A Queer Guide to NewcastleGateshead: Where to Visit for an LGBTQ+ Friendly Weekend in the North East

Perched on the banks of the Tyne, Newcastle and Gateshead have perfected the art of mixing big-city buzz with small-town friendliness.  This is a place where strangers call you “pet” before they’ve even learned your name and everyone is welcome from the minute they step off the train.

That warmth extends to LGBTQ+ travellers, for whom this is one of the UK’s most inclusive cities.  By day, you’ll find indie cafés, quirky shops, and sandy beaches just a Metro ride away - looking far more Mediterranean than they have any right to (until you dip your toe in the water anyhow!) By night, the legendary Pink Triangle bursts into sequins, drag, and dancefloors that refuse to close quietly.

Add in a thriving arts scene where queer voices take centre stage, plus deliberately de-centralised Pride celebrations that spill joyfully across the whole summer, and you’ve got a destination equally suited to a whirlwind weekend or a longer, culture-soaked escape.

In October 2025, Newcastle-Gateshead will host Safer to be Me, the UK’s largest LGBTQ+ human rights conference this decade, with a week-long programme of events.

Address: 1 Pink Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne  
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 08:00 - 16:00, Saturday: 09:00 - 16:00, Sunday: 10:00 -16:00 

Nestled just behind Newcastle’s Central Station, Pink Lane Coffee is a specialty café championing ethically sourced beans, which makes some of the best coffee in the city. Its warm interiors, friendly staff, and wide selection of brews make it a feel-good spot to start the day or to unwind at the end of it.  It’s inclusive to all (including four-legged companions!), whether you're grabbing a morning espresso or settling in for a leisurely midday read.

Address: 1b Bolingbroke Street, Heaton 
Opening Hours: Tuesday–Saturday: 10:00 -17:00, Sunday: 11:00 - 16:00 

An independent bookseller that opened in December 2023 in Newcastle’s thriving Heaton district, 1b Books is dedicated to both new and second-hand titles, with a particular passion for queer literature and translated fiction. The owners’ warm hospitality and thoughtfully curated shelves invite you to browse at your own pace, whether you're hunting for a queer classic or something unexpected. A short bus ride (numbers 1, 39 or 40) from the city centre.

Address: 200 Heaton Road, Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 5HP 
Opening Hours: Monday–Saturday: 09:00 - 17:00, Sunday: 10:00 - 16:00

A 10-minute stroll from 1b Books, The Butterfly Cabinet is a cosy, fashionably retro café-restaurant with a delicious twist: breakfast (including a superb veggie/vegan selection) is served all day. Housed in a quirky location on Heaton Road, the café delights with fresh, locally sourced ingredients in a relaxed, artistic atmosphere. It’s perfect for a late-morning meal, offering a creative, casual charm that lingers beyond the plate. Gets very bus on weekends.

Address: South Shore Road, Gateshead  
Opening Hours: Wednesday to Sunday 10:00–18:00 

Housed in a converted flour mill on the banks of the Tyne, BALTIC is one of Europe’s largest contemporary art centres. The exhibitions change regularly, spanning daring installations, film, performance, and exhibitions from international names to local emerging artists. The building itself is a spectacle, with panoramic viewing terraces offering some of the best views in the city. Entry is free but donations welcome.

Location: Tynemouth, just east of Newcastle on the North Sea coast (c. 25 min by Metro, followed by 10-15 min walk)

Visitors to the region are often surprised by Newcastle’s easily-accessible (and utterly beautiful) beaches and Tynemouth is among the best.  A short hop from the city centre by metro offers two soulful spots: Longsands, a sweeping mile-long stretch of golden sand ideal for surfing and long walks; and King Edward’s Bay, a sheltered, scenic cove beneath cliffs and the ruins of Tynemouth Priory. Add in the weekend market at the atmospheric Victorian station and a sprinkling of excellent coastal cafés, and you’ve got a day that blends seaside serenity with historic character and foodie appeal.  

Address: 85-89 Blandford Street, Newcastle upon Tyne  
Opening Hours: Venue open 11:00-02:00, bottomless brunch Saturday 11.00-14.00

Kicking off a Newcastle weekend with flair and cabaret, The Tipsy Cow blends a lip-smacking BBQ brunch with drag show energy.  Hosts serve unlimited prosecco, mimosas, cocktails, to accompany the food.  Located in the heart of the Gay Village, it’s fun, flamboyant, and unapologetically welcoming – a welcome to the city that you’re unlikely to forget.   Booking in advance advised.

Address: St Mary’s Square, Gateshead Quays, Gateshead:
Opening Hours: Daily from 09:00 util late (depending on performances)

Formerly Sage Gateshead, The Glasshouse is a striking riverside landmark of steel and glass. Inside, you’ll find world-class performances spanning everything from orchestras to folk and club nights, plus daytime workshops and family-friendly events in an inclusive and accessible environment.  Outside of catching a performance, their café serves one of the best breakfasts in the city and the brasserie offers a superb set menu with a focus on seasonal ingredients, all served with sweeping views of the Tyne. 

Newcastle’s gay nightlife is concentrated in the ‘Pink Triangle’ area around the Scottswood Road, a five-minute walk from central station. The bars listed rarely charge for entry, meaning pub hopping is a feature of the typical queer weekend in Newcastle. 

Address: Unit 3 & 4, International Centre for Life, Times Square, Scotswood Rd, Newcastle  
Opening Hours: Mon - Thu: 22:00 - 03:00, Fri - Sat: from 21:00 - 03:00, Sun: 22:00–03:00  

Rusty’s is a vibrant, inclusive highlight of Newcastle’s Pink Triangle, known for its creative décor, themed nights, and imaginative cocktails. With live cabaret and drag performances, it offers a theatrical, playful atmosphere that’s great for groups and silly nights out.  With accessible entry and a lively vibe that lasts into the early hours, Rusty’s remains a go-to destination for al who seek an enjoyable and safe queer nightlife experience.  

Address: 42 Scotswood Road, Newcastle 
Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday: 17:00 - 01:00, Friday: 17:00–02:30, Saturday: 13:00–16:00 & 17:00–02:30

A more laid-back vibe at this ‘Amsterdam style; pub, which focuses on leather-and-denim-themed experience. The spacious bar upstairs is perfect for a quieter pint and to meet locals while the downstairs is more intimate and adults-only area. Regular quiz nights and themed events add to its appeal.

Address: 57 Blandford Street, Newcastle
Opening Hours: Friday & Saturday 19.00 – 03.00, Sunday – Thursday: check event listings

Named after a mischievous Northumbrian spirit, The Lubber Fiend is Newcastle’s independent grassroots venue for anyone who likes their culture a little offbeat. It’s run as a co-operative, with gigs, club nights, film screenings, and art shows that lean towards the alternative, experimental, and joyfully DIY. The venue is proudly inclusive, providing space for queer, trans, and neurodiverse communities to perform, collaborate, and gather. No two nights are ever the same, making this one of the most intriguing nights out in the city.

Address: 12 Elizabeth Street, Newcastle
Opening Hours: Fridays 16:00 - 23:00; Saturdays 13:00 - 23:00 (check website for special events)  

Tucked into Ouseburn, The Old Coal Yard (the event arm of Northern Alchemy Brewery) shifts effortlessly from laid-back taproom to lively queer-friendly venue. While many of its gigs are free or Pay-What-You-Feel (PWYF), the space also hosts curated queer nights such as “Queers & Beers”, spotlighting LGBTQIA+ acts across music, poetry, drag, and spoken word.  Complete with gender-neutral toilets and accessibility accommodations, it provides a warm and inclusive welcome for all visitors.

Address: 2 Scotswood Road, Newcastle upon Tyne 
Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday: 16.00 - 02:00, Friday – Sunday: 13.00 – 02.00

The first venue you’ll come to on the Scottswood Road, The Yard brings decades of history to the Pink Triangle scene. It’s famed for its relaxed, sociable environment, drag shows, and inclusive crowd.  Upstairs, Oscar’s Bar & Lounge has expanded the offering with a stylish, cocktail-driven space.  Both levels stay open until 2a.m. seven nights a week, offering a great blend of traditional gay-bar charm with some modern twists.

Address: 7–19 Westmorland Road, Newcastle 
Opening Hours:  Monday & Thursday: 23:00 - 03:00, Friday – Sunday 23.00 – 04.00

Powerhouse is one of Newcastle’s largest and longest-running clubs, originally a gay venue (dating from the 1980s), now a proudly inclusive mixed nightclub. Spanning four floors plus a rooftop terrace, it’s built for dancing, with pulsing music a high-energy crowd, including countless students. It’s the end point for many a Newcastle night out and will be one you remember for quite some time.

Address: 3–9 Churchill Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 
Opening Hours: Friday & Sunday evenings, with Saturday matinees.  Check listings for exact door times

The North East’s premier LGBTQ+ cabaret theatre - an indulgent blend of Broadway-style choreography, razor-sharp comedy, and dazzling costumes. Hosted by the charismatic Miss Rory and Danny Dee, every evening promises “A Night Out Like No Other” with year-round themed performances.  With a venue custom-built for theatrical flair, the bar offers a lengthy cocktail menu while the energy unfolds on stage. The experience is both glamorous and welcoming with package offers including a pre-show bottomless brunch at Rusty’s.

Address: 17 Newgate Street, Newcastle

Located in the city centre, Maldron Hotel Newcastle is a smart, modern base with great access to the city’s culture, shops, and nightlife, including the Pink Triangle. The hotel features a Grain & Grill restaurant and bar, a Red Bean Roastery café, and a menu that’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Rooms come with free WiFi, air-conditioning, and modern touches and the hotel’s ethos is welcoming and inclusive of everyone.

Address: Bottle Bank, Gateshead

Set on the Gateshead Quayside overlooking the Tyne Bridge, Hilton Newcastle Gateshead blends riverside elegance with urban convenience.  The hotel’s bar and restaurant, Windows on the Tyne offers sensational food and views in equal measure. The hotel also has an indoor swimming pool, gym, and executive lounge.  Guests enjoy modern, air-conditioned rooms, many with views of the river and the city’s bridges. Its proximity to Quayside attractions, including the Glass House and metro stations to the city centre makes it ideal for travellers wanting style and access in equal measure.  

Address: 15–25 High Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne  

In the heart of Newcastle, minutes from Central Station, Quayside and the Pink Triangle, Motel One Newcastle offers smart, design-led comfort without breaking the bank. The property leans into industrial charm: raw brickwork, modern décor, thoughtful styling nodding to the city’s bridges and working-class heritage. Rooms are soundproofed, with modern amenities including private bathrooms, climate control, and free WiFi. A continental breakfast buffet is available daily, and there’s an on-site bar for early or late refreshments. 

Curious Arts (Festival in July, events throughout the year)

The beating heart of queer creativity in the North East. Known for its flagship Curious Festival each July, this arts charity delivers performances, exhibitions, and workshops centring LGBTQIA+ voices all year round. Expect everything from bold drag cabaret to family-friendly storytelling, visual art installations, and thought-provoking discussions. Events take place across Newcastle-Gateshead in partnership with theatres, galleries, and community spaces.

Tyneside Cinema (year-round)

With its art-deco façade and independent spirit, Tyneside Cinema is Newcastle’s cultural cinema hub. Alongside mainstream and arthouse releases, the programme regularly champions LGBTQ+ films from international queer cinema and indie documentaries to cult classics shown during Pride season. It’s one of the few UK venues to spotlight diverse queer storytelling consistently, offering space for underrepresented voices on the big screen. The café-bar and atmospheric building make it an ideal daytime or evening stop.  Check their website for full listings.

Summer of Pride (June – August)

From June to August, the wonderful folks at OUT North East run a series of events celebrating local LGBTQ+ communities across the region from Sunderland to Gateshead to South Tyneside.  These include film screenings, talks picnics, tennis tournaments and beach parties – the epitome of ‘something for everyone’.  A fabulous way to meet local members of the LGBTQ+ community.  Northern Pride, the North East’s largest such event, takes place in late July.

LGBTQ+ Sports Groups (throughout the year)

For those staying a bit longer, Newcastle-Gateshead offers a superb array of inclusive sports clubs.  These include Northern Frontrunners, whose Wednesday ‘rainbow run’ is often open to new members, the North East’s first inclusive football team, Newcastle Panthers and their rugby (and touch rugby) equivalents, Newcastle Ravens.   The city’s newest group is the Geordie Grandslammers, an inclusive tennis team which gets together every Sunday, with more frequent meets during the summer, taking advantage of the light evenings.

Guest blog written by travel writer Phil Thomas.

Follow Phil at his blog Someone Else’s Country and on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky