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Queer

Type of Venue	Location	Sub Category
Keywords

@ne Bar

One of the smartest gay bars in the quarter, this light an airy establishment has an eclectic music policy which veers from camp trash to cool house. Well worth checking out mid-week when they have two for one drink offers and is a pre-club venue if you're so inclined.

1 Marlborough Crescent Newcastle upon Tyne | 0191 260 3841 | Central Station Metro

Aisle Alter Hymn

The shop, as well as boasting possibly the best word play moniker we’ve ever heard, stocks an exciting range of suits and dresses for the mother of the bride, the brides, the grooms and whoever else wants to get involved. Prospective brides and grooms can drop in and enjoy a glass of champagne with the amiable staff who are happy to advise on how to make sure the big day goes with a bang, not a wimper. Or maybe both.

7 East Street Whitburn | 0191 5294132

Blue Corner Sauna

Out of town this is a relaxed sauna with friendly atmosphere. Facilities include steam room, large sauna cabin, two TV lounges, two shower areas, rest rooms, coffee shop, smoking and non-smoking areas. Mon-Sat 11am-8pm; Sun 12pm-7pm.

164b Heaton Park Rd. Heaton | 0191 240 0122 | Byker Metro

Chase

You’d better believe it – the chain bar Chase is about as close to queer as things get in Durham, by virtue of the fact that it hosts a regular queer night – Sheep - on the first Tuesday of every month. Billed as the first regular straight-friendly queer night in the city, Sheep is brought to you by the people who run the occasional (and highly successful) Ignite lesbian-orientated night at the same venue. E-mail sheepdurham@googlemail.com for further details.

The Boathouse Elvet Riverside Durham | 0191 384 5122

Desirez

Whereas The Oak and H’s Bar are more pub-like, this is most definitely the place to be if you want to go clubbing in the gay community. There are three floors, with the downstairs hosting the main dancefloor; cocktails etc on the middle floor; and a conservatory mid-level. Upstairs is where the DJ spins the cheese, the funk and the R’n’B. The conservatory doesn’t stream in any of the music, so you can relax in there if the DJ is playing too many good dance anthems and you can feel yourself getting faint. They have male and female cabaret acts and strippers, as well as party games. The website categorises “pole dancing” as a party game, but I’ll be honest, my family usually stick to Monopoly.

41/45 Grange Road Middlesbrough | 01642 248197

Eclipse

A large bar with great value food during the day. Attracts a mixed crowd which gets more gay at nights and weekends. Upstairs offers a pre-club space which is popular with lesbians.

48 Clayton Street Newcastle | 0191 222 0183 | Central Station Metro

Fizikal

With various themed rooms, a cinema, steam room, lounge and 12-person Jacuzzi, Fizikal is one of the north-east’s best gay saunas. Membership will get you in cheaper and a buffet on the last Sunday of every month is ideal for welcoming new arrivals.

Murton Street Sunderland | 0191 567 3345

Gossip

Presented as a sports bar (so there’s loads of screens to watch the football), this smart pre-club venue is adjacent to The Powerhouse. Great place for a drink during the week, if offers a great warm-up to the club at weekends.

Westmoreland Road Newcastle | 0191 261 6824 | Central Station Metro

Heavens

Set above The Yard (see below) this place has always attracted the great and the good. Well designed you'll find a young, fun clientele here. A positive feel-good vibe abounds and you'll be able to catch DJs on a weekend.

2 Scotswood Road Newcastle | 0191 232 2037 | Central Station Metro

Hedgefield House

Mixed clientele, although extremely gay and lesbian friendly guest house. Complete with sauna, gym and massage service.

Stella Rd. Blaydon | 07958 304942

H's Bar

Whether it be day or night, H’s Bar is always ready to welcome the punters, regardless of sexuality. So long as you can sing a note on the karaoke and you like to partake in a game of trivial knowledge/pool, you’ll be laughing!

97 Linthorpe Rd. Middlesborough | 01642 248 828

La Boca

Gay friendly cafe and art gallery with free Wifi.

Upper Princess Square next to Central Library Newcastle upon Tyne | 0191 230 5756

Nice 'n' Naughty

Shop stocking all your fruity needs.

62 Scotswood Rd. Newcastle | 0191 221 2571 | Central Station Metro

Number 52

Hooray for this place! Fab steam room, sauna room, hydrotherapy pool, restrooms, video lounge, internet, private courtyard with smoking area and fully licenced refreshment area in this fantastic new establishment which pushes all the right buttons and is consequently proving very popular.

52 Scotswood Road Newcastle | 0191 221 189 | Central Station Metro

Powerhouse

The largest gay club in the north-east offers three floors and a roof terrace … Open six days a week and attracting top international pop acts and world class DJs, this venue has loads to offer.

7 -19 Westmorland Road Newcastle | 0191 261 6824 | Central Station Metro

Rock N Doris

The women behind Rock n Doris have been producing excellent events for nearly 20 years. Aimed unashamedly at women, these lively do’s blend live music and DJs to create highly successful nights out. Has been held at various venues down through the years and is currently being held at the Urban Café at Dance City, Temple St., Newcastle.

Dance City Urban Cafe Temple Street Newcastle | 0191 232 1232

Rush

Check out their Tuesday night (C. U. Next. Tuesday), with DJs, fab sound and light system and dance floor. There’s also a nice and relaxing lounge upstairs.

24 Vine Place Sunderland | 0191 514 3800 | Park Lane Metro

Switch

Switch opened its doors in 2003 and has since become established as being one of the most popular bars on the scene. During the day Switch offers a warm family atmosphere, serving a wide range of food at affordable prices. By night Switch is transformed into a lively disco bar with DJs mixing up all your favourite party and chart classics every night of the week.

4-10 Scotswood Road Newcastle | 0191 230 3863 | Central Station Metro

The Bank Bar

One of the busiest bars in the quarter. If you like to perform then come and sing, recite some poetry or tell some jokes at their karaoke / open mic nights. If you’re a daytime drinker come join scene legend Greta La-More with her blend of camp & crass music & special drinks promotions.

12 Scotswood Road Newcastle | 0191 2618880 | Central Station Metro

The Baron & Baroness

Think Tom Cruise taking a blood thirsty bite out of Brad Pitt in Interview With A Vampire: chandeliers, candle lit archways, organ pipes, fireplaces, cosy nooks and crannies and carved wooden thrones. Yep, this is a gothic themed bar which attracts a mixed crowd.

Times Square Newcastle | 0191 233 0414 | Central Station Metro

The Black Bull

The Black Bull dons its gay head each Tuesday with drag acts and karaoke etc.

309-310 High Street West Sunderland | 0191 567 5702 | Sunderland Metro

The Crown

The Crown is a gay-friendly joint, but it hosts its main gay night on a Tuesday. For more details as to why The Crown is so awesome, see the “pubs” section.

143 Linthorpe Rd Middlesbrough | 01642 255311

The Dog

A pretty small pub that has a loyal band of regulars (gay and straight), but don't worry if you're not one of the usual crowd - outsiders are welcome with open arms. The upstairs karaoke is very popular with lesbians.

15 Malborough Cres. Newcastle | 0191 221 0775 | Central Station Metro

The Eagle

Attracts a mostly male crowd over 25. Like its Amsterdam and US cousins, The Eagle has all the trappings you would expect from a gay male dominated space. Think denim, think leather, think uniforms. Open late.

42 Scotswood Road Newcastle | 0191 222 1682 | Central Station Metro

The Glass Spider

Great dancefloor, plenty of seating and a very cosy feel to this nightclub which is friendly and a great place to let your hair down each Tuesday.

Green Terrace Sunderland | 0191 567 7272 | Sunderland Metro

The Loft

Located above Switch and The Bank, this is a really canny club, offering a large heated roof terrace, well-lit dancefloor and a great selection of some of the scene’s most popular nights including the popular Shag Tag every Monday. Open seven nights a week.

(Above Switch) 4-10 Scotswood Road Newcastle | 0191 2303862 | Central Station Metro

The Oak

The Oak is a loud-and-proud gay bar and is open seven days a week. Its doors are open to everyone, so whether you fancy a spot of lunch whilst you shop or whether you need a Sunday dinner to digest your hangover away, The Oak will be there.

23 Newport Road Middlesbrough | 01642 219748

The Vault

A dark cellar bar, based in the ground floor of the Powerhouse.

Back of the Powerhouse 15-19 Westmoreland Lane Newcastle Upon Tyne | 0191 261 6824 | Central Station Metro

The Yard

The longest running gay bar in Newcastle and still one of the best. This swish place is made up of two parts. The downstairs area is now a mix of the younger and older end of the market, whilst upstairs (Heaven's Above) is definitely one for the trendier elements. Really busy every night look out for varying entertainment and drink promos.

2 Scotswood Road Newcastle | 0191 232 2037 | Central Station Metro

Top 2 Bottom

This sauna offers a large stream room, video lounge, TV lounge, jacuzzi and snack bar. Sun-Thurs 11am-11pm; Fri/Sat 11am-6am

85-89 Blandford St. Newcastle | 0191 230 4110 | Central Station Metro

Ttonic

This large disco pub is on two levels and features a dance area, open main bar, a more intimate "Bottle Bar" shielded from the sounds allowing for more affectionate moments, and a first floor bar with a laidback, spacious aura. Known by many for its over the top ‘Crisco Disco’ gay night on a Tuesday.

12-14 Vine Place Sunderland | 0191 565 5755 | Park Lane Metro