Newcastle Entertainment

Newcastle is renowned for its social drinking culture and is a favourite destination for stag and hen parties. The Quayside and Big Market, and more recently, the Central Station area where you can find the Diamond strip of new upmarket pubs and bars, are the core of Newcastle's nightlife. However, in general, all parts of the city have a wealth of pubs and bars. Culture vultures will appreciate Newcastle as well due to the city's outstanding museums and art galleries.

Nightlife

Nightlife is a varied affair and visitors can enjoy everything from cinemas and pubs to theatres, upmarket bars and pulsating nightclubs. Some of the better night spots include: Trent House, which is a soul bar with plenty of regular customers who appreciate the free jukebox; Cooperage, a 14th century timber-framed building which is one of the oldest in town and a vibrant and friendly pub that is situated on the quayside. The well-preserved Crown Posada which dates from 1880 - is a remarkable narrow pub which includes stained glass windows. The latter is one of the finest venues in central Newcastle in which to sample real ales produced by the local breweries.

The city's gay district is known as the Pink Triangle and can be found around The Centre for Life, featuring a selection of nightclubs and bars. In addition, Newcastle represents plenty of fine eateries serving national and international cuisine to suit all palates.

Theatre and music

The Theatre Royal is situated a stone throw from the city centre and the main railway station. It is the Royal Shakespeare Company's third home (after Stratford upon Avon and London), and is where this company usually performs several shows during the autumn. It is certainly worth attending a concert at the recently finished Sage Music Centre, which can be found in Gateshead, just a short walk to the other side of the river.

Laing Art Gallery is a must-see for art enthusiasts, offering exhibits of principal works from a variety of contemporary renowned European artists. The Newcastle Hancock Museum is certainly worth a visit as well, with its enormous selection of exhibits including animal fossils and human remains, insects and Egyptian mummies. The museum enjoys the reputation of being one of the best natural history museums in the north of England.

In various parts of the city, remains of historic constructions can be observed; the St Nicholas Cathedral situated in St Nicholas Square is a stunning 12th century church that dominates panoramas of the area. Elsewhere, around the city's perimeter, the remains of Roman walls can be found; these once functioned as fortifications against attacks from enemy armies.

Festivals

There are several annual festivals that are unique to the city, with highlights including:

• Newcastle Community Green Festival aims to offer positive solutions to environmental problems. Usually the festival takes place in June and includes several music stages, with DJs and bands of all genres from around the area performing.
• Newcastle Science Festival lasts nine days and features science workshops, debates, lectures and family activities that will get you talking.
• Newcastle Asian Arts and Music Festivals main goal is to promote Asian arts, culture and music within Newcastle and the northeast region.
• Newcastle Gateshead Winter Festival offers winter markets, illuminations, ice-skating and dazzling Christmas performances (December).