|
The UK Gay Guide ground crew recently paid a visit to Newcastle to see what all the fuss is about.
They found a city with boundless energy, amazing shopping, friendly people and one of the most buzzing gay scenes outside
of London... Arriving on the Friday evening train
into Newcastle’s Central station is something of an experience. Newcastle has a reputation for being one of the best
cities in the UK for nightlife and entertainment. The Geordies certainly know how to enjoy themselves and Newcastle’s
legendary nightlife has earned it an international status, once rated the 7th best city in the world for a night out. Recently
'Rough Guide to Britain' put nightlife in Newcastle at the number one spot for top attractions in Great Britain. 10
Years ago you could have been forgiven for giving Newcastle’s gay scene the miss, but in 2009 Newcastle is putting itself
firmly on the UK map as destination for gay people.
Newcastle is an incredibly patriotic city and the Geordies
are fiercely proud of their heritage, city and accent. Whilst foreign visitors may find themselves struggling to understand
the Geordies, they will be pleasantly surprised by how friendly they are ‘up north’. Newcastle boasts an enviable
array of attractions that make it so unique. Shopping
Firstly Newcastle is a shopper’s
paradise, and Northumberland Street, the main shopping area, is one of the countries busiest outside of London. Thousands
of Geordies come here every week buy the latest clothes, music and grab a bargain. Eldon Square is the prime shopping centre
in the heart of the city, but is somewhat dwarfed by the nearby Gateshead ‘Metro Centre’ which is Europe’s
largest shopping and leisure complex. You can easily spend a day here visiting any of the 330 stores, 50 restaurants not including
the huge retail park on the edge of the complex. The connected city
Newcastle
is a mere 3 hours from London by rail, or less than an hour flying. Newcastle Airport is located close to the city centre
and is a gateway for flight to a multitude of European cities. The local transport in Newcastle is a doddle as the city benefits
from the extensive Metro network. This light rail network covers a vast area of the Tyne and Wear region, from the coast,
to the city centre, and also has direct links with Newcastle airport. For up-to-date travel information in the northeast visit
www.nexus.org.uk
|
| Newcastle Quayside |
Newcastle Gay Scene
Back in the mid 90’s gay life in Newacstle was limited to only a handful of gay bars and clubs.
However things are so different today and the the city now boasts a well established variety of gay bars, all of which will
be packed at weekends as locals ‘hit the town’. People come from all over the UK for the atmosphere of Newcastle’s
nightlife and the gay scene here makes no exception. Gay people don't just limit themselves to the Newcastle
gay village, and you will also find many in some of the bars on the fringe of the gay district as well as some of the cities
favourite nightclubs.
Here’s our top pick of Newcastle after dark:
Switch
14 Scotswood Road, Newcastle, NE4 7JB
www.switchbar.co.uk Popular bar for guys and the girls. Switch gets very busy at the weekends. On ground level, once inside
this den of energy will have you wanting to party all night. Cheap drinks, good music and mini-dancefloor will keep you here
for longer than you imagine.
The Loft
10A Scotswood Road, Newcastle
Situated
above Newcastle’s longest running gay bar, The Yard, the loft is again another busy and long established bar on the
scene. The Lots attracts a good crowd and week long drinks promos will keep your thirst at bay. This place is open late too
with 3am license during the week and 4am at weekends.
@NE
(at One)
1, Marlborough Crescent, Newcastle, NE1 4EE
www.atonebar.co.uk
Modern
and fun gay bar across two levels with funky interior and live DJ. There is an free internet café on the second floor.
@ne is the perfect venue for coffe in the afternoon, or some wild partying once the sun sets.
Camp David
8-10Westmoreland
Road, Newcastle, NE1 4EJ
www.campdavidnewcastle.com
Ultra trendy retro styled bar, Camp David is the only ‘mixed’
gay bar in Newcastle and one of those bars that you could just stay all night and not leave. The interior is chic and set
across two floors and also has a very cool rooftop garden.
|
| Camp David retro bar |
|
 |
|
|
| Angel of the North - An iconic symbol of the North East |
|
| The Sage Music Venue |
World class Art Venues
Newcastle Gateshead has also become a centre for world-class art facilities. The Sage in Gateshead is the latest addition
to the ever-changing quayside area of the city. The Sage has quickly become a popular destination for singers and artists
from across the world.
Located on the south bank of the River Tyne is the Baltic. This is the biggest art gallery
of its kind anywhere in the world, and is housed in a landmark converted 1950’s flourmill. The BALTIC has no permanent
art collection, but instead has a forever-changing calendar of exhibitions and activities. The result is a diverse and dynamic
program of contemporary visual art that attracts visitors worldwide. Located at the BALTIC is an impressive rooftop restaurant,
alongside bars, cafes and onsite bookshop.
|
| BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art |
|
|
|
|
|
| Embleton Beach on nearby North East Coastline |
Did you know? Population : around 200,000 Football
Team : Newcastle United FC Iconic Angel of the North
is UK's largest sculpture standing 65ft high and 177ft wingspan! Famous locals include Rowan Atkinson, Sting, Ant and Dec Famous food and drink : Newcastle Brown Ale, Craster Kippers, Stottie Cake, Northumberland Mussles Local Castles: Walkworth, Alnwick, Dunstanburgh, Bamburgh, Lindisfarne, Chillingham
TheUKGayGuide Newcastle top 10 - The Metro Centre
- The BALTIC Centre for
Contemporart Art
- Shopping in Northumberland St
- Drinking
in the Bars on Osbourne Road, Jesmond
- Walk along any of the Costal Beaches
- Visit to stunning nearby City of Durham
- Night out in the Gay Village
- The Angel of the North
- Hadrian's Wall World Heritage
Site
Powerhouse - Newcastle's Premier Gay Club
|
| Powerhouse Nightclub |
Newcastle’s gay superclub across 4 floors, with awesome sound system, this place gets
packed at weekends and is a melting pot of Newcastle’s gay clubbers under one roof. Powerhouse is located
at 7-19 Westmoreland Road, Newcastle. NE1 4EG. Open 11pm-3am Weekdays and until 4am Fri, Sat & Sun.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
