Top 9 music venues in Newcastle where the party never ends
Music venues in Newcastle offer more than just music—they give you the kind of atmosphere that sticks with you long after the last performance.
The city might be popular for football, but it’s also a powerhouse for live performances across all genres. From underground gigs to orchestras just across the river, Newcastle hosts both home-grown and world-class talent.
Whether you’re into indie or pop music, there’s a place that’ll hit the right note. Many of these venues double as pubs and community spaces. You’ll often find drinks, food, and even local art to admire.
And if you’re ready to feel the beat, read on to check out our picks for the top music venues in the city.
1. O2 City Hall Newcastle
Media credit: adamjonclarkson
Website: https://www.academymusicgroup.com/o2cityhallnewcastle
Address: Westgate Rd, NE1 1SW
Contact: +44 (0) 191 249 6050
Hours: Monday to Friday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Pricing: £££
O2 City Hall Newcastle is one of the city’s most iconic venues, with its stunning Art Deco interior and a stage that has hosted numerous local and international talents.
From rock bands to orchestras and stand-up comedy, its variety is what makes it so popular. Inside, there’s a mix of standing space near the stage and tiered seating across the stalls and balcony. The sound is crisp and powerful, regardless of where you sit.
There’s also step-free access, hearing loops, and priority seating. This makes the O2 City Hall a great choice for all types of concert-goers. And if you look closely, the venue’s original 1920s pipe organ sits behind the stage.
Drinks typically range from £5.50 to £7 for beers and spirits, and you’ll find bars on each level for quick service.
Pro Tip:
If you want a great view without the hassle of going through crowds, book seats in the Grand Circle. It’s close to the upstairs bar, and the area gives you quick access to the toilets too.
2. Utilita Arena
Media credit: arenanewcastle
Website: https://www.utilitaarena.co.uk/
Address: Arena Way, NE4 7NA
Contact: [email protected]
Hours: Varies by event
Pricing: £££
Utilita Arena is Newcastle’s biggest indoor venue. Everyone from Beyoncé to Elton John, as well as WWE Live, has taken the stage. The atmosphere is nothing short of unforgettable.
The venue accommodates up to 11,000 people, featuring tiered seating and a spacious standing floor area ideal for concerts. It’s fully equipped with big screens, booming sounds, and food stalls throughout.
Accessibility is also well covered, with step-free access, easy-to-navigate seating areas, hearing loop systems, and dedicated entrances for wheelchair users.
Merchandise and snacks, such as chips or nachos, start at around £4-£6. Just a heads-up: long lines can form, especially during the main acts. Please arrive early to avoid the rush.
Pro Tip:
- Park at Times Square Car Park instead of directly at the arena to avoid traffic and long waiting times.
- If you’re attending a big concert, enter through the South Concourse entrance. It has shorter lines than the main entrance.
3. The Cluny
Media credit: theclunynewcastle
Website: https://www.cluny.co.uk/
Address: 36 Lime St., Ouseburn, NE1 2PQ
Contact: +44 191 230 4474
Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Pricing: ££
As someone who’s always chasing down good live music (and drinks), spending an evening in The Cluny is always a great choice. It’s under the Byker Bridge in Ouseburn, and has that cosy, indie vibe that makes it easy to settle in for the night.
The main room, Cluny 1, creates an intimate experience. You’re near the stage, close enough to feel the bass in your chest. It accommodates around 300 people, with a great bar nearby that serves locally brewed beer and cider for everyone.
There’s also an adjoining Cluny kitchen area that serves homemade pies, burgers, veggie dishes, and loaded fries. Everything comes out quickly and is filling, making it a perfect snack before a night of dancing and having fun.
Pints start at around £4.50, and food is about £8-£13.
Pro Tip:
Planning to grab dinner before the show? The Cluny Kitchen stops serving at 9:00 PM. Order early to avoid missing out on their stacked burgers and seasonal specials.
4. Wylam Brewery at Exhibition Park
Media credit: wylam_brewery
Website: https://wylambrewery.co.uk/
Address: Palace of Arts, Exhibition Park, NE7 7RU
Contact: +44 191 650 0651
Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday: closed
- Thursday to Friday: 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday: 12:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Pricing: ££
If you’re looking for live music in a laid-back setting, Wylam Brewery should be perfect. Housed inside the Palace of Arts, this venue pulls off a cool combo: elegant and overflowing with local character.
A crowd favourite is the in-house pints and rotating kitchen line-up, which usually serves street-style food. In the past, they’ve served bao buns, loaded fries, and even gourmet burgers.
Ticket prices range from free entry (for local gigs) up to around £25 for special shows. Pints and food range from £5 to £12, making it one of the places that blends craft beer, street food, and live tunes under one roof.
Pro Tip:
Arrive an hour early and take a peaceful stroll around Exhibition Park before the gig. There’s a scenic lake, a café for quick snacks, and a garden to chill in and take pictures before the crowd kicks in.
5. Trillians Rock Bar
Media credit: trilliansrocks
Website: https://www.trillians.co.uk/
Address: 3 Princess Square, NE1 8ER
Contact: +44 7710 095 238
Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday: 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Thursday: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Friday: 12:00 PM – 1:00 AM
- Saturday: 12:00 PM – 2:00 AM
- Sunday: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Pricing: £
Located near the Civic Centre, Trillians is one of Newcastle’s most iconic underground music venues. Once you walk down the stairs, you’ll see a large central floor with a decent-sized stage and long rows of seating.
They host heavier genres such as metal, punk, and hard rock. They have a standing room filled with enough seating for breaks in between sets.
Their in-house bar runs almost the full length of one wall, which means short queues even when the place is packed. There are no food menus, but they make up for it with affordable drinks like local ales and bottled classics.
Most gigs at Trillians Rock Bar are free or under £10, making it one of the most budget-friendly places in the city. Pints start at £3.50 to £5, depending on seasonal drinks during shows.
Pro Tip:
Head down on a Monday at 7:00 PM for their famous “£1 Party”, where select drinks are discounted. Just ask the bartender what’s on offer that night.
6. The Glasshouse International Centre for Music (formerly Sage Gateshead)
Media credit: theglasshouseicm
Website: https://theglasshouseicm.org/
Address: St Mary’s Square, Gateshead NE8 2JR
Contact: +44 191 443 4661
Hours: Wednesday to Saturday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Pricing: £££
I’ve spent evenings watching different shows in The Glasshouse (formerly known as The Sage), and it never fails to impress. It’s a sleek glass-and-steel landmark that’s made for top-tier sound and music.
It houses three performance spaces: Sage One, Sage Two, and Northern Rock Foundation Hall. Sage One is for orchestral shows or big-name artists, Sage Two is for solo recitals, and the Foundation hall is for intimate sessions and public rehearsals.
The main concourse is like a town square that’s full of light, people lounging around, or concert-goers having a cup of coffee. There’s free Wi-Fi, and if you head upstairs, the Barbour Balcony is a good bar to get drinks.
The drinks at the bar start at £4-£6 for beers and wine. And, if you’re hungry, the cafe downstairs offers hot food, coffee, and pastries before the show.
Pro Tip:
The in-house cafe offers “pay-as-you-feel” tea and coffee, which means you decide how much to pay (or whether to pay at all). Be sure to bring a reusable cup to reduce waste.
7. The Tyne Bar
Media credit: thetynebar
Website: https://www.thetyne.com/
Address: 1 Maling St, NE6 1LP
Contact: +44 191 265 2550
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Pricing: £
Under the Glasshouse Road bridge is The Tyne Bar, one of Newcastle’s most characterful pubs. Once you walk in, you’ll see dim lights, a large glitter ball hanging over the stage, and live music.
Live music is their main feature, with daily gigs and free entry. When there’s no band, their jukebox keeps the energy and vibes going. And once you step outside, you’ll find a beer garden under the bridge.
The food here consists of hot dogs, burgers, and a crowd favourite, the sweet potatoes. On the drinks side, they’ve got a strong selection of local ales—Wylam brews, classic lagers, spirits, and wine.
Pro Tip:
Bring your dog along! It’s one of the most dog-welcoming spots in the Ouseburn, with water bowls and plenty of space for strolling and walking around.
8. NX Newcastle
Media credit: nxnewcastle
Website: https://www.nxnewcastle.com/
Address: Westgate Rd, NE1 1SW
Contact: +44 191 349 8240
Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 6:00 PM – end of the show
Pricing: £££
NX Newcastle has a nightclub-style vibe with a multi-floor music venue housed in a building off Westgate Road. The main room is spacious and designed for large crowds, featuring a wide stage and ample floor space.
You’ll also find a balcony with seating for those who don’t like standing for hours.
A lot of feedback focuses on the bar access, having multiple bars across different levels. So, you won’t have a hard time getting a drink or two.
You can also expect the usual range of beers, ciders, spirits, and soft drinks. Expect to pay around £5-£7 for each pint and choose from crowd favourites, including Red Stripe, Kopparberg, and Camden brews.
Pro Tip:
There’s limited seating in the balcony—it’s on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early to ensure a guaranteed seat with your friends.
9. The Cumberland Arms
Media credit: thecumberlandarms
Website: https://cumberlandarms.co.uk/
Address: James Pl, Ouseburn, NE6 1LD
Contact: +44 191 265 6151
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Pricing: ££
Walking into The Cumberland Arms feels like stepping into Newcastle’s history. There are wood-panelled walls, a public bar on the left, comfy seating on the right, along with bookshelves and a piano.
The upstairs area is a modest performance space used for live folk sessions, comedy nights, and even storytelling. Live music is played daily, primarily featuring traditional folk, global jams, and back-bar gigs.
Beers and ales are a main highlight. They have up to seven ale hand-pulls, a rotating selection of six ciders and perrys. They also have curated keg taps that highlight local and regional breweries.
Drink prices are very reasonable, ranging from £4.50 to £5.80, depending on the brew. Ciders are priced at £4.80 each.
Pro Tip:
Check the chalkboards for the rotating cask list. There are limited-run local brews you won’t find on their website. You can also ask the staff for recommendations based on your usual drink preferences.