Musicians and lovers of live music have joined in commemorating the grand finale of hard-rocking Newcastle legend, the Cambridge Hotel.
The Newcastle West pub has been a sticky carpet virtual rite of passage for local and even international bands for more than five decades.
A front public bar is one of three distinct performance areas on the ground floor, and the interior is plastered with a mish-mash of pre-loved band posters and graffiti, all the way into the somewhat infamous green rooms.
The pub’s halls are even said to house the wandering soul of long-time resident Dennis the ghost.
But all went silent at 12am Monday, as Newcastle DJ Jayteehazard brought a conclusion to The Camo’s last hurrah three-day festival. Around 10k people flocked to Wood Street, from Friday afternoon, to bid farewell in the company of acts such as Grinspoon and Peking Duk.
The freehold was purchased in the 90s by a trio of local investors including Newcastle-based litigation lawyer John Palmieri, who later listed it with redevelopment plans for the Hotel and adjoining lot, comprising a total 1,942sqm zoned B4 Mixed Use, with 60-metre height limit and 6:1 FSR.
The large site is opposite the new Newcastle Interchange heavy rail terminus and link with the Light Rail Network, servicing the booming industry in the area.
Linkcity, a subsidiary of the French-owned Bouygues Group, acquired the site and has lodged plans to demolish the Cambridge to make way for a 19-storey student accommodation tower.
And so, in the footsteps of fellow Novocastrian music venues such as the Newcastle Workers Club, the Palais Royale, the Ambassador Hotel and the notorious Star Hotel, the Cambridge is no more.
Its closure has prompted the two best-known rock bands to come out of Newcastle to speak in remembrance.
During the 90s, Silverchair played several times at the Cambridge. The band’s bassist, Chris Joannou, is the former owner of pubs The Edwards, and Criterion Hotel at Carrington, and told the Newcastle Herald it is a great loss.
“You just hope that it’s part of the greater vision for the town. Once it’s gone it’s hard to bring it back.”
Dave Gleeson, frontman for Steel City’s eminent Screaming Jets, described it as a “real rock’n’roll” room.
“It’s one of those places that will be sad to see go,” said Gleeson.
Dru Russell began at the Cambridge as a glassy, in 2004. He worked his way to becoming bar manager, then licensee, and in 2014 be took a share as co-owner.
He says the place oozes originality, with a “feel of the shows” and its history, seen through the plethora of memorabilia.
“It’s what this venue is about. It’s one of a kind.
“There’s no other venue in town that’s like it.”
A final development application has not yet been received by the City Of Newcastle, signalling when demolition of the pub will begin.
