Last updated: January 09, 2025
Let’s face it, January in Newcastle is a pretty dull month so we don’t need much persuading when it comes to having a reason to celebrate! Burns Night on the 25th January is perfect for raising a dram, addressing the haggis and honouring the birth of a poetic Scottish legend – Rabbie (Robert) Burns who was born in 1759.
While it’s obviously a massive Scottish tradition, the whole of the UK (including Newcastle) has embraced it, showing we can quaff whisky, address the haggis, eat neeps and tatties and generally have a knees up all in the name of this Ayrshire bard like the best of ’em!
This year, Burns Night falls on a Saturday which gives us even more reason to get involved! Here’s where you can celebrate Burns Night in and around Newcastle this January.
Hilton Newcastle Gateshead with The Dog and Cat Shelter
Here’s a fancy one to get dressed up for! Indulge in a night of Scottish elegance this Burns Night at Hilton Newcastle Gateshead all in aid of The Dog and Cat Shelter. Priced at £90pp, you’ll get treated to a delicious three course dinner which will include the traditional Scottish fayre and a dram of whisky, while there’ll be entertainment with a Ceilidh to get you up dancing. With bagpipes to address the haggis and plenty of fundraising activities (whisky games and raffle with great prizes), you can check out all the details here and register your interest by emailing [email protected]
Hotel du Vin Newcastle
If you’ve got plans on the 25th but still want to celebrate, then this one is for you! Hotel du Vin are holding a Burns Night Wine Dinner on Thursday 23rd January from 7pm, priced at £99pp. Get set for a night of fine dining and delectable drinks, as the hotel celebrates in style. With a welcome drink and canapes on arrival, a carefully crafted multi-course dinner will follow, with each course perfectly paired with fine wines. In addition, there will be an exclusive whisky tasting between each dish and a final dram to conclude the evening in true Burns Night style! Grab your tickets here.
Spanish City
They’re going all out at the coast Spanish City are holding not one, not two but three Burns Night suppers, so if you fancy heading out of Newcastle and 20 minutes down the Coast Road, this beautiful spot overlooking Whitley Bay beach is a great place to celebrate. Saturday 25th January is already sold out but there are still places on Friday 24th and Sunday 26th. Priced at £45pp, arrival is 6.30pm for a 7pm sit down dinner with a stunning four course dinner (great value), official dress to the haggis, Scottish piper and Contemporary Monster Ceilidh Band with caller to assist with each dance. Being held in the St. Mary’s Lighthouse Suite, there’s a starter of vegetable broth with herb dumpling, traditional haggis, neeps and tatties, then a main of chicken with whisky jus and fondant potato and cranachan for dessert. Vegan and vegetarian options are available. Call 0191 691 7090 to reserve.
Grand Hotel Gosforth Park Newcastle with Northern Counties Kidney Research Fund
This Burns Night celebration sounds like a lot of fun – not only is there a traditional Burns Night supper with haggis, neeps and tatties, but there’ll also be a Ceilidh dance led by Miggins Fiddle, plus a raffle to raise money for Northern Counties Kidney Research and an Immortal Memory Quiz! With veggie and vegan alternatives available and reduced prices for accommodation if you wish to stay over on Saturday 25th January (£65 single room, £75 twin or double with breakfast). Email [email protected] to reserve your room and grab your tickets here, priced at £44.99pp.
Blackfriars
Blackfriars have held their fair share of Burns Night suppers so you’re guaranteed a brilliant night on Saturday 25th January ! This award-winning restaurant in a 13th century refectory (believed to be the oldest dining room in the UK), is the perfect location for a traditional supper priced at £69.50pp. Including the Selkirk Grace prayer, address to and cutting of the haggis, cock-a-leekie soup, haggis, neeps and tatties and cranachan and cheese, you can find out more here.
The Brandling Arms, Gosforth
The Burns Night offering at The Brandling Arms in Newcastle’s Gosforth includes a three course menu with a choice of dishes and a whisky flight including Glenmorangie 10yo Malt Whisky Johnnie Walker Black Label Whisky Talisker Skye Whiskey. With starters like handmade Scotch egg, or smoked salmon, mains of haggis, Balmoral chicken, pan-fried Scottish salmon or spiced falafel burger, and traditional cranachan for dessert, you can book your table here.
Blackbird, Ponteland
Steeped in history, a night of traditional Scottish celebration on Saturday 25th January awaits just outside Newcastle at The Blackbird, Ponteland. Burns Night in this former castle built by warriors in the 14th century has its own significance as the signing of a peace treaty between Henry III of England and Alexander of Scotland, actually took place on the knoll of the marshes where The Blackbird stands today! Priced at £40pp, there’ll be a live Northumbrian piper and starters of cullen skink soup and braised beef brisket followed by a wee dram. Then it’s haggis, neeps and tatties with a whisky jus, and raspberry parfait to finish. Vegetarian alternatives are available. Check out the full menu here.
Northumberland Arms, Felton
For only £35.95 per person, this Burns Night menu is great value! Head up to Felton to the Nothumberland Arms where celebrations start at 7.30pm on Saturday 25th January. Fancy staying over? With a live Northumbrian piper, Cullen skink soup will be served to start followed by a traditional Scottish main of haggis wellington, followed by a Yorkshire rhubarb cranachan and a Scottish tablet and coffee to finish. Vegetarian options are available and you can check out the full menu here. Fancy staying over? They’re also a boutique hotel.
The Jolly Fisherman
This award-winning seafood restaurant in beautiful Craster is a great place to celebrate Burns Night. While it might be an hour’s drive from Newcastle city centre, with views of the sea and of Dunstanburgh Castle, you could pop up for the weekend and blow the cobwebs away with some beach walks before dinner. Enjoy a three course traditional Scottish menu on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th January priced at £45pp. Email [email protected] to book your spot, or check out the website here.
William De Percy
Giving you the best of both worlds, William De Percy on the Scottish borders in Northumberland is less than a 50 minute drive away from Newcastle City Centre. This boutique hotel (part of the Apartment Group), are well known for their delicious grub and have a special Burns Night menu on Saturday 25th January. With cullen skink soup and haggis bon bons to start, mains of haggis, neeps and tatties or Balmoral chicken with neep and tatties gratin and a dessert of raspberry Cranachan trifle, you can book by going to the website.
