Winter 2025: 20 New Venues to Discover in Newcastle

Flight Club, Nelson Street

Flight Club have definitely hit the bullseye with the latest instalment of their signature social darts over on Nelson Street! Marrying a classic British pub aesthetic with nostalgic fairground energy, it’s an ideal spot to escape the Christmas market crowds and enjoy some friendly (or not-so-friendly!) competition with your pals. Each lane includes an interactive touch-screen where you can kickstart a ruthless game of “killer”, or get another round of drinks in for the gang. Plus, each lane has its very own oche-cam to relive the most hilarious moments from the night – so get that victory pose at the ready!

KISS, The Gate

Newcastle has also gained another incredible Indian restaurant this winter, with KISS at The Gate. This lovely lot are all about soulful, slow-cooked dishes and incredible cocktails to match. Expect “Britains Crush” dishes like chicken tikka masala and lamb madras, to “Palace Dines” plates including the emerald lamb royal feast and plant powered paneer. So, grab a glass of their “Toon Love Affair” cocktail, sit back, and dig in.

Fayre Play, The Gate

Also having recently opened in The Gate these past few months is the fantastical funfair extravaganza Fayre Play! Roll up for nine rounds of fairground fun, and cheers to your success (or commiserate your loss…) with a cocktail from one of their expert mixologists. Need to fuel up in between rounds? Not to worry, Burger-Drop are serving up some good grub on-site, and there’s plenty of burgers, chicken tenders and loaded fries to get your mitts on.

STACK Newcastle, Worswick Chambers, Pilgrim Street

Set to open their doors this November is the brand-new STACK location on Pilgrim Street! The team have done an incredible job, breathing new life into the historic Worswick Chamber venue, transforming the space with eight bars, eight street food traders, a coffee shop and a rooftop terrace. That’s not forgetting that there’ll be an interactive gaming area complete with karaoke booths, shuffleboard and darts, as well as their humongous stage and screen for live music, sport and events. Phewee!

Hotel Gotham, Pilgrim Street

If you’ve had a wander down Pilgrim Street recently, you might’ve noticed the historic former fire and police station has had somewhat of a glow-up. That’s all thanks to the incredible team at Hotel Gotham, who’ve worked their magic to transform the Grade II listed building into a hotel like no other. A cast of eccentric characters adds some personality and charm to your stay, whilst their Siren Restaurant offers an impressive selection of delicious dishes, and the FIRE bar heats things up with plenty of sophisticated serves.

Carhartt, Grainger Street

Opening just in time to help out with all that Christmas shopping, this winter has also welcomed Carhartt onto Grainger Street. Their speciality is streetwear, but the industrial aesthetics inside are definitely worth checking out anyway, even if that’s not your bag. Even better, there’s loads of quality accessories on offer, including the likes of tote bags, caps, socks and even a few pieces of homeware thrown in for good measure.

Ruby Rae’s, Side

Howdy! This season has seen Nashville arrive in Newcastle, with the opening of Ruby Rae’s country bar. Of course, live music and entertainment are always on the cards here, but if you really want to immerse yourself into the yee-haw-ness of it all, then head on down for one of their line dancing classes, where you’ll learn to tell the difference between your grapevine, and your shuffle. Cowboy hats and boots welcomed, but not compulsory.

The Lubber Kitchen, Blandford Street

What happens when you cross a radio station with a café-restaurant? You get The Lubber Kitchen! This quirky venue sits just below live music and events space The Lubber Fiend, and offers a pretty mouthwatering menu across lunchtimes and evenings. Enjoy great coffee and indulgent pastries by day before digging into their ever evolving seasonal menu by night. Yeah, we won’t blame you for wanting to hang around here all day.  

Lane7, Newgate Street

Scoring their second strike in the city centre, Lane7 has been welcoming budding bowlers into their new venue over at The Gate. Think everything you love about the OG venue, but even better, with boutique lanes, immersive games and delicious food and drink. Oh, and that’s not forgetting the fact that there’s darts, karaoke, pool, beer pong, arcade games, shuffleboard… yeah, they really packed a lot into four floors.

Assemble, Old Eldon Square

If you love House bar in Heaton, then you’re in luck! Their sister venue, Assemble, has opened up in the heart of the city centre and definitely belongs on your must-visit list. They’ve got a fully-stacked wine menu to explore, while their range of snacks, plates, sides and sandwiches comes courtesy of the Asian-inspired Soku Kitchen. Expect everything from grilled chicken thighs with Vietnamese sate to barbecued beetroot, shallot and pine nut.

Sanco, Forth Banks

What could possibly be better than pizza? Well, if unlimited pizza was your answer, then boy have we got good news for you. Down on Forth Banks, Sanco offers a dining experience like no other. Pop the light on, and one of their pizza enthusiasts will bring a slice of the good stuff over to you, and it’ll keep coming until you switch the light off! There’ll be a huge range of different toppings on their authentic Neapolitan bases to pick from, and rumour has it that some of them may even include pineapple…

Hopscotch, Fenwick 

Any families visiting the Toon this winter and looking for something a little different will want to book a table at Hopscotch Play Café. Housed inside Fenwick, their bespoke pop-up is designed to spark kids imaginations, and offers plenty of active fun to keep them entertained. Meanwhile, the adults can sit back with one of their mouth-watering brunch dishes, or a freshly brewed coffee and cake. Sounds like a win-win, if you ask us.

Sunday, Pudding Chare

Female owned and run Sunday Coffee and Kitchen made its long-awaited return to the Toon this winter, blessing our Instagram feeds (and our appetites!) with their colourful acai bowls, mega pancakes, and ceremonial grade A matcha. This pink paradise is your ideal new locale, whether you’re catching up with the gals or fancy treating yourself to lunch out of the office!

Amorino, Grainger Street

Okay, so we know you might not be dreaming of ice cream in these cold, dreary months. But since Amorino has finally opened up on Grainger Street, we’re thinking it’s worth braving the cold to try some of their delicious flavours! There’s everything from pistachio and tiramisu, to dulce de leche and banana to pick from – but if you don’t fancy a scoop or two, then check out their crepes, waffles and gelato cakes too.  

Maki & Ramen, Old Eldon Square

Since Teddy Lee founded Maki & Ramen back in 2015, the sushi and noodle bar has gone from strength to strength – and Newcastle was lucky enough to be chosen as one of their new sites ten years later. Now a staple within Old Eldon Square, they specialise in delicious, accessible and high-quality Asian food, with the likes of spicy chicken teriyaki rice and grilled sushi sets on the menu. Or, if you’re feeling extra brave, then give their super-duper-spicy hell ramen a go…  

Chit’n’Chaat, Eldon Square

Chit’n’Chaat are bringing a taste of Indian street food to Eldon Square this winter, warming up the Toon with everything from small plates to sundries. Started back in 2020 by two fellow food lovers, there’ll be something for everyone here – whether you can handle the spice or prefer something a little milder! Top of our list to try has to be the paneer kati roll, a warm flatbread filled with spiced paneer tikka strips, onions, peppers and chutney. Anyone else’s stomach starting to rumble, or is that just us?

Oliver Bonas, Eldon Square 

A veritable treasure trove of homeware, fashion and accessories, Oliver Bonas has finally landed in Eldon Square. There’s loads to check out here, including beauty, jewellery and furniture too, so make sure you set out plenty of time to explore. And if you’re Christmas shopping for the person who has everything, we’re pretty sure you’ll be able to find something they don’t have, here!

Chopstix, Northumberland Street

Northumberland Street shoppers, this one’s for you! Chopstix have opened up one of their legendary noodle bars right in the heart of the city centre, and it’s the ideal place to prop your feet up after mooching around the Toon. Just choose your base and add toppings, dips, sides, a drink and enjoy. There’s even a value meal deal option, if your wallet’s feeling a little worse for wear!

Davey’s, Market Street

Local success story Davey’s already boasts branches in Gateshead and Sandyford (plus pop-ups at St. James STACK and STACK Seaburn) and their long-awaited new branch on Market Street finally looks set to open this winter. Take a seat in its retro booths and feast on everything from loaded bagels to smash burgers, washed down with Davey's signature ice cream milkshakes.

Jewels, Eldon Square

And last, but by no means least, we’re headed back inside Eldon Square for a spot of luxury at Jewells. Offering in-store piercing and tattoo services, as well as stocking a mesmerising range of necklaces, earrings, bracelets and more, it’s definitely one to visit on your Christmas shopping sprees.  

So whether you’re out and about getting a head start on that Christmas shopping (it’ll be here before we know it!), or you’re looking for something a little different to do on your next night out in Newcastle, we’re pretty certain that you’ll find what you’re looking for in the Toon. And that’s not forgetting the wealth of new venues that 2026 will bring…  

Featured image: Flight Club

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