Thursday, 18 February 2010

Centurion Bar Newcastle







Voted 'Newcastle's most impressive watering hole' by the Observer, the Centurion is a former first class passenger lounge welcoming an eclectic clientele.

There are no strangers in the Centurion Bar, only friends you haven't met yet.

The beautiful bar located in Newcastle Central Station has one of the most Bizarre histories.

It was built in 1893 as a sumptuous waiting lounge for first class passengers , a major feature being its exquisite tiling which is today worth an astonishing £3.8 million. The lounge and its bar closed in 1960’s, when the British Transport Police started using it a cells. British Rail, which then owned it, cared very little for the buildings Grade 1 listed status, taken sledge hammers to some of the walls putting in external piping and painting the tiles a lurid red- a bit like The Louvre slapping a fresh coat of paint over The Monet Lisa.

In 2000 Keeping Inn Ltd acquired the building and lovingly and painstakingly restored The Centurion to its former glory. Since opening the grandeur of The John Dobson designed interior has been enjoyed by thousands of customers, both visitors locals and regulars to Newcastle Upon Tyne.

Saturday, 30 January 2010

BijouX


Bijoux by name bijoux by nature, this small latest addition to the diamond strip has found its niche.

The Venue
The latest arrival on the diamond strip, Bijoux threw open its doors to the public only recently. It certainly lives up to its name and is a petite boudoir-style bar with gold twisted-stemmed lampshades and crescent-shaped banquettes strewn with shot-silk pink cushions. Elsewhere you can sit on geometrically patterned, tall chairs or the squat, black and white padded stools.

The floor is shiny and wooden and there are wooden window shutters. There are surfboard-shaped tables, psychedelic patterned orange panelling behind the bar and mini chandeliers with hundreds of beads dripping down. A big gold-framed mirror is propped up against the wall at the back where there's an elevated platform framed by a black curtain. Plants are liberally strewn around the place as well as exposed brickwork, brass fittings and little lamps.

The People
It's a little early to say who will gravitate here, but they seem to be aiming for a student crowd in the week and a more general, well-behaved young professional clientele at the weekends.

The Food and Drink
You’ve got Grolsch, Worthington's and Carling on tap and a decent range of bottled beers including Sol, Peroni, Becks, Kronenbourg, Modelo, Magners, Asahi and Cobra. The wine list includes seven whites, seven red and four roses. Prices range from to £11 to £29 a bottle. House wine is £10.95 and a Chilean Echeverria Curico Valley unoaked (hurrah) Chardonnay, with its pear and apple undertones, costs £14.50.

There are around 30 cocktails costing £5.95 to £6.95, including blends such as one night only which is Grey Goose L'Orange shaken with raspberry puree, fresh lemon and cranberry juice and strained over an ice-filled glass. There’s no food — and strictly no alcopops.

The Last Word
It's pretty and dainty and Bijoux already has a few admirers.

Sunday, 24 January 2010

Blu Bambu




Situated at the top of the world famous Bigg Market, Blu Bambu is one of Newcastle's most popular nightclub.

Whether it's the world-class cocktails, the state-of the art lighting and sound or just the famous atmosphere, they guarantee that you'll be absolutely blown away by the Blu Bambu experience.

Open seven days a week, Blu Bambu is a 1,400 capacity venue in Bigg Market playing a mixture of dance music and RnB.

The club has an extensive cocktail list and all drinks are reasonably priced. The club tends to attract a very mixed clientele, including students, the young and the old.

I heard they do some under-18 nights…Well a normal night in there isnt much more mature. Its filled with kids, it attracts the 18-20 year olds from the Bigg Market area, yet it tries to get away from the “charva” persona by not letting in people for no reason. I have heard from someone on another forum that they didnt get let in because “They were dressed like a cunt”. This is why Blu Bambu has the most notorious door staff in Newcastle. Their policy is non existat, some nights you will get in, others you wont. Once inside it doesnt get much better, your money would be better spent going elsewhere unless you like mixing it with kids.

The actual layout of the place is good. There is a Danceflloor downstairs in the centre, with places to stand around it, upstairs there are booths. The music varies, some great party choons dropped by the DJ, to some trash being played.

As mentioned the clientele is very, very young. Blu Bambu is the new king of “cheese” when it comes to nightclubs, taking the crown from the old Baja Beach club days. It has no flair, creativity or culture. It is a boring place on most nights, and completly geared up for Students. Strange, as i believe its still £7 entry.

I am amazed this still seems to get people in at the weekend, i would have thought it would have died a long time ago.

Friday, 22 January 2010

HeyJo club




Situated deep below the historic Jermyn Street, the HeyJo nightclub will tempt you into an alluring world of decadence wrapping it warmly in a magical ambience - put simply, ike nothing you could have imagined before.


Envisaged by ecentric multi-millionaire HeyJo cost 4.8million and is an ultra VIP (and a favourite of the cristal popping, crystal shopping, super glamorous Russian set)

The club enjoys one of the best locations of all the clubs in the West End being in St James's near both Green Park and Piccadilly Circus.

Don't be surprised if it was off the radar before now. This is a hidden gem.
HeyJo Club Tables & VIP Entry

To reserve a club table at Hey Jo call
James WJ Wilson on 07813 030 102

You and your guests benefit from priority entry and efficient, friendly table service from the team at Hey Jo.