu built on classics with a creative edge. Big screens and great sound make it a go-to for live sports, from rugby to cricket, while the rooftop terrace gives it a point of difference from Newmarket's other bars.
Beyond the everyday session, John Barleycorn's runs a weekly pub quiz, rotating food and drink specials, and hosts functions and events for groups of 50 to 100+ guests. Whether it's after-work drinks, a family feed, a date night, or a big game day, it's set up as a laid-back local for Newmarket.
On the rooftop of Westfield Newmarket, on the site formerly known as the Bavarian, John Barleycorn's Taphouse has built itself into one of the area's go-to pubs. It's where classic pub charm meets a modern, vibrant atmosphere — a rooftop bar for craft beer lovers, sports fans, and anyone after a relaxed feed with good company.
The taphouse pours a curated selection of craft beers on rotating taps, alongside cocktails and a pub menu that takes classics and gives them a creative twist. Big screens and strong sound make it a natural home for live sport — rugby, cricket and everything in between — and during major games the pub runs 1.8L jugs of Summit Ultra and Steinlager Classic, so there's less time queuing at the bar and more time at the table. The rooftop terrace itself is one of the drawcards, giving John Barleycorn's an open-air edge over many of Newmarket's other bars.
Regulars come back for John's Famous Ribs, Crispy Skin Salmon, Angus Steak and the Moo Moo Burger, with Sticky Toffee Pudding as the dessert most diners can't go past. On top of the everyday menu, the kitchen runs standout weekend specials: John's Famous Spice Bag — crispy coated chicken, potato wedges, onions and capsicum tossed in a secret in-house spice blend and served with John's signature curry sauce — is available Friday through Sunday. And the Sunday Roast, a rotation of roast meats with Yorkshire puddings, spuds, roast veg and gravy, returns every Sunday from 11.30am.
Every Tuesday from 6.30pm, John Barleycorn's hosts a free pub quiz night, hosted live in the rooftop bar with prizes on offer alongside the usual craft beer and pub food. The venue has built a genuine community around it too, with a Facebook group for sports fans and craft beer lovers to connect and keep up with what's on.
Beyond the everyday session, John Barleycorn's rooftop function space caters for everything from casual get-togethers to proper corporate events, with capacity for groups from 50 up to 100 or more. Ice-cold tap beers, cocktails and pub food are paired with a rooftop terrace setting that makes it one of the more distinctive function venues in the Newmarket area, suited to birthdays, team events and social gatherings alike.
John Barleycorn's Taphouse is open Monday to Friday from 11.30am until late, and weekends from 11am until late, on the rooftop of Westfield Newmarket at 309 Broadway. Tables can be booked online, and gift cards are also available for anyone wanting to share the taphouse with a mate.