With Valentine's Day just around the corner, you can forget Paris - we're officially declaring Newcastle as the city of love.
We asked readers to tell us where they had their most memorable first date, and you told us the places around the city which hold a special place in your heart. If you have romance on the mind this February, you might want to take some inspiration from the lovebirds below.
It seems that whether it’s a restaurant, bar, pub or something else altogether, it’s all about the company you’re with when it comes to the perfect first date. Here are a few places in Newcastle where you found lasting love on the menu...
READ MORE: St James' Park launches Valentine's Day tasting menu and here's what to expect
Bar Loco
When gathering stories from readers for this article, I couldn’t ask people for their first date tales without including my own. Bar Loco was where I and my then-colleague headed after work to grab some food back in 2017 - but about three hours in, we had talked so much that we had forgotten to order anything and neither of us could deny that it had most definitely turned into a date.
A real hidden gem of Newcastle city centre - not that I’m biased - the quirky and colourful Bar Loco can be found on Leazes Park Road. As well as playing host to regular live music and events, the bar has pizzas, tapas-style nibbles, cocktails and craft beer - what more could you need for a first date?
Oh, and as for my date - we’ll be celebrating our first wedding anniversary next month.
Sushi Me Rollin’
ChronicleLive’s rural tourism reporter Daniel also shared his favourite first date story, where he headed with date Lewis to Sushi Me Rollin’ when it was housed in Stack. “Lewis told me they loved sushi then confessed afterwards they'd never had it but wanted to seem cool and worldly like me - their words not mine!” he said.
Sushi Me Rollin’ has been a huge hit since arriving in Newcastle in 2018. The ideal first date for sushi lovers - and those who’ve never had sushi, apparently - it has a stellar five-star rating on Tripadvisor based on the reviews of more than 400 customers.
Dan and Lewis are still together today, and while Stack may be no more, they have visited the Sushi Me Rollin’ branch in Whitley Bay on special occasions. The sushi connoisseurs behind the business also have a venue on Grey Street, where you can tuck into everything from signature uramaki flavours to salmon, tuna or eel nigiri.
El Coto
Reader Joe told us that his first date with his now-wife Hazel was saved by El Coto after he initially took her to see an independent film. “I really wanted to appear cultured and sophisticated so booked us some tickets without knowing what the show was about,” he recalled.
“It was terrible. Halfway through I turned to Hazel and said, ‘do you want to leave?’ and I’ve never seen anyone nod so furiously in my life. Luckily we could both laugh at how bad the film was and how my attempt to appear sophisticated fell flat on its face.
“The date was rescued by a very romantic meal at El Coto on Leazes Park Road.” The Spanish restaurant serves up all the traditional tapas favourites, and with more than 350 Excellent-rated reviews on Tripadvisor it’s sure to impress your date.
The Hancock
David told us: “The Hancock, March 2000. Still together - she still hasn’t got her round in!” In fact, the Hancock seems to be a popular first date spot among Geordie lovebirds, with two other readers telling us that this is where they first went with their partner.
Found a two-minute walk away from its famous namesake museum, the pub is popular with the city’s students and promises to be somewhere you will “always find a warm welcome”. Alongside tasty pub grub, The Hancock also shows live sport and has a pool table area - perfect for breaking the ice on a first date.
Francesca’s
Reader Stephen told us: “Francesca’s in Jesmond, December 2012. Now happily married for almost seven years.” This family-run restaurant has been a popular dining hotspot in Jesmond since 1983, with more than 600 diners giving it the full five stars on Tripadvisor.
If you want to impress your date with an authentic taste of Italy without leaving Newcastle, this characterful pizzeria is a winner according to diners. One reviewer branded it “by far my favourite Italian ever”, while another said that they “can’t recommend it any higher”.
The Telegraph
The Orchard Street pub just behind Central Station has everything you need for a good old-fashioned pub date, from its selection of tipples to the home-cooked food menu featuring pizzas and tapas. Head upstairs and there’s also a heated garden terrace perfect for cosying up to your date.
The Telegraph has been a first-date destination of choice for decades. One reader told us: “We had ours in The Telegraph back in 2012. Married 10 years this year.”
Tilleys Bar
John-Paul got in touch to tell us: “First date with my now-wife was in Tilleys!” Located on Westgate Road, the real ale and craft beer pub is the place to go for some cosy drinks after dinner.
Tilleys also has a small cinema room with regular free screenings, so you can even make a whole evening of it. If you’re looking for a no-frills date in a traditional pub with a friendly atmosphere, according to the reviews, take your date to Tilleys and who knows - it seems that you might just end up tying the knot.
Where did you go on your favourite first date? Let us know in the comments below.
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