If you're a fresher finding your feet in Newcastle, you'll probably want to get to know the city's legendary nightife. We've rounded up some of the best bars, pubs and clubs in Newcastle that are perfect for students planning a night out.
Dog & Parrot – Clayton Street West
The Dog & Parrot is a perennial student favourite, a longstanding institution renowned for great beer, great burgers and great music spread across its two floors. It’s open 'til 1.30am every night too
The Hustle – Newgate Street
A sister venue to The Lofts next door, The Hustle is a recent addition to the Newcastle bar scene and is open 'til 11pm in the week and 'til 1am at weekends. It offers great food to set you up for the night (from tapas and pizzas to fusion food and lots of veggie/vegan options) and is big on bottomless brunches too. There are plenty of one-off themed nights (there’s an Oktoberfest on October 8th) and private hire options too.
Bijoux – Mosley Street
There’s a mutual love affair between Bijoux and Newcastle’s student population, so much so that as well as the fresher’s week celebrations, drink and food discounts, memberships and the rest, this year they’re also offering to pay one lucky student’s fees and textbook costs for a whole year! Open 'til 2am in the week, 3am on Saturdays and 12.30am on Sundays, Bijoux is a DJ-and-trebs-fuelled sensation.
Soho Rooms – Mosley Street
A few doors down from Bijoux is Soho Rooms, another multi-level venue with plenty to offer the student body. Open 'til 3am every night (4am on Saturday), Soho has a range of weekly nights to cater to most tastes (hip hop on Tuesdays, disco on Mondays, that sort of thing) and all manner of one-off special themed nights.
Flares – Mosley Street
The third of Mosley Street’s big student draws is Flares, a self-styled ‘party bar’ that shamelessly embraces the cheese, with all sorts of disco, funk, eighties classics and a Grease-themed night! Open 'til 2am every day, Flares always has plenty of drinks offers and specials to tempt you too.
Cosy Joes – Groat Market
While listening to great DJs might be fine most of the time (and Cosy Joes offers that too), sometimes you want to do-it-yourself, and this big and busy bar is the place to go for a night of karaoke. There are ‘Party Pods’ catering for between four and twenty-five people, with all manner of hire packages available, or you can take your chances on the main Karaoke Stage. Cosy Joes is open 'til 2am most nights (3am at weekends!).
Livello – Lower Dean Street
Livello aims straight for the luxury end of the bar scene, with a classy and inventive drinks menu and regular club nights that take full advantage of its impressive layout and heated courtyard. Open 'til midnight all week - and 3am on weekends - Livello had a massive makeover a couple of years ago and is definitely one of the most impressive joints in town.
Alvinos – Pilgrim Street
Alvinos is a veritable TARDIS and home to some of the best cocktails in the city. Its interior is vibey and stylish but low-key, and its been a city hotspot for years. Some excellent DJs set up in the DJ booth every Friday and Saturday night to entertain the drinkers spread across its vertiginous three floors (with a terrace too).
Mushroom – Grainger Street
With its prime location right in the middle of town, Mushroom keeps it simple: a lively basement bar open from Thursday to Sunday offering a great range of drinks, regular DJs, comfy booths and a solid reputation for good times.
Revolution – Collingwood Street
Revolution is a commanding presence right in the heart of Newcastle’s renowned Diamond Strip. This spacious venue used to be a bank but now specialises in cocktails, burgers and party vibes. There are always plenty of offers and deals and they cater to parties and private events. They’re open 'til midnight on weekdays and 'til 1am at the weekend so there’s plenty of time to enjoy yourself before heading out to a club!
The Old George Inn – Old George Yard, Cloth Market
If glitzy bars aren’t quite your thing and you prefer old school pubs, The Old George Inn is as old school as it gets: a 16th century pub in its own coaching yard! They offer everything you’d expect from a pub and much more – good food and drinks, sports TV, DJs at the weekend (when they're open 'til 2am) and a really welcoming atmosphere.
The Five Swans – St Mary’s Place
Another old school pub is The Five Swans, very handy for both university campuses. It’s a Wetherspoons so you know what to expect – a vast range of cheap drinks and food in a big, bustling building.
We’re just scratching the surface of great bars, pubs and clubs in the city to have a few drinks on a big night out. Newcastle is thronged with locations to suit all tastes, but hopefully these suggestions will help plan a great night out.
