Entertainment in Newcastle Upon Tyne
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Trent House Soul Bar
The wall has a simple message: 'Drink Beer. Be Sincere.' This simply unique place is the best bar in town because it is all about an ethos rather than a look. Totally relaxed and utterly devoid of pretentiousness, it is an old-school boozer that out-cools every other bar because it isn't trying to. And because it has the best jukebox in all of England - you could spend years listening to the extraordinary collection of songs it contains. It is run by the same folks behind the superb World Headquarters nightclub.
reviewed
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Blackie Boy
At first glance, this darkened old boozer looks like any old traditional pub. Look closer. The overly red lighting. The single bookcase. The large leather armchair that is rarely occupied. The signage on the toilets: 'Dick' and 'Fanny'. This place could have featured in Twin Peaks, which is why it's so damn popular with everyone.
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World Headquarters
Dedicated to the genius of black music in all its guises – funk, rare groove, dance-floor jazz, northern soul, genuine R&B, lush disco, proper house and reggae – this fabulous club is strictly for true believers, and judging from the numbers, there are thousands of them.
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Digital
A two-floored cathedral to dance music, this megaclub was voted one of the top 20 clubs in the world by DJ Magazine – thanks to the best sound system you're ever likely to hear. Mondays are 'Born in the '80s' nights, Thursdays 'Stonelove' Indie nights are unmissable and Saturdays are pure 'Love'.
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Head of Steam@The Cluny
This is one of the best-known spots in town to hear live music, attracting all kinds of performers, from experimental prog-rock heads to up-and-coming pop goddesses. Touring acts and local talent fill the bill every night of the week.
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Foundation
This warehouse-style club features a massive sound system, fantastic lighting rig and regular guest slots for heavyweight DJs from all over. If you want a night of hard-core clubbing, this is the place for you.
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Tokyo
Tokyo has a suitably darkened atmosphere for what the cognoscenti consider the best cocktail bar in town, but we loved the upstairs garden bar where you can drink, smoke and chat with a view.
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Forth
It's in the heart of the gay district, but this great old pub draws all kinds with its mix of music, chat and unpretentious atmosphere.
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Powerhouse Nightclub
Powerhouse Nightclub , Newcastle's brashest queer nightclub, with flashing lights, video screens and lots of suggestive posing.
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Crown Posada
An unspoilt, real-ale pub that is a favourite with more seasoned drinkers, be they the after-work or instead-of-work crowd.
reviewed
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Theatre Royal
The winter home of the Royal Shakespeare Company is full of Victorian splendour and has an excellent program of drama.
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Camp David
An excellent mixed bar that is as trendy with straights as it is with the gay community.
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Loft
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Gate
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Tyneside Cinema
Opened in 1937 as Newcastle's first newsreel cinema, this period picture house, all plush red-velvet seats and swish art deco design, screens a blend of mainstream and offbeat movies as well as archive Newsreel films (11.30am; free). Free guided tours of the building (one hour) run on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 11.15am.
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Trent House
The wall has a simple message: 'Drink Beer. Be Sincere.' This simply unique place is one of the best bars in town because it is all about an ethos rather than a look. Totally relaxed and utterly devoid of pretentiousness, it is an old-school boozer that out-cools every other bar because it isn't trying to. Run by the same folks behind the superb World Headquarters.
reviewed
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Tokyo
Tokyo has a suitably darkened atmosphere for what the cognoscenti consider the best cocktail bar in town, but we loved the upstairs garden bar where you can drink, smoke and chat with a view.
reviewed
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Star and Shadow
This unlikely looking cine-club is based in an old warehouse once used to store props for Tyne-Tees TV. It is the best movie experience in town, and the place to go for your art-house, cult, black and white, and gay and lesbian film needs. Asylum seekers get in free.
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Ship Inn
A firm fixture on the valley's pub crawl, the Ouseburn's oldest surviving pub (early 19th century) is a traditional boozer popular with locals and incoming fun seekers. On busy days the elbow-bending spills out onto the small green in front.
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Sage Gateshead
Few contemporary pieces of architecture will stand the test of time, but Norman Foster's magnificent chrome-and-glass horizontal bottle might just be one that does. Most come to gape and wander, some to hear live music, from folk to classical orchestras, or engage in educational or research activities. It is the home of the Northern Sinfonia and Folkworks.
reviewed
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Northern Stage
The original Newcastle Playhouse has been transformed into this marvellous new performance space (three stages and a high-tech, movable acoustic wall) that attracts touring international and national shows.
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Newcastle United Football Club
NUFC is more than just a football team: it is the collective expression of Geordie hope and pride as well as the release for decades of economic, social and sporting frustration. The club's fabulous ground, St James' Park, is always packed, but you can get a stadium tour of the place, including the dugout and changing rooms. Match tickets go on public sale about two weeks before a game or you can try the stadium on the day, but there's no chance for big matches, such as those against arch-rivals Sunderland.
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Newcastle Arena
The biggest concert venue in the northeast attracts some of the most glitter-sprinkled names of the international pop and rock world as well as musical productions and TV talent show spin-offs. Gigs share the multipurpose auditorium with basketball, ice-hockey and other events.
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Mr Lynch
Newcastle goes shabby chic with this '60s-style retro bar at the southernmost edge of Jesmond. Ignore the appearance and focus on the crowd, a knowledgeable mix of students and local trendies. There's live music Friday and Saturday.
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Cumberland Arms
Sitting on a hill at the top of the Ouseburn, this 19th-century bar has a sensational selection of ales and ciders as well as a range of Northumberland meads. There's a terrace outside, where you can read a book from the Bring One, Borrow One library inside.
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