Last updated: June 25, 2024

Newcastle is an incredible city with so much to offer when it comes to food and drink. If you’re looking for a swanky rooftop bar, a chilled out and relaxed terrace or a Newcastle rooftop with a view, there’s plenty to choose from.  Sip champagne at the top of the city’s tallest building, take in views of the Tyne, or live it up with fine dining rooftop restaurants on the Quayside.  Here’s the Luxe Bible guide to 18 of the best rooftop bars and terrace restaurants in Newcastle.

Altitude

Newcastle’s little known rooftop terrace – Altitude opened last summer, bringing Balearic style vibes to the city.  Located right at the top of 02 Academy and accessible via a hidden doorway on Clayton Street, this tropical plantation style sun spot with sheltered area hosts DJs spinning classic and house music tunes making it one of the city’s coolest hangouts. There’s pizza on the menu, frozen and spicy margaritas and a range of cocktails to keep you hydrated alfresco!

Altitude, Westgate Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 1SW

The Tanners Arms

The Tanners Arms in Ouseburn has been given a 20k makeover with a space on the roof now transformed into a cool alfresco terrace which is also covered and heated for all round use. This little suntrap against the backdrop of a graffiti wall by local street artist Toby Heaps is the perfect spot to enjoy a Newcastle summer. It’s also the place you can buy the ‘Radgie Box’ – containing chicken wings, pork belly bites, salt and chilli fries and the piece de resistance – the award winning Radgie Burger which ‘packs a punch’. There’s also a great range of cocktails, beers, wines and spirits available.

1 Byker Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2NS

3SIXTY

If you’re a newcomer to the city you’ll want to visit 3SIXTY – the swankiest and highest rooftop tower in Newcastle with 360 degree views and a luxurious drinking and dining experience.  Whether you want to go all out with a bottle of bubbles (the champagne ranges from £90 a bottle for the Laurent Perrier La Cuvee up to the lavish 3 litre Jeroboam for £355), you can buy every spirit by the bottle whilst there are also some awesome cocktails on offer including the After Eight, the delicious Coconut Margarita and The Blackberry Sour.  A place to get dressed up for, the interiors are super stylish and the floor-to-ceiling glass windows will give you epic views of the city. 

If you’re feeling peckish, the a la carte menu from 3SIXTY’s award-winning chef, includes chilli king prawns and shredded duck gyoza, lobster and scallop ravioli for mains and a selection of steaks from the grill (we are loving the sound of the 48 day aged Wagyu) click here to make your booking.

3Sixty, 27 Rutherford St, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5BJ

ABOVE

ABOVE is our favourite rooftop bar and terrace, so head down to the Quayside for the finest views of the Tyne from any rooftop in the city. Along with a luxurious interior bar area, the cocktails are incredible and include signatures like the Fog on the Tyne made with Kraken spiced rum, Above the Clouds with Tanqueray in and the Watermelon Sugar with Midouri, Chambord and Lychee liqueur.

Meanwhile the food menu offers up small hot plates like salt and chilli squid and dim sum, oysters, sushi and flatbreads. It’s located right at the top of the Vermont Hotel, which means if you’re visiting Newcastle for the weekend and fancy a hotel in a prime location, you can fall straight into bed after dancing to those DJ beats.  Heads up that you’ll have to pay a deposit if booking in advance.

ABOVE, Lower, Dean St, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3JE

The Crescendo Rooftop

The Crescendo Rooftop on the Quayside is due to open with a date yet to be confirmed. Definitely one you’ll want on your list, this chic terrace bar at the top of Livello is set to be THE place to sip incredible cocktails while the custom neon signs really add some atmosphere! Watch this space.

The Crescendo, Lower Dean Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 3JE

Barluga

Grey Street is Newcastle’s most beautiful street, connecting Grey’s Monument to Newcastle’s vibrant Quayside.  Smack bang in the middle and hidden from view, is Barluga’s all year round alfresco rooftop terrace. While the bar downstairs offers up gastro vibes, the outdoor terrace is a little slice of the Med.  The all-weather area has heaters and covers for the North East’s chillier nights, but in summer it’s a total sun trap. 

Occupying the former site of the bank of England, food is locally sourced and seasonal – expect dishes like chicken and chorizo skewers, sharing seafood boards and Hadrian heritage 28 day aged steaks along with burgers and sandwiches. 

Barluga, 35 Grey Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 6EE

Horticulture

If you want to do your bit for the environment whilst enjoying really good food and enjoying on one of Newcastle’s top terraces, Horticulture is the go-to.  With an emphasis on seasonality and sustainability through both its drinks and food menu, Horticulture’s terrace on Market Lane in the city is a pretty little sun trap filled with plants and giving off cool bohemian vibes.  Choose dishes from earth, sea and land with plenty for vegans and veggies with gluten and dairy free options.  From Caramelised Sprouts with sesame, ginger and mango to Confit Cauliflower Steak with brown butter and pomegranate, wash down those delights with locally sourced concoctions including  signature creations where the focus is on as little waste as possible. They also do an awesome bottomless brunch which is well worth checking out.

Horticulture, 1-3 Market Lane Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 6QQ

Alvinos Bar

Looking for somewhere laid back?!  Alvinos is the place.  This chilled-out bar with booth seating on Newcastle’s Pilgrim Street is a rooftop hot spot in summer with three floors, two bars and an outdoor terrace.  Known for their innovative cocktails, craft bears and best local DJs (think funk soul and twinkling techno on Fridays and Saturdays) they also love a guest brewery pop up.

Alvinos Bar, 88 Pilgrim St, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6SG

Roof Thirty Nine at Fenwick

High above Newcastle’s most famous street, Roof Thirty Nine at Fenwick (on Northumberland Street), is a skyline restaurant and rooftop bar where you can enjoy a chilled catch-up with friends at any time of the day and into the early evening.  There’s some really delicious dishes on the menu with food inspired by alfresco dining and plenty of seasonal charcoal fired food to choose from.  The kitchen is open for breakfast from 10am with delights like Coal Roasted Seasonal Fruit, Coconut Yoghurt and Buckwheat, while the all day small plates include Burrata, Soup and Flatbreads, or go for larger plates like the 10oz  Flat Iron Steak and Monkfish on the Bone.  It’s a stylish terrace, beautifully designed and has a retractable awning for when it rains.  Roof Thirty Nine also offers killer cocktails, sometimes in collaboration with gin and other spirits brands and is open 10am til 8pm Monday – Saturday and until 6pm on Sundays.  Accessible via Fenwick’s Food Hall.

Roof Thirty Nine, Northumberland St, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7AF

The Botanist

Boasting one of the best views from any rooftop in Newcastle’s city centre, you can see Grey’s Monument in all its glory and right the way down Grey Street from The Botanist’s rooftop bar and terrace.  Revamped for summer last year, the new look rooftop at The Botanist has stylish seating in a modern setting, an outdoor bar, seating booths, DJ booth and live music, as well as patio heaters for the cooler nights which really blast out the warmth!  There’s a great food menu and always a good range of cocktails.

The Botanist Bar & Restaurant, Monument Mall, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7AL

Revolucion de Cuba

Salsa your way up to a Havana inspired haven in the clouds at Revolucion de Cuba in Newcastle’s infamous Bigg Market.  The Santiago Sun Terrace is massive and the perfect place to enjoy a rum cocktail or three plus there’s both covered and uncovered areas on the rooftop so you can have the best of both worlds.  With lively Cuban inspired décor, latin music, live music, brunches, afternoon teas and happy hours, this rooftop bar and terrace literally has it all.  There’s empanadas, nachos, spicy fried chicken, enchiladas, fajitas and tacos among the delights on the main menu, while we’re a sucker for a Mango Mai Tai made with Appleton Estate Signature Blend Rum.

Revolucion de Cuba, 1-3 Cloth Market, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1EE

Tokyo

Tokyo’s located off the main drag of Collingwood Street, just a few minutes walk from Central Station.  If you’re new to the city, this might be one you’d walk past, but their rooftop bar and terrace is definitely worth a visit.  Set across three floors, downstairs is a dark, sultry vibe, while up on the terrace you’ll find twinkling lights and a disco ball, plenty of seating and a DJ on the decks.  In summer Tokyo plays host to terrace parties. While they’ve just launched a new summer infused cocktail menu.  Happy Hour is from 5pm – 7.30pm as the DJ gets warmed up.

Tokyo, 17 Westgate Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1SE

The Forth

A laid back local in the heart of Newcastle, The Forth on Pink Lane is more of a traditional bar with a cosy vibe inside and a good selection of beers.  When the sun shines, The Forth’s outdoor courtyard terrace is a great hangout complete with graffiti-ed walls and twinkly lights.  Known for it’s Sunday pub lunch, their every day menu has a range of good priced bites including Ruby Jeans Burgers, a range of chicken dishes from the Chicken Society menu and classics like the Pale Ale-Battered Atlantic Cod and Triple Cooked Chips. 

The Forth, Pink Ln, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 5DW

Chaophraya

Chaophraya is one of Newcastle’s best Thai restaurants in a great location.  Accessible via Eldon Square, the restaurant offers up classic and signature Thai dishes and a great cocktail menu.  Their outdoor rooftop terrace comes complete with twinkly lights, heaters, plenty of seating and floor-to-ceiling glass windows which look out onto vertical gardens and Grey’s Monument.  The perfect place to enjoy a cocktail in summer you don’t have to be eating to soak up the terrace vibes.  What’s more, the rooftop terrace is partially covered – perfect for any unexpected showers.  They’ve also just launched Late Lounge nights on the terrace in collaboration with Moet and Chandon.  Check out their website for details of the next event.

Chaophraya, 15 Upper level, Grey’s Quarter, Eldon Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7AP

The Bridge Tavern

The Bridge Tavern’s raised rooftop terrace is the perfect spot to enjoy a pint right by the Tyne Bridge.  A brew pub with a good menu and a cracking Sunday dinner, this iconic Newcastle pub is located right under the bridge itself – so close is it, that the actual pub was rebuilt after the bridge was fully constructed.

The Bridge Tavern, 7 Akenside Hill, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3UF

YOLO Townhouse

YOLO Townhouse on High Bridge Street is a bit of a hidden gem.  Set across three floors, you can expect exposed brick walls and stylish interiors, while the rooftop terrace has a retractable roof, private bar and plenty of outdoor seating.  The food menu offers up gastro pub favourites like Classic Fish and Chips and Steak and Ale Pie, as well as pizzas, small plates, sandwiches, wraps and burgers.  With a decent amount of white and red wines to choose from, the cocktail list is also a good one – we especially like the Candy Pants made with Absolut Raspberry Vodka, Chambord, Lemon Juice, Strawberry Puree and Cranberry Juice.  Bottomless Brunch is available every day but Friday, check out the menu here.

YOLO Townhouse, 14 High Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1EN

SIX Baltic

SIX, located on the rooftop of the Baltic is a gorgeous restaurant and bar with views out across Newcastle, Gateshead and all of the Quayside and River Tyne.  Great for a special occasion, SIX’s food menu has a great range of British dishes and a commitment to sustainability.  From Northumbrian Loin of Lamb Carpaccio to Yorkshire Chicken Supreme, it’s a fancy menu to match those fancy rooftop views but they also do a great value special set menu which is worth checking out.  You don’t have to be eating to take in the SIX experience though, there’s a little known about bar area with floor-to-ceiling glass – the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail from their brilliant list.  We loved The Godfather made with Maker’s Mark Whiskey, Amaretto and Angostura Bitters.  

SIX Baltic, Quays, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art South Shore Road, Gateshead, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE8 3BA

Pitcher & Piano

You can’t visit Newcastle’s Quayside without grabbing a drink at Pitcher & Piano.  An oldie but a goodie, it’s in a prime location on the river with epic views of the city’s bridges including the Tyne and the Millennium Bridge. The perfect place to enjoy all day dining and drinks, soak up the sun on the bars upstairs rooftop terrace whilst taking in the scenery.

Pitcher & Piano, 108, The Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3DX