| Newcastle has a thriving Gay scene with several bars and night clubs within a short distance of each other. The Gay Village or Pink Triangle as it is sometimes known is situated between the Central Station and the Utilita Arena Newcastle. The area is well served by public transport with the Metro Station and Central Station close by writes OutUK's tynesider Kelvin Marsh. |
The Angel of the North Photo: Newcastle Gateshead Initiative |
The Centre for Life, Times Square and The Utilita Arena Newcastle are all popular attractions that attract visitors, therefore the area can get fairly busy during the day. The area comes alive at night when most of the bars and clubs are very busy with a mixed crowd of gays and straights.
PUBS AND BARSEasy Street on Westmorland Street has entertainment 7 nights a week with live Cabaret and Karaoke many evenings. There are live drag DJ's every single night and top international cabaret every Thursday. Boulevard has shows that change with the seasons, but you’ll always be guaranteed ‘A Night Out Like No Other’ with their award winning leading ladies Danni Dee and Miss Rory, along with a full cast of Broadway Dancers. There's some spectacular choreography, dazzling costumes and loads of comedy in their custom designed theatre venue. It has seats with table service or standing room for show tunes, dance routines and the comedy cabaret.Blonde Barrel on Times Square in the Centre for life is a short distance from the Utilita Arena Newcastle. It offers a range of Real Ales and cocktails alongside a modern British cuisine. The atmosphere and service is always friendly, whether you're out with friends for a catch up, family gathering, enjoying a pre-Arena meal or drinks or just unwinding on Newcastle's' Largest outdoor terrace. Bobby’s Newcastle is an inclusive venue located at the gateway to the town and minutes from the Central Station and also the Utilita Arena. The Globe can be found on Railway Street, close to the Utilita Arena Newcastle. It's a community-owned music venue with live music a regular feature on most nights. Queens has everythig from cocktails to cabaret, and regular music is on play at most times. A DJ is a regular feature on most nights with Cabaret held throughout the week. Rusty's can be found on Times Square, in the Centre for life. They have DJs playing all the best cheese, chart and camp and there's live cabaret entertainment from Miss Dixie Swallows. | |
City Centre. Photo: OutUK. | The Yard is the perfect place to start your night, have a seat when waiting for your mates to arrive. They often have some kind of drink offer available and also here you'll find the recommended Heavens Above, Newcastle Gay Scene's longest owned and operated safe LGBT space. Nowadays both are a bit more of a mixed crowd at some times of the day and some days of the week. |
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Scotswood Road is home to many of the gay bars and pubs, Switch for example is one of the most popular
and well established venues which is busy throughout the day and night. They offer a relaxed atmosphere
during the day serving bar meals until 7pm aimed at a more mixed crowd including families. On an evening Switch has a
very different atmosphere blasting music out till the early hours and has Happy Hour promotions on drinks.
The Bank Bar is another fun & fabulous bar in Newcastle's Pink Triangle. It makes the bold claim of being Newcastle's number 1 bar for entertainment, with plenty of laughs. Karaoke and open cabaret events are held on weekdays and all the Bank Holidays have special themes. In contrast, The Eagle is the city's manliest bar. This cruise & fetish bar caters to the leather, denim and uniformed crowd. This is not a venue for dancing. It's instead a place to chill out in one of the wooden booths and people-watch. Downstairs is a strictly male-only bar with some strip shows. And for something diiferent The Tipsy Cow is back on Blandford Street and it's your one stop fun drop! Fed, Watered and Entertained. Enjoy their bar menu and some refreshing cocktails on their sun trap terrace served by drag hostesses. They feature most Newcastle games live on their screens! After all they are less than a mile from the World Famous St James’ Park home of Newcastle United. Apart from the football there's live international cabaret is featured on certain nights. | |
CLUBBINGThe major nightime venue is The Powerhouse in Westmorland Road which is near to Scotswood Road. It boasts two dance floors with booth seating and 3 bars across 2 levels. There are visits from many well known nights, so it's worth checking out. Nowadays they welcome all to the club, but there's still a gay friendly atmosphere as they offer a safe environment which is free from discrimination to all people, regardless of gender, sexuality and age.The building also features The Pink Room bringing you the best party atmosphere, the best chart, pop, cheese and camp music, and some of the biggest names in drag on the Newcastle gay scene! |
Grey's Monument. Photo: Richard Kenworthy Newcastle Gateshead Initiative |
SAUNANewcastle now has only one gay sauna, as the other has been changed into a swingers club. The gay sauna is Number 52 and it has a good reputation for friendly staff and clean amenities. There's a sauna, steam room and jacuzzi which is always nice and hot!
Revised September 2021. | |