South Shields to Seaton Sluice and return.  I've done this ride a few times and its a great way to shake off the cobwebs, either with friends or on your own.
From South Shields head west and meet any other riders at the Tyne Tunnel 'pedestrian' entrance (more info here:www.bridgesonthetyne.co.uk/tyneped.html).

Come out of the tunnel and turn right.  Follow the cycle route up the slight incline and bear right.  Cross the road after about 500 metres and go along the side of Percy Main Cricket Ground.  Pick up the cycle way and continue straight on, following cycle way marked '10' - part of the Reivers Route.  Continue for around five miles and as you hit a new cycle way turn off the route '10' heading north easterly to East Hollywell.  Head down the farm track and follow the track into Hollywell village, tacking a right had turn into Holywell Dene Road. The road turns into track after about 100 metres and after a further 400 metres turn right onto the old railway track, a few miles on you reach a road where you turn right and pass Seaton Deleval Hall, a national Trust property of some granduer (see www.seatondelaval.org.uk/Hall.html).  Continue down into Seaton Sluice for great views of the sea and the spot where Robson Green says he learned to swim!  We usually stop at the Waterford Arms (www.waterfordarms.co.uk/) which does great fish and chips.
From here its south all the way, following Route 1 and the coastline. Past the spectacular St Mary's lighthouse and on to Tynemouth Priory, the burial place of three English Kings, though I can never remember which ones.  From here it's best to head for the Ferry and avoid any traffic.  The ferry runs every 15 minutes and takes you into the heart of South Shields, two minutes from the market square.  There's a great pub called the Allum House right next to the ferry landing but I'll be giving it a miss - just because if I stop off there on Boxing Day I might not want to leave!

A good ride of about 25 miles.

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Great if you love vodka and even greater if you love beautiful interior decoration. From the outside Revolution looks like any other grey Victorian building but inside is a real treat. Like walking into a massive iced cake you cannot help but gape at the wonderful domed ceilings and intricate plasterwork and you can drink your favourite vodka tipple at the same time....BONUS!

Collingwood Street, Newcastle upon Tyne. Near Central Station

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Good pub, just around the corner from the Theatre Royal, tucked down a side alley (High bridge). Good selection of real ales and swanky beers like Erdinger and Kronenberg Blanc.

If you’re peckish Pannis is a nice Italian directly opposite the Bacchus.

34 High Bridge, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE1 1EW

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From the outside this looks as if it could be the scariest bar in Newcastle.

However once you've plucked up courage and opened the door, you'll find that although stuck in a time warp decor-wise - somewhere in the mid70s, this serves the best beer in Newcastle with views to better those from the Baltic.

Oh and the graffiti in the toilets contains some absolute masterpieces – well worth a read. A perfect place for a Sunday afternoon pint. Well worth the hike along the quayside & up the nettle strewn path.

St Lawrence Road, Byker
0191 265 5764
Nearest Metro: Manors

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It is a bar with grandeur and cosiness. It has snugly couches, friendly staff, a very pleasant atmosphere and good food options. The nicest station bar I’ve ever seen, by some distance (not much competition).

Adjoining Newcastle central station

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Great bar with live DJ sets on a Friday and Saturday night. Great juke box when the DJ finishes and always a busy and friendly crowd.

Pink Lane, opposite Central Station

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Newcastle is unashamedly a fashion-led city and while that’s no bad thing (the Toon is vibrant and buzzing etc) the inevitability is that many of the bars are quite formulaic. The Trent House pub defiantly goes against the grain – not in so much as a two fingers up to it’s identikit rivals but more in a ‘we know how it’s done and we don’t follow trends’ kind of way. They know their music but they’re laid back with it (no pretension). Plentiful array of beers, great jukebox, pool table, decent food – all the basics are well covered. Sister venue, World Headquarters puts on some of Newcastle’s top club nights and pulls in the more cutting edge acts to the region.

1-2 Leazes Lane
Near Haymarket Metro Station

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Chic and sophisticated bar that serves great Italian style snacks and the most delectable cocktails made from the best spirits, liqueurs, fresh fruit, herbs and juices. My favourite is a Basil Grande, a beautiful strawberry Martini with fresh basil and cracked black pepper. Excellent friendly staff, happy to advise on your choice of tipple and even happy to make cocktails off menu.

See www.paradiso.co.uk/index.htm for further information and to check out the sister establishments - Paradiso also comes highly recommended for their fantastic light lunches, made with locally sourced ingredients.

82-84 Pilgrim Street,
Newcastle upon Tyne,
NE1 6SG

Tel: 0191 232 8923

Nearest Metro Station, Monument. Start from the bottom of Northumberland Street, head past the Tyneside Cinema, and the Fire Station.

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It's the best bar in Newcastle. It has loads of really nice beers (including Magus, from the Durham Brewery, one of the best real ales you'll ever taste), friendly service, good atmosphere, and a cool domed roof.

Up from the Tyne Theatre at 125 Westgate Road

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New bar in trendy Jesmond district of Newcastle, underneath the Quaker Meeting House. Looks like your aunty betty's living room in the 1970s! Got to visit this surreal drinking den!

Archbold Terrace,
Jesmond,
Newcastle
Close to Jesmond metro station

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The best bar in Newcastle. Great beer, relaxed atmosphere, thoroughly untrendy and well away from the harsh lights and hair-gel of the Quayside and Bigg Market.

Featuring a free jukebox and gigs in the summer, this is Newcastle at its down-to-earth best.

Malin Street, Newcastle; There's a map on the website (www.thetyne.com) which should make things easier. Walk about 1/2 a mile or so east along the river from the Quayside, past some modern apartments. Malin Street is on your left just past these apartment blocks, and the Tyne is located snugly under the conspicuous red brick bridge.

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This fantastic old pub is on The Side but should be central to any trip to Newcastle. Top tap - stic real ales, kept properly, a gramophone and stained glass windows in a tiny pub split into a snug that really is and a long thin bar. Just do not wander in to take a photo and then leave as some tightwads have been observed doing!

The Crown Posada
The Side
Newcastle upon Tyne

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For eating, drinking & a great gallery in The Baltic. It's not necessary to use the Quayside Link as the walk from Grey's Monument down Grey Street and Dean Street to The Side passes some of the finest architecture in Britain, never mind England. There are also a few good pubs and some excellent restaurants on the way to the quay and at the bottom on the right-hand side you will find the wonderful "Side Gallery"

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