What To Do This Weekend
From the end of dry January to heading into watery (and icy) worlds, here's what you should be doing this weekend
Marching to the Beat
Independent Venue Week, celebrating independent music venues, runs until Sunday 2nd. More than 200 venues take part and our region has an assortment of amazing ones worth supporting, From punky pop at Sheffield’s Yellow Arch Studios to R&B at Repas7 by Night in Berwick, there’s something to cater to all ears – and an indie gig might even lead you to discover something new that you'll love!
Wine-d Down
Dry January is finally over on Saturday! If you took part, give yourself a pat on the back and head out for a drink at one of the newest bars you might have missed. Pour Decisions in Newcastle is the newest venture from the folk behind Hide, Nest and Flight – part bar, part bottle shop, you can enjoy a bottle before taking one (or a few) home. Hoc Loco in Horsforth is a wine bar which celebrates artisan vintages and craft beers with cheeseboards served alongside. Vinoteca in Morley is also new, with a tempting menu of pretty cocktails and spectacular-looking tapas dishes. If you want to cheat and finish a day or two early (we won’t tell, we promise), Jalou (in Newcastle) have 50 percent off their entire cocktail menu until the end of January.
What to Watch
Fancying a night in but don’t know what to watch? We’ve got you. If you’re mourning The Traitors, fill the gap with The Apprentice, which starts its 19th season tonight, or The Traitors US, currently airing its third season and available to watch on BBC iPlayer. The second season of mind-bending thriller Severance has also begun streaming on Apple TV+, examining a world where people’s work lives and personal lives are surgically separated. If you missed the first season, fear not – new episodes are released every Friday so you still have time to catch up. The much-anticipated third season of drama anthology The White Lotus will begin next week, this time set in Thailand – so, why not take this weekend to watch the brilliant first two seasons on NOW? Need more inspo? Take a look at our full TV & Culture Guide here.
Water World
Need a fun, indoor activity to keep the kids entertained and out of the rain this weekend? The Deep in Hull has a fascinating collection of marine life, and is a non-profit conservation aquarium, so you know your ticket price is supporting a good cause. Scarborough ’s Sea Life has more than 2,500 creatures, including lizards and snakes – their penguin island allows you to get closer than ever to their adorable colony of Humboldt penguins, too. In the North East, Tynemouth Aquarium is home to a series of exhibits including their amazing ocean tunnel. They also run a seal hospital, nursing pups back to health before releasing them into the wild, and their super-cute seals can be viewed in the seal cove.
Feel the Freeze
The streets of York will be transformed into an icy wonderland this weekend at their 2025 Ice Trail. On Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd, the origins-themed trail will take visitors on a journey through the tales of old, inspired by the city’s historical myths. Live ice carving will take place throughout the weekend and there’ll be interactive contests for kids.
Celebrate Chinese New Year
Lunar New Year kicked off yesterday, marking the year of the snake. Whilst we’ve already brought you a list of all the celebrations to attend, food is a vital part of the event, so why not treat yourself to some Chinese food too? Landmark on Newcastle’s Stowell Street in ChinaTown serves everything from bao buns to multiple-course banquets. The Rabbit Hole in Durham specialise in Cantonese-fusion cuisine, combining traditional dishes with regional ingredients for big flavour, and in Leeds, Blue Pavilion’s food is as delicious as it is pretty. Begin with one of their theatrical cocktails before choosing from their à la carte menu or opting for a set menu – you can even do afternoon tea here! For a more fine-dining approach, check out Eighty Eight at Grantley Hall where the eight-course tasting menu is a real celebration of Asian flavours. Rather stay in? You can still celebrate at home by creating one of these three delicious fakeaway recipes – the jerk chow mein is to die for. And don’t forget to enter our competition to win four authentic Asian meals from the brilliant Wowzabox meal kit company.
