For some people, having a pre-flight pint in the airport is as much a part of going on holiday as heading for the beach or trying local food.
However, having a drink at the airport is likely to cost you a bit more than down your local - it's not like you've got anywhere else to go! There are four bars airside at Newcastle International - Quaystone Bar and Kitchen, The Beer House, Bar 11 and Cabin Bar.
There's also the Aspire Lounge, which serves complementary food and drinks - but you do have to pay a fee to get in there. There's a little bit of variation in what's on offer at each bar and individual prices, so here's a quick guide to your airport pint.
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Cheapest pint at Newcastle Airport
You'll find the cheapest pint at Newcastle Airport at Quaystone Bar and Kitchen. A pint of Amstel will set you back £5.45 with a half at £2.99, while a Heineken is £5.99 or £3.55 for a half.
For those who prefer cider, it's £6.39 for a pint of Orchard Thieves and £3.40 for a half. There's also a range of bottled beers - including Budweiser, Peroni, Desperados and Newcastle Brown Ale, starting from £5.49.
Biggest choice of beer at Newcastle Airport
While you'll find the cheapest beer at Quaystone Bar and Kitchen, there's more choice at the bar next door - The Beer House (as you'd probably hope from its name). It's a little more expensive that Quaystone, with the cheapest pint once again Amstel, which is 4p more expensive, while Heineken and Orchard Thieves cost the same.
Those heading to Milan or Rome might want to start their holiday off with a Moretti, which is £3.99 for a half or £7.29 for a pint, and those off to the Balearic or the Canaries could go for a San Miguel at the slightly cheaper £6.99 a pint (£3.99 half). There's a premium lager - Camden Hells - also available at £6.99.
Non-lager drinkers can also get Guinness (£3.75 half, £6.29 pint), Doom Bar Ale (£3.39 half, £5.99 pint) Maltsmiths IPA (£3.99 half, £7.29 pint) or Strongbow Dark Fruit (£3.89 half, £6.99 pint). If you'd prefer a bottled beer, there's Corona, Desperados, Budweiser, Doom Bar, Newcastle Brown Ale and Peroni - with Corona and Budweiser starting at £5.79.
Do you have a pint before flying? Let us know in the comments below!
Best place for food and a pint at Newcastle Airport
If you don't want to drink on an empty stomach, head for Bar 11 which has an extensive menu alongside its range of beers. There are burgers, all day breakfasts, sandwiches, small plates and sharers as well as traditional mains which will line your stomach before you fly.
The beer prices are similar to the other two the bars, with the cheapest beer on offer Amstel again (£2.99 half, £5.59 pint), followed by Heineken (£3.69 half, £5.99 pint). Unlike Quaystone and Beer House, Bar 11 offers Stella Artois (£3.69 half, £6.29 pint).
Other beers on offer include Birra Moretti (£3.70 half, £6.99 pint), Maltsmiths American IPA (£3.79 half, £6.99 pint) and San Miguel (£3.69 half, £6.99 pint). There's a selection of bottled beers too starting at £5.79, with many of the same as Beer House plus Singapore lager Tiger.
And if you don't want to miss out on a pre-flight beer tradition but can't stomach having a beer at 5am (like me), you could always order a bottle of Heineken Zero for the lower price of £4.49.
All bars at Newcastle Airport have a QR code ordering system. Prices are accurate as of Saturday April 16 2022.
Cabin Bar is not included as it was not open at the time of our visit - between 4 - 5:30am.
