The Quilted Camel

The Quilted Camel is one of the more glamorous venues in Newcastle, although its original sheen of chic has somewhat slipped as the wave of stag and hen parties has washed down the Quayside, and the venue is now a prime target for single sex groups out for a laugh rather than a cool night out the weekend playlists that brazenly offer ‘chart, party and cheese’ on a Friday and Saturday night should be a hint as to the target demographic. Named, slightly idiosyncratically, after a true story of World War 1 heroism (the ‘camel’ actually refers to a biplane, as in ‘Sopwith Camel’), the quirkiness of the name is reflected in the décor, which is bright with an edge of decadence lots of red – with a large bed at the back of the bar. (There are actually two separate bar areas and a place to shake your stuff later in the evening, which many of the patrons choose to do.) As a firmly established stop-off spot on any big night out, the place gets very, very busy, but to the young, lively crowd, that’s all part of the appeal and remember you’re in Newcastle, so dressing up is expected if you want to look like you belong. There are special packages for stag and hen parties (including, ahem, ‘add a sexy host/hostess’ options), and plenty of groups take up the offer. Cocktails are reasonably priced and the list features all the usual suspects, fun and colourful rather than smooth and sophisticated. Staff are competent and friendly and, if you leave your pretensions at the door, you’re sure to have a great night out in one of the city’s buzziest bars.