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Geordie Journal

A travel journal to Newcastle by PaulH

A simple northener's guide to his home city.

  • 7 reviews

Geordie JournalBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Have a night out round the bars. You're guaranteed to meet some "colourful" characters. Come to the New Year celebrations on the quayside, they're amongst the best in the country. Use it as a base to explore the North East of England as far even as Edinburgh.

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

It's not that big a city, and friendly to visitors with lots of organised trails around the historic sites. The Metro (underground) is useful for getting down to the coast and to/from the airport/station.

CopthorneBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

One of the nicest hotels in the city, the Copthorne oozes class from when you walk into the massive, valuted-ceiling atrium.

We stayed in a "Club" room on the top floor which gave us a great view over the river. The swimming pool has a waterfall cascading into it at one end (pretty, if a bit noisy) and is at ground level overlooking the quayside.

The five-course behemoth meal we ate in the restaurant was supreme. It''s one of the best I''ve had, and certainly the best in Newcastle. The staff, both in reception and the restaurant, were courteous and friendly during our whole stay.

In summary - luxury at a price!
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by PaulH on August 10, 2001

Copthorne
Quayside Newcastle, England
(0191) 222-0333

QuaysideBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The Quayside"

The famous five bridges (now six, thanks to the Millenium Bridge) across the Tyne provide a dramatic backdrop to one of the nicest parts of the city. Recently renovated with attractive housing, paved walks and works of sculpture, it's also a great place to eat and drink at one of the many, many bars and high-class restaurants.

Be warned, it's quite a climb back up the steep bank to the nearest Metro (underground) station, but salvation in the form of taxis is widely available. Cross the river to the Gateshead side for Club Baja and the Tuxedo Princess nightclub (aboard a ship!)
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by PaulH on August 6, 2001

Quayside
Newcastle, England

Vodka RevolutionBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

A very surreal place to go for drinks. Huge pieces of lace curtain hang everywhere to make it seem a bit like a hospital-cum-linen shop. However, they serve an unprecedented range of flavoured vodkas, of which you can by a wooden rack containing fifteen seperate shots for the bargain price of £15!

BEWARE THE CHILLI VODKA is the best bit of advice I can give from my visit there. Also, be aware that you are, in fact, drinking neat vodka and just because it tastes nice doesn't mean it won't get you quite badly drunk.

Overall, one of Newcastle's newer and nicer bars, and should be a definite stop on your way down to the quayside of a night.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by PaulH on August 10, 2001

Vodka Revolution
Collingwood Street Newcastle, England

The Union RoomsBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

The Union Rooms is usually our meeting point if we're going out, the main reasons being
  • It's part of the JD Wetherspoon's chain and so serves a great range of drinks cheaper than anywhere else
  • It's a truly epic pub - there are rooms with open fires and armchairs for civilised eating, and loads of floorspace around the three bars stretched over two floors
  • It's really close to the station for train/metro travel
We sometimes indulge in a meal before moving out - the "Sorry Ronnie" Burger, Chips + Pint for £3.29 is always a favourite. They also have a "2 for £6" menu.

A top place to start the night, whatever your tipple may be!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by PaulH on August 10, 2001

The Union Rooms
Newcastle, England

FlynnsBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

We used to go to Flynns quite a lot, but the place has seen some changes over the last few years. The bar is essentially the same, but it went from being young people (18ish) to a meat market (14ish), then to being full of people wearing suits with grey hair. Now it's a sort of medley of the lot.

There's only four square feet on the top floor, where you can usually breathe unaided, generally occupied by a large, sweating, middle-aged man who's lost his friends or is preying on a scantily-clad 14-year-old.

Avoid Flynn's - it's pants!
  • Member Rating 1 out of 5 by PaulH on August 10, 2001

Flynns
The Quayside Newcastle, England

The Wig & PenBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The Wig & Pen"

This is one of the worst pubs on the quayside. The last time we went in there (about 18 months ago), we had a discussion with the landlord about the revolting wallpaper and generally appalling decor. He assured us it was all going to be replaced and spiced up.

Tragically, he lied and the place is still as awful as it always was. The pool table is expensive, and the range of drinks is poor. I had a pint of Heineken (I think) there the other day and it tasted awful!

Given the option, go next door to the Bonded Warehouse, or up the hill a bit to the Waterfront or Fog & Firkin.
  • Member Rating 1 out of 5 by PaulH on August 13, 2001

The Wig & Pen
Newcastle, England

About the Writer

PaulH
PaulH
London, United Kingdom

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