15 Jaw-Dropping Bars And Pubs In Newcastle

Grab a pint. (And yes, we know one of these is in Gateshead.)

1. The Free Trade Inn, St Lawrence Road

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The Free Trade Inn is a little out of the way, to the east end of the River Tyne. It's also quite pokey, with little room indoors. But on a summer's night, as the sun sets, and you're sat in the pub's beer terrace across the road, you realise it's well worth the walk.

2. The Botanist, Monument Mall

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The Botanist opened to the public just this week but is already gaining fame for its city-centre location, overlooking Grey's Monument, and its decor, which includes quirky furnishings, an enormous tree dominating the middle of the bar, and its rooftop area.

3. The Bridge Tavern, Akenside Hill

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Newly renovated, The Bridge Tavern says that fairly well behaved children and extremely well behaved dogs are welcome until 7pm -- but it's the atmosphere and the products of the on-site microbrewery that you'll be here for.

4. The Tyne Bar, Maling Street

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The inside of the Tyne Bar may be relatively small, but there's plenty of spillout area on the banks of the Ouseburn and in a heated patio area -- which just so happens to be where larger gigs and poetry readngs are held.

5. The Forth, Pink Lane

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Pink Lane has not one, but two quality pubs you'll want to pop in to. The Forth's a bustling place that combines the best of a traditional alehouse with the vibrant nightlife that attracts young adults. And if you can wind your way through the crowds to the stairs, it's one of the few places in Newcastle with a roof garden.

6. The Town Wall, Pink Lane

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And across the street is the Town Wall, a favourite of Newcastle's bright young things come 5pm on weekdays. They also serve some of the best pub food in the area.

7. The Cumberland Arms, James Place Street

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The Cumberland Arms is a small traditional pub in the Ouseburn, famous for its folk music. The inside of the pub is good enough, but situated at the top of a hill, surrounded by greenery, it's the summertime when this little gem truly comes into its own.

8. Alvinos, Pilgrim Street

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Alvinos stretches across three floors and great cocktails, which explains why it's always busy on weekends. There's something for everyone -- comic book art plastered across the walls, pinball machines tucked into corners, and a spacious heated terrace.

9. Pleased To Meet You, High Bridge

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Pleased To Meet You is another recent addition to Newcastle, on its famous cobbled High Bridge. This gin bar attracts many locals looking for fine food and drinks, and can get very busy on weekends.

10. The Crown Posada, 31 Side

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The Crown Posada is a tiny old man's pub tucked away in the shadow of Newcastle's famous bridges. The second-oldest in the city, you'll be lucky to get a seat, but it's well worth trying.

11. Florita's, Collingwood Street

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A cocktail bar in the middle of Newcastle's "Diamond Strip", Florita's has a tropical, Miami-based theme, and some beautiful artwork on the walls.

12. The Stand, High Bridge

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Primarily a comedy club, The Stand, situated next door to Pleased To Meet You, has a small bar and a fantastically quiet courtyard in which you can sit and drink the night away with friends.

13. Hop & Cleaver, Sandhill

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Heading down to Newcastle's Quayside, the Hop & Cleaver is an American-themed barbecue smokehouse and bar with a wide variety of beers and bourbons.

14. Ernest

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Open 10am until late every day, Ernest is a cafe in the daytime and turns into a bar at night, playing great music and serving good food in several separate rooms. A little out of the way, outside the city centre, and at the fringes of the Ouseburn district, Ernest is worth the journey, not least for the collection of mint condition Star Wars figures that adorn the walls.

15. The Central, Half Moon Lane (which is in Gateshead, but only just)

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Though many will argue with the inclusion of a Gateshead bar in a Newcastle-based list, its worth noting that the town and city have paired up plenty of times before. Just across the river, at the very end of the Tyne Bridge, The Central is a maze-like music venue and pub spread across several floors and with a roof terrace.