Make a Night of it With NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week
Keep the Restaurant Week fun going with some pre- or post-meal drinks, a show or a fun activity
NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week is almost here, and we're here to help you keep the fun going throughout it's seven day run.
The foodie-favourite event is the perfect excuse to enjoy a drink or two before or after your meal, take in a film or enjoy a fun activity, so we’ve rounded up some of the best things to do in the city to help you make a proper night of it!
Become a culture vulture
Culture vultures can get their fill this August Restaurant Week with plenty of arts and entertainment to explore around the city centre.
It feels like a far cry from a Hard-Knock Life at the Theatre Royal this month, as Annie takes to the stage during the week, from Tuesday 4th to Saturday 8th August. Starring Claire Sweeney as the spiteful Miss Hannigan, this smash-hit West End production will have you laughing and crying all evening long. And if you’re after a bite to eat pre-show, then the Theatre Royal’s very own Green Room restaurant has you covered, with two courses for £20 or three for £25 this Restaurant Week.
Alternatively, why not experience Newcastle’s very own Utilita Arena in a whole new light with Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience? You’ll walk through more than three-hundred of Van Gogh’s most celebrated works in a dynamic display that comes alive as you move through the building. What’s more, legendary Indian eatery Sachins is just a ten minute walk away, so you’ll be fuelled up for this arty adventure!
And of course, how could we forget the return of NOVUM too? Taking over the city from Thursday 7th to Sunday 9th August, the festival is jam-packed with a family-friendly programme of free events, outdoor performances, artist workshops, music, and much more. And with loads of events taking place around Northumberland Street and the Civic Centre, Newcastle's favourite shopping centre is well-placed for a meal or two, so here’s our top Eldon Square Restaurant Week picks!
Enjoy some friendly (or not-so-friendly!) competition
And this Restaurant Week, there’s plenty of fantastic venues to explore. Fayre Play transports us back to the nostalgic days of funfair games with all the high-energy of the carnival, in the heart of the city centre. Meanwhile, Flight Club has hit the bullseye with its cosy British pub vibe, super-fun games and even an oche-cam to get all the best bits on film! Whichever one you chose, there’s some great restaurants nearby, including the likes of Chaophraya.
We’re heading over to Smash Space for a spot of cathartic smashing! They’re based on Scotswood Road, making it the ideal pre-dinner spot if you’ve got bookings at the likes of nearby restaurants 3SIXTY or Mantra Thai.
If you’ve got a table booked further up into town though, then Game of Throwing in The Gate has you covered, since The WonderBar is downstairs and My Delhi is just a stones throw away.
Or, for something a little more retro, take a trip down Dean Street to Four Quarters. Nostalgia’s the name of the game here, with two floors full of pixelated goodness to explore and Marco Polo just over the road. That’s not forgetting that the Toon is also lucky enough to play host to fellow arcade bar NQ64 over on Pilgrim Street, with legends like Zucchini and Gaucho nearby.
Nowhere does bowling quite like Lane7, with their neon graffiti covered walls and even a karaoke booth if you fancy yourself the diva of the evening! You’ll find this lovely lot down St. James’ Boulevard, just a short walk away from Lubber Kitchen and Siam Cafe - one of several Restaurant Week newcomers this August.
Grab a seat in front of the silver screen
If big-budget blockbusters are more to your taste, then Newcastle’s cinemas will definitely have you covered!
A quick walk from The Muddler and Banyan will find you at Everyman Cinema – a boutique venue that’s beloved for its plush sofa seats and pre-film table service. Talk about luxury!
Inside entertainment hub The Gate, you’ll also find Cineworld. You’ll be spoilt for choice here, watching the latest and greatest flicks in the likes of 4DX, Superscreen, and more. Plus, Twenty Twenty and Kafeneon are just down the road in Bigg Market for any pre- or post-movie munchies you might have.
And of course, how could we not mention Tyneside Cinema too? This Pilgrim Street indie institution is guaranteed to be screening something for everyone, whether it’s the latest chick-flick or action-packed blockbuster, and what’s even better, they’re taking part in this August’s Restaurant Week with a £15 offer, as well as The Alchemist nearby too!
Top the night off with a gorgeous cocktail
What better way to complete your Restaurant Week experience than with a delicious cocktail… or two!
Renowned for its elegant interior and excellent cocktails, Tiger Hornsby is the perfect stop-off for a couple of drinks if you’re dining at a participating Quayside venue like Lui's or DOOD this Restaurant Week. They host a Cocktail Hour all night on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday that offers a hand-picked selection of their classic and signature cocktails at a reduced price – but if you’re eating out on the Friday of Restaurant Week, their Friday Feels deal offers great savings on beers and wine too.
If you're the type that likes to pair a curry with a pint or two, you can't go wrong with a Restaurant Week meal at Dakwala on Grainger Street and a couple of drinks at Dirty Murphy's just up the road. The Irish bar has lots of daily drink deals on the go, including pints of Murphy's stout for just £3.50.
Situated in a beautifully re-purposed space that was once a Victorian public toilet, you won’t find a more interesting location for pre- or post-Restaurant Week drinks than WC Newcastle. They’ve got some great weekday deals running from Monday to Thursday between until 7pm too. For cocktail lovers, there’s a two for £15 deal - ideal after dining at fellow Bigg Market venues like Meat:Stack or Hibou Blanc.
Boasting good vibes and one of the biggest cocktail menus in town, Westgate Road bar Be At One is a fine option for cocktails fans looking to kick off their Restaurant Week meal out with some tasty drinks with eateries including Super Natural and Manahatta just a short walk away. They’ve got daily Happy Hour offers running from mid-afternoon to early evening and a whole host of 2-4-1 cocktails to choose from.
Or, If you’re dining out at any Restaurant Week venues around Grey Street - Pizza Punks or Barluga - then classy cocktail bar Grey Owl is a must-do for pre- or post-meal drinks. Their Happy Hour runs on weekdays between 12pm and 7pm (until 4pm on Friday) and offers two of the same cocktail for just £14. With mojitos, martinis and Cosmopolitans to choose from, there’s a cocktail to suit everybody too.
Vibey Dean Street haunt Colonel Porter’s has a whole host of offers running throughout the week, making it the perfect pit stop for a Restaurant Week drink or two after meals at neighbouring venues like El Torero and Cilantro. On Mondays, guests can enjoy margaritas for just £7 a pop and Tuesdays is ideal for rum fans with three 20ml measures and a 200ml mixer bottles for just £15. Their Wine Down Wednesday deal offers bottles of house wine for £20 and Fizz Fridays feature £25 bottles of prosecco. All that alongside their two for £15 cocktail offer available from Sunday to Thursday until 9pm (Fridays until 5pm) too!
There’s so many ways to make the most of Restaurant Week this August, so whether you’ve booked up for the week, or you’re going with the flow, why not take advantage of all the other brilliant venues in the city too!
NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week, in association with Tyne and Wear Metro, takes place from Monday 3rd August 2026 to Sunday 9th August 2026. For more information visit: www.getintonewcastle.co.uk/ne1-events/restaurant-week.
Main image: Flight Club
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