As a major English city Newcastle-upon-Tyne has a full and lively selection of places to eat, drink and be merry.
Bars and Pubs:
If youâre arriving in Newcastle by train at the Central station, an ideal venue for meeting someone is the Centurion bar, which is actually located in the station. It was originally the stationâs âfirst-class waiting roomâ and now it is a bar and brasserie of high quality.
The Head of Steam, on Neville Street, just outside the Central station, has a relaxed atmosphere and bands play in the basement most evenings.
Two pubs located on âThe Sideâ are the Agora and the Crown Posada. The Agora is known for its jazz and funky atmosphere. The Crown Posada is a Victorian theme pub and has both local and guest beers.
Popolo, on Pilgrim Street, is an American themed bar and tends to attract a somewhat older clientele.
If you fancy something a bit âretroâ and utterly cool, try the Trent House (also known as the Trent House Soul Bar â motto âDrink Beer Be Sincereâ) on Leazes Lane. Although itâs a bit out of the true centre of the city, it does have an old style vinyl jukebox and a Space Invaders machine.
Like most cities today, the Quayside is where the more sophisticated bars are located - âpick-of-the-bunchâ is probably the Pitcher & Piano.
Restaurants:
Whilst fast-food outlets and cheap Indian and Chinese restaurants seem to be everywhere there are some excellent restaurants worth finding. Many city centre restaurants offer cheap lunch and early evening prices.
Top of the class is probably the Café 21, located at number 21 Queen Street. Itâs a classic bistro with a menu to match. It might appear expensive, but considering the quality of the food and the service you get it is well worth it.
Secco Restorante Salentino on Pilgrim Street is another of the more âclassyâ restaurants in Newcastle. Its menus are a quirky mix of south Italian dishes prepared with local ingredients.
Should you fancy mussels served with chips and mayo the Big Mussel, on Side Street, will offer you seven variations on the theme. Middle priced and middle fayre.
Blackfriars Café (Friar Street) and Paradiso Café Bar (Market Lane) are both popular and well priced at between £7 to £15 for a main course. Blackfriars is located in the 12th Century refectory of a Dominican monastery, thus it is the oldest purpose built eating place in the country.
Cafés well worth mentioning for a cheaper bite to eat include; Café Live (at 27, Broad Chare by the Live theatre), Blakeâs Coffee House (53 Grey Street, with a great selection of coffees), Intermezzo (Pilgrim street, convenient for the Tyneside Cinema) and Paniâs (look for High Bridge Street off Grey Street, this place is convenient for the Theatre Royal).
Entertainment:
Nightlife in Newcastle can tend to be in-your-face, full-on and no messing about!
However, starting off a little more gently the Theatre Royal has a long and proud tradition of being the Royal Shakespeare Companyâs residence in October and November. Whilst throughout the year it hosts numerous touring companies and productions including ballet, opera, drama, musicals, comedies and of course a pantomime. The Theatre Royal is on Grey Street heading out of the city towards Greyâs monument.
Newcastle City Hall, on Northumberland Road (on the right off Northumberland Street as you head out of the city towards the Civic centre) is another famous venue for performances by bands, singers, musicians, comedians and events in need of a large space. However, in recent years the City Hall has lost its number one spot as a music venue to the Metroradio Arena Newcastle. Located on the banks of the Tyne behind the Central railway station, it is not only the venue for âbig-nameâ music bands, but touring shows and some indoor sports events.
Although strictly speaking in Gateshead, the new Sage, designed by Norman Foster with its distinct chrome and glass curves, has to be mentioned. Sage is now the home of the Northern Sinfonia and is widely used to showcase less well known folk, traditional and community bands/performers.
Smaller theatres include Northern Stage (off Barras Bridge) which houses small regional and touring groups of theatrical and musical performers. Also used for smaller venue/productions are the Live Theatre (Broad Chare) and the Journal Tyne Theatre (Westgate Road).
Newcastle does, of course, have a Carling Academy, which is on Fenkle Street near the city wall. It has a 2000 capacity and plays host to all the âusual suspectsâ in the touring rock world.
There is no shortage of night-clubs in Newcastle with a range of styles to suit everyone. Top of the list is probably World Headquarters on Carliol Square. The club is actually inside Curtis Mayfield House, which gives a big clue as to the ambience and music played there. âNo sponsors, No corporates, No sell-outâ is its motto and laid-back, almost to the point of falling over, is its style.
Tuxedo Princess is a floating nightclub off Hillgate Quay. Again, strictly speaking, this is in Gateshead, but it is a very popular venue with its seven bars and seven styles of music. It can be raucous at times and is not for the reclusive or timid visitor. Also, at Hillgate Quay is the Baja Beach Club, known locally as the âBadgersâ. Palm trees, surfing regalia and barmaids wearing bikinis should give you a picture of what to expect. Revellers here have been known to become âtired and emotionalâ.
The Foundation in Melbourne Street offers to some a more stylish experience, although others might say that itâs a typical warehouse/loud sound/dazzling lights club. Youâll have to visit it to make up your own mind on that one! Its âspecialsâ are the Thursday âindieâ night and a âfunky houseâ on Saturdays. This is where in Newcastle the big name DJs will perform.
Jazz café âdoes what it saysâ and can be found on Pink Lane.
If you just want to âcatch a movieâ, go to the Tyneside Cinema on Pilgrim Street, not far from Greyâs monument.
There is a gay quarter in Newcastle which is simply called the âGay Quarterâ. Itâs centred around the International Centre for Life, which is near the railway and coach stations. Pick up the âCrackâ magazine from the tourist information office for more details.
Tourist information offices are located in the Guildhall and the Central Arcade and have the current information on all events in the city.
Article by Susan Ashby of Newcastle Singles. To read more articles like this or for dating in Newcastle visit http://www.newcastle-singles.co.uk”>
Susan Ashby
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/entertainment-in-newcastleupontyne-129123.html
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