First visitors to a new microbar at the Gateshead end of the High Level Bridge are making the most of a chance to explore craft beers and natural wines that add something different to the mix.
Axis is the latest new business to open inside one of the vacant railway arches in an area that is fast becoming a buzzing pub scene in its own right. The new craft beer and natural wine bar is just along the street from recent arrival Microbus and recent summer evenings have brought customers flooding in.
"It's been really well received!" said Alex O'Niell who runs the bar with partner Alice Hoy, who added: "People have even been walking over the bridge from Newcastle to visit." And it seems that customers are surprised at how much they find is now on offer in the area where Axis is proving a welcome addition to its neighbours.
Read more: The rise of the new Gateshead beer scene
Axis - its name inspired by both of theirs - is a first business for the pair who have had plenty experience of managing bars in Sydney, Australia - where they met - and New Zealand over a four-year spell.
It was during the pandemic that the pair returned home, with 30-year-old Alex - who's from Eastbourne - settling in Heaton with Alice whose family lives in Amble, Northumberland. And it was then, with plenty of thinking time on their hands, that they planned their bar while Alex also practised his beer-making skills, which he's still developing, for Alice's parents.
"We've both worked in hospitality since we were 16 and have always wanted to open our own place," she said. "We got back in the middle of one of the lockdowns and thought if we don't do it now, when will we."
And with the lessons of the pandemic learned, they planned a business which can offer takeaway. The railway arch turned out to be just the right size and the right rent and their neighbours are keen to work together to help the area thrive.
Alex and Alice's aim is to eventually brew their own beer on-site - and an area is already set aside at the back of the room to cater for it - but for now the focus is on offering a selection of craft beers and natural wines which are different and vegan. They also serve gluten-free, low-alcohol and no-alcohol options.
They are intent upon keeping customers interested with a regularly changing selection of drinks. The airy bar space, which features neutral colours and lots of wood, displays a blackboard behind the bar with the latest beers.
Axis offers eight types of craft beer, including pale ale, and these will be rotated regularly. "We have small kegs and as soon as they sell out there will be new fresh beer on so there's always something new to try," says Alice, 24. And they can afford to be experimental with their drinks choices too.
The pair became properly introduced to - and fans of - craft beer while working in New Zealand - the scene being especially big in Wellington, says Alice - while the 'natural' wine, which basically means as little interference in the wine-making process as possible, is sourced from both a British supplier of its own wines and an import company, resulting in a pick of around six or seven options.
The fact their bar menu is vegan is almost incidental but it's a plus, she adds. Customers can enjoy their drinks outside too where both Axis and Microbus, which opened in March, have outdoor seating. The two micropubs - which have been joined in Wellington Street by another new business, Mushu Tattoo - are helping to boost the local scene and, with The Central and Station East pubs nearby, they are all making up quite a pub crawl.
What the area needs now they say is somewhere for people to eat. "There's still a lot of potential in the street - there's nowhere to go for food," said Alex. And, with flats of residents just opposite too, the 'bridges quarter' in Gateshead is, they suggest, a prime spot for interested traders. "There's a whole customer base already waiting!" added Alice.
Any food outlet joining the scene could expect a warm welcome in the new community, with Alex saying of their neighbours: "We're really pleased with all the support from everybody." Axis is open from Wednesday to Sunday; from 2pm on weekdays (noon at weekends) until 10pm (11pm Friday and Saturday).
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