Mint Newcastle

When I moved to Newcastle I didn’t really know anyone there – bar the lovely owners of Snackwallah in Grainger Market, whom I had got chatting too over some of their vegan Indian street food on a previous visit. I was about to get back on a train down south, somewhat depressed and disillusioned about not having found anywhere to rent (not due to a dearth of properties, but because I was searching in August and thereby competing with the students). Their curry and conversation cheered me up and I decided not to give up on Newcastle. A month later I was back, staying an impromptu night in their airbnb, and searching again. I struck gold this time, on my birthday no less, by securing a gorgeous apartment by the river Tyne. A lovely evening chatting with my hosts in their kitchen also cemented our friendship.

But, as I wasn’t moving to Newcastle for work, I knew that my priority upon arrival had to be getting out and meeting more folks, especially as I was moving there at the start of winter. It would be very easy to just hibernate otherwise. And so I signed up for some Meet Up groups. This umbrella organisation, founded back in 2002 in response to 9/11 as a means of bringing communities together, is an absolute godsend for not only meeting people but also getting to know a place through the events they organise. Because, well it’s not half as much fun going to gigs and galleries or eating and drinking out by yourself.

I had a scattergun approach to the groups – basically joining anything that I qualified for. Afterall, annual membership for each was generally no more than £5 to £10 – which is a bargain really when it means having your entertainment sorted for you. My first event was Sunday dinner at the much touted gastro pub The Broad Chare with Newcastle Ladies that Lunch. The ladies were very friendly and welcoming, and we ended the afternoon with drinks at Above, the stylish cocktail bar at the top of Vermont Hotel. The pub had recently come second in a national gastro pub award so I was excited to frequent it; and the views from Above that followed were a stunning ‘hello’ to the city!

My second event was with Newcastle Film, Theatre, Live Music & Social, with whom I went to see Public Broadcasting Services at O2 city hall. The organiser had managed to secure heavily discounted tickets, but that wasn’t what had enticed me. I’d seen the band play before and knew that they were very good. This gig was even better than the previous one, and the folks I went with were again both fun and friendly.

Next I joined New Friends in Newcastle (NFIN)- for another serving of Sunday dinner, this time at Sambuca restaurant on the Quayside. This North East chain’s carvery offering was surprisingly good (especially as it was just £10 for three courses), and my dining companions were again more than welcoming.

NFIN has ended up being my go to group. It’s by far the largest, with nearly two thousand members, and it puts on at least a couple of events a week, including a regular bike ride on Tuesdays and Fridays and varied social activities both during the day-time and evening. The age rage tends to be around 50+. Come Together Newcastle could be a good alternative for younger folks. They’re a fast growing post-Covid group with over a thousand members and an age limit of 45. (Which means that I don’t qualify so I can’t tell you what it’s like, but it seems to put on some fun events).

Other groups I’ve joined worthy of mention are Friends @ the Coast, and Newcastle Dining out and Drinks. I’ve been to the wonderful little Alphabetti Theatre with the former (which is actually in Newcastle and not on the coast, but I’m not complaining), and had some wonderful evenings out with the latter, including an impressive meal at perhaps one of Newcastle’s best kept secrets – The Chef’s Academy and Bistro. This is where culinary students at Newcastle college hone their skills on three-course meals for diners who pay a fraction of normal restaurant prices.

I’ve found friends, and even romance, through the various Meet Up groups I’ve joined, and I’ve discovered so much about Newcastle in the process. So I’m very much indebted to them. Newcastle is naturally a very friendly city, but these groups have certainly helped me to meet people a lot more quickly than I would have done otherwise.

So if I have one tip for anyone else considering moving to Newcastle then it’s to sign up for some meet up groups. Oh, and don’t look for rental property in August! And visit Snackwallah in Grainger market…. Okay, so that’s three tips – but definitely do check out Meet Up!