Newcastle

The North East is a beautiful, friendly and oft-overlooked tourist destination, a distinct frontierland that's closer to Scotland than it is to London, and Newcastle is its undoubted capital.

There’s plenty of highbrow culture here: the Sage Performance Arts Centre, the Baltic Art Gallery and the stunning Millennium Bridge are a true artistic hub, as well as genuinely alluring riverfront scene. Newcastle is also second home to two of the world’s most famous theatre ensembles – namely the National and Royal Shakespeare Companies, and the National Opera are also regular visitors. And after the show you can choose from more than 200 restaurants.

But let’s be honest, it’s not Puccini or pasta that the Toon is famous for: it’s famous for Geordie barmpots – many of them hulking, topless men fresh from the match in sub-zero conditions – going absolutely bananas after dark. An extensive survey by American travel experts Weismann, indeed, concluded that Geordieland was the eighth best city in the world (and second best in Europe) to have a night out. It was the only English place to make the list, and anyone who has ever hit the tiles here will assure you that it’s a genuinely memorable experience – unless, like us, you can't actually remember it.

With pubs, clubs and bars around the Quayside and Bigg Market catering for every taste, we recommend you visit with an open mind, a resilient liver and thoroughly girded loins – the locals will be determined to show you a good time. Just leave your coat at home, or they’ll think you’re soft.

Use our interactive map to explore the area – drag, zoom, click on a badge for club details

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