Back Down The Pub

Tag: Byker

  • Newcastle #5 – May 2026

    Newcastle #5 – May 2026

    Heaton and Byker

    Another trip east of Newcastle, this time taking in Heaton and Byker. A surprisingly varied crawl featuring two standout venues that made the journey worthwhile.

    A neon "BAR OPEN" sign pointing to the left.

    The Waiting Room

    Area: Durham
    Style: Railway Snug
    Visit order: 1

    The usual starter before boarding the train. Not a new one, but a refreshing pint on a sunny afternoon.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Vaux BreweryPremium Pilsner (keg)4.8%

    Heaton Road

    The Last Resort

    Area: Heaton
    Style: Atmospheric Micropub
    Visit order: 2

    Cosy interior of the Last Resort micropub on Heaton Road, Newcastle.

    A wee walk from Byker Metro station and past the Tipsy Toad, which wasn’t open yet but ready for a visit on our way back towards Shields Road.
    The Last Resort was a great find with a few friendly folk enjoying an afternoon drink. The owner gave us plenty of detail on the beers and the pub itself. They’ve recently opened an event space downstairs and the pub is embedding itself into the community and becoming a real asset.
    We stayed here longer than planned. It was worth it for the beer and the chat. This place was a real find. Credit to my drinking partner for the day as it was his recommendation.

    Back bar of the Last Resort micropub, Heaton Road, Newcastle showing keg lines and a chalkboard of beers.
    BreweryBeerABV
    Twice Brewed Brewing CoBest Bitter3.8%
    RedWillow BreweryEffortlessly Citra3.7%
    weekend projectmeadows (keg)5.2%
    Brass CastleHoptical Illusion (keg)4.3%

    Tiipsy Toad

    Area: Heaton Road
    Style: Micropub
    Visit order: 3

    Quirky interior of the Tipsy Toad micropub on Heaton Road Newcastle showing seating and pub paraphernalia.

    Not so many steps back down Heaton Road lies the Tipsy Toad. A compact micropub with additional seating stretching further into the unit and an eye-catching set of speakers that looked like they could pack a punch. A brief stop for a couple of beers before continuing our journey towards Byker.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Pomona Island Brew Co.Phaedra (keg)5.0%
    Brains BreweryBarry Island IPA4.5%

    Shields Road – Byker

    The High Main

    Area: Shields Road
    Style: Wetherspoons
    Visit order: 4

    External view of the Wetherspoon pub, The High Main on Shields Road, Byker, Newcastle.

    Obligatory food stop at Wetherspoons. The outside doesn’t promise much, but it’s hiding a lovely interior. Food, beers and onwards.

    Interior of the Wetherspoon pub The High Main, Byker, Newcastle showing tables and the attractive wood beamed ceiling.
    BreweryBeerABV
    Metalhead BreweryPretty Vacant4.1%
    Arkell’s BrewerySpring Hopper4.0%
    Erdinger WeissbräuErdinger Weißbier (bottle)5.3%

    Stepney Bridge – Byker

    Donzoko Brewery And Taproom

    Area: Byker Bridge
    Style: Elegant Brewery Taproom
    Visit order: 5

    Taproom and brewery at Dozonko brewery Newcastle

    Having missed it on a previous visit, I was very please to finally make it here. Brewery taprooms vary in their comfort and warmth. We were rewarded by the effort that the Donzoko team have put in. Nice seating, an inviting bar and an excellent atmosphere. It’s a little like entering a speakeasy. And the most important thing, the beer was great. The Gose was a revelation, not up everyone’s street, but well worth a try.

    Taproom and brewery at Dozonko brewery Newcastle
    BreweryBeerABV
    Donzoko Brewing CompanySmog4.7%
    Donzoko Brewing CompanyHidden Sounds5.2%
    Donzoko Brewing CompanyChile Lime Gose (keg)3.5%

    Central Newcastle

    Gunner Tavern

    Area: By Central Station
    Style: Modern and popular
    Visit order: 6

    Platforms at Newcastle Central Station showing a Trans Pennine Express ready to depart.

    Back to the Gunner whilst waiting for the train. A couple of tasty brews in this fine establishment.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Brew YorkMaris The Otter3.9%
    Burnt Mill BreweryBeyond The First – Citra & Centennial4.8%
    Today’s Summary
    Total Pubs: 6
    Total Beers: 15
    Cask: 7
    Keg: 7
    Bottle: 1
    Strongest: 5.3%
    Mildest: 3.7%

    Another little trek to the east of the city. One that rewarded us with two highlights, the Last Resort and the Donzoko Brewery Taproom. Both well worth the trip out. I could have happily spent the whole day between the two of them.

  • Newcastle #2 – March 2026

    Newcastle #2 – March 2026

    Ouseburn, Byker and the City

    Another trip to the city, this time heading east to Ouseburn and Byker.  With so many pubs and brewery taps in the valley, it quickly became a day of decisions.  In the end I decided to stay in the Byker part of the valley.

    Route

    Lady Grey’s → The Tanners Arms → The Ship Inn → The Cumberland Arms → The High Main → The Butchers Arms → Gunner Tavern

    But first, a visit to the Mosaic Tap in its new location.  My bad timing struck again and the Tap wasn’t opening until the next day.  I did get to have a quick peek at the bar and the menu.  It’s going to be great.  Oh well, next time.

    Bar at the Mosaic Tap Newcastle showing beer list and real ale pumps

    Train or walk?  It was sunny out, the wind wasn’t too vicious and walking won.   This of course, required refreshments on the way.

    Strolling East Through Newcastle

    Lady Grey’s

    Area: Near the Theatre Royal
    Style: Traditional style pub
    Visit order: 1

    Real ale pumps on the bar at Lady Grey' Newcastle

    On Shakespeare Street, I’d like to put in some words worthy of the bard on how good the bar and the beer are, but I’d fall well short.  Enough to say that there were several pumps on the bar with a good range of styles.  I tried a couple before heading over the Central Motorway, that great concrete scar through the middle of Newcastle.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Two by Two BrewerySouthpaw IPA6.2%
    Fyne AlesHere All Year (2026)4.7%

    Ouseburn

    The Tanners Arms

    Area: Ouseburn
    Style: Food and Students
    Visit order: 2

    Exterior of The Tanners Arms at Byker Bridge Newcastle

    The food being served in this place looked great.  I was very tempted, but beers and walking were the order of the day.  Not too busy, but a mix of workers, students and groups of friends.  I enjoyed a beer and headed along the street.

    More family history here.  My great grandad was leaving this pub back in the 1950s and got knocked down by a car.  Ended up with two broken legs and a partial amputation.  Noted and care taken when crossing the roads today.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Laine Brew CoTanners Paaaaaale Ale4.0%

    The Ship Inn

    Area: Ouseburn
    Style: Traditional, a lot of wood
    Visit order: 3

    Exterior of the Ship Inn at Ouseburn, Newcastle

    I passed by Donzoko brewery, which is on also on the list for another day.  From there, it’s downhill to the Ship Inn, with a nice mural of a sheep on the side of the building.  Inside, the floor is bare wood and there’s plenty of wood around the bar.  Good ales on the bar and sunshine outside.  Not quite enough warmth for the beer garden, although there were some hardy souls out there.  Got to take the sunshine where you can get it. The whole Ouseburn area is looking good these days.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Cullercoats BreweryRocket Brigade IPA5.5%

    The Cumberland Arms

    Area: Ouseburn, east of the Ouse Burn
    Style: Traditional and progressive
    Visit order: 4

    This was my first visit here (I think), and it’s a beauty.  I needed refreshment after climbing back up the hill from the Ship.  Stained glass in the windows and full glasses at the bar.  A solid ale selection in a pub with a community feel.  And it’s always good to see pickled eggs on the bar.

    The bar at the Cumberland Arms at Ouseburn, Newcastle
    BreweryBeerABV
    Allendale BreweryTashy Bob3.9%
    Iron PierBitter4.0%

    Byker

    The High Main

    Area: Shields Road
    Style: Wetherspoons
    Visit order: 5

    Exterior of the former Beavan's department store on Shields Road, Byker, Newcastle. Also showing Wetherspoons High Main pub to the right

    Leaving the gentrification of the Ouseburn valley behind, I headed to Shields Road and the obligatory Wetherspoons.  This one on the corner opposite the old Beavan’s store which was a great shopping destination in its day.  It’s a great building and it’s good to see that it’s being maintained.

    The pub was full and the beer festival was in full swing, I managed a couple of them, one being the Italian brewery beer which I hadn’t realised was produced at Bateman’s Brewery.  Nothing wrong with that, but I’d have picked something else if I’d known.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Thornbridge BreweryPink Grapefruit Pale4.0%
    Birrificio ItalianoNigredo6.0%

    The Butchers Arms

    Area: Shields Road
    Style: Proper Local
    Visit order: 6

    Across the street from Spoons is this proper local, already filling up ready for the weekend.  Unfortunately, there was no cask beer here, but I took in the atmosphere with a pint of John Smith’s.

    BreweryBeerABV
    John Smith’sExtra Smooth Ale (keg)3.4%

    Gunner Tavern

    Area: Central Station
    Style: Trendy with atmosphere
    Visit order: 7

    Bar at the Gunner Tavern Newcastle showing several real ale pump clips and a pint of beer

    Modern bar with some lovely tiling, right across from the station (Newcastle is blessed with some great bars).  It had a modern vibe which makes it even better to see a line of real ales pumps on the bar.  I tried one, then another before getting the train home.  The fates were against that as an old friend arrived unexpectedly at the bar.  I felt obliged to catch up and have another couple of beers.  There’s always another train.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Pentrich Brewing Co.Maine Street4.8%
    Brass CastleBest Bitter4.5%
    Fyne AlesJarl3.8%
    Arbor AlesC Bomb4.7%
    Today’s Summary
    Total Pubs: 7
    Total Beers: 13
    Cask: 12
    Keg: 1
    Strongest: 6.2%
    Mildest: 3.4%

    Plenty of walking today and a real mix of pub styles with locals, student vibes and city centre stops.  Great ale in most of them and great atmosphere in all of them.  As ever, it was only touching the surface of the pubs in the area.  Newcastle offers many areas and many styles.

    I reckon a brewery trip to Ouseburn is also on the cards.