Five Cosy Newcastle Pubs with Toasty Fireplaces
A beginners guide to drinking refuges with fireplaces to warm your hands whilst nursing your pint when the weather outside is frightful
The Free Trade Inn, Ouseburn
Dripping in illustrious history, the Free Trade Inn is one of Newcastle’s most iconic drinking places. Home to a diverse crowd of trendy hipsters, friendly locals and with a true drinking heritage, the Free Trade Inn has evolved its drink offerings over the years to sport an emphasis on local craft beers and real ales. Complete with scenic views over the river Tyne, the pub’s hilltop position makes for the perfect escape to rest by the fire, enjoy a cold pint and a bite to eat. The hugely popular Scream For Pizza appear every Wednesday for a special pint and pizza deal. A slice, a roaring fire and spot of people watching, we personally can’t think of anything better.
freetradeinn.square.site
Wylam Taproom and Brewery, Exhibition Park
Wylam Brewery has placed itself at the heart of Newcastle’s craft beer renaissance, boasting a 30-barrel brewery inside the Palace of the Arts within Exhibition Park. It’s a multifaceted venue, hosting brilliant street food festivals, live music and weddings, and is home to possibly the most atmospheric taproom in the North of England. All of this complete with two inset fireplaces within a 14-pump taproom. If you’re brave enough to venture out into the beer garden, Wylam has you covered with an army of outdoor gas fire heaters all under a tented cover to help fend off the elements. Just like Eric Bloodaxe, the folks at Wylam continue to wave the Viking flag by laughing in the face of winter and keeping the tradition of a flagon by the fire alive.
wylambrewery.co.uk
Block & Bottle, Heaton
What is it with craft beer outlets and their affinity for fireplaces? Are millennials allergic to the cold? Has lockdown made us unable to function without a portable heater? All I know is that I can’t get enough, and Block & Bottle is no exception when it comes to phenomenal service, brilliant home-cured meats and a vast range of craft offerings. The UK’s first free range butchers and bottle shop, Block & Bottle have made their mark amongst Heaton’s quaint coffee shops and independent businesses. The smell alone is enough to make you levitate, beckoned in by their freshly-baked pies and juicy sandwiches. Fancy a bit of background information on how your beer got so tasty? Look no further, Block & Bottle hosts ‘Meet The Brewer’ events with famed brewers.
blocknbottle.com
The Punch Bowl, Jesmond
It’s back, it’s finally back. After a brief stint in disrepair, The Punch Bowl is officially under new management. Bought and rejuvenated by new owners, it’s back to its former glory with a new look for the contemporary age of craft beer, complete with all the post-punk trimmings a Joy Division fan could throw a stick at. This cosy Geordie landmark is littered with comfy sofas around a roaring fire, tables and benches for a home-cooked dining experience, and a nostalgic punk playlist for music lovers. In the adjacent drinking area, there’s even a record player and HiFi system where patrons can request discs to be spun at the staff’s encouragement. The Punch Bowl has taken the meaning of ‘independent business’ to a new level, and frankly we’re here for it.
punchbowlnewcastle.com
Hadrian’s Tipi, STACK
Does a tipi count as a pub? Does a pub need solid walls? We reckon not, or at least Hadrian’s Tipi gets a free pass due to possibly the best open fire in any drinking venue in Newcastle. A bold claim – but have a look for yourself and you’ll be won over quicker than you can say ‘tipi'. Hadrian’s Tipi is a seasonal pop-up within the walls of STACK, a container community in Newcastle’s lively city centre. Hadrian’s Tipi puts the ‘fest’ in festive, with a huge bar and a charming open plan seating arrangement, generating an intimate festival atmosphere around separate fire pits situated as showpieces for each section of the venue. It’s a venue that can’t help but put a smile on your face.
stacknewcastle.com
