OK, bear with me... this is a five stars for me personally kinda place to which I'll explain shortly... 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. read more