The mix of the Geordies’ love for a great night out and a large student population means that few places match Newcastle when it comes to nightlife. The Bigg Market is the obvious pick as the hub of the action, with bars like Filthy’s (great for live music most nights), Stein Bier Keller and Cosy Joes (which takes karaoke to a whole new level) as well as clubs including Popworld and Mono.
Location: Northumberland, United Kingdom.
Closest Airports: Newcastle, Edinburgh.
Local Currency: Pounds Sterling (GBP).
Don’t restrict your Newcastle group holiday nightlife to the Bigg Market. Venture out a little for an arguably more sophisticated experience. Popular destinations include Beer Street with its great selection of beers, and brilliant cocktails at Revolution. We also love Hoochie Coochie for its unique vibe with funk, jazz and soul live acts rubbing shoulders with dance DJs. And for a bit of fun try Junkyard Golf Club; adult-focused and featuring three wacky and loud 9-hole crazy golf courses, plus a great bar with cocktails to die for.
Throughout Newcastle you’ll see examples of the city’s history and heritage, with its Roman, Norman, medieval and industrial eras still evident. Just as obvious is the result of recent investment that has seen leisure pursuits boom in Newcastle. Group activities are everywhere, from leisurely riverside walks to gaming. Not forgetting of course superb wining and dining.
Newcastle City Centre
We’d start exploring the City Centre at the Grey’s Monument, a 135-foot column topped by Earl Grey (yes, the bloke the tea was named after) gazing down Grey Street. In summer you can book a tour that includes climbing 164 steps to the top for great views across the city.
We’d also suggest visiting Grainger Indoor Market. It’s Newcastle’s oldest and best food market with tasty grub from around the world. If your group is really into your food, you can also do group bookings for a Newcastle Food Tour: it’s a great blend of walking tour and superb tasting sessions.
If you have time, a visit to Newcastle Castle is something else to squeeze into your time in the City Centre. This Norman castle gave the city its name and it’s fun to walk or crawl around its cramped passageways, winding staircases, dungeons and prison pits. From the top of the keep you’ll enjoy panoramic views across the city.
Within easy walking distance of the city centre are Spot White for pool and snooker, Lane7 Newcastle for bowling and even a chance to fly a Boeing 737 without having to leave the ground at The Fight Experience.
If walking around the City Centre gets tiring, your party can pamper yourselves at Newcastle City Baths – Turkish Baths with a swimming pool, spa treatment rooms, heated chambers, steam rooms and invigorating plunge showers. A great way to spend an afternoon to prepare yourselves for a night out.
Quayside
Newcastle’s Quayside is just a short walk from the City Centre, but is an area worth exploring in its own right. As you walk along the river, look out for the outdoor art installations and take a stop in whichever of the many cafes, coffee shops and restaurants take your fancy. You’ll have fabulous views of all seven of the city’s bridges, but our choice for one to walk across would be the iconic Tyne Bridge.
Just over the river in Gateshead is the Sage, a spectacular glass music venue where you can catch top acts across its three performance auditoriums. Be sure also to check out the Baltic; a brilliant contemporary art museum in a converted flour mill with ever-changing exhibitions and events, plus a rooftop restaurant and places to just rest and enjoy views over the Tyne.
Every Sunday, the area is also home to Newcastle’s Quayside Market. You’ll find stalls specialising in local crafts, a great choice of food trucks and produce stands, plus street artists and buskers. Extend your walk for 20-minutes and you’ll reach Ouseburn, an area of converted warehouses and factories now reborn as super-cool cafes, bars, micro-breweries and music venues.
Part of the transformation of Newcastle in the 2000s has been some serious development of its hotel sector. From independents to the major hotel groups, the choice of Newcastle group accommodation is extensive.
Starting with Newcastle group hotels at the more affordable end of the scale, one of our picks is Sleeperz Hotel. It has a great central location, a good restaurant and clean, modern rooms. The Sandman Signature meanwhile has a reputation for style blended with friendly staff. When it comes to Newcastle group accommodation in quality hotels from the big names, try the Ramada Encore Newcastle-Gateshead or the Hampton by Hilton Newcastle.
Party Apartments Newcastle
Another option is to book centrally located group party apartments. Newcastle has plenty of this type of accommodation. A good example is Ritzland, a 2-bedroom apartment that sleeps 7 people, with a large living room to chill out in. At the gorgeous 93a Grey Street apartments, there are 2-bedroom apartments with balconies. The Alexander Apartments have rooms with up to 3 bedrooms.
Topping the list of Newcastle party apartments for the largest groups is Bigg Market Apartments. There are 8 bedrooms sleeping up to 20 guests, and it’s fully equipped with living and dining spaces, kitchen areas and laundry facilities. Another option for Newcastle group apartments is dormitory-style hostel accommodation such as the friendly Albatross Hotel. It’s great if your group wants to be out and about a lot and doesn’t mind sharing space with guests from around the world.
Party Houses Newcastle
Finally, for Newcastle holiday homes if you’d prefer a whole house for your group, check out the especially affordable 8-bedroom Callerton House that sleeps up to 18. Also popular for groups looking for a central Newcastle holiday home is the 4-bedroom Sleek House. A couple of miles out of town are the 4-bedroom Forest Close holiday home, and the 5-bedroom Hebburn Great House.
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