Looking for the best cocktail bars in Newcastle? Whether you’re planning a sexy night out in the city’s stylish rooftop and champagne bars, wanting to sip the classics along the Quayside, or discover hidden speakeasies tucked away in the city’s backstreets, Newcastle’s bar scene is buzzing. From expertly crafted signature serves to creative twists on old favourites, in this guide, you’ll find the best cocktail bars in Newcastle you need to try right now.
Mother Mercy
The original Mother Mercy is hidden in a basement down some very tiny steps in Newcastle’s famous Bigg Market. It’s perfect for a romantic date if you want to impress as it’s dimly lit with cool tunes, stylish decor and killer cocktails. Voted one of the best cocktail bars in the UK, this is the first place we tried a Hot Honey Margarita which was sublime, but their Peanut Butter Manhattan is a close second. Look out for their awesome collab nights with famous London bars, and if you don’t know what to go for, spin the Twist of Fate for £10.50 a pop. There are now a further four bars in Newcastle all offering a twist of their own. (El Diablo – featured image is from the new Twist of Fate menu.)
WC
Take a wild guess as to why it’s called WC?! These former public loos in the centre of the Bigg Market which have been there since 1898 were transformed into this fabulous subterranean cocktail spot with a lottery grant in 2020. Booking is recommended at this cosy bar with its beautiful elevated glass roof and contemporary perfectly formed interiors. Their cocktails are fun and interesting ranging from luxury to classic and signature serves. Our fave? the Spiced Orange Espresso Martini. They also do a great value happy hour – Monday to Thursday with 2 cocktails for £15 between 2-7pm.
Pleased To Meet You
This Grade II listed building on Newcastle’s High Bridge Street is a cool and classy gin and cocktail bar with a connecting restaurant. It’s 2 for £12 on cocktails between 5-9pm Sunday to Friday which is a pretty good deal for the city centre, while the Fig Sidecar, Rhubarb Paper Crane and Autumn Snap served in a martini glass are our current faves. Click here to find out more.
Tickets
Right next to Central Station, Tickets should be your first stop when you get off the train in Newcastle city centre. It’s a gorgeous bar which has retained its original Victorian features including the impressive terrrazzo floor. With cocktails inspired by The Flying Scotsman (the first train to reach 100mph), the Black Madeira is a gorgeous mix of Diplomatico rum, fig liqueur, lime juice and almond syrup, while we also love the super sweet and sour Raspberry Mint-tini with fresh berries, mint, vodka and lime.
No. 28
A shiny disco ball, a floral ceiling and a dalek are all there to greet you at No. 28 – a somewhat hidden bar on Nelson Street at Newcastle’s Grainger Market. There’s always a good atmosphere at this place and their bottomless brunch is excellent value. When it comes to their cocktails, we’re big fans of their Pornstar Margaritas and they do a fabulous Espresso Martini dahhhling.
Tiger Hornsby
Award winning cocktails, live music and DJs are all on the menu at Tiger Hornsby on Newcastle’s Quayside. Great for a quiet drink earlier on when you can take advantage of their cosy sofas, later on in the evening, this place livens up as the dance floor fills up and the drinks keep flowing! Quirky, elegant and named after a glamorous London socialite, it attracts somewhat of an older crowd and plays a great mix of 70s to noughties tunes. Cocktail hour runs all night on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays with 2 for £15 while the seasonal signatures currently include the Verano 75 made with Cazcabel Blanco Tequila and the Jalapeno Business with a mix of tequila and a homemade pineapple and jalapeno syrup along with pineapple bitters and mezcal rinse. Sounds epic doesn’t it?
Grey Owl
Grey Owl is one of our favourite cocktail bars and we’ve never had a bad French Martini here. Perfectly located by the Theatre Royal and Grey’s Monument at the top of Grey Street, Grey Owl is a beautiful elegant bar set across three levels with plenty of cosy seating spaces. Grab the leather bound menu and work your way through the signature cocktails which include The Coco Owl with Coconut Cazcabel and coconut creme, or go for one of their classics which are 2 for £14 when you get two of the same.
ABOVE
One of the most stylish bars in Newcastle, this quayside rooftop is just made for sipping cocktails on their roof terrace overlooking the Tyne Bridge. With incredible views, DJs, and the most beautiful interiors, you can enjoy drinks like Fog on the Tyne (Kraken Spiced Rum and Lagavulin 16yr stirred down with smoked sugar, apple juice and vanilla), or the Geordie Tart – err excuse me! They also do a fabulous afternoon tea. Click here to find out more.