Hen's Nightlife Guide to Newcastle Quayside
| Top Reasons to Visit Newcastle Quayside |
|---|
 | Bars - It’s safe to say that Newcastle Quayside’s bars are among the most upmarket and stylish in the city. |
 | Restaurants - There are a ton of restaurants from Gusto Italian to the Tomahawk Steakhouse. |
 | Music - The massive Glasshouse is a curved glass and stainless steel building, and an iconic landmark on the Quayside – hosting huge rock, pop, dance, hip hop, classical, jazz, acoustic and indie gigs. |
 | Shopping - Every Sunday from 09.00 - 16.00, you’ll find artists, designers, jewellers, food producers, photographers, ceramics, buskers and clothing stalls lining the banks of the Tyne at the market. |
 | Art - The former flour mill is now a contemporary art gallery and a landmark on the Quayside’s skyline. |
Newcastle Quayside is the city’s cultural and artistic heart, with art galleries, music venues and iconic landmarks lining the banks of the glistening River Tyne – all just a short walk, taxi or Metro from the city centre. This area boasts dozens of high-end bars and restaurants – including Newcastle’s only Michelin starred restaurant, House of Tides - rustling up premium food with a view. There aren't really any takeaways around, but fear not the Bigg Market is just a short walk if you want to get your hands on a greasy kebab.
As night falls, the area attracts a professional, after-work crowd, and exclusive revellers coming to let their hair down to a backdrop of The Glasshouse, The Baltic and the spectacular selection of bridges. Recently reborn and regenerated, the Quayside reflects the changing face of Newcastle; formerly industry-heavy, it’s now the elite and super fashionable place to sip cocktails.
Take your celebrations down to the iconic Quayside, for your lavish and luxurious hen party.
01. Pitcher & Piano
Visit Website108 Quayside, NE1 3DX
Lining the picturesque banks of the River Tyne, Pitcher and Piano is, by far, the most popular venue in the district. It’s a firm favourite among locals after an after-work drink and visitors alike to the city, with its glass-fronted panelling and edgy cocktail selection. It also overlooks one of our pride and joys, the Millennium Bride, which lights up at night. As far as hen party selfie backdrops go, you don’t get much more iconic than the Pitcher and Piano.
- No. of Bars: Two
- Beer Garden: Yes, an outdoor terrace
- Live Music: Yes
- Fancy Dress: No
- Happy Hours: Yes
- Opening Times:
Mon - Thurs: 11:00 - 23:00
Fri: 11:00 - 00:00
Sat: 10:00 - 00:00
Sun: 10:00 - 23:00
02. The Quayside
Visit Website35–37 Close, NE1 3RN
On a sunny day, anyone who’s anyone heads to The Quayside Bar – the very best ‘Spoons in the world, in fact. With an outdoor drinking terrace overlooking The Tyne and unbeatable food and drink offers (litre pitchers, we’re looking at you), your hen party kitty will stretch further than you think.
- No. of Bars: One
- Beer Garden: Yes, two
- Live Music: No
- Fancy Dress: Yes
- Happy Hours: It's always Happy Hour in 'Spoons...
- Opening Times:
Mon - Sun: 08:00 - 01:00
03. Malmaison
Visit Website35–37 Close, NE1 3RN
In the heart of the Quayside, overlooking The Millennium Bridge and the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Chez Mal is Malmaison’s stylish in-house brasserie and bar. The highly talented team of expert mixologists are on hand to ensure your hen party cocktails are worth all those Instagram likes. You might even spot a celeb with their entourage whilst you’re at it.
- No. of Bars: One
- Beer Garden: No
- Live Music: No
- Fancy Dress: No
- Happy Hours: Yes
- Opening Times:
Mon - Sat: 18:00 - 22:30
Sun: 18:00 - 22:00
04. Slug and Lettuce
www.slugandlettuce.co.uk/newcastleExchange Buildings, NE1 3DW
You can soak up the famously cool, chilled-out vibe at the Slug and Lettuce, which overlooks the world-renowned Tyne Bridge (us Geordies are very proud of our bridges, don’t you know). Every weekend, without fail, this venue is packed to the rafters with stag and hen parties letting their hair down, having a bite to eat and topping themselves up with reasonable booze. Their shot and bomb menu is also worth a look at - including The Orgasm and JD Tennessee Fire.
- No. of Bars: One
- Beer Garden: Outdoor terrace
- Live Music: No
- Fancy Dress: Yes
- Happy Hours:Yes
- Opening Times:
Mon - Thurs: 12:00 - 23:00
Fri: 12:00 - 01:00
Sat: 10:00 - 01:00
Sun: 10:00 - 23:00
05. The Dubliner
Visit Website12 Close, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3RE
Forget top of the morning, this banging Irish bar is sure to be the top of the night. The Dubliner, the first Irish bar on Newcastle’s quayside, brings a slice of Temple Bar to the Toon. You can expect live music seven days a week and award-winning pies, as well as loads of Guinness (obviously). They’re actually modelling the outside of the pub on the Temple Bar pub, so if you fancy some Irish good time vibes, get yourself down to this absolutely bouncing venue.
- No. of Bars: One
- Beer Garden:No
- Live Music: Yes
- Fancy Dress: No
- Happy Hours: No
- Opening Times:
Mon - Thurs: 12:00 - 00:00
Fri - Sat: 12:00 - 01:00
Sun: 12:00 - 00:00
06. Aveika
Visit Website10-15 Sandhill, NE1 3AF
The Quayside’s modern and sophisticated Japanese bar-come-restaurant is like nothing the UK has seen before, embodying a modern twist on Japanese fine dining and drinking. Offering a large selection of cocktails, it’s perfect for a hen party that tears up the rulebook – with live DJs playing a mixture of lounge, house and popular music, seven days a week.
- No. of Bars: Two
- Beer Garden: Yes
- Live Music: Live DJs seven days a week
- Fancy Dress: No
- Happy Hours: Yes
- Opening Times:
Mon - Weds: 16:00 - 22:00
Thurs: 12:00 - 22:00
Fri - Sat: 12:00 - 00:00
Sun: 12:00 - 22:00
07. SIX Baltic
Visit WebsiteBALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, S Shore Rd, Gateshead NE8 3BA
The huge, former flour mill, The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, stands tall over the Tyne, hosting temporary shows by all manner of artists. However, its most impressive feature is the elegant, glass box restaurant-come-bar perched at the top. SIX Baltic puts you at a unique vantage point over the city skyline, whilst you tuck into cocktails and sumptuous afternoon tea.
- No. of Bars: One
- Beer Garden: No
- Live Music: No
- Fancy Dress: No
- Happy Hours: No
- Opening Times:
Mon - Tues: Closed
Weds - Sat: 12:00 - 23:00
Sun: 12:00 - 18:00
08. Redhouse
Visit Website32 Sandhill, NE1 3JF
Nestled within an iconic building on Newcastle’s Quayside, with a gorgeous Tudor-style facade, Redhouse is a traditional pub with exposed beams, dark wood interiors and a delightful menu full of delicious homemade pies (for times when a salad just won’t cut it). The venue itself is a maze of cosy booths, drinking areas and vintage-chic decor. A welcome refuge from the hustle and bustle of the Quayside, one drink always leads to another in Redhouse…
- No. of Bars: One
- Sports: No
- Beer Garden: Yes
- Live Music: Yes
- Fancy Dress: No
- Happy Hours: Yes
- Opening Times:
Mon - Thurs: 12:00 - 23:00
Fri: 12:00 - 01:00
Sat: 11:00 - 01:00
Sun: 11:00 - 23:00
09. Tiger Hornsby
Visit Website8–10 Close, NE1 3RE
Classy, tasteful and stylish with a premium ambiance, Tiger Hornsby embodies the very essence of Newcastle Quayside’s continuing regeneration. The drinks menu is constantly developing and changes seasonally, with new and exciting cocktails to sample from the award-winning drinks list. There’s also nightly live music including saxophonists, bongos and fantastic DJs creating a lively backdrop to your hen party.
- No. of Bars: One
- Beer Garden: Outdoor terrace
- Live Music: Yes
- Fancy Dress: No
- Happy Hours:Yes
- Opening Times:
Mon: Closed
Tues - Thurs: 16:00 - 00:00
Fri - Sat: 12:00 - 01:30
Sun: 12:00 - 00:00
10. Above
Visit WebsiteCastle Garth, NE1 1RQ
Take your hen party into the sky. Newcastle’s exclusive, high-end rooftop bar Above towers above (the clue's in the title) the city, on top of the premium, 4-star Vermont Hotel. From your unique vantage point, 200ft in the sky, you can take in gorgeous views over Newcastle – including the iconic landmarks of The Quayside and the Castle. Only open for private parties and one-off occasions throughout the year, a night in Above is a real treat.
- No. of Bars: One
- Beer Garden: Rooftop bar 200ft above the city
- Live Music: No
- Fancy Dress: No
- Happy Hours: No
- Opening Times: For private functions and one-off events (see website)
Cash, Cabs and (Not Quite) Kebabs
Cash Machines
The Quayside isn’t the cheapest of nightlife districts, so, of course, you’re going to need some cash. You’ve got a few ATMs spread throughout the area – including one outside Tesco, one just behind the Pitcher and Piano and one right by The Bridge Tavern (under the Tyne Bridge).
Taxis
Luckily, Newcastle Quayside is downhill from the city centre – and super easy to get to. If you don’t fancy walkijng more than three steps in those killer heels - by taxi, it’ll take you just two minutes from The Bigg Market and The Diamond Strip, and under 10 minutes from Jesmond. The Quayside does have a designated taxi rank behind our favourite haunt, Pitcher and Piano, as well as bus links on the main street.
Takeaways
If you’re after buckets of booze and a dirty kebab (not necessarily in that order), The Quayside isn’t really the place to head. However, there is a plethora of fabulous restaurants along the Quayside (as well as a Greggs – it is Newcastle), meaning you definitely won’t go hungry.
Now that you know everything there is to know about The Quayside, we can only assume that you’ve already packed your bags. You can build your own Geordie celebration on our Newcastle hen weekends page.
*We know this city like the back of our hands, and all info about this nightlife zone was correct at the time of publishing. Probably.