Across The Tyne And Back

An afternoon wandering the pubs around Central Station and across the Tyne in Gateshead, with one that remained just out of reach.

Setting Off: Durham

The Waiting Room, Durham Station (Platform 2)

Area: Durham Station
Style: Railway snug
Visit order: 0 (ground zero)

A pre-departure taster in the Waiting Room on Platform 2 of Durham station set the scene for today’s short trip north. A seat outside is always good here to watch arrivals and departures. Reunions and farewells playing out between announcements.

Today was cold, so the snug interior beckoned.

Newcastle – Central Station

The Bridge Hotel

Area: Newcastle, near High Level Bridge
Style: Traditional ale house, many real ales
Visit order: 1 (and 4.5)

Arriving into Newcastle Central only to head straight back across the river to the Railway Quarter of Gateshead. A fine scene for ale. Before braving the High Level Bridge, refreshments were in order at The Bridge Hotel.

Later in the day we would return. I have a picture of my dad in this bar in 1966 on a bachelor do for a friend. Sharp suits, much sharper than us today. Some things change. Some stay reassuringly the same. Cheers Dad.

Brewery	Beer	ABV
Abbeydale Brewery	Magnolia	3.9%
Brew York	Drakkar	4.7%
Fyne Ales	Jarl	3.8%

Gateshead: Railway Quarter & Town Centre

Station East

Area: Gateshead, near High Level Bridge
Style: Traditional with a modern twist
Visit order: 2

On arrival to the south side we saw the busy Microbus and chose to leave it as a treat for the return leg. Instead we arrived at Station East.

Weather was better on Tyneside, but we got surprisingly wet on the short hop over to the Central Bar.

Brewery	Beer	ABV
Mountain Mama	Howling Hops	5.3%
Brewing Brothers	Fugg Life	4.1%

Central Bar

Area: Gateshead, Railway Quarter
Style: Multi-room coffin shaped beauty
Visit order: 3

Plenty of opportunities to get lost in the snugs, rooms and bars of this place, especially on the way to the roof terrace. Given the weather, we kept to the bar.

Brewery	Beer	ABV
Full Circle Brew Co	Marmalade Mild	3.9%
Two By Two Brewing	Session IPA	4.7%

Microbus (Attempt One and Two)

Area: Gateshead Railway Quarter
Style: Busy modern bar with a VW overload

On first sight, Microbus was busy and bouncing, so we banked it for later.

After a quick break in the Big W which provided fuel, practicality and a Punk IPA, we returned to find it even busier and a queue at the bar. Applauding its success, we passed this time and looped back to The Bridge Hotel for one more.

Sometimes restraint is the better part of the session.

The Tilley Stone

Not a classic old building. Busy, found a table after some searching and a small compromise. The food came quickly and refuelled us nicely.

Brewery	Beer	ABV
Brewdog	Punk IPA (keg)	5.2%

Back To Newcastle: Around Central Station

Beer Street

Area: Behind Newcastle Central Station/Stephenson Quarter
Style: Micropub with cerebral tendencies
Visit order: 5 heading back

Back in Newcastle we headed round the back of the station to Beer Street. Cerebral real ale bar that it is, there was a game of chess taking place front and centre.

A place for considered drinking. We considered, we drank.

Brewery	Beer	ABV
Marble Beers Ltd	Rocket	4.8%

The Telegraph

Area: Behind the Central Station
Style: Traditional look, modern intent
Visit order: 6th, on the final curve

Along the road to the Telegraph, traditional in appearance but keeping up with the times, and still keeping a couple of cask ales on. A swift one and a check of the train times.

Brewery	Beer	ABV
Cullercoats Brewery	Jack The Devil	4.5%

The Newcastle Tap

Area: Newcastle Central Station, Neville Street
Style: Cask-heavy ale bar
Visit order: 7th and not quite last

Good news was that there was time to head through the tunnel to the Newcastle Tap. A decision is never quick there, with hand pulls running the length of the bar. And then there are the keg beers.

Choice can be a pleasant problem.

Brewery	Beer	ABV
Two By Two Brewing	Dolcita Pale	4.7%

Centurion Bar

Area: Newcastle Central Station
Style: Historic station bar
Visit order: 8th and last

We must have been efficient as there was still time to take in a final brew whilst appreciating the tile work and music in the Centurion Bar at the railway station before heading home, with the knowledge of a good session well managed.

Brewery	Beer	ABV
Pennine Brewing Co	Amber Necker	3.8%

Map & Summary

Newcastle and Gateshead can keep ale heads occupied for many visits without repeating a pub. We made a solid start around the station and across the Tyne into Gateshead. Plenty left for the next trip.