'Doubled the beer delivery': pubs and clubs booked out as town rides red and blue wave

Newcastle's pubs and clubs are booked solid for Sunday's NRL grand final, with venues turning away bookings, adding TVs and extra tables, and, in one case, doubling beer deliveries, as the city gears up to watch the Knights take on the Sydney Roosters.

The Knights meet the Roosters at 7.30pm on Sunday, October 4, after a 22-14 preliminary final win over Penrith sent the club into its first grand final since 2001, just 12 months after collecting the wooden spoon.

Tristan Heels, publican at the Wickham Park Hotel, said tables had been fully booked a week ahead for the past three weeks, and that they vanished within minutes of a Knights win.

"The last three weeks we've been booked out seven days in advance," he said.

"As soon as the Knights have won a finals game, half an hour later, all the tables are booked out."

He said the venue logged 134 calls in a single day this week, forcing staff to put a recorded message on the line.

"I've literally got to call people back now and say, look, I know you jumped online and booked a table for 15. I can give you tables for six, take it or leave it," he said.

Only a handful of spots remain for walk-ins, with more than 100 people expected.

Extra tables have been set up in the beer garden, and he is now taking two beer deliveries a week instead of one.

He said the surge was driven not just by die-hard supporters but by casual fans swept up in the momentum.

"People that might have been fringe Knights fans, or not really follow rugby league, they're following it.

"They're loving it. It's just great for Newcastle," he said.

Mr Heels, who attended the club's 1997 and 2001 finals, described the preliminary final as "one of the best games I have ever seen".

There was a cruel twist for the publican: after attending almost every Knights game this season, he will be working on grand final night.

"I go to every single game and now I can't. I've got to be here," he said.

"But I'm stoked about that all the same."

Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes said the finals run was giving businesses a clear boost.

"There are 100-metre queues at the Knights merchandise shop, other outlets selling supporters gear are sold out of anything red and blue, local coach companies can't get enough buses on the road and every pub across the region was hopping last Sunday afternoon, and will be again this weekend," he said.

"People want to celebrate, so they are prepared to loosen the purse strings a bit more to be part of it.

"As Newcastle Knights fans well know, these opportunities don't come along often."

The Cross Keys Hotel, in Tighes Hill, is hosting a preview show on Friday with Knights legends Mark Hughes and Kurt Gidley to raise money for the Mark Hughes Foundation.

Owner Kristy Crooks said the pub would be packed from opening on Sunday, as people got in early to secure the few walk-in spots left.

"It's been chockers through the week and, after each win, the bookings come flooding back in an hour later," she said.

At the Commonwealth Hotel, in Cooks Hill, manager Tom Hudson said every table that could be reserved was taken, with space left for walk-ins.

"Just get in early and enjoy it," he said.

Extra TVs are being installed in the beer garden.

Mr Hudson said the atmosphere during the Panthers game was unlike anything he had seen at the pub this season.

"The whole pub was full of Knights fans, and everyone was rocking. It was unreal."

"Everywhere you go, you can see Knights fans. Everyone's out and about in a good mood. The whole town's getting behind it."

The Knights are chasing the club's third men's premiership.