Gay Bars in Newcastle: The Pink Triangle

Newcastle’s gay scene is in the Pink Triangle, around Times Square, Scotswood Road and Waterloo Street just west of Central Station. It is small and compact, sitting apart from the Bigg Market and Quayside nightlife rather than inside it, which is exactly what most people who use it prefer.

• Times Square and Scotswood Road hold the scene.
• Five minutes from Newcastle Central station.
• Separate from the main city-centre nightlife, deliberately.
• Friday and Saturday are the nights.

Where the scene is

The Pink Triangle is the local name for the streets around Times Square, west of Central Station and near the Life Science Centre. It is a genuine small quarter — a few venues within a couple of minutes of each other — rather than bars scattered across the city.

Its position matters. Newcastle’s mainstream nightlife is concentrated in the Bigg Market and along the Quayside, both a walk away, so the gay scene operates with its own crowd rather than absorbing overflow.

The bars and clubs

Getting there and getting home

• Newcastle Central — about five minutes on foot, and served by the Metro as well as national rail.
• Metro — Central Station and St James are both close, but the Metro stops before the venues do.
• Night buses run on several routes from the city centre.
• Taxis — ranks at Central Station; weekend queues after 2am are long.
• Walking — the quarter is small enough that you will not need transport within it.

When to go

• Friday and Saturday — the scene properly fills.
• After 11pm for the bars, later for the clubs.
• Northern Pride in summer is the biggest weekend of the year.
• Midweek is quiet, with reduced hours at several venues.

Safety and access

• Keep your drink with you.
• The quarter is compact and well-lit, and being set apart from the Bigg Market means it avoids most of that area’s weekend friction.
• The walk to Central Station is short and busy — the sensible route home.
• Weather. Newcastle at 2am in February is genuinely cold; take a coat rather than relying on the queue moving.
• 999 for emergencies, 101 otherwise. Galop on 0800 999 5428.

More in staying safe when you meet people.

The advantage of being separate

Newcastle is one of the busiest nightlife cities in Britain, and the Bigg Market’s reputation is well earned. The Pink Triangle sits deliberately outside that — a short walk, but far enough that the crowds do not spill in.

Compared with Leeds, where the gay venues sit directly among mainstream bars, Newcastle’s arrangement gives a smaller scene a more distinct atmosphere. Whether that is better depends on whether you want the buzz of a busy street or a quarter with its own crowd.

Frequently asked questions

Where are the gay bars in Newcastle?

In the Pink Triangle, around Times Square, Scotswood Road and Waterloo Street, just west of Newcastle Central station.

Why is it called the Pink Triangle?

It is the long-standing local name for the small cluster of streets near Times Square where the city’s gay venues are.

How far is it from Central Station?

About five minutes on foot, which makes it easy to reach and easy to leave.

Is it near the Bigg Market?

A walk away, and deliberately separate. Newcastle’s mainstream nightlife is concentrated in the Bigg Market and on the Quayside, so the gay scene operates with its own crowd.

Which nights are best?

Friday and Saturday. Midweek is quiet with reduced hours at several venues.

When is Northern Pride?

In summer, and it is the biggest weekend of the year for the scene. Check the current dates.

Sources and further reading

• Nexus — Tyne and Wear Metro
• Venue locations © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
• Galop — 0800 999 5428