ONE of Newcastle’s most legendary bars closed its doors to customers earlier this year, signalling the end of an era for a part of the city’s much celebrated nightlife.
Anyone who’s been for a night out in the Toon in the last 20 years or so will have likely ventured down the dark staircase of Mushroom, before sticking to its practically adhesive floor.
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Newcastle is one of the best cities for a night outCredit: GettyMuchroom Bar closed its doors in January after decades of service to the cityCredit: Mushroom Bar
Mushroom was a prime spot for people to enjoy a dance and some cheap drinks before moving on to one of the many clubs elsewhere in the city.
And a visit was never complete without drinking a pint of its famous sickly sweet Skittles.
The handful of recipes available online for this sugary concoction aren’t completely in agreement about its ingredients.
But it’s generally accepted that it contained at least two shots of vodka, some blue curaçao, then either a shot of peach schnapps or Taboo (a fruity 14.9 per cent vodka-based drink), all chucked in a pint glass with orange and lemonade filling it to the brim.
Whether or not Mushroom actually invented the drink remains up for debate, with other bars joining it on the Skittles bandwagon, but it was always known as “the home of Skittles” leaving no question about its spiritual residence, with the venue selling little else to its punters on a night out.
Earlier this year, it finally closed its doors after 23 years with a 14-hour long farewell party, reportedly attended by as many as 5,000 people, with local DJs performing throughout the night.
Nevertheless, Newcastle’s nightlife is much more than just one bar – here are 10 reasons why it’s still the best city in the country for an evening out.
One of the country’s cheapest pints
According to figures released at the end of last year, a pint in Newcastle is cheaper than most big cities in the UK.
Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Belfast, Bath, Bristol and of course London were all among those whose average pint prices exceeded Newcastle’s fairly reasonable £5.28, according to financial information provider Finder.
That price is below the national average of £5.50, making a night out in Newcastle more affordable than many others.
Home of the Diamond Strip
Collingwood Street was bestowed its ‘Diamond Strip’ nickname because of its high concentration of luxury bars and nightclubs, all close to one another.
Popular with stag and hen dos, and with celebrities, the likes of Tup Tup Palace, Tokyo, Soho Rooms, ChachaBuchi, Mimo, Manhatta, Vampire Rabbit and others are all within a stone’s throw of each other, making a high-end bar crawl very easy to accomplish.
Fans of reality series Geordie Shore will definitely recognise some of these establishments from the show, and may well end up in an episode if they time their visit right.
Ouseburn Valley
Newcastle isn’t just a place for crazy nights out, cheap trebles and drinking shots with celebs. It also has more than its fair share of relaxing pubs, perfect for whiling away an evening with a couple of pints.
Undoubtedly the best place to do that is the Ouseburn Valley, with historic boozers like the Cumberland Arms, the Tyne Bar and the Ship making for a fantastic pub crawl away from the craziness of the city centre.
The jewel in the crown of the Ouseburn is the Free Trade, which offers one of the best views of the Tyne you’ll find anywhere in the city, be it from its wonderful beer garden, or the stools next to its giant windows.
Collingwood Street is considered the ‘Diamond Strip’Credit: Alamy
For more in the UK – here are our favourite hotels in the country from Manchester to Cambridge…
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Margate House, Kent
This stylish boutique hotel is in a seaside townhouse, a short walk from Margate’s coolest bars and restaurants. Decked out with plush velvet sofas, candles flickering and striking independent art, inside feels like a warm welcome home. Rooms are stunning, especially the ones that give you a glimpse of the sea.
The Alan looks extremely grand, being built into a beautiful Grade II listed building. Spread across six floors, with 137 rooms, each one looks like a fancy design magazine. From the concrete coffee tables to the pink plastered walls, the industrial-inspired designs perfectly replicate the history of the city.
This historic hotel has welcomed the likes of Charles Dickens and Lillie Langtry through its doors. Rooms have richly-patterned carpets with super soft bed linen and premium toiletries in the bathroom. Go for a superior room for extra goodies including bathrobes and snack boxes.
This Cambridge hotel is in the ideal spot, within walking distance to bars, shops and hotspots like the university colleges and Parker’s Piece. The inside couldn’t be prettier, with huge stained glass windows, grand chandeliers, and rooms with enormous clawfoot bath tubs.
Khai Khai is a popular restaurant with celebs like Harrison Ford and Gordon RamsayCredit: Alamy
Breweries, breweries, breweries
Beer enthusiasts can spread themselves beyond the Ouseburn Valley into the many breweries and tap rooms that have opened across Newcastle, with the city offering a wide selection of options for those into the craft beer scene.
Donzoko Brewery and Tap Room is a unique little brewery near the Ouseburn, serving a range of lagers and ales as well as bar snacks.
Other well-regarded breweries include the Anarchy Brew Co and the Wylam Brewery, which is housed in the impressive Palace of Arts building in Exhibition Park and regularly hosts gigs, live comedy and food-related events, like battle of the burger and slice wars.
Gordon Ramsay’s Favourite Curry
Kicking off the night with something good to eat is simple in Newcastle, with a fantastic array of restaurants spread throughout the city, catering to all tastes.
However, one of its best-loved eateries is Khai Khai, which has served everyone from local royalty like Alan Shearer to Hollywood A-listers like Harrison Ford.
Meanwhile, globally renowned chef Gordon Ramsay once described his meal there as “one of the best curries in my entire life, that took me back to being in Mumbai and Rajasthan.”
Even the city’s Primark has a GreggsCredit: Unknown
24 Hour Greggs
When it comes to food at the end of the evening, Newcastle has got revellers well covered as well, with one of the city’s most famous exports open all hours.
The first ever branch of Greggs was opened in nearby Gosforth in 1951 and now two of the city’s 21 branches have 24-hour licences, meaning party-goers can treat themselves to a steak bake or sausage roll instead of the classic kebab after their night out.
The city also has some unique versions of the beloved bakery, including one in its branch of Primark.
Music Venues and Strong Local Music Scene
For live music enthusiasts there’s a fantastic local music scene to explore, with venues big and small hosting everyone from local up-and-comers to global superstars.
Smaller venues like the Head of Steam opposite the train station showcase the next generation of musical talent, while the Cluny in the Ouseburn Valley regularly hosts established names.
Elsewhere, the City Hall and Utilita Arena are your go-to spots for bigger names, while Newcastle United’s football stadium St James’ Park has been known to host blockbuster gigs as well.
With a scene that has produced the likes of Sam Fender in recent years, going to the smaller venues might be worth your while if you want to catch the next wave of talent before it hits the big time.
Global superstars like Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembele have all turned up for big games at St James’ in the last two years, providing wonderful nights of entertainment for sports fans.
Head to Toon fans’ favourite pub The Strawberry before kick-off to get a taste of authentic Geordie atmosphere before taking in the game among 50 thousand supporters – an experience truly like no other.
Ouseburn Valley has historic boozers like the Cumberland ArmsCredit: Alamy
Friendly locals
A night out is rarely good because of where you are – it’s much more about who you’re with. Luckily, in Newcastle, both location and company are well covered.
Geordies are regularly named among the most welcoming people in online polls and surveys, while travel publications like Big 7 Travel have also praised the Toon’s locals in recent years, naming it the country’s friendliest city in 2024.
In fact, train company Lumo once revealed that the Geordie accent is the most likely to put a smile on someone’s face, beating other popular regional accents like Yorkshire, Scouse, Cockney and Glaswegian to top spot.
Set off from Newcastle, wake up in Amsterdam
One of the best nights out in Newcastle doesn’t actually take place in the city at all. However, it does start there.
Overnight ferries run from the toon to Amsterdam, and there’s little else to do on board other than make the most of its bar and nightclub.
Make friends with your shipmates, bond over a bottle or two, then head to your cabin before waking up in another of Europe’s greatest party destinations to continue the celebrations.
A sprawling all-inclusive resort along the scenic coast has often been ranked as the ‘best in the UK’, with remarkable facilities that will keep everyone of all ages entertained
13:41, 24 Mar 2026Updated 13:41, 24 Mar 2026
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The all-inclusive resort has often been ranked among the ‘best in the UK’(Image: Potters Resorts Hopton-on-Sea)
You don’t need to travel far to lap up the benefits of an all-inclusive resort, as one of the ‘best in the UK’ offers incredible facilities, ‘West End’ shows and unlimited drinks.
When we think of an all-inclusive resort, it’s easy to turn our minds to those in Europe, sipping cocktails around the pool by day, and watching lively entertainment by night. But why not ditch the cost of a flight for an all-inclusive escape in the UK, perfect for families during the school holidays or adults looking for a serene escape?
Situated between Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft on the Norfolk coast is the luxurious five-star, all-inclusive holiday resort, Potters Resorts Hopton-on-Sea, set across 65 acres.
Just a stone’s throw away from the golden sands of Hopton Beach, the resort has “something for everyone, and it’s all included”, and they mean everything, from its accommodation, drinks, meals, to entertainment, activities and facilities.
It’s been so highly praised and loved by visitors that Which? named it among the ‘best UK holiday parks & resorts’, while it was also highlighted as a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice. It’s not surprising, given the impressive facilities on offer.
The resort not only boasts two heated indoor swimming pools, a sauna, a steam room, and a whirlpool, but there’s also a spa where guests can pamper themselves with a massage or beauty treatment for an additional cost, but there’s so much more included in the price.
There are a bundle of fun activities, from their climbing wall and virtual reality experience, to pilates, yoga, nordic walking and dance classes. For those into sports, there’s certainly enough to keep you busy with badminton, tennis, pickleball, table tennis, air rifle shooting and archery all accessible.
Additionally, there’s a fully equipped gym, adventure golf, and bowls on the lawn of the World Indoor Bowls Championship. And if that wasn’t enough, there are traditional pub games and classic board games for those quieter afternoons, alongside snooker, pool, shuffleboard and darts, whatever your niche might be!
Sykes Cottages offers a wide range of handpicked holiday homes across the UK and Ireland, from cosy countryside retreats to stunning coastal escapes. Prices start from £27 per night
While the resort is predominantly for adults, it welcomes families and people of all ages during the school holidays, offering a host of fun-packed activities for kids, alongside its standard facilities. From KMX bikes and bungee trampolines to the inflatable assault course, football skills, and last man standing, the kids are bound to be entertained.
During the evenings, there is a packed programme of live music, dance, comedy, quizzes and cabaret, along with “West End-quality shows”.
Like any good all-inclusive, there’s plenty on offer food wise, with four meals a day for guests, as well as all-inclusive drinks covering teas and coffees, soft drinks, and a vast selection of beers, wines, and spirits.
For accommodation, the resort offers everything from a bungalow near the sea to hotel rooms near the main facilities, and penthouses with panoramic views of the scenic Norfolk coast. And when visitors can tear themselves away from the resort, there’s the sprawling Hopton Beach to explore, alongside the nearby town of Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth.
Following a visit in March this year, one visitor shared on TripAdvisor: “Just returned home from Potters, this was our 3rd visit in 8 months, and as always it was first class all the way. Food and entertainment were superb, our accommodation was a bungalow plus, which was very comfortable, tried various activities which we haven’t done on our previous visits, absolutely loved Mark Brewer and his team, they are all so funny and friendly, can’t wait to return again, which I’m sure will be very soon.”
“First time for myself, daughter, granddaughter & two great granddaughters aged 5 & 3, half term week, loved every minute, plenty to do for all ages, food varied & so plentiful! Will definitely be back!” another shared.
The brand also has Potter’s Resorts Five Lakes in Essex, offering a similar experience set among a whopping 333 acres in the heart of the countryside. For more information on Potters Resorts, or to book your break, you can visit their website. Of course it’s not the only offering in the region. Holiday firms including Haven and Parkdean Resorts also offer a plethora of stays in the area, complete with plenty of entertainment options.
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The travel expert previously shared his recommendations for a gorgeous yet affordable European summer holiday, and one place is well worth a visit.
Andrea Blazquez Editor of Spare Time and Nicola Roy Multimedia content creator
03:01, 21 Mar 2026
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The gorgeous European gem is cheap too(Image: Getty)
If you’re still to book your holiday for 2026, Simon Calder is on hand to help with suggestions on where to go. The travel expert has previously spoken out about his favourite affordable spots to take a trip, and they’re all gorgeous too.
Simon highlighted Portugal, Bulgaria, Montenegro and Albania as some of the most stunning yet affordable holiday destinations. He said: “In Western Europe, it has to be Portugal and in Eastern Europe, Bulgaria – obviously a very popular package holiday destination.”
In fact, according to research in 2023 by holiday specialists Jersey Island Holidays, Montenegro topped the charts as Europe’s most affordable destination, reports the Express. Although this was a few years ago, the destination still remains very affordable.
For example, Brits can secure a seven-night break in an all-inclusive four-star resort in Herceg Novi next month for £419pp, including flights, according to Love Holidays.
The Iberostar Waves Slavija hotel, which is right by the beach, will only set you back £409 for seven nights — excellent value for money.
It’s cheap when you’re actually there too. According to Cost of Living, the average price of a beer in Montenegro is €2.50, which is around £2.15.
The average pizza costs €12, whereas pasta and meat dishes come in at around €15, according to Porto Montenegro. Flights in April start at just £16 one-way from Gatwick Airport.
But Simon Calder isn’t the only one singing the praises of this holiday destination, as travel bloggers at Wander-lush crowned Montenegro Europe’s most “underrated nation”.
Kotor Bay stands out as one of Montenegro’s most spectacular locations, and conveniently for tourists, the nearest city and airport is Podgorica.
The experts highlighted that whilst Kotor ranks among the most striking towns on Kotor Bay, if they “had to choose the most beautiful place in Montenegro overall, it would be the harbour town of Perast”.
Travel experts at Starsinsider agreed, declaring that Montenegro “is the most underrated jewel of the Mediterranean”.
In Podgorica, one of the top attractions is Saborni Hram Hristovog Vaskrsenja, a “beautiful and very impressive” church that’s “absolutely worth visiting”, according to some travellers on Tripadvisor.
Kotor Bay has earned praise on the platform as “the best coastal road in the world” and a “beautiful and peaceful” destination for a getaway.
“We fell in love with Montenegro. The water is so clear, the mountains come down to the water, and it’s stunning scenery.
“That said, what I love about it is that it’s so unspoiled. I sure hope it can stay that way. So peaceful and lovely,” one person shared in a review.
