The cost of a night out in Newcastle is lower than in the south, although beer is more expensive than, say, Manchester. Gay bars are neither as numerous nor as lively as in London, Edinburgh, or Manchester, and yet things are at least better than in places like Carlisle, which have no organised 'scene' to speak of.


B A R S / P U B S

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Switch
The newest of Newcastle's gay bars (opened in February 2003) is right next to the Yard. I haven't yet been in, but it's obviously a large, busy bar. It seems noisy and appeals to young people: a bit like the ground floor of Strings.       
Clientele     Gay & Lesbian
Address     7- 11 Scotswood Road

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The Dog
(Review coming soon)      
Clientele     Gay & Lesbian
Address     Marlborough Crescent
Phone     0191 221 0775

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Rockies
Sometimes extremely noisy, but it used to be worth a visit on a Friday night for the male stripper. Occasionally there's a horny one like Chip, but there are not always willing victims in the audience.
Has a late licence to sell alcohol until 1am on a Saturday night/Sunday morning.       
Clientele     Gay & Lesbian
Address     78 Scotswood Road [opposite the Redheugh Bridge]
Phone     0191 232 6536

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Strings
A mixed age and gender crowd get in here. Downstairs is for the noise freaks and the upper floor with its comfy sofas and pool tables is for getting to know someone or just a chat.
One Wednesday evening the upstairs bar seemed much more relaxed and civilised, with people playing pool and (for once) music in the background. A refreshing contrast from downstairs and from the Village, which both had karaoke on that night.     
Clientele     Mixed Straight & Gay
Address     Waterloo Street.

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The Bank
Has the cheapest prices of any gay bar in Newcastle. At £2 for a pint of Grolsch, it's certainly worth a look. This is a fun bar, although the cabaret is not to my taste. The bar is managed by Greta, formerly of the Yard, so you will see her on stage amongst others...    
Clientele     Gay & Lesbian
Address     12 Scotswood Road
Phone     0191 232 2037

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The Eagle
Describes itself as "Newcastle's only bar catering for a leather, denim and uniform crowd".
Times       
Clientele     Gay & Lesbian
Address     42 Scotswood Road
Phone     0191 222 1682

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Twist
Another relatively new, smart bar run by the same management as the Powerhouse. Has a high quality video projection system showing videos of Madonna etc. A great rarity, this actually seems to work properly! It also has chairs outside, so in summer you can sit in the square and 'people-watch'. Caters mainly for a younger crowd.
Clientele     Gay & Lesbian
Address     Times Square
Phone     0191 261 7676

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The Yard
(Formerly The Courtyard)
Bright, with comfortable seating, very sociable.
Times       Sun-Wed 1pm-midnight, Thu-Sat noon-1am
Clientele     Gay & Lesbian
Address      2 Scotswood Road, Newcastle upon Tyne
Phone     0191 232 2037

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C L U B S / C L U B   N I G H T S

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Powerhouse
This is the longest surviving gay club in the city and is located in compact and unprepossessing premises next to the Centre for Life.
It is on two levels, the dance floor being below the bar area. For those used to the previous cavernous venue in George Street, this more human sized dance palace will come as a pleasant surprise.
Clientele     Gay & Lesbian
Address     Times Square - next to the Centre for Life

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Zinc
Another relatively new presence in the same vicinity is Zinc, named from the traditional metal used to cover tough, urban Parisian bar tops. The name does not describe the bar.
Zinc is mixed at present, but evening crowds are predominantly gay, and there is plenty of seating and a balcony for warm summer evenings.
Clientele     Gay & Lesbian
Address     Times Square.

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S A U N A S

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Blue Corner Health Club
Sauna cabin, steam room, TV lounge and small snack area.
Times      Sunday to Thursday, 11am - 11pm; Friday and Saturday, 11am to 6am
Clientele     Gay
Address     164b Heaton Park Road
Phone     0191 240 0122

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Top 2 Bottom
This sauna in the city centre opened in March 2001. Situated near the Powerhouse club (in a backstreet behind The Yard pub and across the main road), it's an improvement on the Blue Corner. It also has a sauna cabin, steam room, video lounge, TV lounge and snack bar.
Times      Sunday to Thursday, 11am - 11pm; Friday and Saturday, 11am to 6am
Clientele     Gay
Address     85 - 89 Blandford Street
Phone     0191 230 4110
Website     http://www.top2bottomsauna.com