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!
Falling on a Sunday this year, here are 11 places you can celebrate Burns Night in and around Newcastle this January.
Backworth Miners Welfare
Backworth Hall is hosting its annual Backworth Miners Welfare celebrations with a classic Burns Night on Saturday 24th January, from 7pm till late. Look forward to a traditional three-course Scottish dinner, live piper performance and evening entertainment in the grand surroundings of this Northumberland venue.
With starters of cock-a-leekie or leek and potato soup to start, followed by traditional haggis, vegetarian haggis or chicken in a rich whisky sauce, desserts include raspberry cranachan or chocolate brownie with ice cream. They’ll also cater for dietary requirements if you get in touch with them in advance.
Tables seat 8 – 10 guests with whole tables available to book. Priced at £35pp, check out all the details here.
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 (Saturday 24th January) at Hilton Newcastle Gateshead all in aid of The Dog and Cat Shelter. Priced at £85pp for early bird tickets, 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 (Chuck a Grouse and a raffle and auction with great prizes), you can check out all the details here and register your interest by emailing [email protected]
Spanish City
Spanish City are holding their Burns Night Supper on Saturday 24th January priced at £45pp, 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. 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. Click here to book or call 0191 691 7090 to reserve. You can all pre order your whisky selection!
Red House Farm Pub Whitley Bay
Red House Farm has just been taken over by new owners and they’re proving super popular! With big prize quiz nights, a big new menu and collaborations with local business, they’re pulling in the crowds so it’s no surprise that their Burns Night celebrations on Sunday 25th January have already secured plenty of bookings. With 2 courses for £19.95 or 3 courses for £24.95, it’s a brilliant value menu including starters of traditional cullen skink or crispy potato skins with creamy Scotch whisky sauce, followed by haggis, neeps and tatties or all day Scottish breakfast. For dessert, there’s whisky trifle, clootie dumplings or battered Mars Bar and every meal includes a can of Irn Bru! Booking advised, check out their Facebook page here.
Annual Burns Night Ball at Grand Hotel Gosforth with NE Youth
This Burns Night celebration on Friday 23rd January sounds like a lot of fun – not only is there a traditional Burns Night supper with haggis, neeps and tatties, but there’s also a champagne receptions, live music, piper, Burns readings, Scottish Reeling to the Robert Whitehead Band and a charity auction and raffle. There’s even a luxury pre-event styling experience designed for guests who want to look and feel amazing for the evening led by acclaimed make-up artist Amanda Bell. Find out more details here.
Blackfriars
Blackfriars have held their fair share of Burns Night suppers so you’re guaranteed a brilliant night on Friday 23rd 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 with Whisky tasting and coffee. 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.
Backworth Miners Welfare
Backworth Miners Welfare at Backworth Hall on Station Road are holding an exclusive night of celebration and tradition on Saturday 24th Janaury from 7 – 11pm. There’s a fabulous three-course feast which you can enjoy along with a traditional whisky dram, a live piper and a choice of dishes. Go for the cock a leekie or leek soup to start, followed by the classic haggis, veggie haggis or chicken served with neeps and tatties, braised leeks and a whisky sauce. The reasonably priced menu at just £35pp also includes a choice of desserts with raspberry cranachan finished with a honey and whiskey cream on the menu, or double chocolate brownie. Book your tickets here, please note the venue is only accessible via stairs.
Blackbird, Ponteland
Steeped in history, a night of traditional Scottish celebration on Sunday 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 with arrival at 6.30pm, there’ll be a live Northumbrian piper and starters of cock-a-leekie soup followed by a confit featherblade of beef and a honey parfait. Call 01661 822684 or check out the website here.
Northumberland Arms, Felton
For only £45pp, this Burns Night menu is great value! Head up to Felton to the Nothumberland Arms where celebrations start at 7pm on Saturday 24th January. With a live Northumbrian piper, there’ll be a full Burns Night supper served. Fancy staying over? They’re also a boutique hotel. £10 deposit required – spaces are already filling up fast so call to reserve your table on 01670 787370.
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. 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 24th 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.