Rooftop Bars in Newcastle: 13 Places to Drink with a View

If the weather in Newcastle is right (that’s a big ‘if’ but that’s what the best museums are for), there’s nothing better than relaxing outside with a drink and enjoying a view. Luckily, there are plenty of rooftop bars, outdoor terraces, pubs with patios, and restaurants with a view of Newcastle. In particular, there are tons of rooftop bars set up in Newcastle city centre where travelers and locals gather to sip and take in the historic city skyline. It’s a great way to celebrate a successful shopping spree or catch the sunset before a world-class dinner. 

While many rooftop bars are geared towards hotel guests, you don’t need to carry your luggage around all night. So stop by a Bounce location before heading out to one of the best rooftop bars in Newcastle.

ABOVE at the Vermont Hotel

What's it like:

Located atop the Vermont Hotel is one of the most stylish rooftop bars in Newcastle. With sleek design features and modern furniture, ABOVE meets all the criteria for a luxury rooftop terrace. But what ABOVE really excels at is the views. From the top of the Vermont Hotel, you’ll be able to see all the Quayside bridges and the twists and turns of the river Tyne. Luckily, hotel guests aren’t the only customers allowed at the rooftop bar, because this is a can’t-miss rooftop dining experience. 

Our Recommendation: 

ABOVE’s fashionable layout and energetic atmosphere encourage social dining experiences, so shareable small plates are the most popular options on the menu. Their cocktail menu is top-notch, with expect cosmos and martinis to match the vibe of the Vermont Hotel. If you're not married to the warm summer air, you can avoid a wait by opting for indoor seating.

Location: 

Vermont Hotel - Castle Garth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1RQ

Alvinos Rooftop Bar

What's it like:

This Pilgrim Street hipster hangout is one of the best rooftop bars in Newcastle City Centre. With a bespoke design and relaxed energy, the atmosphere at Alvinos is perfect for drinkers looking for a delicious cocktail in a trendy location. This place oozes cool, with DJs spinning vintage soul and funk vinyl on weekends. 

Our recommendation: 

Alvinos serves just about everything. The excellent selection of local craft beers will delight curious travelers, and there is also a rotating menu of specialty cocktails that have novelty names, but legitimate flavors. The “Beach Bum” and “Donkey Ride” may sound cheesy, but these are thoughtful drinks for any cocktail enthusiast. 

Alvinos is first and foremost a bar, so grabbing a drink before or after dinner is the best way to experience this rooftop bar. 

Location: 

88 Pilgrim St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6SG

Barluga

What's it like:

The building that used to house The Bank of England now offers one of the best drinking and dining experiences in Newcastle. Barluga is one of the best rooftop bars in the city, with incredible views of the Newcastle city lights from their deck. The decor is effortlessly elegant and luxurious, with Parasol umbrellas dotting the roof terrace and plenty of foliage to make the space comfortable. 

On weekends, this spot gets pretty busy. While walk-ins are allowed, it’s certainly worthwhile to book a table ahead of time to ensure you get to experience this unforgettable view. 

Our Recommendation: 

Barluga has one of the best wine lists of any rooftop bar in Newcastle. While there are plenty of options by the glass, wine connoisseurs flock to Barluga to dive deep into their menu. Champagne service is also available and popular, with Barluga being a go-to for special occasions. The cocktail menu is smaller, but their list of quality gins is what sets Barluga apart. While this might not seem important to most American travelers, this is a huge selling point for Brits. 

They also have great food, with a dinner menu of elevated bar classics like their pub burger. There are also plenty of vegetarian and vegan options available, especially for shared plates. 

Location: 

35 Grey St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6EE

The Botanist Rooftop Bar

What's it like:

Easily the most stylish roof terrace in Newcastle, The Botanist offers an elegance rarely seen in northern English cities. The expansive deck is made cosy by the garden-link features that separate the tables. While the outdoor terrace is truly beautiful, the indoor seating offers as charming an experience as any, with an attractive dining room and bar area filled to the brim with natural light, lush greenery, and floral decor. 

Located near Eldon Square as well as the Grey Street luggage storage location, The Botanist is an ideal way to start a romantic evening or trendy bar crawl. 

Our Recommendation: 

The Botanist curates a fantastic wine and cocktail menu that perfectly compliments the sunny setting. Their lunch and dinner menu features elevated bar food like kebabs and burgers. The most popular item on the menu is their strawberry basil mojito, which is perfect for summer afternoons on the roof terrace. 

Location: 

Monument Mall, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 7AL

The Bridge Tavern

What's it like:

While this isn’t a rooftop bar, The Bridge Tavern's raised terrace offers some of the most iconic views for their patio. Located under the Tyne Bridge, drinkers can enjoy views of the boats drifting by and the attractive Quayside architecture. The design of the patio is meant to encourage groups to stay for a whole afternoon lounging in comfortable chairs sipping pints of local ale or snacking on pub fare. 

Our Recommendation: 

Traditional English food and drink are too often overlooked when it comes to rooftop bars and patios. The Bridge Tavern has corrected this with a menu that highlights the best of northern cuisine. A superb ale pie (made with local beer) is especially popular. The haggis toastie (a quick google search is recommended before ordering) is the locals’ favorite, and the most adventurous travelers will draw straws to determine who orders it. The beer is the real draw at The Bridge Tavern, as it’s brewed onsite by the folks at Wylam Brewery. Expect authentic English classics like real ale, roasty stouts, and mild ales. 

Location: 

7 Akenside Hill, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3UF

Chaophraya

What's it like:

Chaophraya, one of the best rooftop bars in Newcastle, happens to also be one of the best Thai restaurants in the city as well. Located in Newcastle city centre, this outdoor terrace is the best place to enjoy the city lights with an evening meal of traditional Thai delights. The decor is industrial-chic, with a deck lit by hovering lights and the skyline. 

Our recommendation: 

Fortunately, it’s not strictly a Pad Thai restaurant serving the same old takeout grub. The rotating food menu features both authentic and modern takes on Thai classics. Expect delicious Pandan Chicken, noodle creations, and even Thai tacos. Their drink menu features non alcoholic cocktails along with some booze citrus-forward creations. 

Location: 

15 Upper Level, Greys Quarter, Intu Eldon Square, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7AP

The Forth

What's it like:

This colorful rooftop sits at the corner of Pink Lane near Hadrian’s Tower. The vibrant decor of The Forth makes this popular with local hipsters and, of course, travelers who do their research to find the coolest rooftop bars in Newcastle Upon Tyne. The terrace is comfortable for small groups and intimate enough that it’s a favorite for quirky date nights. The artwork and greenery make for attractive Instagram content, and that’s not mentioning the stunning views of the city centre. 

Our Recommendation: 

The elevated pub fare served at the Forth is inspired by trendy gastropubs in the US, especially for their Sunday brunch menu. 

Location: 

Pink Ln, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5DW

Old George

What's it like: 

Rarely does a sports bar command a view like Old George. This cozy 16-century pub spills out into the riverside and offers drinkers and sports fans stunning views they can appreciate once the whistle blows. This pub is a former hangout for Charles I, King of England, but that doesn’t make this place fancy or overpriced. Instead, Old George is a friendly, no-frills spot for local soccer fans to cheer on Newcastle United and enjoy some pub grub. 

Our Recommendation: 

Old George specializes in game-day bites with their delicious food menu. That includes a proper English breakfast, designed to soak up the impending pints of local ales they serve in great quantity. If you’re visiting during a summer afternoon, their spritz menu is just what you’ll need to lounge on their sunny patio all afternoon. 

 Location: 

Old George Yard, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1EZ, United Kingdom

Pitcher & Piano

What's it like:

This rooftop terrace is one of the anchors of Quayside’s bustling nightlife stretch. Because of the retractable glass windows, this sprawling terrace allows for larger groups to sit and socialize in any weather. With some of the best views of all the Newcastle bridges and riverside, Pitcher Piano offers an unbeatable vantage point. 

Our recommendation: 

This sun-soaked roof terrace specializes in lighter fare, making it a popular lunch destination. Modern takes km everything from steak to curries help the menu appeal to just about anyone, and the wine list is reasonably priced. 

Location: 

108 Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3DX

Revolucion de Cuba

What's it like:

One of the largest Newcastle rooftop bars, Revolucion de Cuba is a beloved local favorite that’s often confusing to foreign travelers. This vibrant and colorful roof terrace doesn't exactly have a ton of competition, but it’s one of the best places in the entire UK for Cuban food and fun. It’s near the Central Station luggage storage location, in Newcastle City Centre, so drop your bags off before heading to this rooftop bar, because they will be playing salsa music! 

Our recommendation: 

Cuban food in Northern England? Why not? Caribbean classics like Ropa Vieja and Rabo Encendido replace local favorites like ale pie and fish and chips while maintaining the comforting flavors. The mojitos and margaritas are also flowing all night!

Location: 

1 Cloth Market, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1EE

Roof Thirty Nine - Fenwick 

What's it like:

Fenwick Newcastle’s rooftop terrace is a brand new addition to the department store and the area, but Roof Thirty Nine has wasted no time in becoming one of the go-to destinations for trendy diners. Everything in this stylish bar and restaurant hints at exclusivity, but Roof Thirty Nine is only available to walk-ins. While there is plenty of seating around the patio, the buzz around this place makes it slightly difficult to get a table right away. 

Our Recommendation: 

The cocktail menu at Roof Thirty Nine is top-notch, with a number of botanical creations to choose from. The main draw for Roof Thirty Nine has to be lunch, where shoppers take a break from their retail therapy for a salad and a spritz. 

Location: 

39 Northumberland St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7AS, United Kingdom

Six BALTIC Restaurant Quayside

What's it like:

Located on the roof of the luxurious BALTIC Hotel, this is the best rooftop bar south of the River Tyne. With views of the entire Newcastle city centre skyline, this rooftop bar oozes luxury. Comfortable tables and private cabanas dot the rooftop terrace. While Six Baltic isn’t exclusive to hotel guests, booking ahead is entirely necessary to secure a table. 

Our Recommendation: 

The decadent menu fits the luxurious setting, with upscale continental bites like the tasty goat cheese tartlet, duck confit, and a variety of seafood options. If boozing isn’t your thing, afternoon tea on the rooftop terrace is beyond lovely. 

Location: 

Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, S Shore Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead NE8 3BA

Tokyo

What's it like:

One of the coolest rooftop bars in Newcastle owes its inspiration to the infamous Japanese nightlife scene. Tokyo Bar’s dimly-lit space fits perfectly with the vibe-y dance music, and stiff cocktails. Nightly DJs spin an eclectic mix of vinyl, with electronic and vintage sounds pulsing from their top-end sound system. The hip clientele consists of 20-somethings trying to impress their dates and audiophiles there for the tunes. 

Tokyo Bar is in a prime city centre location near Newcastle Central Station. Fittingly, this Japanese-inspired bar can be a bit cramped as space is limited. This is a walk-in-only bar, so going on a weeknight or early is recommended. 

Our Recommendation: 

The main offerings at Tokyo are specialty cocktails that feature offbeat ingredients and premium spirits. Suitably, they also serve a deep list of Sake and Asian spirits along with beers from around the world. Weekly drink specials only increase the popularity with the trendy crowd at this rooftop bar. 

Location: 

17 Westgate Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1SE

Conclusion

With a gorgeous river snaking its way through the city, as well as historic architecture, Newcastle has one of the best skylines in England to enjoy from a rooftop bar or patio. Luckily, there are plenty of outstanding establishments where you can sit under the stars and enjoy a drink and dinner. Stop by a Bounce luggage storage location before you head to dinner at an amazing rooftop bar!