- Play Hard
- 22nd Jul 2026
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Why Gateshead Quays deserves a second look this summer
Gateshead Quays is the cultural riverside district on the Gateshead side of the Tyne, opposite Newcastle’s quayside, home to BALTIC, The Glasshouse and a growing run of independent bars.
If the last time you visited Gateshead Quays was for a pre-show dinner or a quick stroll across the Millennium Bridge, consider this your sign to come back.
Because while the Quays has long been known for date nights and iconic views, this summer it’s quietly evolving into somewhere you can spend an entire day. From riverside DJs and outdoor art to long lunches that turn into cocktails, here’s why Gateshead Quays deserves a place back on your summer hit list.
MAKE A DAY OF IT (NOT JUST AN EVENING)
You can wander through world-class exhibitions at Baltic, stop for coffee overlooking the river, browse a makers’ market, listen to live music drifting across the bridge and still have plenty of time to settle in for dinner without ever needing to move the car.
If your summer social calendar leans more towards hops than high art, Baltic Beer Festival on Saturday 1st August is another date to note, adding a more laid-back, sociable excuse to head to the Quays for a pint or two by the river..
CULTURE THAT DOESN’T FEEL INTIMIDATING
Even if you don’t consider yourself an “art person”, Baltic has mastered the art of making contemporary exhibitions feel welcoming.
This summer sees the opening of Tish Murtha & Kuba Ryniewicz: Close to Home, celebrating powerful photography rooted in North East communities, alongside Journey to the Great Below by internationally acclaimed artist Chitra Ganesh. Between exhibitions, don’t miss heading up to the viewing platforms for one of the best free panoramas in the region, particularly on a clear summer evening when the bridges begin to glow.
Next door, The Glasshouse, Gateshead, is thinking beyond concert nights. Its Summer Mix Tape programme brings free performances, outdoor music, wellness sessions, films, family events and DJ sets into the building’s public spaces, making it somewhere you can drop in rather than book months in advance.
COCKTAILS TASTE BETTER WITH A RIVER VIEW
There’s something about watching the light bounce off the Tyne that makes every drink feel like you’re on holiday.
For a laid-back start, head to Summer on the Southside (formerly named By The River Brew Co.) Sitting beneath the Tyne Bridge on the Gateshead side, it’s part beer garden, part street-food destination and part community hangout. Grab a locally brewed pint or a frozen cocktail, find a bench facing the river and let the afternoon unfold naturally.
If you’re after something a little quieter, Lock and Quay Pub, located just before the Swing Bridge, offers one of the Quays’ lesser-known terraces overlooking the water, making it an ideal spot for a crisp glass of wine away from the busiest crowds.
And for those evenings that deserve something a little more polished, Hilton Gateshead hotel’s terrace pairs sweeping skyline views with delightful drinks, creating the perfect summer evening. You could even treat yourself to booking a room for one night.
TAKE THE SCENIC ROUTE
Some of the best moments on the Quays don’t involve spending any money at all.
Walk from Gateshead Quays across the Millennium Bridge before looping back via the Swing Bridge, and you’ll experience the river from entirely different perspectives. Pause and watch rowing crews or jet skis glide beneath the bridges or simply find a spot on the wide stone steps and enjoy one of the North East’s best people-watching locations.
Early evening is the sweet spot. Office workers have gone home, visitors are lingering over dinner, and the golden light catches the Tyne Bridge in a way that somehow never gets old.
DISCOVER SOMEWHERE NEW BENEATH THE BRIDGES
It’s easy to stick to the obvious venues, but part of the Quays’ appeal is discovering places tucked just beyond the main promenade.
Craft beer fans should make a detour to Microbus Gateshead, a welcoming independent taproom hidden beneath the railway arches. With rotating beers, a relaxed atmosphere and regular food pop-ups, it’s exactly the sort of place you’ll end up recommending to friends afterwards.
Or if you’re still hungry after an afternoon by the river, why not pop into Gateshead’s ‘coffin pub’, The Central, and try one of their delicious scotch eggs. Sourced from The Yolker, who craft high-quality, artisanal Scotch eggs with a focus on flavour and a touch of cinematic fun.
SUMMER EVENINGS DONE PROPERLY
One of the biggest misconceptions about Gateshead Quays is that it comes alive only when there’s a concert.
In reality, summer is when the whole area feels at its most relaxed. You’ll find people reading on the riverside steps, cyclists stopping for coffee, and groups gathering as live music spills out from nearby venues.
Maybe that’s why it feels so different now. It’s no longer simply the place you visit before heading somewhere else – it’s become the destination itself. You might just remember why Gateshead Quays became one of the North East’s most iconic waterfronts in the first place – and discover that this summer, it’s better than ever.
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