The Best Pubs & Cocktail Bars in Newcastle, England

The Tyne Bar is one of the city’s premier beer bar destinations. In addition to serving a good range of draught and bottled beers from around the world, including brews from Sweden’s Spendrups Bryggeri and Germany’s Erdinger Weißbräu, The Tyne is also Northumberland-based Wylam Brewery’s official brewery tap in the Newcastle and its Gold Tankard ale is available year-round alongside rotating guest Wylam ales. The Tyne’s location in lovely Ouseburn, regular free live music and a number of tasty pub grub-style bites are an added bonus.

The Tyne Bar, Maling Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK,+44 0191 265 2550

Nestled in the shadows of Newcastle’s iconic Tyne Bridge, the aptly named Bridge Tavern is a brewpub and restaurant. Though the current building it calls home was rebuilt after the construction of the bridge, the site has acted as an alehouse for almost 200 years. Featuring its own on-site microbrewery fully viewable from its ground floor room, The Bridge Tavern serves its house-brewed bespoke ales alongside other offerings like Marble Brewery’s Bohème and Lagunitas IPA. Taster planks are available and a charming terrace is great for a few beers in summer under the shadow of the Tyne Bridge.

The Bridge Tavern, 7 Akenside Hill, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, +44 0191 261 9966

Just a stone’s throw from The Tyne Bar, with beautiful views over the Tyne River, is The Free Trade Inn, a rustic establishment and one of Newcastle’s oldest pubs that proudly champions locally brewed ales. Numerous awards including CAMRA’s Tyneside Pub of the Year in 2013 are well-deserved, with a beer menu that includes local gems like Wylam Brewery’s Jakehead IPA and Northern Alchemy’s Dark Chocolate and Mint Milk Stout alongside draught, bottled and canned beer from further afield.

The Free Trade Inn, St Lawrence Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, +44 0191 265 5764

Not technically a Newcastle pub, but its location at the Gateshead end of the Tyne Bridge and its great range of beers make The Central Bar a worthy mention nonetheless. Located in a stunning 1856, wedge-shaped building, with an original curved bar, it is also owned by the Head of Steam group and features a beautifully renovated bar area, two upper level function rooms where live music acts often perform and a gorgeous new rooftop terrace perfect for al fresco beers in summer. Bar nibbles, classic pub dishes, burger and hot dogs are served alongside brews such as Allendale Brewery’s Far Far Away IPA and The Five Points Brewing Company’s Hook Island Red.

The Central Bar, Half Moon Lane, Gateshead, UK, +44 0191 478 2543