Welcome to Newcastle’s premier nightlife guide.
On this page, you’ll discover the vibrant and varied nightlife scene in Newcastle. You’ll find the perfect venue for you and your preferred night out. Whether you want to go all-out clubbing or if you’d like a more laid back dinner and drinks with a view, we’ve got your covered.
Enjoy!
An Intro to Newcastle
Newcastle upon Tyne or more commonly Newcastle is a city located at North-Eastern part of England. Newcastle is the most populated city in North Eastern England and is the core of the Tyneside conurbation, which is the eighth most populous urban area in the United Kingdom. Newcastle is a member of the UK Core Cities Group and is also a member of the Eurocities network of European cities.
The Economy of Newcastle includes corporate headquarters, learning, digital technology, retail, tourism, and cultural centers, through which the city contributes £13 billion towards the United Kingdom’s GVA. Newcastle played a vital role during the 19th-century Industrial Revolution and was an epidemic center for coal mining, shipbuilding, engineering, munitions, and manufacturing. Heavy industries in Newcastle declined in the second half of the 20th century; with office, service and retail employment now becoming the city’s staples.
Newcastle United football club and the Tyne Bridge are some of the icons that the city possess. Since 1981 the city has hosted the Great North Run, a half marathon which attracts over 57,000 runners each year and some similar activities like these ones.
Newcastle is famous for its thrilling nightlife throughout its main streets filled with various clubs, bars & restaurants. It is a very popular location for stag and hen nights where people party into the night letting their hair down and forgetting their worries. It has also been featured by many guides and magazines and is listed in the top ten of places to go for an unforgettable night out, the nightlife is one of Newcastle’s top tourist attractions.
The Nightlife in Newcastle
Exploring further about the nightlife of Newcastle, you’ll come to know that it’s quite better than your expectations. You can follow the music in the ballrooms, where the nightlife is one of the most exciting scenes. The nightclubs and ballrooms are equipped with world-class DJs, the craft cocktails are a true signature of art and the dance floors are loaded with people soaking up the bright vibes of the Newcastle after the sun goes down.
There are many areas loaded with pubs, nightclubs, and bars situated around the Bigg Market and Quayside area. Some popular areas are the Neville Street Collingwood Street, Central Station, and Osbourne Street, all of them house many bars with a fabulous attitude to enjoying yourself.
Apart from the drinking and dancing scenes, which are to be discussed in later sections, the city is also filled with loads of activities and places which could be enjoyed after the daylight to experience the real nightlife of Newcastle. Following are some of those:
The Quayside
If you’re not ready for dancing and cocktailing yet and are looking for something a little more relaxing and mesmerizing, Newcastle’s Quayside really comes to life on an evening and is a great way to see the romantic sights of the city from the foot. Stroll limitlessly alongside the river and stop along the way for a great cocktail in one of the Quayside’s many bars. Take another spectacular trip after dark to see the mesmerizing and romantic views of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge which lights up the Quayside at night – it’s a sight not to be missed.
Comedy Shows
Who doesn’t loves laughing on some great jokes by professionals? It could be a great way to relax and get tension free. If comedy is more your thing, The Stand Newcastle is sure to give you a night of fun and laughter. Attracting some of the biggest and best names in comedians, as well as giving the stage to up and coming local acts, there really is something for everyone at The Strand. The venue also has a delicious Bistro with a changing seasonal menu.
Tyneside Cinema
Tyneside Cinema is the lone survivor is news theatre still operating as a cinema today, and a perfect alternative to the big and renowned chains. The Grade II-listed building has four screens, a licensed café-bar, an art gallery and various displays of local heritage items to admire while you wait for your film to start.
The Gate
The Gate complex is known as a proper drinking setup. It’s popular with big groups and stag and hen parties, due to the vast collection of bars and clubs is located close to each other – all conveniently located indoors away from the Geordie climate. For bars, you’ve got some classics like Lloyds No. 1 Keel Row – part of the Wetherspoons chain – renowned for its dimly lit atmosphere and traditionally cheap drinks. Players is a sports bar with a cheeky edge – the barmaids wear American cheerleader outfits and take to spontaneous podium dancing throughout the night. All in all, a great place to enjoy the nightlife of the city.
Jesmond/Osborne Road
Osborne Road, Jesmond is the main nightlife hub of the city, They are Newcastle’s most popular places to start the night and is just a few minutes away from the city center. The upmarket bars attract a swanky crowd and the clientele dress to impress, with admirable commitment. Fortunately, all of the bars and restaurants are, practically, on top of each other, so you won’t need to walk far in your Sunday finest. All in all, the best place to enjoy the nightlife of the city.
Best Bars in New Castle
The nightlife of Newcastle has an excellent reputation and is renowned for its swanky and lavish bars. Outside of the capital, the scene in the northeast is regarded as one of the most exciting and vivid you will find anywhere in the UK and this inevitably leads to many choosing the region for their studies. Newcastle is a city with drinking in their genes. Combine that love of a tipple with the town’s recent revival and you’ve got yourself a huge range of atmospheric watering holes that celebrate the city’s long heritage and take advantage of its picturesque seaside location. However, with this many options available, it can be hard to find the best bars and clubs straight away, especially if you’ve never been before, therefore, we’ve got you covered with the following list of best bars in Newcastle:
Prohibition Cabaret Bar
Prohibition Bar has a new home in an iconic location on Newcastle’s Pink Lane. The 1920s-inspired bar has taken up residence in the former home of the much-loved Jazz Café. Relive the opulent spirit of the twenties and thirties jazz. Indulge in everything from variety, cabaret, music hall, and vaudeville acts while sipping cocktails and catching up with mates at this classy, toe-tapping venue. Prohibition Bar is both cozy and mesmerizing with a hit of cheeky. All in all, it’s a good place for some great drinks.
Colonel Porter’s
Colonel Porter’s decor can only be described as electrifying. When you have an old cocktail firmly in your hand or a tipple of rum on your lips, the menagerie of stuffed animal heads and an assortment of color, fabrics, lights, and ornaments will blend to provide you the best vibe. Colonel Porter’s is an absolute delight for all type of fun seekers. Enjoy regular live music and DJ events throughout the year at Colonel Porter’s which is a great stopping point in the middle of the well-trodden path. If you’re planning on hitting up Dean Street, you must hit up this place also.
Decantus
Decantus can be termed as an ideal pre-theatre meeting point. It offers a stylish yet relaxed atmosphere also lends itself to a post-work debrief or a pitstop for thirsty shoppers wanting to share some tasty bar snacks and catch up over a “fishbowl” of gin. Decantus is situated on spectacular Grey Street and is the best option for a sophisticated and classify night out in Newcastle. The long and narrow bar adds to its intimate feel and will quickly be overflowing on weekends.
Alvino’s
Patrons can rock up in jeans and t-shirt or full on glad rags ready to go out. Offering a vast range of craft beers as well as cocktails, this place caters to people for all taste. Customers can enjoy their drinks on a number of floors, inside or out and stop off to play a game on the football table. Alvino’s promise the best music from local DJs to play you through your visit. Get your body moving to every type of music genre from funk and soul to “minimal twinkling techno.” Intriguing!
Best Bar Restaurants in Newcastle
When you go out and about fulfilling your cocktailing needs in Newcastle, chances are that at some point you’re going to crave for deliciously and exotic food as well. With Newcastle bar scenes continuing to grow and innovate, it’s no wonder that a restaurant bar would be a great idea to go with.
Newcastle has some of the finest restaurants that serve delicious food along with great cocktails and drinks that blend perfectly with the food to provide a great combination. For a city which is drinkers’ paradise, it’s no surprise that they’re quickly becoming drinking spots in their own sense. The best thing to do is to choose a bar that also serves delicious food. That way your need for booze and craving for the food will be catered under one roof.
Therefore, to fulfill your extreme craving for delightful food and awesome booze, we’ve come up with a list of Newcastle’s best bar restaurants, good enough to stimulate your taste buds to take you to the cloud noun:
Blackfriars
There nothing better than impressing friends on the festive season with a slap up meal in what looks like a 13th-century medieval cafeteria. Chewing your roasted and quaffing wine in the banquet hall it’s easy to feel as if you’ve found yourself in the main hall of the Hogwarts. We’re damn sure that you’ll regret not visiting this place.
The Botanist
Entering through the modest gate, up the stairs, and into the Botanist for the first time is what we imagine it must be like to visit Narnia on acid. Diners are cheerfully greeted by a balcony, domed glass ceiling and, a massive tree. The cocktails are off the scale – and its extensive gin list worth visiting for alone – but the real stars are the famous hanging kebabs. All in all, it’s a great place to have some exotic food with some great drinks.
Lola Jeans
While it may sound like a denim store but it’s actually a great restaurant that serves exotic food. A two-tier cocktail haunt with exposed brick walls and decor so expensive you should be charged for looking at it. Lola Jeans seems like the sort of place where you’d go after the meal. It is often cited for producing the best burgers in town, this boutique city center nightspot also boasts some no-nonsense dishes worth wolfing down at any time.
Zapatista Burrito Bar
Zapatista is the city first ever burrito house, which is inspired by the Mexican Leftist revolutionary group of the same name – and they’ve not let his legacy down. This delicious traditional Mexican street food style dining has been years in the making, and with a location just off Newcastle’s busiest shopping street, this spot is the ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle and swinging Primark bags of the city center.
As You Like It
If you like your decor idiosyncratic then Jesmond’s As You Like It may just be the place for you. Spread over three sprawling floors, this Newcastle restaurant features four bars, a terrace and is always hosting live music and all manner of events.
Best Nightclubs in Newcastle
Apart from the food scenes and eateries, sometimes you just want to enjoy dancing on some great songs or maybe sip a little bit. Or, you just want to hang out with some friends at a nice place or want to make some new friends. Well, you should stop worrying because Newcastle’s nightclubs offer a perfect environment for everyone. From finding your date to hanging out with your friends you can enjoy in whatever sense you like. With so many options available, it can sometimes become difficult to choose or identify a great option. Therefore, we’ve come up with the following list of some swankiest nightclubs in Newcastle to entertain you:
Digital
Since its opening, Digital has been inaugurated ‘the fabric of the north’. With a trophy cabinet of awards, this Newcastle nightclub was ranked 11th best club in the world. Located in Newcastle’s glamorous Times Square, Digital is a state-of-the-art club with a whopping capacity of 2,200. It has been hosting top name DJs and huge club nights throughout the week. Be sure to check out this place because it has established itself as one of the best nightclubs in Newcastle.
Tup Tup Palace
Tup Tup Place is another of Newcastle’s intimate nightclub. The structure of the club itself may be small, but the celebrity faces it attracts surely aren’t. This place has seen the likes of Drake, Kanye West, 50 Cent, Dizzee Rascal, Will I Am, Ed Sheeran, Plan B, Example, Ne-Yo, Tulisa, Cheryl Cole, Professor Green, Taio Cruz, Matt Cardle, Chipmunk, David Haye, Ricky Hatton and many more. Be sure to check out this place for an ultimate night out with celebrities.
The O2 Academy
The O2 Academy is one of Newcastle’s top live music venues having hosted Adele, Katie Perry and historically The Who and The Beatles. Club nights, ALPHA and OMEGA, dive in and out of the mainstream, pleasing even the purest rock, metal and punk fans. Just a stone’s throw from Central Station, this is a great place to catch a concert and head upstairs to the after parties. Overall, a very nice place, endorsed by celebrities, that also serves great drinks.
The Cut
There’s a reason why this place beats up other nightclubs. The Cut is a change from the other more mainstream clubs dotted around the city. Like an edgy Manhattan loft party, you’ll head upstairs and be met with hundreds of cool kids discovering the latest tunes. The most popular club nights include Wednesday’s Shake, with hip hop and 90s R&B classics, and Friday’s Loop, playing deep, tech and disco tunes. Both nights are fun to hang out in, with cheap drinks once you’re there.
Florita’s & Madame Koo
Florita’s and Madame Koo are two interlinked nightclubs. Madame Koo has a dark, secret-den like vibe, with dim lighting, decadent Asian statues, and intimate booths. Florita’s is the Miami-inspired, flirty little sister of Madame Koo. It boasts tropical interiors, sultry decor, and cheeky tiki cocktail list. Both the bars are pretty good to hang out at, be sure to give them a try.
Conclusion
To conclude things, we had a brief introduction of the Newcastle city along with touching some of its prominent norms, and culture. We also went through different activities and places to enjoy the nightlife of Newcastle. Such activities provide a great source of entertainment for tourists and locals. Moreover, such activities also help in understanding the true cultural norms of a city.
We also established the diversity in terms of hotels, restaurants, and bars that the City offers. We understood the norms and behavior of the people regarding the nightlife of Newcastle. With that being said, we went through the exotic options available in bars. That led us to virtually visit some of the swankiest, finest, and renowned bars of the Newcastle. The bar such as Prohibition Carbet Bar, Alvino’s and Colonel Porter’s topped the list.
For your food cravings during the cocktail run, we also went through a detailed list of bar-restaurants which provide delicious and exotic food along with a touch of booze. This extremely delightful combination of food and booze really push the limits of Nightlife entertainment and add a great value to your tour.
Apart from culinary and drinking options, we explored a comprehensive list of nightclubs that provide premium nigh-time entertainment. Tup Tup Palace, Digital and O2 Academy were some of the clubs that provided the ultra-rich experience of dance and music
Make sure that you prepare for the trip according to the above recommendations so that you never miss an important event or place so that you enjoy your heart out.
