Newcastle area guide
A Newcastle city centre date night
Collingwood Street and the Bigg Market are where Newcastle goes out late, a few minutes' walk from Central Station. This guide explains how to enjoy the area as a couple, when it is at its best for two and where to sleep once the dancing is done.
- Late cocktails
- Dancing till late
- Near Central Station
The area
What is the city centre like for a couple?
A Newcastle city centre date night suits couples who like to dress up, stay out late and dance. The streets between Grey's Monument and Central Station hold the city's busiest run of bars, and Collingwood Street adds a smarter strip of cocktail bars in grand Victorian buildings.
The Bigg Market and the streets around it are louder and more casual, with music spilling out of doorways and a crowd that is very much out for the night. It all sits a few minutes from Grainger Town and the Quayside, so you can have a calm dinner first and then choose how lively the rest of the evening should be.
The city centre at a glance
- Collingwood Street is the place for smart cocktails.
- The Bigg Market is loud, casual and busiest on Saturdays.
- Several dance floors keep going into the early hours.
- Central Station and Grainger Town are a short walk away.
An honest word
Is the Bigg Market too loud for a date?
On Friday and Saturday nights the Bigg Market is loud and crowded, and much of the crowd is made up of large groups out celebrating. That energy is part of Newcastle's character, and plenty of couples enjoy dipping into it, although it is rarely the place for a quiet conversation.
Go earlier in the evening
Before about ten the streets are busy but friendly, and you can usually find a seat. Have a drink or two then, before the late crowd arrives in force.
Try a quieter night
Thursday and Sunday nights are much calmer, which suits a Midweek Escape. You still get the buzz of the centre without shouting across the table.
Base the night on Collingwood Street
Collingwood Street is moments from the Bigg Market but feels more grown-up, with smarter bars and places to sit down. Spend most of the night there and treat the busier streets as an optional detour.
After dark
Evening ideas for two
The best nights here mix a slow start with a late finish.
Cocktails on Collingwood Street
Dress up, find a corner table and work through the menu at your own pace. If you would rather mix your own, a cocktail masterclass for two gives you a skill to show off later.
Dancing late
Several bars and clubs in the centre keep the music going late. An hour or two on a dance floor together is great fun, and it makes the walk back feel even better.
Dinner somewhere calmer
Book dinner in Grainger Town or on the Quayside and arrive in the centre already relaxed. That way the noisier part of the night lasts exactly as long as you want it to.
By day
Daytime around the centre
By day the city centre is a place for shopping and lunch, and the streets are far calmer. Grainger Town is right next door, with the Grainger Market and Central Arcade for a slow browse and Grey Street for a coffee in the sun. If you would rather rest before a late night, a couples' spa session in the afternoon is a lovely warm-up. A nap counts as preparation too, and nobody will judge you for it.
Where to stay
Should you stay near the Bigg Market?
Staying right in the middle makes for a short walk home, but rooms beside the late bars can be noisy until the small hours at weekends. Since the bed is the main event of any dirty weekend, we usually suggest staying a few streets away, in Grainger Town or near Central Station.
You are still only minutes from the dance floor, and you can sleep in properly the next morning. When we book, we ask hotels for a quiet room away from the street and request a late check-out where the hotel offers it. Our romantic hotels page shows the kind of rooms we look for.
A good base for a late night
- A short, easy walk back from Collingwood Street.
- A room on a higher floor or at the back of the building.
- Heavy curtains and a big bed for the morning after.
- A late check-out request, so Sunday starts when you do.
Getting around
Getting around on a night out
The centre is compact, and you can walk from Central Station to Collingwood Street in a few minutes. Grainger Town is just uphill, and the Quayside is a short but steep walk down. Taxis wait at ranks around the centre late at night, which helps if your hotel is in Jesmond or across the river in Gateshead. Pack shoes you can dance in and still walk home in, because you will want both.
A night out for two
A sample Newcastle city centre date night
This plan keeps the best of the buzz and gets you back to the room in good time.
- 4pm
Rest before the night
Check in and have a lazy afternoon. A nap now means you will still be dancing at midnight.
- 7pm
Dinner nearby
Sit down for a long dinner in Grainger Town, a few minutes from the bars. An early table gives you time to enjoy it.
- 9pm
Cocktails on Collingwood Street
Find a smart bar with seats, order something you have never tried and take your time.
- 10.30pm
A quick look at the Bigg Market
If you fancy the buzz, have one drink in the busier streets and move on before it gets too crowded.
- 11.30pm
Dance
Spend an hour or two on a dance floor together, then call it a night while you are still having fun.
- 1am
Back to the room
Walk back to your hotel a few streets away. The alarm is off, and nobody is knocking on the door at 6am.
Questions
Common questions about date nights in Newcastle city centre
What should we wear for Collingwood Street?
Many bars on Collingwood Street prefer smart dress, so it is a good excuse to make an effort for each other. Door policies can tighten on busy nights, and dressing up a little is the safe bet.
Which nights are best for a date in the city centre?
Thursday and Sunday nights are calmer and better for conversation. Fridays and Saturdays have the most atmosphere and the biggest crowds, especially in the Bigg Market. If you want the buzz, go out early and finish in a smarter bar.
Can we mix a big night out with a quieter weekend?
Yes, and most couples do. A typical Dirty Weekend has one gentle night with dinner by the river and one later night in the centre. Our packages explain how the different weekend styles work.
Start planning
Ready to plan your dirty weekend?
Send us your dates and a few wishes using the quote form. We will reply with a tailored plan for the two of you, a clear price and honest advice on where to stay and eat in Newcastle.