If there is one thing I’m doing this December it’s throwing myself into going out, even if it’s just for a couple or for food. After last year I will never again take for granted being able to go out to bars and restaurants over the festive season with anyone and everyone. The bars in Newcastle have delivered this year too, with Christmas cocktails and merry atmospheres all round. Here’s what I think are the most festive bars in Newcastle for 2021. 

Some of these are brand new for 2021, and some are old favourites, but they’re all doing great things. Most of them require bookings so if any really take your fancy make sure you do as I’m finding places are really filling up fast. These are all in the city centre so are perfect for either a night out, drinks after some Christmas shopping, a bail out if the market is too cold, or if you just fancy some good food and drinks. The most festive bars in Newcastle have it all.

Alpine Roof Thirty Nine

Fenwicks rooftop bar absolutely nails Christmas this year. They’re everything you need a Christmas bar to be. When the lift doors open I half expected to have hit the wrong floor and be faced with Santas elves from the whole Santa on the roof thing, but instead it felt like a Christmas grotto for adults.

There’s trees covered in lights, and wreaths on the walls, we were taken through to the outside terrace which was so cosy and beautiful. There are loads of Christmas trees with more lights, the glass front is a lot higher and the canopy roof covers it so with the heaters on it’s really warm.

They’ve arranged the seats on the small tables to face outwards like in Paris, but there are also tables for 4 and low sofa tables. The menu has a whole festive section including mulled wine, spiced cider and many more. We cancelled another table to stay there longer. 

It’s really popular so make sure you book here.

City Tavern

One of my favourites last year as they set up on their own doorstep with a takeaway mulled wine stall and it was fabulous. This year thankfully we are allowed back indoors and it’s such a good proper pub, one of the oldest in Newcastle and full of character. 

We went for some after Christmas shopping drinks and pub food after work one night last week and it was great. Very festive inside, they have some Christmas specials on, and it’s dog friendly. My espresso martini was a treat. 

WC Newcastle 

A really good new addition to Newcastle earlier this year, and it’s very festive at the moment. The old Bigg Market toilets have been turned into a cocktail and wine bar, and it may be small but I’m a big fan. Every time I’ve booked it I’ve seen people turn up and be turned away, so make sure you have a booking. 

It’s currently looking very Christmassy, and being so small they’ve done a great job by putting the Christmas tree in the wine vault. What else would you want under the tree except loads of wine?! The bar itself has decorations up and there are Christmas cocktails on the extensive menu.

I had a Beneath the City first on Saturday, I’ve also really enjoyed their chocolate orange espresso martini, and they had a gingerbread version on the specials board. We spotted some very pretty looking cocktails being made and asked what they were – apple and lychee martinis. Highly recommend. 

All Bar One

I always love it in All Bar One at Christmas, it’s so festive and their Christmas cocktail menu is one of my favourites. The year they had the spiced pornstar martini was my favourite it was so good. A great bar for drinks with anyone, friends, date night, catch ups with people you’ve not seen in a while and colleagues. 

I was here last night for food and a couple of drinks and they have some limited edition cocktail collaborations with Hotel Chocolat. They were unreal. I think there were five variations in total including a chocolate, a chocolate orange, mint chocolate and a tiramisu one.

They all come served with a slab of chocolate on the top, and like chocolate syrup with flakes on the side of the glass. Absolutely delicious and they weren’t too sickly at all. A good choice instead of desert as I’m not too sure how strong they were. 

Christmas on Pilgrim Street Market Lane

Market Lane has been transformed as a pop up for Christmas into ‘Christmas on Pilgrim Street’. It is VERY festive filled with decorations, Christmas displays and a menu to go with it. The menu covers both ‘naughty’ and ‘nice’ cocktails.

I went for the Tinsel Toon which was Lakes Grapefruit gin one of my absolute favourite gins, sugar syrup and prosecco. Others on the menu included cookies for Father Christmas using Irish liqueur, chocolate syrup and milk.

The Naughty ones include ‘The Grinch that got Mortal’, ‘Don’t East Yellow Snow’ and ‘One for the Ho’s’. It’s cute and worth a visit to feel Christmassy. 

The Old George

The oldest pub in Newcastle and one with so much character, what you see is what you get but I absolutely love it at Christmas. They decorate the Old George courtyard with old fashioned decorations, and it’s gorgeous especially if it snows.

A good one for match day as well, or a Super Sunday. You could easily spend all day there.

Mother Mercy

I really enjoy Mothey Mercy, found in the basement under the Old George but as bars go they couldn’t be further apart. Mother Mercy is a cocktail bar not a pub, and they do some very different creations. I can’t remember the name of it but one of my favourite cocktails of there’s has a toasted marshmallow on top it’s delicious. 

Im not really a big fan of novelty cocktails but these are actually really good, and i got a takeaway bottle of their Christmas cocktail last year that was amazing. It even looked festive.

This year they have some new ones on the menu for christmas. Take a look at them here.

The Botanist

The Botanist is another bar I don’t always go to but always seem to around Christmas. It is lovely under the lights of the Monument dome, they always play Christmas songs, and i really enjoy the live music. 

We had our work Christmas meal there last friday. and they do have a christmas cocktail list. there’s a festive twist on an Aperol Spritz which was nice, but i really enjoyed the which tasted like marzipan. Know it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but I enjoyed it.

Leila Lily’s

Leila’s is so festive inside it always gets me in the Christmas spirit. I do think they’ve gone a bit novelty with some of their cocktails, but you can’t beat their good old espresso martini with a shot of vanilla. 

Along with the Grey Street hotel they do Christmas decorations well, and this year they’ve got a private dining igloo outside. It looks pretty good and a lot more sturdy than the ones i’ve been at on the quayside. If I had a spare night in December i’d probably book it with a group as it’s in a great spot and the food is excellent. 

French Quarter

I love the French Quarter for its delicious food and very good collection of wine, but even more so for their unique Christmas hampers. We’ve bought the coffee, olives, chutney and wine as gifts for people as well as ourselves. They’re serving vin chaud (hot wine) this month too.

Fuego

My favourite bar for after some Christmas shopping in Fenwicks. Whether it’s clothes shopping, browsing the beauty hall, buying new fragrance or stocking up on treats from the food hall i love a drink at the bar in Fuego.

I met some family friends there with my mum a few weeks ago and it was such a good spot to order a bottle of prosecco and catch up. 

Harry’s 

I rarely go in Harry’s Bar, but I always do at Christmas. The Harry’s Santa is back outside on Grey Street, and it’s where you’ll find Alan Shearer between Christmas and New Year. I love their gin cocktails, and how it’s always full with a good atmosphere. 

Another one that’s good to visit with anyone.

Tipi – Stack & Ginos 

Its not Christmas without a visit to a tipi and a drink round the fire pit. You have two to choose from this year, Hadrians Tipi at Stack, and Gino’s chalet on the quayside.

Gino’s is more for food but if you’re passing you could go in for just a drink but seating is limited. If you do the mulled wine is delicious. 

You can book Hadrians Tipi via Stack.

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