America! f* yeah! Coming again to save the mother f*cmon' day yeah! America f* yeah. So lick my…read morenuts and suck on my balls! Terrorists your game is through and now you have to answer to AMERICA! Fuuuuugh Great bourbon selection. Great bar tenders.

OK, bear with me... this is a five stars for me personally kinda place to which I'll explain…read moreshortly... everything is relative, right? As everyone in the city does does I've had a fair few late nights out in Newcastle, and while most of my friends prefer Aspers Casino as their after hours port of call that's just not my sorta scene... as luck would have it I happened upon this place once leaving the casino so we thought "what the heck" and popped in for the ever popular "just one more" that we all trick ourselves into having. Now don't get me wrong, this place is practically a dive bar... you won't get amazing cocktails here, but they've got snooker/pool, all the staples of a standard bar, a cheap to use jukebox, and glorious fried food served until 5am... I'm talking about near US style fried goodness, not the almost microwaved version that you often get at Friday's, etc., here in the UK. (I don't even like fried food, but at 3am after drinking all night I'll practically lick the floor for a good jalapeño popper compared to other options at that hour.) The atmosphere is where it wins for me... I've been several times in the wee hours of the morning (aka night before) and it's really laid back... never too over the top or boisterous that time of night, so it's almost like a hidden gem for someone like me who just wants to hang out a bit longer. As with the casino, I don't even play pool, but I always have a better time hanging with friends here... it's just more engaging and I get to play with the jukebox so it's a win / win in my book. Last note, they do some type of membership thing.... after a certain time (midnight maybe?) so you may only be able to get in if you have a card... it's cheap however, and one gets many in, but it's something to be aware of. (Didn't even know about it the first few visits, I think they only really enforce it on a night the crazies try and get in to be honest... along those lines there's a "buzz in" door at the top of the stairs, I can only imagine how handy that comes in at the right time.) If the above doesn't sound appealing then it certainly won't be five stars for you... it may be the exact opposite to be honest, but for me it was an amazing late night escape in the glorious madness that is Newcastle. If you're even slightly intrigued I would give it a go, it couldn't hurt, and our initial drop in from curiosity was enough to keep us coming back.

There is nowhere I have ever been in the UK like this. Phenomenal atmosphere, friendly staff, and…read moretons of fun. Definitely my favorite hang out spot in Newcastle. Never disappoints.

This venue holds a special place in my heart. I came here on my first night out in Newcastle, and…read morewent here almost weekly with my local American Football team: The Northumbria University Mustangs. Let me start off by saying that this place is actually kinda dirty. It's like a big dive bar, but that's what is so great. No nonsense, all business. There are 2 floors, but 3 themed rooms (including 1 VIP). So if you don't like the music in one spot, just move. There is always a varied crowd, but it seemed as though the geordies tended to come here more than the more upscale places. No complaints on my end. On Wednesdays, they (used to?) have specials for athletes. Not only that, but they had £1.50 double vodka lemonade. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT!!!!11!!1eleven!!! I would subsequently time travel to class on Thursday morning. Anyways, this place is great. For a one-night out in Newcastle, I can't say I would recommend this place. But if you have a good group of friends and just want to have fun, there's no reason not to come here.

This bar is situated in the gate, on Newgate Street, overall it is fantastic. The atmosphere here…read moreis great as there are two floors with different music playing in both, so you have a variety to choose from. Also the drinks aren't too expensive and you will always have a good time at this place.

Great if you enjoy a wide range of beers and the food is outstanding. A great live music venue with…read morea fantastic vibe. Staff are friendly and helpful.

The Cluny's a great venue…read more But, as there so often is, there's a but... The Cluny's a great venue but on this occasion the sound wasn't great. A worrying amount of feedback throughout Rob Heron and the Teapad Orchestra's album launch made for numerous mildly annoyed ears and some serious death glares from the band in the general direction of the sound man. Having said that, there might have been a problem with the equipment or instruments or cables, and when the sound was good, it did stay that way for a while. I once watched my sound engineer friend set up a ten piece ska band in the basement of a tapas restaurant. Just watching this made for a terribly stressful experience. At the end of the night, he was one giant bead of sweat. Rob Heron's band were on the larger side that night, with additional brass players. So I get that sometimes things might not go to plan. Regardless, it really didn't make the night any less enjoyable and we all agreed that we'd come back to the Cluny in a heartbeat and even love to play as a band. It's a great sized venue with a genuinely homegrown feel to it. From the posters strewn across the wall, it's clear that the Cluny is proud of its local music scene. With a kick-ass kitchen next door and what looked like a knock-'em-dead selection of beer, the Cluny is quite the place for music in Newcastle. Oh, and the floor bounces, YEAH.

Had a really great experience here last night when I was seeing the Scottish National Jazz…read moreOrchestra! It really is a superb venue-the views of the river from the main entrance and cafes/bars only adds to the ambience of the place. Definitely worth a visit! Our performance was in hall 1 which was just wonderful! Comfortable seating,great views of the stage no matter where you sat and amazing acoustics. Only downside was as Gareth said in his review there is limited space to dance if you feel inclined to....which some people certainly tried to do in the aisles last night! All the staff were very polite and helpful and you can take your drinks into the performance as long as they are in plastic cups. The food was good but slightly on the expensive side. The toilets were exceptionally clean ladies which we all know boosts our opinion of a place straight away. Overall I had a fantastic night and I would definitely choose this venue again!

There was a little bit of confusion about the address place previously…read more But the "The Sage is The Sage" and the reviewed place was always the same. I love it! Perfect for the live music, original architecture and friendly stuff. Two music hall and big open air bar where is possible to drink and to eat everyday. MUST SEE. I hope I have done a bit clarity.

A newish venture that is really worth a visit. I'd been to the previous restaurant on this site and…read morethis is so different. The son and partner of the last incumbant / owner have opened an exciting and unusual mix of restaurant, live music venue and art gallery . We loved it and would recommend it for its welcome, food, and ambiance.

Great bar with lounge area and upstairs loads of couches and fireplaces upstairs again a small…read moregallery space. Good staff and a cozy place for a drink.

Great place, great music, the live bands are usually very good…read morekeep an eye on your drinks as its a bit dark. plenty of seating with a lovely cozy bit by a real coal fire in the winter

Great bar, live bands every night except Saturdays. Refurbished In 2008.read more

This is a great venue slap bang in the middle of Newcastle. It is very clode to the bus and train…read morestation making it easily accessible. In the main stage area there is a standing and a seating area meaning that there is something for everyone - whether you like to be in the middle of the action of watching from above. In my opinion, the standing area is superb because the earlier you arrive for your gig the closer you get to the stage and the better view you get (see my Natalie Imbruglia pics!)

Marvellous sound and excellent drinks prices. Only thing I would say is they should limit tickets…read moreto 2 per customer as sometimes you have to fork out to touts on the night.This place is so good we're thinking of relocating our shop opposite it! thriftybeatnik co uk Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc0MiBoNL-Y

I was originally barred from Independent for some indiscretion several years before, whilst it was…read morestill Bar 36. Which is another story altogether. I originally wrote it off, dismissing it as a 'poor-mans, wannabe Ku Club.' After my ban was eventually lifted, I gave it a shot, and I was proved right. It was pretty much a poor-mans, wannabe Ku Club, with louder music. Except the music wasn't constant Stone Roses and Oasis. And it had more scenesters. So, I didn't initially warm to it. The place was a clusterfuck of epic proportions, and if there's one thing I don't like, it's having to raise and project my voice. I can, but I'm too lazy to do this in order to have conversations with people, or as a means pull ladyfayres, especially whilst drunk. Nonetheless, Independent does have one saving grace. The smoking terrace is the easiest place to pull - in the world. I'm not one for smoking really, but if you don't use - ''Excuse me, have you got a cigarette?'' Or ''excuse me, have you got a light for this cigarette?'' - as a means of starting a conversation with a pretty girl, then frankly you're a frigging idiot. Some would argue you're an idiot for smoking in the first place - but I digress. There you have it. Independent's one saving grace is its Smoking Terrace. Not that I'm advocating going out and taking up smoking as a means of becoming a fucking manwhore. But I'm trying to be objective and that's the only particuarly good thing I could think about the place. Three stars.

I am a regular at this club on a night out. I love the music that they play and they never have a…read morehuge request list, so when you request a song you will still be in the club to listen to it, unlike many places. The bouncers are friendly and you are able to talk to them without feeling as though they are trying to chat you up. The toilets are clean and I have never been short of toilet roll, which is important to me on a night out. However, the price of drinks are not the cheapest around.

Probably the best music venue in Darlington. Went to see the album launch for a local singer called…read moreHayley McKay. Great night. The venue accommodates about 200 people and is a must visit if you love live music. Live bands on every weekend!

Very hidden away and not immediately obvious that it's there but I have had many a great evening…read morewatching bands here. It's a great venue with a nice bar. I can't comment on the recording studios or the practice rooms but I think it's great that such a facility exists.