Newcastle is a city that is famed for its nightlife, with its bright lights beckoning both locals and visitors every weekend, and most week nights too for that matter!
Over the years there have been plenty of bars that have stood out from the crowd due to their decor or location. Don't think we'll ever forget the sight of The Boat on the River Tyne, the shark head outside of Baja Beach Club, the massive two storey beast that was Sam Jacks and the Bigg Market's many party bars, old friends like The Pig and Whistle and Yell to ones still going strong like Popworld and Flares.
But, away from the garish entrances or thumping music of the party hot spots, the city has always been home to some nightlife hidden gems, which, once you found them, soon became part of your route for every night out after.
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There are still plenty of hidden gems to find in the city, depending on what you're after from a night out; from legendary Sgt Pepper's to acclaimed cocktail haunt Mother Mercy. But how many of these do you remember?
Bar 38
We'll start down the Quayside. Long before city centre No.28 became one of Newcastle's more recent hidden gems, it was all about 38, for this bar that was tucked away on the streets on the banks of the Tyne.
If you were went to Bar 38 in the mid to late 00s, you'll no doubt have fond memories of the huge white dome in the middle of the bar while, a rather chic drinking space with its red leather seating, ended up being a den for drunken antics and photo opportunities.
After 14 years of business, Bar 38 closed in 2015 after, losing some of the more sophisticated appeal of its cocktail sipping early years to become a bar known for its cheap trebles deals.
Fever
Sticking with the Quayside, while not quite in the same vicinity as the likes of Chase (now Aveika), the Quilted Camel, Blue and Jimmy's, which were all huge Bank Holiday meccas back in the day; Fever was well worth an extra few stumbles.
Now respectable real ale haven The Bridge Tavern, having undergone a massive change of direction, Fever was a place in a similar vein to Fleet Street up the road.
With cocktails packed full of E numbers and music as brash and garish as its drinks, Fever was one of those party bars that never quite got the hype or reputation it deserved.
Pravda
While it is very much not hidden to anyone driving along the Quayside these days, with its sign still up, you had to walk a bit further than the popular bars of the strip's hey day to get to Pravda.
Near the Copthorne hotel, its nearest drinking neighbour was The Quayside bar, but if you'd indulged in one too many bargain cocktail jugs in there, chances are you probably wouldn't make it as far as Pravda.
A visit to Pravda was always well worth it though as the cocktails were both colourful and VERY potent!
The Cellar Bar
Up to town for the next one on the list. While famous Geordie watering hole The Old George is itself rather tucked away under an arch, its next door/underground neighbour was even easier to miss.
The Cellar Bar, now Mother Mercy, was the kind of place that would attract everyone, largely down to its cheap drinks, pool tables and karaoke, which usually happened most nights!
On any given Friday you could probably find someone, fresh from the office and a bit tipsy after some post-work sherbets, with their shirt and tie on belting out Livin' On A Prayer, while lads in hi-vis looked on with their pints.
Ram Jams
Another one from Bigg Market yesteryear. This time the place that later became City Vaults - itself something of a maze to navigate!
Idols
While arguably the most famous venue on the list, Idols is definitely the most hide. You can't get much more hidden than being in a shopping centre!
Idols was at the back of the now defunct Newgate Shopping Centre, with a rather slippy tiled journey to its front door. Once inside, there was also a sticky carpet to contend with but also an amazing atmosphere as party anthems filled the air.
It was a sad day in 2016 when Idols closed its doors. But its staff and regulars didn't let it go without one last hurrah.
The Vault
While Powerhouse is still very much part of Newcastle's nightlife family and the latest place open on a weekend, it was once home to its own hidden bar as well as a club.
Before Pink Room and even Gossip came along which, as well as being accessible from the main venue, also had a separate entrance.
Located on the small floor above the ground floor toilets, the small but perfectly formed Vault had its own bar and was often home to DJs and drag queens, playing more cheesier music than you'd find on the main floor.
Heaven's Above
Another big favourite from Newcastle's gay scene.
Sitting on top of long established community pub The Yard, Heaven's Above was jam packed every Friday and Saturday night as revellers had their pick of some great deals on alcopops in the bar's many fridges, while dancing to remixes of chart hits of the time and camp anthems.
The toilet queue could sometimes be slightly manic, but there was plenty of gossip to be had in the smoking area. Oh, and dancing on the rather high podiums on the dancefloor was very much at your own risk!
Bar 42
Many moons ago before Bijoux had even opened, let alone started to tempt people with its 3 trebles for £6 offer, there was a certain Hood Street bar that became known for its own, rather lethal output of trebles.
A place that was like a rite of passage for many Geordies of a certain age, it was also more than likely a place you'd never remember you'd been in on a night out!
Dobson's
The top end of town has always been a bit of a weird one when it comes to nights out. While most people flocked and still flock to the likes of Quayside, Central Station and Bigg Market areas, the offerings in the Northumberland Street have always been slightly more sparse.
As you might guess from its name, this was a haunt on John Dobson Street, with a not at all glamorous location near a load of bus stops and opposite a NCP car park.
Sill, particularly given it wasn't far from the City Hall for gig goers and city centre shoppers who fancied a tipple before getting the bus home, it was always popular.
The George and Dragon
A tucked away drinking den in Old Eldon Square. Plenty of city centre workers when it got demolished and they could no longer for an after work pint!
Opera
Largely down to the fact it was right next to its much bigger and louder neighbour Beyond, Opera is a former haunt in The Gate, which always went a bit overlooked.
But, as well as being able to enjoy some cracking live music, the bar also did some great cocktail deals during happy hour.
Clear
When it comes to the Collingwood Street area of Newcastle, more recently known as 'the Diamond Strip; depending on where you begin, most people think it starts and ends with Revolution.
But, back in the day, if you teetered a bit off track up Pudding Chare you'd find Clear bar, which later became Mimo and is now The Green Man.
A stone's throw away from famous party bar Fleet Street, Clear was a more darker, secluded affair, which served up some pretty damn good cocktails (and super strong trebles!) over the years. The stairs down to the toilet were perilous at the best of times though!
