Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle upon Tyne, often shortened to Newcastle, is a city in the county of Tyne and Wear in North East England. It is also a unitary authority with a population of around 259,000 (2001 census). However, the metropolitan boroughs of North Tyneside (population c.190,000), South Tyneside (population c. 150,000) and Gateshead (population c.200,000) are also part of Newcastle's conurbation. Newcastle is the main city in North East England, and around the 14th largest city in England. As such, it is one of England's core cities.

Entertainment

Bars and clubs

Newcastle has a reputation of being a fun-loving city with many bars, restaurants and night clubs. It consistently features in lists of the top ten party cities in the world. Recently, Newcastle has become popular as a destination for Stag and Hen parties.

Related Topics:
Stag - Hen

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The majority of clubs in Newcastle are located in three main areas. The oldest of these is the Bigg Market a favourite haunt for the more indigenous of the locals, followed by the trendy Quayside area, a spectacular mix of modern and classic architecture which creates a fantastic backdrop for a sometimes frantic saturday night. The newest is "The Gate", which is a new indoor complex consisting of bars, upmarket clubs, restaurants and a 12-screen Odeon multiplex cinema.

Related Topics:
Quayside - Odeon - Cinema

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Pubs and bars are located throughout the city, though there are more in the areas mentioned above. In addition the area around Central Station features a heavy concentration of pubs; this area attracts more real ale drinkers than other parts of the city centre. Beyond the Quayside, towards Byker in the Ouseburn Valley there is a cluster of interesting pubs providing real ale and live music.

Related Topics:
Pubs - Central Station - Real ale - Byker - Ouseburn Valley

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Over recent years, the suburb of Jesmond has become a drinking area, with a number of bars being set up along the area's main artery, Osborne Road. As well as bars this stretch of designer real estate is puncuated with top class restaurants and other fine cafe-bar/eateries. These tend to be popular with the area's students and young professionals.

Related Topics:
Jesmond - Student

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Theatre

A growth in the Theatre Culture has taken place in recent years, centred on the impressive Theatre Royal on Grey Street, which for over 25 years has hosted a season of performances from the Royal Shakespeare Company. Other Theatres in the City include the Tyne Opera House, the Newcastle Playhouse (which is currently undergoing redevelopment), the Live Theatre, the Peoples Theatre and the Gulbenkian Studio. There are several other venues in and around Newcastle, such as: Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle Arena and The Sage Gateshead.

Related Topics:
Theatre Royal - Royal Shakespeare Company - Tyne Opera House - Newcastle Playhouse - Live Theatre - Peoples Theatre - Gulbenkian Studio - Newcastle City Hall - Newcastle Arena - The Sage Gateshead

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Music

In the 1960s the internationally successful rock group The Animals emerged from the Club-A-Go-Go and other Newcastle music spots. Other well known acts with connections to the city include Sting, Dire Straits, and more recently Maxïmo Park. There's also a thriving "underground" (for want of a better term) music scene that encompasses all styles of music, from drum n bass to post rock, the latter having produced such luminaries as Peace Burial at Sea in recent years.

Related Topics:
The Animals - Club-A-Go-Go - Sting - Dire Straits - Maxïmo Park - Drum n bass - Post rock - Peace Burial at Sea

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Venom, reckoned by many to be the originators of black metal, formed in Newcastle in 1979. The Wildhearts are another band with Newcastle roots.

Related Topics:
Venom - Black metal - Wildhearts

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Outdoor pursuits

The Hoppings, reputedly the largest travelling fair in Europe takes place on Newcastle Town Moor every June. The event had its origins in the Temperance movement during the early 1880s and coincides with the annual race week at High Gosforth Park.

Related Topics:
The Hoppings - Europe - Newcastle Town Moor - June - Temperance movement - 1880s - High Gosforth Park

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