Hoping to head high above the summer crowds? Newcastle is blessed with dozens of brilliant rooftop bars and restaurants offering top-notch drinks, food and views. Don’t believe us? From an al fresco afternoon tea at an iconic department store to Latino cocktails and live music, we’ve rounded up seven of the best rooftop bars in Newcastle.
1. 3Sixty Bar
Set 26 floors above St James Boulevard in Hadrian’s Tower, 3Sixty is undoubtedly one of the city’s swankiest rooftop spots. When it opened last summer, it was immediately booked out for months – and its popularity hasn’t waned. Thankfully, it’s a little easier to get a table here now that the hullabaloo has hushed. There’s an impressive array of cocktails, champagnes, wines and beers on offer, as well as a full menu featuring small plates, sharing boards and main courses. Come hungry.
2. Revolucion de Cuba
With the sun shining and the scent of minty mojitos in the air, you could (almost) be fooled into thinking you’re in the heart of Havanna, rather than Newcastle. Revolucion de Cuba is one of the city’s largest rooftop bars and one of its prettiest too. The space is crammed full of colourful chairs, scattered cushions and fairy lights, with a lengthy bar at one end of the terrace and city views on the other. You’ll find all the Cuban staples on the menu – Cuba Libre, Mojitos and Daiquiris – as well as Latin-inspired bar snacks, tapas and sharing plates.
3. Chaophraya
This popular restaurant offers a taste of Thailand alongside its rooftop views. The menu features all the Thai crowdpleasers, including Satay Chicken and Pad Thai, as well as lesser-known dishes like Som Tam and Yum Ped Grob. There are Asian-inspired cocktails on the menu too, like the Lychee and Raspberry Spritz and the ‘Made in Thailand’, made with spiced rum, lemongrass, lime liqueur, ginger and coconut syrups. The astroturf-covered rooftop is open for drinks and dinner, as well as bottomless brunch from 12–4 pm every weekend.
4. Roof Thirty Nine at Fenwick
This unsurprisingly popular spot is perched atop Fenwicks department store on Northumberland Street. It doesn’t take bookings, which makes it an excellent option for last-minute planners. The roomy terrace is kitted out with tropical plants, fragrant flowers and fairy lights, with a retractable awning and patio heaters for when the sun goes down. Roof Thirty Nine is open for early morning coffees, light lunches, afternoon drinks, evening meals and sundowners. Keep an eye out for the ‘Rooftop Sessions’, which combine food, drink and live music with city skyline views.
5. Roof Garden at The Botanist
The Botanist boasts brilliant views over Grey Street and out over the Monument. The 420-square-foot bar re-opened last August after a major revamp, with comfy lounge seats, tropical plants and floral artwork on the walls. There are patio heaters for cooler afternoons and a DJ booth for lively evenings too. Unlike most rooftop spots, the team here are just as committed to the food menu as they are to the drinks. Try the famous ‘Hanging Kebabs’ or pop in for a Sunday lunch on a sunny day.
6. ABOVE at Vermont Hotel
In a 1930s hotel on Castle Grath, ABOVE rooftop bar doubles up as an outdoor cinema, restaurant and wedding venue. It’s open all year round, thanks to its nifty glass box cover but we like it best when the sun is shining. The open-air bar offers 360-degree views of Newcastle city and Quayside. The menu features a wide range of classic and signature cocktails, champagnes, beers and wines.
7. Six at The Baltic
Six might not get any awards for height, but it could for its views. Located on the top floor of the Baltic Contemporary Art Gallery on Gateshead quayside, customers can soak in dazzling views of the Quayside and River Tyne. Ladies, it’s worth popping to the toilets here too – they boast some of the best views in the city. The menu features a wide variety of locally-produced spirits and beers, as well as cocktails and wine. Afternoon tea is available from 2-4 pm and the restaurant hosts a monthly steak night too.
