Where to find Pubs, Beer Gardens and Roof Terraces in Newcastle and Gateshead

Alfresco dining feels so continental! The bustle of diners chatting, glasses being raised and friends catching up always feels exciting and inviting as socialising spills out of the many excellent restaurants, bars, pubs and cafes onto the streets and terraces.

The rise in alfresco dining, pub garden catch ups and pavement cafe meet ups continues (even up here in the North East!) and we are ready to embrace the longer, lighter evenings in Newcastle and Gateshead with the return of spring and the hope of summer sun. 

Whatever the weather, embrace NewcastleGateshead's great outdoors by dining alfresco and catching up with your friends in beer gardens, roof terraces and pavement cafes. If you're looking to go full 'out out deluxe' then check out our guide to rooftop bars in Newcastle here. It's not always Mediterranean (even in summer!) so rest assured if you want to eat outside, there are more restaurants, pubs and cafes than you think across NewcastleGateshead with outdoor seating covered by canopies and welcome patio heaters so you can still enjoy a delicious meal and your favourite tipple outside.

Read on for our guide to beer gardens, roof terraces and alfresco dining in NewcastleGateshead...

Summer on the Southside, Gateshead Quays - outdoor food and drinks terrace 

Taking over the terrace space at the former By the River Brew Co. site, Summer on the Southside is a must visit on the Gateshead Quayside. With chilled vibes, excellent locally-brewed craft beer and unrivaled views along the River Tyne, it's the perfect spot to soak up the sun this summer. You can grab a mouth-watering loaded parmo and fries from Parm-O-Rama, or a freshly brewed coffee and a delicious donut from Deep North, all while enjoying the Tyne Bridge in all its glory. Each weekend will feature a guest food trader, bringing fresh and delicious flavours to last all summer long.

The Lock Up, Ouseburn - roof terrace 

The Lock Up is a food venue in the heart of Newcastle’s Ouseburn Valley, with a café, bar and a roof terrace that seats 70 people. A common ground for food and drink, expect some serious flavours with Asian-inspired small plates from SOKU and plenty of drinks to choose from. Make sure to sip on a cocktail and enjoy Ouseburn’s only open roof terrace this summer (they also have heaters for those cooler nights!)

The Grove, Byker - outdoor courtyard

Located on the boarder of the Ouseburn Valley and Byker, The Grove offers a cosy outdoor courtyard to enjoy some pints with your mates. It has a nice chilled-out atmosphere, and they even have a large screen outside to watch the match if you fancy. If you're feeling peckish while you're there, you can grab some unreal pizza from Byker slice. Don't forget to check out their website for gig listings for up-and-coming artists.

Frate, High Bridge Street - outdoor beer garden

Frate is a destination for local street food, creative drinks, live sports and entertainment space for art and cultural events, brought to you by the curators of Market Shaker, Pumphreys and The Dog & Parrot. The open-air destination has been constructed using recycled freight containers in a lively central location, behind Newcastle’s infamous Grey Street.

Frate hosts a large entertainment and cultural community space with alfresco dining, offering BBQ and Mezze-style dishes such as Chicken Schwarma wraps alongside vegan-friendly dishes and pizzas by the slice. Serving from brunch through to dinner, Frate is the perfect place for sunny day drinks, after-work wind-downs and vibes long into the night, with entertainment including live sports, DJ sets and live music. 

Wylam Brewery at Palace of Arts, Exhibition Park - beer garden

Wylam Brewery at Palace of Arts in Exhibition Park is in the perfect surroundings for outdoor dining and supping a beer in the sunshine. There is plenty of outdoor seating too so a good option for last minute beers with burgers. You can pre-book for Sunday Lunches inside by emailing sundays@wylambrewery.co.uk with the date, time, and the number of people who will be joining you. 

City Tavern, Newcastle city centre - outdoor beer garden 

City Tavern is tucked away along a side street off busy Newcastle high street, Northumberland Street. It's a fantastic, dog-friendly pub that serves up some tasty grub seven days a week. The city centre pub has also got a well-hidden and covered, outdoor area complete with cinema screen. Wrap up warm and we'll see you for a pint soon!

Old George Inn, Newcastle - outdoor courtyard

ALWAYS worth a visit - Newcastle's oldest pub has outdoor seating along the cobbles of the covered side street. Sit (or dance) beneath the festive bunting all year round at the Old George near the Bigg Market. 

The Tyne Bar, Ouseburn - beer garden

The Tyne Bar is arguably one of the most popular pubs and beer gardens in Newcastle. Just on the cusp of Ouseburn and a short walk from the main action along Newcastle Quayside, The Tyne Bar has a brilliant outdoor space protected from the elements by the road bridge above. Complete with glitter ball - get yourselves along for a great time at Tyne Bar!  Ouseburn is the place to be for outdoor drinks and beer gardens. Wander along the river to The Cluny where you can take a spot on the green or climb the steps to The Cumberland Arms where there is amble outdoor seating and always a great, local vibe. 

The Ship Inn, Ouseburn - outdoor seating

The Ship Inn is a 'proper' pub with a fully vegan menu. The small local has recently expanded its outdoor seating to include an inviting wooden pagoda and plenty of benches to gather around making it an Instagrammable spot in the Ouseburn for alfresco catch ups.

Bridge Tavern, Newcastle Quayside

The Tyne Bridge makes an excellent canopy whatever the weather. The Bridge Tavern's outdoor terrace area is also given a cosy boost with the help of patio heaters. Dine out or just catch up over a beer under cover at the Quayside pub. Nearby pub The Redhouse has a bustling pavement seating area and just over the river at The Central Bar - punters can enjoy a pint on their roof terrace.

Blackfriars Restaurant and Bar - Cloister Garden

The award-winning and independent Blackfriars Restaurant in Newcastle city centre is a must-visit restaurant on any visit to the toon. Enjoy dining out with a touch of class and book a table in the Cloister Garden. Opened in 2023, the 13th century Cloister Garden is an exciting al fresco dining and drinking space in the city centre! With heated parasols, fire pits, ambient festoon lighting and beautiful planting harmonising with natural wood and stone, it really is the place to be in the sunshine. You can enjoy weekly BBQ or HOG roast events, a cold beer, glass of rose or home-made garden cocktail or two together with some summer tunes and live music.

Gino's at INNSiDE by Melia, Newcastle Quayside - outdoor seating

Gino's on Newcastle Quayside is a must-visit for those looking for stylish Mediterranean vibes - especially if you need somewhere to rest your legs after a Sunday stroll on the Quayside. Head along to Gino's restaurant for a cocktail, Italian coffee and bite to eat. The outdoor terrace area is expansive and feels truly continental!

Victors, Newcastle Quayside - covered outdoor seating area

Come rain or shine, Victors, a glamorous, Instagrammable restaurant on Newcastle's Quayside offers a picture-perfect outdoor area for diners. Its heated conservatory with a fully retractable roof and adaptable glass walls boosts stunning views of the Millennium Bridge and is decorated with hanging wisteria and sage green furnishings. 

Chaophraya at Eldon Square, Newcastle - roof terrace 

Stunning Thai restaurant Chaophraya in Eldon Square has a covered rooftop bar and restaurant area as well as bird's eye views of Newcastle city centre and Grey's Monument.

Kafeneon, Newcastle city centre - outdoor seating area

A firm favourite in Newcastle, Kafeneon serves up colourful plates of Greek mezze and some top notch cocktails! The city centre restaurant has expand its outdoor dining area so that even more of you can tuck into their flavour-filled Greek food, alfresco in Newcastle. 

Barluga, Newcastle city centre - excellent outdoor covering & heaters

Situated on Grey Street, Barluga is a classy bar serving up food and cocktails seven days a week. The city centre bar and restaurant has an impressive (and importantly, covered!) alfresco terrace too. Book a table and sit outside at Barluga where you will be well looked after with electric heaters, blankets and protection from the elements.

The Muddler, Grey Street - pavement dining

The Muddler is a hot ticket in Newcastle and often fully booked. But with a menu inspired by South East Asian cuisine and its proximity to Newcastle Theatre Royal - its easy to see why. The popular restaurant has an outdoor pavement seating area which has some umbrellas as covering (but not in a heavy rain or if blowing a gale). 

Ernest, Ouseburn - outdoor seating 

Ernest is an independent cafe bar in Ouseburn which has some great outdoor seating for dining or just drinks. Brunch is a popular choice at Ernest of a weekend - the versatile cafe bar starts the day serving wholesome hash bowls and huevos rancheros before evolving throughout the day to take in lunches and evening dinners of flatbreads, small plates and grazing platters and running late into the night for revelers who fancy a glass of wine, canned beers or a cocktail. 

Cook House, Ouseburn - outdoor seating and mezzanine 

One of Newcastle and Gateshead's best restaurants, Cook House has a very Instagrammable outdoor roof terrace and dining area which is ideal for relaxed group catch ups. Find out more about Cook House here.

Banyan, Newcastle city centre - outdoor seating

City centre bar, Banyan Newcastle has an outdoor seating area at the foot of Grey's Monument in the centre of Newcastle - right in the midst of all the action! Whatever your reason for being out and about in Newcastle, enjoy socialising with 2-4-1 cocktails seven-days a week! So gather your friends and make a weekend of it.

ABOVE, Newcastle - rooftop bar

Located on the roof of the Vermont Hotel, ABOVE is a stunning rooftop bar that offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the Newcastle skyline. It's the perfect spot for your next date night - just grab yourself one of their signature cocktails, get cosy, and admire the view. ABOVE also has indoor seating available. 

The Botanist, Newcastle city centre - roof terrace

The Botanist in Newcastle is a great place to dine out or enjoy a drink in the centre of Newcastle. They have a covered roof garden and bar area with views of Newcastle city centre and the bustling streets below. Find a nook to cosy up or catch up under the twinkle of lights in The Botantist's atmospheric outdoor terrace.

Market Shaker, Newcastle - outdoor, sheltered beer garden

If you've not been to Market Shaker for a slice of pizza and a cocktail then what have you been doing? Market Shaker is a popular and lively bar beside Newcastle's Bigg Market which has a great outdoor bar area and often has a big queue to get in. Their outdoor space has fire pits, obligatory twinkly lights and bags of atmosphere.

Livello, Newcastle - courtyard

Livello is a top nightclub and late night bar tucked away on Newcastle Quayside. It's outdoor courtyard area is a great place to sip a cold beer or glass of fizz before taking to the dance floor inside.

Revolucion de Cuba, Newcastle - roof terrace

You might not have realised but Revolucion de Cuba in Newcastle's Cloth Market has an excellent roof terrace complete with canopy so you can enjoy cocktails, Latin-inspired flavours and pretend you're on holiday, all year round! Turn up to find a space for cocktails on the terrace or enjoy a meal indoors (or alfresco) with friends. Tuck into tasty Spanish tapas, Bottomless Brunch, long lunches or learn a trick or two on a Cocktail Masterclass.

Pitcher and Piano, Newcastle Quayside - outdoor seating

At the first whiff of sunshine and lighter evenings, Pitcher and Piano on Newcastle Quayside is flooded by those who want to soak up some vitamin D while enjoying the view of Newcastle's iconic bridges. There is ample outdoor seating, a bustling atmosphere and great views along Newcastle Quayside so expect Pitcher and Piano to be a popular choice.