As COVID restrictions begin to ease, outdoor hospitality is back and Multi-Purpose Outdoor Entertainment Venues are popping up throughout the region. Here’s a guide to the ones we’ve visited recently
As always, COVID guidelines will be in place and must be followed at all times. Check details with the venues direct before planning a visit.
Burn It Up North Shields
Location: Outside of Gutterball Alley, next to Royal Quays
About: Live music, food, drink, arts and entertainment in 4 unique areas. Open now for food and drinks. Events to start from May 17th (guidelines allowing)
Entry Cost: Free but a £5p/p fee will be held on booking. This will only be charged if you don’t show for your booking
Booking Needed: Advisable
Covered Areas: ✅
Child Friendly: ✅
Dog Friendly: ✅
Food Options: Food from Lane7 as well as pop ups from the regions favourite street food businesses
On-site Parking: ❌
Metro Station: Percy Main
Opening Times: Monday to Thursday from 3pm, Friday from 11am, Saturday & Sunday from 9am
Price Of A Pint: From £5.50
Website: https://www.gutterballalley.co.uk/home/booking-enquiry/
What We Thought: We visited early on Bank Holiday Monday, the recommended parking (behind Premier Inn) was full so the only option was to park on the road. We were told to wear face masks by security who, ironically, had his face mask below his chin. We were seated and told how to order. There were 3 other tables of customers in the venue when we ordered and yet we still had to ask the staff where our order was. We paid £2.75 for one small cappuccino from a machine and waited 17 minutes for it to arrive. We had booked the table for 90 minutes but left after 40 mins. Overall, we didn’t enjoy our time at BIU and won’t be returning.
Pros: All ordering is done through QR Codes/Website so no need to try and catch a server
Cons: On busy days, parking can be a nightmare. Expensive. Long wait for drinks.
Recommended: ❌
Central Park Newcastle
Location: Times Square outside Centre For Life
About: A pop-up park in the heart of the toon embracing this years Sunmer Of Sport on a huge live 4k LED TV
Entry Cost: Tickets from £6p/p which includes first drink
Booking Needed: Advisable
Covered Areas: ✅
Child Friendly: ❌ (although family session will be held on certain days)
Dog Friendly: ✅
Food Options: Pop ups from the regions favourite street food businesses
On-site Parking: ❌
Metro Station: Newcastle Central
Opening Times: Opening on Thursday 29th April at 5pm. Then every Thursday & Friday from 5pm, Saturday & Sunday from 12pm. Also open on Bank Holiday Mondays and for all dates of Euro 2021.
Price Of A Pint: from £4.50
Website: https://www.centralparknewcastle.co.uk/
What We Thought: Visited Central Park for their first Bairns & Barkers Sunday and we absolutely loved it. Brilliant setup with everything ordered through the W8R app. Lovely staff and fab atmosphere.
Pros: No kids 🤣
Cons: No kids 🤣
Recommended: ✅
Hardwick Hall’s Beer Garden
Location: Grounds of Hardwick Hall Hotel
About: The biggest beer garden in County Durham with street food, container bar, ice cream van and children’s rides
Entry Cost: Free
Booking Needed: No, first come first served basis
Covered Areas: ❌
Child Friendly: ✅
Dog Friendly: ✅
Food Options: Pop ups from the regions favourite street food businesses
On-site Parking: ✅
Metro Station: N/A
Opening Times: Open 7 days a week from 10am
Price Of A Pint: TBC
Website: https://www.facebook.com/HardwickHallHotel/
What We Thought: We thoroughly enjoyed visiting the garden after a walk around Hardwick Park. Gorgeous way to unwind with a drink and bite to eat while overlooking the pond.
Pros: Perfect location & no booking needed
Cons: Can get super busy
Recommended: ✅
Jesmond Beach Box
Location: Behind the Holy Hobo/As You Like It
About: An urban oasis nestled just outside the city centre in the leafy suburbs of Jesmond. With food, drinks stalls, pub corner (featuring games from darts to shuffle board) and, as the name suggests, they have a beach complete with buckets and spades.
Entry Cost: Free
Booking Needed: Advisable
Covered Areas: ✅
Child Friendly: ✅
Dog Friendly: ✅
Food Options: Food from The Holy Hobo as well as pop ups from the regions favourite street food businesses
On-site Parking: ✅
Metro Station: Jesmond
Opening Times: Daily from 11am
Price Of A Pint: TBC
Website: https://www.jesmondbeachbox.co.uk/
What We Thought: Proper chilled out vibe, perfect afternoon sat in the sun listening to live music
Pros: Bar games available
Cons: Limited parking
Recommended: ✅
Rainton Arena
Location: Houghton-Le-Spring, DH4 5PH
About: Rainton Spring Fair is currently at Rainton Arena with loads of rides, an outdoor beer garden and food vendors. Events at Rainton Arena are planned to restart from May.
Entry Cost: Free
Booking Needed: Advisable
Covered Areas: ✅
Child Friendly: ✅
Dog Friendly: ❌
Food Options: Onsite food vans
On-site Parking: ✅
Metro Station: N/A
Opening Times: Monday to Thursday 4pm-9pm. Friday to Sunday 11am-9pm.
Price Of A Pint: TBC
Website: https://raintonarena.co.uk
What We Thought: We’ve been to a few live events at Rainton Arena and couldn’t fault the setup. Everything ran smoothly and it all felt very COVID secure.
Pros: All ordering is done through QR Codes/Website so no need to try and catch a server
Cons:
Recommended: ✅
Secret Garden Seaton Delaval
Location: The Old Laidlers site, NE25 0PP
About: Expect the once worn out wholesale site transformed in to a unique floral garden hosting the very best food, drink and entertainment the North East has to offer
Entry Cost: £5p/p booking fee that will be deducted from your final bill
Booking Needed: Advisable
Covered Areas: ✅
Child Friendly: ✅
Dog Friendly: ✅
Food Options: Secret Garden Kitchen plus pop ups from the regions favourite street food businesses
On-site Parking: ✅
Metro Station: N/A
Opening Times: Daily
Price Of A Pint: From £4
Website: https://secretgardensd.co.uk
What We Thought: Absolutely loved it! Very spacious and all very COVID secure. Massive thumbs up from us, definitely worth a visit
Pros: If you haven’t booked, the back uncovered seats are always kept for walk ins
Cons: Booking fee required
Recommended: ✅
STACK
Location: Newcastle and Seaburn
About: STACK is a container village come creative social hub for entertainment, culture, work and play.
Entry Cost: Free entry however a booking fee is required. This fee starts from £15 per bench. The amount paid on booking is given as drink tokens on arrival
Booking Needed: Advisable
Covered Areas: ✅
Child Friendly: ✅
Dog Friendly: ✅
Food Options: Various fixed vendors on both sites
On-site Parking: ❌
Metro Station: Monument
Opening Times: Daily from 10am
Price Of A Pint: TBC
Website: https://www.stacknewcastle.com/ and https://www.stackseaburn.com/
What We Thought: We’ve always enjoyed previous visits to STACK
Pros: City centre locations
Cons: Bookings for 2 – 4 guests will be located on a shared bench. This means you could end up sharing your seating area with an unknown group
Recommended: ✅
Sunderland Beach Box At The Palm
Location: Timber Beach Road, SR5 3XG
About: Newcastle’s legengary Beach Box is coming to The Palm. From April 12th, The Palm is being transformed into Sunderland’s biggest beach party. With 8 bars, 7 street food traders, live sports, covered outdoor seating, live entertainment and beach area
Entry Cost: Free
Booking Needed: Advisable
Covered Areas: ✅
Child Friendly: ✅
Dog Friendly: ✅
Food Options: Pop ups from the regions favourite street food businesses
On-site Parking: ✅
Metro Station: Pallion
Opening Times: Daily from 12 noon
Price Of A Pint: TBC
Website: https://www.discoverthepalm.com/
What We Thought: We had a brilliant time when we called in over Bank Holiday weekend. Super attentive staff and speedy service
Pros: No booking fee and the toilets are The Palm’s proper toilets – no portaloos
Cons: It’s in Sunderland…jokes! I’m really struggling to think of any
Recommended: ✅ (our favourite)
Items You Might Want To Bring Yourself To Make Your Time At These Venues Even Better
• Suncream – wishful thinking but you are outside and those rays might just catch you
• Blankets – probably more needed than the suncream
• Hot Water Bottle – check with the venue but most will fill your HWBs with warm water ready for you to use
• Portable Phone Charger – with Track & Trace and online ordering, your battery’s going to need a top up
• Reusable Straw – nothing worse than trying to enjoy a cocktail with a soggy paper straw
Have you visited any of the venues listed? What did you think of it? Let me know in the comments
North East Eats and Kids 