• Added: 25th of September 2008
• Area: Newcastle Upon Tyne
• Category: Nightlife

Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 1UW
0191 261 5811

Kaemi said
It's a bit of a meat market in there....
Blu Bambu is central to the Bigg Market, which comes with the infamous reputation for short skirts, drunkeness, violence and loose morals. As a University city Newcastle's venues divide themselves firmly to align with one uni or the other and this is predominately the terain of college students, and Northumbria Uni students. In term time the club does a lot to encourage rivalry between the two uni's with competitions, jeering songs etc. The club is filled with a very young crowd, drinking a lot and wearing a little. Even the bar staff wear bikinis. This club is not somewhere you can sit and talk, but if your idea of a good holiday is a week in Ibiza/Feleraki etc, this probably would seem like the best night out in Newcastle. Drinks are not overly expensive, but basic choice. The dance floor is continually under a puddle of said drinks, don't wear nice shoes! Whilst the same can be said of most clubs to one extent or another, this club is by and large a meat market, and doesn't attempt to hide that. Unfortunately if you don't want to be one of the not-so-pretty-people trying to mate in a corner, you leave feeling skint, slightly degraded and very, very dirty.

• Added: 25th of September 2008
• Area: Newcastle Upon Tyne
• Category: Restaurants

Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 1UW
0191 232 8629

Kaemi said
Authentic, great tasting cheap meal out
Rupali's is a local institution. It is a great restaurant at very cheap prices, with set menus and good offers. The currys are very authentic, and are amongst the best I have ever had. We attended for a birthday party, and the staff were lots of fun, and brought out a cape and crown for the guest of honor (lovely velvet affair it was too!) and we were served quickly and all the food was hot even though there were 20 of us. From the outside it doesn't look like much, and even inside it seems dated, however appearances can be deceiving, and Rupali's promises to deliver a great night every time you go.

• Added: 25th of September 2008
• Area: Redcar
• Category: Arts and Culture

Redcar TS10 5NW

Kaemi said
Great free local day out in a lovely setting
Kirkleatham Old Hall Museum is a former school, and is now used as a local musuem run by the council. It is free to enter, and has a variety of exhibits, some change a couple of times a year, while others have been in a long while. The museum showcases the local areas minig, fishing and industrial heritage, whilst also having the middle floor devoted to an ever changing series of exhibits which recently have included Titanic and a Toys through the ages exhibit. On the top floor there is a room on the history of the village, and a more interactive long room about the war, complete with dressing up costumes and air raid sirens. The two end galleries are devoted to an educational childrens interactive room and a art space, which features local artists, and changes every 2 months. There is also an excellent local history library, however this is available by appointment only.

The museum also boasts a newly refurbished cafe, as well as a community managed garden, and a large childrens play area. There is a seperately owned owl centre located next to the museum, which is a little expensive but worth a look around and there are flying displays on weekends and in school holidays.

Kirkleatham village itself is also well worth a wander, as there is one of the highest concentrations of listed buildings in the country in a rural setting here. There is a fantastic stable block near the school, which is currently abandoned, as well as the showfield, and former grounds of the Kirkleatham Hall which was demolished in the mid 20th century.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Newcastle Upon Tyne
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Newcastle Upon Tyne NE2 4PU

Kaemi said
Cheap and very cheerful
This is a great pub, although almost exclusively populated by students and recent students. It has very cheap drink and food, and vouchers to make it even cheaper (or free) are often handed out on Grey Street and around Haymarket. There is also the infamous yellow card which again gives you access to cheaper offers on food and drink. There are two indoor snooker tables and one outside, as well as quiz machines, jukebox and even a claw machine! It's really good for a midweek drink with a relaxed atmosphere, and there is a nice outside seating area for the summer (or for smokers to huddle under the heaters in the winter!). Food is basic burgers and sarnies type of grub, but good value. There are also quiz nights and £1 a pint nights to really draw in the crowd.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Newcastle Upon Tyne
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 1TT
0191 261 5718

Kaemi said
It's Spoons time!
The Union Rooms is a fantastic listed building currently in use as a weatherspoons. There are several rooms inside each with their own distinct character. There are two bars downstairs, and one upstairs. There is a traditional dark wood Weatherspoons style room at the front, and a glass roofed room to the back which is very light and great in all weathers and seasons. There are also mens and ladies loos, and a front 'family' room for food, although food can be consumed anywhere in the building. Upstairs there are three food rooms, and a more open room with the bar in. There is a magestic sweeping split staircase connecting the two floors. The food is the standard Weatherspoons fare, cheap, hearty grub on offers and 2 for 1 deals. The drinks are extremely reasonable, and Spoons is a popular place to start the night in Newcastle. The atmosphere is really relaxed, and as a result The Union Rooms draws a very mixed crowd.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Newcastle Upon Tyne
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 1JF
0191 261 5774

Kaemi said
Amazing building, great drinks
The main reason I like Revolution is the building. It is truely stunning interanally with columns, marble floors, and a vaulted ceiling. The internal alterations to make it a bar are sympathetic in materials and style, and provide secluded seating areas and a raised platform for the DJ and other drinkers and a smaller second bar without diminishing the space. Revolution sells an amazing array of types of vodka, flavoured and non, as well as standard beers and bottles. The shot trays are great value and fun with friends. Prices are fairly reasonable, and there are plenty of offers on drinks. There is also a members card which makes things significantly cheaper, although this is very poorly advertised and seems to be almost exclisively a word of mouth thing. On week nights this is a great place for a chat and some drinks, on a weekend it is very noisy and packed, and can take up to 45mins to get to the bar after 10pm.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Redcar
• Category: Food and Drink

Redcar TS11 6JL
01642 480044

Kaemi said
Best Chinese takeaway in the area
Excellent quality takeaway with varied (if confusing menu). There are some good set price menus, and the guy behind the counter is very friendly and speaks english fluently. They deliver, but also are happy to take telephone orders for collection. They accept all major credit and debit cards. The food is usually ready in 10-15 mins, and is well packaged in reusable plastic boxes, paper and bags. They have lost a star as they do not do crispy noodles, but their lemon chicken is fantastic. Would advise getting a dish with sauce, as the chop suey is very dry. Rice comes free with main courses, chips or fried rice is extra. The portions they give area really large, and I've never known myself or any of my friends to eat it in a whole sitting!

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Redcar
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Redcar TS11 7LL

Kaemi said
Atmospheric,big menu, shame it all tastes the same
I have eaten here on a handful of occassions as it is very local to several of my friends, and has a nice atmosphere. For a quiet evening drink it's great, if a little expensive. If you want a spirit and mixer make sure you ask for a tall glass as they come in tiny tumblers which are emptied in under 5 mins! The pub is vert traditional but in decent condition, and is a real locals local, without excluding new comers. There is a regular quiz night and irish music night. The pub is severely let down by its menu however. It is fairly basic pub food with a few ventures into the more interesting such as swordfish, surf and turf etc. This close to the sea I would expect the fish to be fresh and perfect, however we've always had it arrive drowned in oil and dried thyme or fried to within an inch of its life. Then somemore for good measure. I have ordered both a chicken dish and the beef, which again, have come in tomato and dried thyme and the oil and thyme sauces respectively. You leave feeling like going to get a snack at the corner shop, while picking what feels like pine needles out of your teeth. The deserts are better, mainly because the chef couldn't work out a way to put dried thyme into apple crumble!

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Marske-by-the-Sea
• Category: Health and Medical

Marske-by-the-Sea TS11

Kaemi said
Fantastic old fashioned service
This is an excellent local chemist. It is disabled accesable from the market place entrance, and has electric doors and a ramp etc. The staff are lovely, very happy to help, and twice have now prevented a nasty medication mix up by locum doctors/the nurse! They are very knowledgeable, and will not sell a product they do not believe is beneficial, or is a detriment to your health (Trust me, you try getting sudafed out of them when you have high blood pressure, a raging flu and an interview the next day!). The shop part is vast, and every shelf is stacked with hundreds of products, in some places it is quite hard to find things. Often I have sat waiting for my prescription (comfy chairs) and wondered how such a small chemist can need to stock 12 types of pregnancy test! There is a baby section including food, lots of racks of cards, bath and shower stuff, make up racks, and then round the corner there is a small 'gift shop' type area, with yankee candles and knick knacks. Great for a last minute forgotten gift!

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Redcar
• Category: Food and Drink

Redcar TS11 7BE

Kaemi said
Decent chinese polite owners
I would really like to rate this place 5 stars, the takeaway is run by a lovely multi-generational family who keep the place clean and tidy, and even sweep the street outside. Food is prepared quickly, and is reasonably priced. There is even a 10% discount every sunday-monday. There is a small area of hardstanding to the front which is used as short term parking while people run in to grab their takeaway. The food however is quite bland, and everything i have tried tasted almsot exactly the same. The lemon chicken in particular (my favourite so lots of experience) just tasted like it was washed in gloop. I went twice hoping the first time was just a bad night, but no improvement. In addition they do not take cards, it is cash only.