The Ultimate Newcastle Hen Do Guide 2023

Howlers is the perfect place for a pit stop – as in it actually has a ball pit and you’re gonna want to stop to play in it! Located on the famous Diamond strip, this fun, trendy and neon themed bar will show you a good time for your last night of freedom. This is Newcastle’s only club with a ball pit, who wouldn’t want to live out a childhood fantasy and hop right in? Open ‘til 3am on a Friday and a Saturday, this bar has LED lights everywhere and the atmosphere is everything. It also has private karaoke booths, bonkers bingo and live entertainment. Howlers is the ideal place to see off your last days of singledom. We even tried it ourselves.

We’re off to Cuba baby! Well sort of. Nestled in the heart of Newcastle, a stone’s throw from Newcastle Castle, this Cuban themed bar will transport you to Havana. You can expect colourful cocktails such as Paradise Punch and Kingston Colada. It’s a paradise for rum lovers as rum features rather heavily as the spirit in a lot of the drinks. There are other options available if rum just isn’t your thing, like a lemon drizzle shots board, which packs a bit more of a punch than the cake it’s named after! There’s Cuban inspired décor throughout and the sun terrace is super cute and colourful with pretty lights. One thing’s for sure, with Revolucion De Cuba you’ll be ‘Havana’ good time…

This stylish cocktail bar and nightclub on the Diamond Strip is certainly a must do! The aesthetic is amazing with pink neon signs, old fashioned telephones on the walls and beautiful flowers hanging from the ceiling. This will certainly look cute on the insta pics. Bohemia, which boasts that it is "Newcastle's most exciting new bar, combining love, art and music” also has a mezzanine club and terrace. Expect trees of lush cocktails, disco balls, banging DJs and an incredible atmosphere!

This award-winning bar, that’s open till 3am every night of the week (yes, even Sunday!), is one of Newcastle’s best kept secrets. You’ll find a tucked away staircase by the entrance to Grainger Market on Nelson Street. This atmospheric beauty offers a whole host of drink choices such as gorgeous cocktails (such as a watermelon cooler or number 28 garden martini), premium spirits and craft beers. As much a day venue as it is a night venue, you can get bottomless brunches or dance the night away (on Friday and Saturday) to top DJs such as Jon Dasilva and 808 State who’ve played this awesome venue in the past. You can get excellent tapas that are designed by an executive chef, lounge on delightfully comfy sofas, people watch (check out hot men) from the balcony and best of all, it’s free to get in – mint!

Welcome to Newcastle’s chicest hideout. The walls are lined with bark, the staircase is golden and there’s beautiful artwork all over. With comfy seating booths, this bar is a fab place to get a cocktail and chill out with your friends. It’s also a great place to grab a bite to eat with delights available such as spectacular cheese fondues, scrumptious sushi and all manner of light bites. They have an outdoor garden with toasty fire pits. This high-end cocktail bar stays open till late and often hosts live music. Whether you decide to visit in the day or at night, Cha Cha Buchi is a hen party winner!

This firecracker of a bar is the newest addition to Westgate Road. A stone's throw from central station, Be at One is the place to be if you like a cocktail. With over 100 (!!) cocktails to choose from, including classic drinks such as Strawberry Daiquiris and Margheritas to some more unusual choices such as White Mocha-tini and the hilariously named ‘Tropic Like It’s Hot’. You’ve got whiskey-based cocktails, bartenders’ choice, frozen drinks, alcohol free drinks, honestly the amount of choice is wild. Open till 2am on a Friday and Saturday, they play hot tunes and have a happy hour every day of the week, which is bound to put a smile on your face. Be at One have worked hard to cultivate a booming atmosphere, just like the Vengaboys, they like to party!

You’ll find this floral paradise just up from the iconic Monument in the middle of the city centre. It’s a fab option for a couple of chilled out cocktails before hitting the clubs. All day Sunday – Friday and Friday from 5pm on Saturdays you can get two for one cocktails. There’s a choice of iconic cocktails like salted caramel espresso martini or party starters like lemon cheesecake, so if you’re a fan of cocktail and have got a sweet tooth, you’re gonna love this. They have also got outside seating, so you can relax with a cocktail in the sun (if the weather has been kind ofc).

Sat at the top of Grey Street , The Botanist is certainly a sight to behold. This beautiful flower themed bar occupies the top floor of the old Monument Mall and boasts unrivalled views over Grey Street, Grainger Street and Grey’s Monument. 100% living up to the hype, stepping into The Botanist is like entering a tropical wilderness with a central bar serving weird and wonderful botany-themed drinks in their masses, rhubarb and sage spritz anyone? The stunning glass ceiling is just magical. There’s even a fully sized tree growing out of the middle of the bar – how’s that for quirky? It’s a little on the pricier side, so don’t expect that hen party kitty to stretch as far as it would in other bars, but it’s certainly worth it to tick this ‘blooming’ marvellous bar off your bucket list.

Feel good vibes don’t get much bigger or better than Flares - neon leg warmers, permed wigs and lycra at the ready. Unashamedly bold and brash, this club is an explosive, colourful celebration of cheese-tastic, guilty pleasures and a massive throwback to the glorious 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. Their infamous DJs throw crowds into uproar every weekend, fuelled by the generous drinks offers and potent trays of shots on offer. Set where the Bigg Market meets the Diamond Strip, and actively welcoming hen and stag parties (as well as fancy dress), it’s the perfect spot to host your last night of freedom. Make sure to hop to the front of that queue with Flares Guestlist Entry – you’ll thank us later.

Situated in the trendy Gate complex, this ace cocktail bar is giving New York City vibes. It has plenty of choice, offering all of your favourites like espresso martinis and sex on the beach, plus vintage ragtime cocktails and quirky cocktails such as gooseberry fool, made with gooseberry gin. They also have an extensive wine and beer list. Mojo offers fun and games such as shuffleboard and beer pong (you can do prosecco pong if you’re not feeling beer!). You can expect to hear rock and roll music from the last five decades. This electric hangout is well worth checking out!

Nothing screams ‘culture vulture’ like an awfully refined night in a 19th century theatre. With everything from musicals, pantomimes and comedies, to high-brow Shakespearean plays on offer, The Theatre Royal is the biggest theatre and grandest theatre in the city. Many of London’s hottest shows eventually make their way here such as Les Misérables, Mamma Mia and even SpongeBob the musical! Situated on Grey Street (that’s not the last you’ve heard of him) and well within walking distance of all main nightlife areas and transportation hubs, if you’re after a night at the theatre, there’s no better, or grander way to spend your evening. With palatial interiors and a deceptive capacity of 1,249 seats across four levels, it’s worth having a look into the auditorium, even if you’re just passing through the day.

Nestled in the centre of Newcastle, the Grade I listed, dome-covered building of Grainger Market is a slice of Newcastle history. First built in the 1830s, this was the largest of its kind and even housed Marks and Spencer Original Penny Bazaar, the world’s smallest M&S. Now, you can get everything from clothing and footwear (shout out to the Doc Martens fans, you’re gonna love this!), to devilish cupcakes and coffee shops in Grainger Market. It has recently developed into a foodie’s heaven, with delights such as Redhead’s Mac ‘N’ Cheese (with sticky rib Mac and Cheese which is to die for), SnackWallah (which does amazing vegetarian Indian food) and Pumphrey’s Coffee (which is THE place to go for a coffee whilst in town). It’s also been the set of many TV shows and films in its time, as well as a bomb shelter in WWII. For retail therapy with a local twist, it’s all about Grainger Market.

There’s only one Mr Grey you’ll need on your Newcastle hen weekend… Slap-bang in the centre of town, it’s a Grade I listed monument, a central meeting point, a metro stop and a guardian watching down over the bar-lined Grey Street. Towering over the city at 40 metres tall, if Grey’s could talk (and, y’know, wasn’t made of stone), he’d sure have some stories to tell. This monument has even earned its place in our Newcastle’s Best Kept Secrets – as only those in the know realise that you can actually climb the spiral staircase and get 360 degree views over your host city.

A peaceful haven just out of the city centre, Jesmond Dene is an excellent place to take a breather from the hen party antics and take in a spot of scenery. Home to lots of nature, greenery and even the luxurious 19th century mansion, Jesmond Dene House, it’s the ideal spot for a breather and it does a cracking afternoon tea. Osborne Road is just a stone’s throw away, should you fancy something a little stronger. There’s even a pets’ corner on certain days of the month – nothing cures a hangover more than cute animals.

Famous not only for its cheap, cheerful and more than a little bit rowdy nightlife scene, Bigg Market is the site of Newcastle’s former zoo - not much has changed there then… Dating back to the Middle Ages, when it was the site of a thriving marketplace, Bigg Market is named after a course type of barley known as Bigg barley, which was sold from the stalls. Bigg Market has recently had a huge revamp with a tonof new bars that have opened. It still has a bustling party vibe, with cheesy delights such as Popworld and Cosy Joes (karaoke heaven), but it is also home to some classy bars such as Revolucion de Cuba and WC- Gin Closet. The good thing about ticking this historical site, is that you can neck a few shots along the way. It’s a win-win.

Opened in 1937 as a newsreel theatre, this Grade II listed building is home to Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle’s finest independent cinema. From Hollywood silver screen offerings, Oscar-nominated movies, independent films and the best of world cinema, the 1920s Art Décor style venue is a hotspot on Newcastle’s cultural scene. You can even grab a coffee or alcoholic bev in the adjoining Tyneside Cafe, or Vicolo next door.

Located on the banks of the River Tyne, the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art is housed within a completely renovated flour mill and is the biggest gallery of its kind in the world. There are ever-changing installations and exhibitions in the Baltic, and when you’ve had enough of being culture vultures, you can take in the views from SIX Baltic at the top.

Newcastle’s very own guardian angel looks down upon The Toon from her 20 metre vantage point. Her wingspan is a whopping 54 metres, so you definitely won’t miss her; if you’re driving up from the south into Newcastle, you’ll spot her from the road (and stop for an obligatory selfie, obvs), and you can even catch a glimpse of her from the train. She’s a sight to behold and a must see on any Newcastle hen weekend.

Newcastle’s answer to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the banks of the glistening Tyne are lined with bronze plaques dedicated to local heroes and heroines. The long and ever growing list has the likes of Sting, Ant and Dec and Dame Margaret Barbour. If you’re having a few drinks or enjoying a cocktail class along The Quayside, why not see who you can spot?

Not just an eye-catching landmark on Newcastle’s Quayside, The Sage is the gig venue dreams are made of. This iconic, almost cloud-shaped venue is built for its acoustics and has seen huge performers grace its stages, as well as the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival hosted within its impressive walls. Any and every kind of music is played here; indie, rock, pop, classical, acoustic, country, folk, jazz, electronic and dance, and what’s even better is that you’ll be just steps away from many bars and restaurants on the Quayside. It's even earned its place in our Top Live Music Venues in Newcastle