Top Ten Best Beer Gardens in Newcastle

So, where is the best beer garden in Toon?

Good question.

It’s a topic of hot debate, with so many places to choose from. You’ve got all the big chain players, small independents, green grassy great gardens and tiny cobbled courtyards, all contending for the title of ‘Best Beer garden in Newcastle’.

We’ve complied our personal ‘Top Ten Best Beer Gardens in Newcastle’ for your deliberation. So sit back, have a good read and let then us know what you think in via Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

What makes a good beer garden? Size? Comfort? Or is it all about sun? With the perfect south facing garden taking the top spot? We’ve tried to take everything into account, carefully weighing up all the factors, but we’ve made one important distinction. This is beer gardens only, not Rooftop Bars! We’ll cover them in a separate blog in the coming weeks.

So, in no particular order, here is our definitive top ten…

The Tyne Bar

No ‘Best Beer Gardens in Newcastle‘ list would be complete without The Tyne Bar! Ouseburn’s popular waterfront pub has been one of the top beer gardens for many years. You could not want for much more with cracking views over the river, its laid back attitude and great food and drink selection.

The Tyne Bar has been one of Newcastle’s favourite independent pubs and live music venues since it opened its doors for the first time way back in November 1994. With free live music and events, it proves a very popular venue. The arch of the old Glasshouse Bridge provides great cover from the rain and shade from the sun.

Famous for its laidback atmosphere and an unwavering commitment to FREE live music, The Tyne Bar is the product of 40 years’ experience in the Newcastle pub scene. Operated by the same people who brought you the legendary Barley Mow and the Egypt Cottage, the pub boasts a waterside location, a big old glitterball, and a distinctive beer garden framed by the redbrick arch of Glasshouse Bridge.

With a wonderful drinks selection, free gigs and events, an extensive food menu with vegan options and the famous beer garden beneath the bridge, no visit to the Ouseburn Valley is complete without a visit to The Tyne Bar.

You can find them on Facebook here.

Urban Garden by Brewdog

Urban Garden on Newcastle Quayside is the perfect spot to while away a few hours in the sun. Located right slap bang on the quayside, by the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, you get amazing views.

Urban Garden is an outdoor bar and cafe ran by Brewdog which can be found on Newcastle’s iconic Quayside. There are coverings for those rainy days and plenty of seating for alfresco drinks in the sunshine.

This venue could not be more different than our previous well established competitor, more pop-up than pub! But still its prime location, fun games and fires light at night make it a cosy and interesting choice for a sunny sit out on the Tyne.

Its location also makes a great stopping off point for anyone wanting to break up the long walk when doing an Ouseburn to Newcastle quayside pub crawl.

You can find them on Facebook here.

Bridge Hotel

If a great location is what you’re after, then The Bridge Hotel offers one of the most spectacular in Newcastle. Just two minutes’ walk from Grey Street and the Quayside, and right next door to the Castle Keep and the High Level bridge, you’ll find stunning views of the River Tyne from both the pub and outdoor terrace.

The beer garden is the perfect combination of cosy, secluded amongst the trees but yet bang in the heart of the city, a south facing sun-trap.

Once you are cosy you will not want to leave as this Victorian-style pub serves a huge choice of cask ale, and a mouth-watering menu.

You can find them on Facebook here.

Ship Inn

The Ship Inn is a relaxed family-friendly pub situated in the heart of the Ouseburn and one of the must-visit pubs on any Ouseburn pub crawl. This popular pub is a brilliant choice for sitting in the sun, with a selection of outdoor tables in both the sun and shade, patio umbrellas and a nice grassy spot to sit.

Their staff are super friendly, and this traditional pub comes with a twist. Its amazing vegan menu! A must-try for any vegans, they do an array of offerings, and their Sunday dinner is to die for!

You can find them on Facebook here.

The Quayside – JD Wetherspoon

The Quayside boasts a choice of places to sit in the sun with a well earned beer. They have seating directly on the south facing sunny quayside, with a great view of the Tyne and its bridges. But they also have an ample courtyard, with small trees, patio umbrellas and heaters, so you can party well beyone sundown!

Being a Wetherspoons you know exactly what to expect, with great prices and ease of service.

It’s location makes it a good last venue for a quayside pub crawl, loading up on some cheap drinks before hitting the clubs and late bars.

The Cumberland Arms

The Cumberland Arms is an integral part of Newcastle’s historic Ouseburn Valley. This popular pub sits overlooking the valley, and is renown for hosting an array of events, including live music, comedy, quiz nights, poetry and traditional music sessions.

There is a great choice of where to sit outside on a sunny day at The Cumberland Arms. Perfect for a pint (or ten!) basking in the sun.

You can find them on Facebook here.

The Free Trade Inn

When it comes to views this beer garden is up there with the very best! So much so it made the Guardian’s Feasts for the eyes: 10 of the UK’s best pubs, cafes and restaurants with a view in 2022.

While it may well not be the largest of beer gardens the sensational vantage above the River Tyne is unbeatable, and is a great place to while the hours away and sink a few well earned pints. It also makes a great starting or end point for any Ouseburn pub crawl.

Their famously wide range of quality craft beer makes it a popular choice and their pizza nights with local legends Scream For Pizza always attract a crowd.

You can find them on Facebook here.

Wylam Brewery

Founded in 2000 Wylam Brewery is a 30 Barrel Micro Brewery at the old Palace of Arts, the last remaining building from the 1929 North East Exhibition in Exhibition Park.

It is the perfect surroundings for outdoor dining and supping a beer in the sunshine. You’d be forgiven for thinking at Wylam Brewery it is all about the beer, with their passion for brewing and the art of crafting the perfect pint! But they cut no corners when it comes to hospitality and entertainment. They have some amazing live music, with an array of artists coming to the region to perform here. Their events have an selection of food vendors, with regular special events taking place, such as The Food Battles. You can also get food from the Wylam Grill and on Sundays they serve a traditional roast of locally sourced fine cuts and a tasty vegan option.

All of this makes the Wylam Brewery a popular choice for punters to enjoy a beer in the sun, with its laid back vibe, it is kid and dog friendly, and very spacious.  

You can find them on Facebook here.

Old George Inn

The Old George Inn is Newcastle’s oldest pub, dating all the way back to the 16th century. Just off the Cloth Market and near the Bigg Market, this pub is a well known Newcastle treasure, an iconic landmark seeped in history and breathtaking architecture.  Worth a visit for the history alone, the Old George Inn has royal approval from no less than Charles 1st! His visits whilst being held in an open prison in Shieldfield in the early 1600s prompted them to name our main room after him, and you can even see the seat in which he sat.

The pub may surprise many who pass to know it has a beer garden, with outdoor seating along the cobbled side street. You can sit beneath the festive bunting and sup a pint in the sun bang in the very heart of Newcastle.

Frate

This new addition to Newcastle has proved popular since opening this year and has a huge beer garden. It’s a perfect place to spend a few hours in the sun. We recently reviewed it in our blog, you can read more here.

With a good selection of beers on tap, spirits, wines and champagne to offer you’ll find something you like. Of course they have cocktails and what I really like is that they have their own dedicated cocktail bar.

Food is on offer from two local independents, the first being Babs Newcastle who are providing tasty shawarma wraps fusing global influences with amazing ingredients.

You can find them on Facebook here.

And with that last venue that is it! We hope you’ve enjoyed our Top Ten list? But don’t let that stop the fun! Head over to our social media platforms and let us know what you think is the Best Beer Garden in Newcastle…maybe you think we’ve missed a hidden gem or an obvious contender? Let us know! And you can even send us a photo of you making the most of the last of the Summer and enjoying a pint in the sun there? Just tag us in for a shout out. We’ll also have Best Rooftop Bars in Newcastle list being published in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out and remember to subscribe to our blog.