Tilleys Bar

fizzywizzy

Expensive - yet almost worth it 31st August 2008

0 found this helpful

Tilleys is one of the pubs in Newcastle owned by the Head of Steam chain and probably its best. It used to be a very traditional pub but was recently refurbished to make it quite modern although its not as soulless as most modern joints.

A good choice for real ale fans aas there are always 6 real ales on sale. There is a great range of draught lagers and world beers.

The draught ones are - Peroni (Italy), Budweiser Budvar (Czech Republic), Lindeboom (Holland), Stella Artois (phoney Belgian - England), Fosters (phoney OZ - English), Kronenbourg 1664 (France), San Miguel (Spain), Staropramen (Czech Republic), Erdinger Weiss,(Germany) - wheat beer, Liefmans Kriek (Belgium) - cherry beer

As for bottled beers there is generally something new you haven't tried before. My favourites are the Kolsch beers from Germany.

There is a small but good selection of sandwiches (£3.50 and served with salad and crisps)(Topside of Northumbrian beef and red onion!), homemade soup of the day and great Sunday roast dinners.

The refurbishment might be nice but really the old interior was wonderful so now you don't have the partitions that created little booths and the place is a little generic looking.

The toilets aren't great; the ladies smell a bit odd and there is always something or other broken or not working properly. There's also a really annoying little step just outside the door that gets more annoying the more beer you drink.

It attracts an arty/studenty crowd that can be a bit tedious and loud and the regulars can be quite precious about the place.

The drinks are expensive, some of the beers can be bought for way less down the road at Wetherspoons but I guess you are paying for not having the chavs and for the better music.