{"id":43,"date":"2023-11-30T22:30:44","date_gmt":"2023-11-30T22:30:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/daniel-finch\/?p=43"},"modified":"2023-12-15T23:15:20","modified_gmt":"2023-12-15T23:15:20","slug":"battle-of-the-gay-bars-your-next-geordie-night-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/daniel-finch\/2023\/11\/30\/battle-of-the-gay-bars-your-next-geordie-night-out\/","title":{"rendered":"Battle of the Gay Bars: Your Next Geordie Night Out"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Image by Daniel Finch<\/summary>\n

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Daniel Finch<\/div>\n\n\n
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Growing up in Worcestershire, I could count on just one hand the number of gay venues I had visited before travelling up the A1 to start university in Newcastle. I hadn\u2019t dared step foot inside the gay bar closest to me, having heard one horror story too many.<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Obviously, Newcastle\u2019s vibrant array provided quite the shift. Fast forward a year, I’d say that I\u2019ve become quite acquainted with the offering. And I certainly know which places to avoid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A night out should tick three boxes for me. The first is good music. I have found this to be the easiest for a gay bar to cross off. Personally, I do not think there is anything more pleasing to the ear than the likes of Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Kylie Minogue on the dance floor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Safety is also a necessity. You would like to think that a welcoming reception is guaranteed in spaces tailored specifically towards queer people; I have unfortunately found it is not always the case. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And lastly, cheap drinks are a must. As a student, I can no longer justify splurging on shots, especially when trying to set aside a cheesy-chip-budget for later on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The five venues that follow are ranked from my least favourite to personal treasures. Of course, my experiences may differ from others, but I feel they can somewhat assist you in choosing where you next pay a visit on a Friday night. Trust me, I have made the mistakes so you don\u2019t have to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. The Tipsy Cow<\/mark><\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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85 – 89 Blandford Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3PZ
Image credit: Dan Finch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I remember the evening well. Along with a group of friends, I had arranged an evening in Lane7. Naturally, we had planned to venture into a bar or two on the way down. In hindsight, we would have been better off not bothering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its intriguing name and signature cow statue upon the roof had initially lured us in. The doors then opened to what can only be described as a pitiful seniors\u2019 neon disco. Although, one that only the DJ and regular drunk had bothered to attend. Hoping to ease the awkward atmosphere with a drink, we made a sprint for the bar (only to be followed by said regular, who was maybe all of our ages combined).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the elderly gentleman continued to pester one of our party, we sat ourselves at a table. We were surrounded by emptiness and miserable strobe lights which themselves seemed to be pining for the exit, all whilst a continuous house mix that felt rather inappropriate pounded on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Needless to say, I wouldn\u2019t return, and I suggest you didn\u2019t either. Unless, watered-down vodka and a lack of literally any civilisation sounds ideal to you, that is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Powerhouse<\/mark><\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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7-19 Westmorland Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4EQ
Image credit: Dan Finch.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This nightclub is notorious for housing the last men standing. As the clock strikes 3am and Rusty\u2019s shuts its doors, there is always an army of queer warriors to be seen crossing the road and paying a ridiculous charge in hopes of keeping their night alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have only made it so far a handful of times. And from what I have gathered, Powerhouse is pretty hit or miss. Whilst a catalogue of gay-adored pop hits are assured, you never quite know which crowd you\u2019re going to get. Sometimes, it\u2019s like a sequel to Rusty\u2019s with all your season-returning favourites. At others, it can be a lion\u2019s den with no one below 30 in sight. In the case of the latter, run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Whilst a catalogue of gay-adored pop hits are assured, you never quite know which crowd you\u2019re going to get.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps it would be best to avoid this place on a weekday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Switch<\/mark><\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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4-10 Scotswood Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 7JB
Image credit: Dan Finch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Two floors of great music and friendly staff are highlights of the bar, Switch. Whilst I am far from a regular, the atmosphere in this bar never disappoints. It is located in a prime spot and is always free to enter so I can only urge you to give it a go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, this place only makes it to number three on my list due to the financial draining of their drink prices. Sixteen great British pounds I paid for two doubles. Sixteen. My advice would thus be to pre-game hard before making your way down here – albeit responsibly, of course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, Google reviews had a few unpleasant things to say about the toilet facilities, hence the knocking down by a couple places. All in all, however, I\u2019ll be back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Bobby’s<\/mark><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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78 Scotswood Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 7JH
Image credit: Dan Finch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, Bobby’s Bar is the friendliest and most inclusive venue I have been to in Newcastle. There is always something going on here. Whether is be an open drag night or a Britney Spears tribute performance, entertainment is always promised beyond their wide-open doors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upon my initial visit, I found the venue’s notably smaller size to be pretty daunting. Yet, I soon discovered that its intimate and communal atmosphere was one of the most special things about this place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I soon discovered that its intimate and communal atmosphere was one of the most special things about this place.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bobby’s stage has been blessed by various British drag phenomenons such as Danny Beard and Cheddar Gorgeous. And whilst we’re on the topic, the renowned cabaret pub is currently hosting viewing parties for the latest season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. With an all-North-East top three, the energy during last week’s semi-final episode was unmatched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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@cannyqueeries<\/a>

Come with me to a night at Bobby\u2019s for one of their weekly Drag Race viewing parties! This was so much fun \ud83c\udfc1\u2728\ud83c\udf08 #gay<\/a> #newcastlegayscene<\/a> #lgbtq<\/a> #fyp<\/a> <\/p> \u266c original sound – cannyqueeries<\/a> <\/section> <\/blockquote>