http://www.entertainment-newcastle.com/ 112-28 http://www.entertainment-newcastle.com/city-east-bars-and-pubs/112-nancys-bordello.html I live quite close to Nancy’s so it’s frustrating that I don’t get to go more often.This visit was to introduce another friend to the delights that is Nancy’s. The style is what people are calling shabby chic, I prefer calling it mismatched and relaxed (if you get a table with 2 matching chairs be surprised) it looks like most student flats except clean and showing some style. There are 3 Main areas the ground floor Bar lots of low tables and sofas, 1st floor bar/function room with pool table and the open air roof terrace. Order at the bar and find a comfy place to sit, I have a loyalty card so two meals and drinks were just over £10 it is very much relaxed friendly atmosphere people sharing tables studying, eating, drinking. I ordered my favourite Nancy’s famous foot long sausage baguette which when it arrived made the people sat opposite melt as they had ordered the chicken burger. There was so much that I couldn’t manage the fabulous chocolate cake this time. One of my first choices to go to chill and relax and get a bite to eat during an afternoon / evening ]]> Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:38:47 -0500 1-24 http://www.entertainment-newcastle.com/central-station-area-bars-and-pubs/1-oneills.html Being as I am, a lover of live music in pubs, I tend to visit O'Neill's Bar at least one night a week, normally Friday or Saturday when they have live bands on. This weekend it was both, as well as pre and post gig (Noel Gallagher) drinks there on Thursday too, before the Arena. I'm not ashamed to say also, that living in the city centre and knowing most of the staff reasonably well, I do class it as my "local" and more often than not end up there at some point on a night out. Friday night was The DeeTees who were excellent as always and wouldn't have missed them anyway and Saturday was a band called The babel Fish, who I'd heard some good things about and had never seen before. The result, two nights in O'Neill's :). Being objective, I would say it can be hit and miss at any time. Some nights, especially at weekends it can start and finish absolutely rammed, especially if the music is good. other nights it can fluctuate hugely depending on the night, the weather, the time of month and at weekends, the quality of the music. Most new bands get "3 chances" to impress. If they're any good, they'll get bought/invites back regularly, if they're not considered "right for the venue" they won't. This weekend was excellent as far as the music and atmosphere goes. Both bands were great and the bar was very full both nights, leading to a great atmosphere all round. Prices are probably on average for the area, but if anything slightly high and the service is almost always with a smile and as prompt as the busyness of the bar allows. ]]> Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:27:43 -0600 109-23 http://www.entertainment-newcastle.com/central-station-area-bars-and-pubs/109-mile-castle.html During my quiet drink along the street at The Union Rooms, I arranged to meet some friends that were out, so I walked along the 100 yards or so The Mile Castle. This is an equally large and equally well restored and maintained, historic building. There are three bars over three floors (though the top floor was shut this evening as it was pretty quiet). Typically of Lloyds No.1 bars (of which this is one) compared to Wetherspoons, there is music playing, so although equally as quiet, there was a bit more atmosphere. I stuck to the real ale and tried 3 different ones over the 90 minutes or so I was there. Big Lamp Special, a nice IPA and a couple of pints of Maximus to finish. All were priced under £2 a pint as they have the same Real Ale night as The union Rooms on a Sunday. Nice company, nice beer and a quiet and relaxed atmosphere. ]]> Tue, 28 Feb 2012 16:21:58 -0600 180-22 http://www.entertainment-newcastle.com/central-station-area-bars-and-pubs/180-union-rooms.html I was a bit bored on Sunday, so I ventured out to re-visit a couple of places I hadn't been in a while. First stop was The Union Rooms. It's a lovely old building and typical of most Wetherspoon / Lloyds bars, it's been well looked after and has a lot of the historical decor etc. intact. Sunday's, or at least this Sunday, it was very quiet, which suited me as I was out on my own here. Service was quick and the price, especially the real ales (which are featured and reduced in price on a Sunday evening) was exceptionally good. I chose the "Stiff Tackle" from the choice of 5 or 6 in the main front bar and at £1.85, who could complain!? ]]> Tue, 28 Feb 2012 16:06:08 -0600 91-21 http://www.entertainment-newcastle.com/the-gate-area-bars-and-pubs/91-keel-row.html Surprisingly busy at about 10:30 on a Saturday morning. In much need of food after a long night, the night before I went specifically for Breakfast. Large "full English" and a large class of fizzy pop to sort out the hangover for @£6.50. Service was prompt and the food was very nice (anything would have been nice at that time of day mind!). Good value for money that you would expect from most Wetherspoon's establishments and would definitely return ]]> Sun, 19 Feb 2012 21:19:56 -0600 179-20 http://www.entertainment-newcastle.com/st-james-area-bars-and-pubs/179-tyneside-irish-centre.html I've been dealing with the Irish club for the last 5 months in connection with a function I'd been organising. Very efficient back-room staff and always quick with responses to any questions. They have two function rooms and we used the main one with the stage, which holds up to 200 people. The only cost involved to rent the room is a refundable £50 damage deposit. They offer a very reasonably priced buffet menu with the added incentive of the £5.95 per head option at £4.95 per head if you order for 100 or more. Although I didn't have much chance to eat anything, I was reliably informed by those guests that commented, that the food was great! the normal closing time of 11pm for the bar can be extended to midnight, on payment of an additional £50 and if you want a DJ for your function, you do have to use the house DJ who costs £120 for the evening (£140 if you've taken the extension). With it being a private members club, the prices for the booze are also very cheap, in comparison to most normal bars and pubs. Highly recommended and will be booking next years function in the next month or so. ]]> Sun, 19 Feb 2012 17:42:38 -0600 424-19 http://www.entertainment-newcastle.com/st-james-area-bars-and-pubs/424-shark-club.html I popped in around 4:30 on Friday evening looking for some pre night out sustenance. Have been in once previously, but just for a quick beer. It's a very new bar and part of The Sandman Signature Hotel. Very pleasant decor, but if anything slightly on the dark side. There are loads of television screens and I have heard it's a particularly good place to go on a match day (though I can imagine it being quite "interesting" on derby day in a couple of weeks time!). Live sport from 2 or 3 different channels on most of the time. I had 3 pints of Coors Light and a very tasty "Pulled BBQ pork" baguette with a side of onion rings and the bill came to @£20. The food was very tasty and served it's purpose, but I did feel, for the price (@£8 for the food), it wasn't particularly good value. The table servers for the food are not only very attractive, but also very attentive and all the staff were very polite. Will definitely go back, but probably not to eat, although the menu was very extensive and there were a few things I'd like to have tried. ]]> Sun, 19 Feb 2012 17:29:09 -0600 26-16 http://www.entertainment-newcastle.com/monument-area-bars-and-pubs/26-black-garter.html Was in yesterday for the first time in about 8 years and i can safely say it will be at least another 8 years before i go back, yes its cheap but it was the worst lager i have ever tasted. ]]> Sun, 19 Feb 2012 12:24:01 -0600 107-15 http://www.entertainment-newcastle.com/monument-area-bars-and-pubs/107-market-lane.html I've walked past this place so many times over the years and for some reason or another, have, until last night, never ventured in. What a mistaka to maka! Strictly speaking, it's not "hidden", but suffice to say that the outside appearance is far from welcoming and certainly not an indication of what you find once you get in. a fair mixture of obviously "regular visitors" and others that like us were just passing. It's got a pool table, a brilliant jukebox with huge choice and most surprisingly a dart board....and all were being used. To top it all, I discovered when playing a Chelsea song on the Jukebox that didn't get rejected within 10 seconds, that one of the managers is a Chelsea fan. Heaven!! Definitely somewhere to go on a regular basis for a game of darts, pool and/or to watch The Blues playing :) Pro: darts, pool, atmosphere and Chelsea Con: outside decor (or lack thereof) ]]> Sat, 11 Feb 2012 13:11:14 -0600 22-14 http://www.entertainment-newcastle.com/bigg-market-area-bars-and-pubs/22-beehive-hotel.html Thankfully it wasn't my turn to go to the bar! The bar was rammed, unsurprisingly on a Friday night and considering the narrowness of the serving area. Another old favourite we visited. Interesting chat (listen) with a couple of very drunk ladies. The Theakston's Dark was to be highly recommended apparently Pro: Good prices con: Too rammed to really enjoy the experience ]]> Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:55:29 -0600