10 Best Beer Gardens in Newcastle
Summer is here and the city's beer gardens are beckoning
Now it’s officially summer (weather notwithstanding), is there anything lovelier to do with a free afternoon or early evening than soak up the dying rays or afternoon sun in a lovely, sunny beer garden somewhere atmospheric?
You might prefer a quiet dappled garden or somewhere vibey with a lively crowd and some good music - either way, Newcastle has lots to offer and we’ve rounded up ten of the best to enjoy this summer.
The Old George, Old George Yard
Although the vast, rambling Old George is tucked away in Old George Yard, it does have a cosy little beer garden for you to have some drinks away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby Bigg Market. There are TV screens and speakers too, so you can either enjoy music or the latest live sports action while sipping a refreshing drink or two.
The Broad Chare, Broad Chare
Viewed from the street from which it takes its name, The Broad Chare is an impressive – even somewhat imposing – old building, but what a lot of people don’t realise is that it has a wonderful beer garden tucked away from sight, shared with Live Theatre next door and open to the public from spring to autumn each year. Spacious, charming and with parasols and seating, it’s one of the loveliest places in the city to pass an hour or two with a pint of craft ale and a fine bar snack.
The Quayside, Close
Situated right on the north bank of the Tyne in the shadow of the High Level Bridge, you’ll find The Quayside - one of several JD Wetherspoon’s pubs in the city. The garden is large and open with plenty of bench seating, and as with any Wetherspoon’s pub, offers a vast range of beers, spirits, cocktails and great pub grub at remarkable prices. Great for a lazy afternoon or some food before a night exploring the various nightspots along the Quayside.
Market Shaker, Cloth Market
Right in the heart of the Bigg Market, Market Shaker is one of the liveliest party bars in the city. But as well as the dancefloor and big screens and DJs, there’s also a small and perfectly formed back garden where you can enjoy the sun (or shelter under the tarps) and enjoy everything the Shaker has to offer.
Urban Garden, Quayside
Open since the summer of 2021, Urban Garden is a gorgeous spot on the Quayside perfect for soaking up both the sun and the stunning surrounding views. It offers hot drinks, beers from BrewDog, cocktails and snacks in a charming outside area with plenty of covers for days when the weather isn’t helping and much to enjoy when it is.
The Bridge Hotel, Castle Square
Another of Newcastle’s most historic pubs – this one right next to the castle – The Bridge Hotel has a great little outdoor terrace that catches the sun and boasts remarkable views across the city and River Tyne. A fine location for a few glasses of the pub’s carefully curated selection of drinks with friends.
The Hancock, Hancock Street
Known for its great beer and food, The Hancock is very popular with students from the city's nearby universities and boasts a great beer garden to boot. It’s large and partially covered, charmingly lit come twilight and a wonderful place for a few jars on a warm afternoon or evening.
FRATE, High Bridge
Tucked away in a courtyard off High Bridge, FRATE is great little outside venue opened in the summer of 2023 featuring former shipping containers housing bars and rotating food concessions (right now it's pizza connoisseurs Slice Boys). It’s a real sun trap in the daytime and gorgeously lit in the evening, with plenty of retractable covers and heaters for the colder nights - a great place for afternoon drinks or an al fresco night-time party.
Wylam Brewery, Exhibition Park
Arguably the grandest beer garden in the city, Wylam Brewery occupies a central location both in Exhibition Park and the city’s cultural life. Housed in the Palace of the Arts, the brewery boasts great bars but also a large leafy terrace outside across from the park's gorgeous lake. There are all sorts of events throughout the year (including their hugely popular Food Battles) but even on quiet weekends, it’s a fine place to spend time with some of the brewery’s great beer.
Bar 52, Pilgrim Street
Part of the 55 Degrees North complex at the bottom end of Pilgrim Street, Bar 52 is a big sports and entertainment bar with a large and often fun-packed covered terrace. It’s vibey and noisy and great for pints, pizzas and watching the match. There’s always some karaoke or a barrage of bar games to entertain or you can just settle back with a drink or two and enjoy the weather.
Drinking with your friends in the sun is one of the finest things we humans have come up with to pass the time, and Newcastle boasts some truly great places to do it. So whether you want a boisterous terrace or a calm rustic setting, there’s a beer garden for you in NE1.
Main image: Wylam Brewery
