Bars, Pubs and Clubs...

The Rough Guide To Britain recently voted a night out in NewcastleGateshead as the number one British attraction and it's easy to see why.

From quiet sophistication and traditional pub crawls Newcastle-style, to that full-on party vibe, the legendary nightlife caters for all tastes and our Gateshead and Newcastle pub guide can help you find whatever it is you’re looking for. See the recommended places below or use the search facility to find more! There are also plenty of Newcastle night clubs if they’re more your scene. There are other areas close by though, that provide equally exciting nights out. Whitley Bay is renowned for it's party atmosphere and the young and young at heart travel from far and wide for a night out in the town next to the sea.

Tynemouth & North Shields both boast wonderful pubs bursting with character. If it is real ales and the more traditional pub atmosphere and experience you are after then Tynemouth and North Shields are the places to be. Many pubs have live music showcasing some talented local bands across all genres of music and good food is available too.

After dark don't miss, the bars and nightclubs of South Shields which also attract fun-seekers from far and wide.

The nightlife in Sunderland is also not to be missed - the new underground music scene has been voted one of the best in the UK by NME, or visit Sunniside, with renovated Georgian and Victorian streets right in the heart of the city, hosting many contemporary restaurants, cafes and bars.

Top Watering Holes

Popolo, Pilgrim Street, Newcastle
Trendy but not pretentious, Popolo is great paradox: an exclusive-looking bar that welcomes everyone. The décor is a successful marriage of form and function; the staff are smart, stylish, and friendly, effortlessly mixing complicated cocktails with panache. Even the doormen are charming and articulate.
Tel: 0191 232 8923


The Bridge Hotel, Castle Square, Newcastle
The Bridge Hotel is everything a real pub should be and a whole lot more.
It's big yet comfortable and cosy; the wood panelled interior oozes character; the bar serves a good permanent selection of beers as well as four guest brews. Outdoors there's a balcony overlooking the Tyne and upstairs is a function room hosting regular gigs, poetry evenings and even theatre productions. No wonder it attracts drinkers aged from 18 to 80.
Tel: 0191 232 6400.


Free Trade Inn, St Lawrence Road, Newcastle
Take a stroll along Newcastle 's quayside and eventually you'll come across the Free Trade Inn overlooking the banks of the Tyne . Don't be put off by it's scruffy décor; it's one of the friendliest pubs in the city and affords fantastic views of Gateshead 's redeveloping quayside. Plus, the beer garden is the ideal place to enjoy a lazy summer afternoon pint.
Tel: 0191 265 5764

Tokyo, Westgate Road, Newcastle
If James Bond was real he'd drink in a bar like Tokyo . It's not just that the decadent three-floored venue resembles the bachelor pad of an international playboy with impeccable taste, but also because its peerless cocktail list should come with a licence to thrill.
Tel: 0191 232 1122

The Forth, Pink Lane, Newcastle
A major cultural centre, NewcastleGateshead is naturally teeming with artists, musicians, writers and actors. And most of them can be found drinking at The Forth. It's a regular haunt of North-East-based bands Maximo Park and The Futureheads, who can often be seen sampling the pub's wide selection of German and Belgian beers.
Tel: 0191 232 6478

Glass Spider, 3 Green Terrace, Sunderland SR1 3PZ
The Glass Spider, in the heart of Sunderland, is a favourite with locals. The bar opens its doors till the early hours during weekends and as well as featuring various forms of entertainment most night of the week, the club serves the best pub food in town - all day and all night!!
Tel: 0191 567 7272

The Point, Holmeside, Sunderland SR1 3HY
Sunderland's newest entertainment complex with four interconnected venues in one. The four venues are The Union, Purple Bar, Arizona, and Velvet.
Union plays funky, dance, retro and classic tunes, in the most sexy and decadent Saturday night anywhere in the clubbing world. And Monday night 'Wonderland', the biggest student night in the northeast, with fantastic giveaways, bouncy castles, confetti madness and great drinks offers.
Arizona offers something different. A fun, wild, exciting late night bar, playing the best party tunes Thursday to Sunday!
If you want class, excellent service, mesmerising cocktails, and great funky beats, Purple Bar is the place to be.
Tel: 0191 510 8680

Eating Out
Dance, Theatre and Film