retiredmartin

July 2026. Newcastle.

Not even lunchtime as I leave the Free Trade for the walk through Ouseburn back into Toon.

Actually, it’s a rare walk along a dried up river (I never knew that watercourse was actually called the Ouseburn till today), my first look at this Newcastle cultural highlight since a Julia Jacklin gig at the Cluny a decade ago.

You get art,

viaducts,

the 7 Stories book museum, and a farm where a 9 year old Matt won a colouring competition during the Big Freeze of 2010.

Fewer GBG pubs in the Valley these days,

just the Two by Two Tap on the outskirts, so I head back down to the Quayside to one of Chris Dyson‘s favourites.

Perversely, the Broad Chare has just dropped out of the Beer Guide as I make an overdue return to an upmarket but still “Proper” pub.

I’ve spent ages trying to think of similar pubs, and I suspect that one of those new 1936 Pub Co places in Liverpool might be a good example. Or possibly the Raven in Bath.

Lunchtime suits, a couple sharing a bottle of Prosecco, a middle-aged bloke thrilled to find a cool, chewy pint of Bass (VERY GOOD).

“You’re so vain” the soundtrack, the chorus heartily sang by the bloke to my left. “I…had some dreams….they were CLOUDS in my pocket…“.

And the food (posh dining upstairs) is even better.

I was impressed by the effort to flog a £50 sharing bottle of Oud Beersel on the bar menu.

Another time. I expertly paired that Bass with the best cheese and onion toastie I’ll ever eat (NC&OTSS 5), though the ones in Fuggles (another upmarket pub) would run it close.

Nice to find evidence on the walls that, contrary to popular belief, Newcastle United DID exist before their Middle-Eastern takeover.

Hiding in plain sight (well, up a small lane near the Pitcher & Piano), the Broad Chare is unmissable on your Newcastle visit.