Nailed It: Top Newcastle Pubs for Lunch + Free Pint Tips 🍻

Why Newcastle’s Lunch Pubs Are Better Than Your Ex’s Apologies

If you think lunch is just fuel between coffee and wine o’clock, you’re doing it wrong. In Newcastle, lunch is a sacred ritual — a time to pause, sip, and pretend you’re not still hungover from the night before. But here’s the kicker: not all pubs are created equal. Some are fine. Others are the Hogwarts of pub food: magical, chaotic, and slightly dangerous if you don’t know the rules. Let’s find those pubs.

1. The Coach House 🚗 (Best for “I Worked Hard Today” Pats on the Back)

Address: 7 King Edward St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3JQ

You know the feeling: you survived another Monday, and your liver is giving you side-eye. The Coach House is where you go to whisper, “I did it, I survived another week,” and let a pint of IPA validate your existence. Their “Lunchtime Legend” platter? A slab of ham, egg, and cheese so big it could double as a doorstop. Pair it with a custom ale for a midday power-up.

2. The Cluny 🎸 (Best for “I Need a Nap But Also a Cold One”)

Address: 28-32 Cluny Pl, Newcastle NE1 8XL

The Cluny isn’t just a pub — it’s a vibes factory. Lunch here feels like a secret concert for your soul. They’ve got a menu that screams, “Yes, we know you want fries. Yes, we know they’re covered in cheese.” And if you’re feeling fancy, the “Chef’s Whim” sandwich (basically a sandwich with a PhD in flavor) is a lunchtime legend. Grow your lunch game by asking for the “quiet table” — the staff knows how to keep the noise at bay.

3. The Old Clowns 🎪 (Best for “I’m Not Emotional, I’m British”)

Address: 10-12 Westgate Rd, Newcastle NE1 1UE

What’s better than a pub that smells like nostalgia and regret in equal parts? The Old Clowns serves up lunch like it’s the final episode of a show you’ve binged for three days straight. Their “Pub Grub Deluxe” is a meal that’ll make you question your life choices but also want a second helping. Pro tip: Order the “Local’s Fave” stew — it’s so good, you’ll start believing you’re a local. (Spoiler: You’re not.)

4. The Gate Brewery 🍻 (Best for “I’m a Craft Beer Connoisseur Now”)

Address: 104-112 High St, Gateshead NE11 9QF

If you think “craft beer” is just a fancy way to charge £8 for a pint, The Gate Brewery will change your life. Their lunch menu? A masterclass in “why did I wait so long to try this?” Their “Taproom Special” sandwich is like a hug from your childhood kitchen, but with more truffle oil. And yes, you can brew your own beer here. Because nothing says “I’ve got my life together” like trying to make a sour that turns into a vinegar smoothie.

5. The Ship and Sarah 🚢 (Best for “I’ll Pretend I’m on Vacation”)

Address: 45 High St, Newcastle NE1 8JQ

This pub is a time machine to 1998 — when the internet was dial-up and pub food was still “cheese and onion pie.” The Ship and Sarah serves up nostalgia with a side of questionable decisions. Their “Lunchtime Survival Kit” (think: fish and chips that could feed a family) is a must-order if you want to live like a local. Just don’t ask for ketchup. The locals will judge you. Hard.

6. The Tyne Bridge Inn 🌉 (Best for “I Want to Pretend I’m a Romantic Poet”)

Address: 122 High St, Newcastle NE1 8JQ

With views of the Tyne Bridge, this pub is the closest thing Newcastle has to a postcard. Lunch here feels like a low-effort Instagram caption: “Sipping, not stressing.” Their “Romantic Picnic” platter (if romanticism and carbs were a thing) pairs perfectly with a custom brew. Just don’t sit too close to the window — the tourists will judge your fashion choices.

7. The Alnwick Arms 🍷 (Best for “I’m Too Cool for Regular Pubs”)

Address: 19-21 High St, Newcastle NE1 8JQ

If you want to flex your lunchtime routine, The Alnwick Arms is your arena. Think “pub meets wine bar” — minus the pretense. Their “Gourmet Grub” menu is a masterclass in “I know what truffle is, but I’m not telling anyone.” Pair it with a DIY beer and you’ll be the talk of the office. (Not because you’re loud. Because you’re mysterious.)

8. The Black Bull 🐎 (Best for “I Need to Feel Like a Villain in a Netflix Show”)

Address: 26-28 High St, Newcastle NE1 8JQ

The Black Bull is the pub equivalent of a Netflix villain’s lair. Dark, moody, and slightly dangerous. Their “Dark and Delicious” platter is a meal that could end a friendship or start a cult. Bonus points if you order the “Villain’s Choice” — it’s so good, you’ll start believing you’re the main character. Just don’t try to explain the menu to your friends. They’ll just nod and walk away.

9. The Red House 🍷 (Best for “I’m Here to Pretend I’m Not Here”)

Address: 18-20 High St, Newcastle NE1 8JQ

The Red House is the pub for people who want to avoid eye contact but still feel seen. Their “Stealth Lunch” menu is perfect for those who want to eat, drink, and disappear. The “Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come” platter (a sandwich so big it could haunt you) pairs well with a custom ale and a nap. Just don’t sit in the corner — the staff will give you side-eye. A lot of side-eye.

10. The Globe 🌍 (Best for “I’m International and Also a Snob”)

Address: 65 High St, Newcastle NE1 8JQ

The Globe is the pub for people who want to feel like they’re in another country but also don’t want to leave their comfort zone. Their “Global Grub” menu is a love letter to confusion. The “International Mystery Meat” platter is a meal that could end a friendship or start a cult. Pair it with a custom brew and you’ll be the talk of the office. (Not because you’re loud. Because you’re mysterious.)

FAQs: Pubs, Pints, and Life’s Big Questions

What pub has the best view for people-watching?

The Tyne Bridge Inn is your spot. The views are so good, you’ll forget to look up — until you realize you’re the one being people-watched.

Which pub is best for a solo lunch?

The Red House is the king of solo lunches. They’ll leave you alone, but the staff will still judge your table manners.

Where do I go if I want to feel like a movie star?

The Tyne Bridge Inn again. Just don’t try to order a martini — the staff will laugh but bring you a pint instead.

What if I’m on a budget?

The Coach House has lunch deals that’ll make you feel rich. Just don’t order the “Lunchtime Legend” platter — it’s a food coma in a box.

I want to avoid tourists. Where should I go?

The Black Bull is your best bet. The locals are so grumpy, they’ll scare tourists away for you.

Final Tips for Lunch Pubs in Newcastle

• Reserve a table at The Coach House — it’s the only pub where you won’t have to stand in line for 30 minutes.
• Ask for the “quiet table” at The Cluny. The staff knows how to keep the noise at bay.
• Don’t order ketchup at The Ship and Sarah. The locals will judge you.
• Bring a friend to The Globe. The menu is confusing enough without you trying to order alone.
• Never sit in the corner at The Red House. The staff will give you side-eye. A lot of side-eye.

Time to Pick Your Pub (and Your Dignity)

Whether you’re here to eat, drink, or just pretend you’re not in a pub, Newcastle’s lunch scene has you covered. But remember: pubs are like relationships. You might start with a casual pint, but you’ll end up emotionally invested in a plate of fries. So choose wisely, and never, ever ask for ketchup.

If you’re ready to take your pub lunch game to the next level (or at least to the next pub), check out Strategies.beer for more tips on making your own beer or contact us for custom solutions. And if you’re selling beer online? Dropt.beer is the fastest way to reach new customers — no side-eye required.