Unashamedly a dive bar. But so much fun. And a great atmosphere to boot…read more Popped in on a Friday, as its one of the places I make a point of visiting whenever I'm in Newcastle. Live music, a good selection of keg and bottled beers and a fantastic vibe. Exactly what you need to get your weekend off to a bang. I love the old shipping container that takes up one side of the bar to lower the ceiling over the sofas, a really good touch and very much in keeping with the style, as is the chain link fencing that covers the semi open front/veranda (which has sadly ceased to be the smoking area which is now the tables on the street). Expect to see people from all walks of life, dressed in jeans or up to the nines. And only here for a good time. Happy times, glad to recommend.

One of many social clubs in Ashington. Known as the Mortimer club has been around for a long time…read more A members club but they do have a function rooms available for private parties that is done out well and a good size. Staff are always friendly and helpful. The prices being a social club are also great compared to other places and therefore it can be a cheap night. The bar/lounge area has at weekends a karaoke on what can be great fun whether doing yourself or watching others get up. To access the club you do need to be a member of the club or a CIU card, or have someone that can sign you in.

As clubs go, and I have been in some around Newcastle on very odd occasions over the years, this is…read moreas nice a the best of them. Cheaper beers, narrow tables set in rows, room for a disco and a meat draw of a weekend. (You buy tickets and can win a tray of assorted cuts of meat from the butcher) and downstairs rooms with the golden glow of nicotine on the fluorescent tubes and ceiling tiles still unchanged since the law changed. They are a snapshot of something unseen anywhere else. Always polite, clean, stocked up on all essentials but not a place for real ale and gastro adventures, this is a working men's club. No women in the bar and strippers on a Sunday afternoon to raise some blood to the cheeks of the chaps, if nowhere else. Awesome.

Good times, a good place to hang out, drink & play pool :) I've been here loads. I remember when…read moreHustlers used to be on Northumberland street.

This is another favourite of mine for parties, within walking distance of sunderland town centre,…read morethis also boasts a very big function suite with a big dance floor and ample seating. Also offers cheap booze. only downside is there a stairs to climb which may hinder some patrons

This vibrant monthly event is by far the best find in Newcastle showcasing the best local…read morefood,drink,music and art! Hosted in a refurbished warehouse tucked away behind Central Station I would highly recommend this event for all fellow foodies out there. Local street vendors will have you spoilt for choice with my personal favourites being Fat Hippo and Papa Ganoush or if I have a sweet tooth La Petit Creperie! You can indulge in some local ales from Wylam Brewery for a post-work drink or come along to soak up the array of entertainment from local musicians. Perfect for families on a Saturday afternoon as it tends to be quieter and the free entry before 4pm makes a daytime visit attractive! There is outdoor catering and space for those many beautiful days we have in Newcastle. On entry and inside the boiler shop you need to exchange your money for tokens if you want food but you can pay cash for drinks. It can be expensive but it is worth every penny and I think everyone should experience this event at least once......as for me I will be back every month!

The Boiler Shop Steamer is definitely *the* way to kick off your month!…read more Held in a superb industrial warehouse setting (part of the former Stephenson works which gave us the first locomotive engines - one for you history buffs there), you will find a plethora of different street-food vendors, local breweries, great live bands or funky tunes from the DJs - a general good-time buzz echoes around the place. We were there on a Saturday (seemed to be free entry before 3ish this time) as it was a bit quieter - this particular weekend was the BSS's 2nd Birthday, so the Sunday was going to be quite an extravanganza. When you arrive it is worth just having a wander about to see what is on offer and plan your attack - the line-up changes from month-to-month, so there is bound to be something to tantalise your tastebuds. On this occasion I was in a meaty mood. Round one was a delectable feast from Longhorns BBQ Smokehouse - pulled pork, smokie, beans, fries, doused in BBQ sauce and served up in a brioche bun, simply superb! Washed down with a pint of Dognobbler, a light ale from the Wylam Brewery (one of my particular favourite local breweries), the afternoon was starting very well indeed. Later on, I came across the Fair Game stand, a newbie to the BSS event according to their website. This time, I opted for the Venison burger, which came hot off the griddle with a lovely cranberry sauce and crisp salad in the bun. The quality was second-to-none, so far I was having a very good foodie feast. Another pint of a different Wylam beer soon followed, this time it was Spring Thing, yet again it went down rather well. The only little gripe I have is that prices can be a little steep, not really fitting the traditional 'street food' ethos of getting something quick, cheap and cheerful. You can quickly drop £20 without thinking about it (e.g. one token is £2, the burger was two tokens); nevertheless, for the quality of the food I experienced it was worth it. The BSS gets busier as the afternoon blends into the evening, so if you really want to make the most of what is on offer, would definitely recommend going early, just so you've got some space to move and get stuck into the great food and tunes on offer. So, get yourself and a few mates down to the next event, have a bite to eat and a beer or two, and soak up the great atmosphere provided by the BSS!

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.

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.