Latest News:
    
     Now that the lockdown restrictions are relaxing we can go indoors. The pubs are back in action with a revamp to the space above the Yard.

   Oscar's is a lively cocktail bar, open from 1700hrs daily, serving its own version of fabulous drinks. However, when I visited I couldn't have a Martini or a Margarita. Fizzy lager is available for those who like that sort of stuff.

   The Yard is operating under new management since the sad death of Adrian Gadd earlier this year. If you have your arctic waterproofs on you can venture to the outside seating, but inside everyting is cozy with table service and fun.

   The Eagle is not going to be reopening. The building's owner tried to rip off Adrian's estate (he was only a tenant) and the new people seeking to take over were not prepared to engage in his money-grabbing antics.

   Other watering holes are getting back to some sort of normal, although Secrets has transformed into Bobby's for another attempt at activity at the end of the parade.

   The Base Sauna, after a brief spell as a swingers' club, is now The Tipsy Cow, a bar with a difference. Pop in to find out how different.

   No. 52 Sauna remains closed, but plans to reopen on July 19th when we are expected to receive the all-clear from Boris and his chums.

   So, it's a thank you to Paul Ward for stepping in after we lost Adrian. The longest continuing gay bar in the city will carry on. I can remember Adrian opening the Courtyard - now that does make me feel old.

The Powerhouse Club, Westmorland Rd.

The Powerhouse, Newcastle's longest running Gay Nightclub, is at the corner of Westmorland Road and St. James' Boulevard.

Its cavernous innards on four floors are a challenge for the unwary. Try to remember landmarks for getting out again, but in the meantime have fun on the various themed spaces.

The large square building houses the club and the two adjacent and remodelled shops form Gossip, the warm up bar to the club. At club opening the doors swing and it becomes part of the main party. To the rear of the ground floor with its entrance facing the coach station is The Vault, a haven for the more mature crowd.

The fun starts on Friday at 2300hrs until 0400hrs the following morning with entry at £8. The Saturday scene is much the same but for the £10 entry fee. Sunday is another overnighter, closing at 0400hrs Monday morning for £4. Monday and Thursday evenings start at 2300 and for £3 you can stop until 0300hrs the following morning . The club is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

There is something for everyone at The Powerhouse, which operates a drug free policy. A Copenhagen 1801 Ltd venue.

Central Bar, Marlborough Crescent.

Once the White Bull, The Central Bar is at the junction of Marlborough Crescent and Westmorland Road.

As the banner says, Eat, Drink, Dance. Central has it all. Live drag, local DJs as well as top tunes create a great setting for a fun night out. It offers a wide selection of beers, wines and lagers, as well as ciders and cocktails.

Times are 1000hrs to 0100hrs Sunday - Thursday, 1000hrs - 0300hrs Friday and Saturday.

This venue has gained popularity since the new proprietor took over in 2015. A recent visitor wrote, "New management, new staff, new faces, new look. Its a breath of fresh air to have a fun, friendly clean and camp bar on the scene. Its getting busier and busier and as a regular it's almost like a 2nd home. After the recent refurbishment there is now a great new food menu for a breakfast or lunch time snack. Every night brings you a different vibe with various drag and DJ hosts. The drinks are reasonably priced too."

Eazy Street Bar, Westmorland Road.

This swish new cabaret bar is aimed at the Bohemian gay crowd. It opened opposite the Centre for Life next to the Dog and Parrot on All Fools Day 2010 and serves cocktails, beers and wines in a flamboyant party atmosphere. Sounds are variable, but not objectionably loud.

Manager Paul Rowe says that Eazy Street brings the best of international cabaret to Newcastle. It is hosted by Miss Kitty, with DJ Ross on the decks providing party sounds.

Happy Mondays feature Miss Kitty, Rude Boy and The Eazy Street Follies, and on Thursdays DJ Ross takes control. Footloose Fridays are given over to Miss Eazy and the Cast for non-stop partying from 2000hrs, while the weekend line-up promises some of the best partying around. A HH Leisure Ltd venue.

Opening times: Mon-Thurs 1700hrs - late; Fri-Sat 1200hrs - late; and Sun 1500hrs - late.

Boulevard, Churchill Street.

Boulevard is the place where burlesque meets Broadway. Shows change with the seasons, and doors open at 1900hrs. There are standing places, seated areas and a VIP balcony seated area with complimentary champagne.

Professional female impersonators and dancing boys will entertain you whilst you mingle with the in crowd in this purpose built venue. See more at the Boulevard Website.

A Copenhagen 1801 Ltd venue.

The Tipsy Cow Bar, Blandford Street.

This new entrant has sprung up from the previous Base Sauna in Blandford Street. The Tipsy Cow offers beers, wines and cocktails as well as food. Choose to quaff inside or alfresco, the friendly waiters will serve you with a smile. The adjacent Geordie Stottie takeaway is part of the same establishment.

There will be someone in Newcastle who knows the origin of the name; answers on a postcard, please.

Further attractions include International Cabaret acts and other amusements. The Tipsy Cow has gained a happy crowd of mixed ages and shapes. Throw off those inhibitions and moo-ve over to the Cow. You've tried the udders, now try this one.

The Yard Bar, Scotswood Road.

Visit the Yard. Paul Ward has taken over from the late Adrian Gadd to continue offering a safe fun place. The upper storey has been re-branded as Oscar's, a cocktail bar.

It is next to Switch, and contrasts with the bright and brash in a more mellow mood. There is space to stop and natter, or pop upstairs to Oscar's to discover that it is better to be beautiful than to be good. But... it is better to be good than to be ugly.

The Yard is open until 0200hrs except Sunday evening when it shuts at 0030hrs.

Oscar's Bar, Churchill Street.

Switch, Scotswood Road.

Find the newly refurbished Switch between The Yard and The Bank. It takes no prisoners in its headlong dash to hardcore disco and head splitting sounds.

Switch is now re-establishing itself as the centre for hedonism and fun. The closed period seemed to be switch off for many.

Sun: 2100hrs - 0200hrs
Mon: 2100hrs - 0200hrs
Tue: Closed
Wed: 2100hrs - 0300hrs
Thu: 2100hrs - 0200hrs
Fri: 2100hrs - 0230hrs
Sat: 2000hrs - 0300hrs

The Loft is now incorporated into the main venue.  There is a rooftop terrace for those quieter romantic moments.

A Copenhagen 1801 Ltd. venue.

The Bank Bar, Scotswood Road.

On the left is the conversion from an old Lloyd's bank to a trendy bar.

Colin welcomes you to this thumping venue with traditional hours and some late openings. It is promoted as a wine bar, but it also sells traditional beers and imported lagers.

The decor is old bank and 1970s kitsch, complete with potted plants! The sound levels attract the lager boutique crowd and deter the more level headed. Ear defenders are definitely recommended

The Bank is on Scotswood Road, almost next to the Yard. As you can see, Switch bar and The Loft lie between the two. For the sake of identification, the massive blue Centre for Life is visible in Marlborough Crescent.

Daytimes are relaxed in the company of Greta la More a North East institution. Evenings are lively with karaoke and Drag Attack nights.

A Copenhagen 1801 Ltd. venue.

Number 52 Gay Men's Sauna
Scotswood Road

The Number 52 Sauna is located at (Guess where?) No. 52 Scotswood Road, just west of The Eagle.

For travellers by car, there are on-street parking bays, and by prior arrangement the staff will ensure that your tickets are kept up to date during your visit. There is also a large 24hr NCP car park beyond The Jurys Inn at Times Square.

Pedestrians will find the place by continuing west from The Centre for Life along Scotswood Road.

The clean, newly extended facilities are on three floors with a secluded smokers' patio to the rear. The ground floor is for changing showering, steaming and the Jacuzzi as well as the licensed snack bar which offers some Internet terminals free of charge, with Wi-Fi coverage within the building.

The ground floor is also the location of the bookable rest rooms,  for you to relax in luxury and privacy. Prices start at £20 for 4 hours.

The first floor is the location for the spacious sauna, another shower area, some large rest rooms, a television lounge, and a veranda for parading and nattering. Once on the top floor the pace quickens as a huge screen erotic cinema awaits alongside some smaller rooms, glory holes, and a series of dark rooms.

As a whole the fellows behind this new bright venture have put a lot of thought and not a small amount of cash into their business. Attendance is good both during the weekday daytimes as well as the weekend evenings, with a mix of ages and preferences as you would expect from a bright thriving gay venue.

Standard entrance is £11 for members and £13 for visitors.

Members only: Monday - Friday 1100 - 1200 £9; Saturday 0600 - 1200 £9; Sunday 0600-1200 & 1800 -2200 £9 Joining is free of charge and all users receive a £5 return voucher for every entry as above paid.

Send a text message reading "52offers" to 88802 at your standard text rate and join the VIPs who receive up to date info and offers free of charge.

No. 52 offers Luxury Private Rooms for as little as £20.
 
Inside, the real beds have double comfy mattresses with allergy free duvets and pillows. Watch the TV with freeview, use the power points and USB ports for your mobile devices, or enjoy the free wifi. Stay for an overnight or two during normal weekends or three at Public Holiday weekends.
 
Book by telephone in advance with a credit/debit card.

This venue offers fetish nights, Dare to Bare, Father and Sons, as well as a free buffet every Tuesday from 1430. There is always something new at fifty-two!

The www.number52sauna.co.uk website gives more information, current news and offers, and an opportunity to see what others are saying about it all.

Opening times are Mon to Thur 1100hrs to 2200hrs; Fri 1100hrs to Sun 2200hrs 24 hour opening. Public holidays 1200hrs to 2200hrs. Closed Xmas Day.


Tel:0191-221-2189 Email: info@number52sauna.co.uk

Bobby's Bar, Scotswood Road

Bobby's is a laid back bar that attracts a mixed age crowd for nattering and chilling. It is at the junction of Scotswood Road and St. James' Boulevard; just keep going past No52, and Esclavage.

Cruising Alert....
Cruising outdoors can be dangerous but some find it to be fun; take your choice.
Always tell someone where you are going, and don't take anything that you do not want to lose. Always plan an escape route; and above all, be careful!8

Links to other gay organisations

 [MESMAC] [Gay Men Tyneside]

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