Hen's Nightlife Guide to the Bigg Market
| Top Reasons to Visit Bigg Market |
|---|
 | Bars - Huge bars with rowdy clientele and cheap drinks, make for an unforgettable night. |
 | Restaurants - There are many spots to line your stomachs – including a Greggs and The Gentleman. |
 | Music - There is a huge live music following – including traditional German Oompah bands. |
 | Shopping - It’s super close to Eldon Square, and where else can you get a Greggs pasty at 4am? |
 | Art - The only ‘art’ you’ll see around here is the war paint of the revellers in their masses. |
The Bigg Market is famous for name alone in these parts. The site of the former Newcastle Zoo hasn’t changed much in recent years… It’s host to hordes of party animals, eating, drinking (dancing on tables) and attempting to seduce a mate. This is where you’ll do your biggest hen party drinking and celebrating – and we wouldn’t have this district any other way.
As the home of Newcastle’s liveliest bars and clubs – your hen weekend celebrations will be unrivalled. The ‘strip’, leading from the Diamond Strip to our whopping entertainment complex, The Gate, is lined with huge (and even underground) venues, along with our most popular karaoke bar.
With a massive reputation preceding it, if you're after a loose, rowdy and unruly night out, Newcastle's Bigg Market is the district that delivers...
01. Bier Keller
www.steinbierkeller.com13 Bigg Market, NE1 1UN
The raucous, underground Bierkeller is like nothing you’ve ever seen before – and you’ll love it. The Bavarian-themed bar serves German draught by the stein (don’t worry, you can get speciality cocktails, too), all to a backdrop of live Oom-pah bands and lederhosen wearing staff. Actively encouraging rowdy behaviour like dancing on the tables – here’s to having the stein of your life.
- No. of Bars: One
- Beer Garden: Smoking area
- Live Music: Live Oompah bands
- Fancy Dress: Yes
- Happy Hours: Yes
- Opening Times: Mon – Tues: Closed, Wed: 18.00 – 00.30, Thurs: 18.30 – 02.00, Fri: 16.00 – 02.00, Sat: 13.00 – 02.00, Sun: 18.00 – 00.00
02. Cosy Joes
www.cosyjoes.co.uk27-31 Groat Market, NE1 1UQ
Speaking of music, the legendary Cosy Joes – part of Newcastle’s nightlife foundations – is where X-Factor wannabes (note: that’s you) sing their hearts out to karaoke classics. This multi-level bar boasts two floors of karaoke tunes and loud crowds. It attracts locals, tourists and everything else, with private rooms to belt out the classics for those wishing to keep those pipes a secret.
- No. of Bars: Two
- Beer Garden: No
- Live Music: Belted out by yours truly...
- Fancy Dress: Yes
- Happy Hours: Thurs: All drinks £2.60
- Opening Times: Mon – Weds: Closed, Thurs: 21.00 – 02.00, Fri: 20.00 – 03.00, Sat: 18.00 – 03.00, Sun: 21.00 – 01.00
03. Passing Clouds
www.passingcloudsncl.co.uk2-4 Bigg Market, NE1 1UW
Next door, Passing Clouds will flirt with you and sweep you in her dazzling whirlwind. She’s reminiscent of a French boudoir, with cool antiques lining the wall and live music every weekend. That’s not to mention her delicious and ever-so-dangerous cocktails… There’s even a snazzy outdoor terrace where you can catch the rays, between those passing clouds (see what we did there?).
- No. of Bars: One
- Beer Garden: Yes
- Live Music: Yes
- Fancy Dress: Yes, but tasteful
- Happy Hours: No
- Opening Times: Mon - Sun: 12:00 – 03:00
04. Filthy's
www.facebook.com/FilthysNewcastle3-4 Bigg Market, NE1 1UW
Filthy’s is recognised as the ‘Godfather of the Bigg Market’, sitting pretty in the centre of the square. The Irish-inspired bar showcases up-and-coming musicians, has stags’ heads and vintage posters lining the walls, eclectic seating areas to sink into with a delicious drink and fake grass in its garden area. Whether it’s day time sessions or a wild night out – Filthy’s is a welcoming den for lads and ladettes. Things are about to get filthy…
- No. of Bars: One
- Beer Garden: Yes
- Live Music: Yes
- Fancy Dress: Yes, but tasteful
- Happy Hours: No
- Opening Times: Mon – Thurs: 16.00 – 03.00, Fri – Sun: 13.00 – 03.00
05. Idols/Vaults
www.cityvaultsnewcastle.co.uk13 Bigg Market, NE1 1UN
Located above Bier Keller, this is the stomping ground of hundreds of party animals every week. With over 15 years’ experience, Idols / Vaults knows a thing or two about throwing the perfect hen party. Boasting a 1,200 capacity and hosting some of Newcastle’s top DJs, as well as having a 3am license – makes this place super popular with locals and visitors to The Toon. The dancefloor may be big, but the shapes you throw will be even bigger.
- No. of Bars: Two
- Beer Garden: No
- Live Music: DJ booth
- Fancy Dress: Yes, but tasteful
- Happy Hours: 1x Double Vodka, 1x Bottle of K2 and 1 Jagerbomb £5, Sundays: £1 entry and £1 Drinks
- Opening Times: Sun – Thurs: Closed, Fri: 19.30 – 01.30, Sat: 18.00 – 03.00
06. Pop World
www.popworldparty.co.uk/newcastle14 Bigg Market, NE1 1UW
Set within the beating heart of Bigg Market, Pop World is a Pandora’s Box filled with every guilty pleasure you ever dreamed of – wrapped up with a huge, sparkly bow on top. Blasting out the best chart toppers and cheesiest music in the whole of Newcastle – Pop World is the ultimate retro hen party haunt. Hold onto your wigs, it’s going to be one hell of a ride…
- No. of Bars: One
- Beer Garden: No
- Live Music: DJ booth
- Fancy Dress: Yes
- Happy Hours: Mon and Weds: £1.50 drinks all night, Thurs: 2-4-1 cocktails, Sat: Jagerbombs 2 for £5
- Opening Times: Sun – Weds: 20.00 – 01.00, Thurs – Fri: 20.00 – 02.00, Sat: 17.00 – 02.00
07. Mono
www.facebook.com/Monostudent7-9 Groat Market, NE1 1UQ
Mono is slap-bang in the middle of the Diamond Strip and the Bigg Market – meaning its clientele are a varied bunch. Synonymous with Geordie Shore, as well as stag and hen parties – Mono will welcome your group with open arms. Spread across two levels, Mono’s upper floor boasts pop music, palm trees and Champagne behind glass cabinets, and the basement is home to live musicians playing soul, house, R’n’B, disco and funk.
- No. of Bars: Two
- Beer Garden: Yes
- Live Music: DJ booth
- Fancy Dress: Yes
- Happy Hours: Doubles £4.99, and add a bomb for £1
- Opening Times: Mon – Weds: Closed, Thurs – Sat: 18.00 – 03.00, Sun: Closed
08. Tiger Tiger
www.tigertiger-newcastle.co.uk/newcastleThe Gate, NE1 5RE
Travelling up the long street, Tiger Tiger is at the very end – often thought of as the ‘final stop’ on the Bigg Market. The cavernous club is split into seven uniquely themed rooms, including the Tiki-esque Kanaloa Bar, the White Room, based on the ‘White Island’ of Ibiza and Groovy Wonderland, playing music from the past and serving cocktails in retro Coco Pops boxes.
- No. of Bars: Six
- Beer Garden: No
- Live Music: DJs in various rooms
- Fancy Dress: No
- Happy Hours: Mon: £4 Mojitos, Every Day: 2-4-1 drinks 17.00 – 21.00
- Opening Times: Mon – Thurs: 04.00 – 01.00, Fri - Sat: 12.00 – 03.00, Sun: 16.00 – 00.30
09. All Seeing Eye
www.blackieboy.co.uk11 Groat Market, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1UQ
Shakespeare once famously wrote "though she may be but little, she is fierce" about this bar (we can only speculate). In a city with many secrets to its name, you’ll be amazed what you find when you scratch the surface of this small but mighty bar. Tucked away above street level, in a secret location (spoiler alert – it’s above Perdu), All Seeing Eye is a lavish cocktail bar with an innovative cocktail list as long as your arm. Seeing is believing, so come and see for yourself…
- No. of Bars: Two
- Beer Garden: Yes
- Live Music: No
- Fancy Dress: Yes, but tasteful
- Happy Hours: 2-4-1 cocktails - 18.00 – 23.00
- Opening Times: Mon – Weds: Closed, Thurs – Sat: 18.00 – 03.00, Sun: 21.00 – 03.00
10. Illegitimate
facebook.com/IllegitimateNewcastle3-4 Grainger St, NE1 5DQ
Running on the mantra "because not all things are meant to adhere to custom", Illegitimate is everything we love, including a little bit naughty. Named after the Newcastle born cigarette brand, this bar celebrates the city’s heritage – and is a swanky pit stop above Passing Clouds in the Bigg Market. All that glitters is not gold – except in Illegitimate.
- No. of Bars: One
- Beer Garden: No
- Live Music: DJ booth
- Fancy Dress: No
- Happy Hours: No
- Opening Times: Sun – Tues: Closed, Weds – Sat: 22.30 – 03.00
Cash, Cabs and Kebabs
Cash Machines
The Bigg Market's main ‘square’ is bursting at the seams with loud and proud bars and clubs, interspersed with handy cash points along the way. Watch out though, the cash point just opposite Filthy’s will charge you – so it might be worth taking a short stroll down Grainger Street for free cash withdrawals. The long and winding Grey Street, is also surrounded by ATMs.
Taxis
The Bigg Market is a central point in the city, with all other nightlife zones well within walking distance - except Jesmond, which is under a five minute taxi ride away. You can reach the Quayside in around 10 minutes on foot, or three minutes in a taxi, and The Diamond Strip or Grey and Dean Street in two minutes in a taxi. There are taxi ranks dotted all around The Bigg Market – so, you’ll be spoilt for choice with cabs.
Takeaways
It’s, basically, a Bigg Market rite of passage – you will wake up with a half-eaten takeaway you can’t remember buying, the morning after. Whether it’s a parmo or a greasy (but delicious) kebab, or even a burger from the more-than-convenient burger van outside Filthy’s, you’ve got heaps of fast food haunts in this district.
The Bigg Market guarantees a hen night you’ll never forget (read: never be able to remember). So, let us get started with planning your bespoke Newcastle hen weekend, by checking out what we offer and giving us a call.
*We’re Bigg Market experts (we’re there every weekend, man), and all info about this nightlife zone was correct at the time of publishing. Probably.