In a far cry from the late noughties zeitgeist of Geordie Shore, Hotel Gotham offers a fresh brand of sexy that differentiates Newcastle from its MTV days.

Once famous as the hangout for characters from that reality show, like Scotty T and Gary ‘the parsnip’ Beadle, Newcastle has quietly been building a higher-end repertoire of bars and restaurants.

Sitting at the heart of this shift following its launch late last year is the city’s first five-star venue, Hotel Gotham.

The Stay
The hotel opened its doors in late 2025. Situated in the city’s old fire and police station on Pilgrim Street, rooms range from a standard double to the Station Master’s suite. The suites, many of which are named after Newcastle legends including Robert Stephenson, feature products from Argentum designed for the hotel.

The design celebrates the building’s 1920s architectural heritage. The palette spans inky blacks and charcoal greys, contrasted with the “fire-engine reds”, and the contrasts create a moodily intimate balance. Those checking into a suite also have the pleasure of a bathtub in their bedroom for guests to channel their Hollywood starlet (or their favourite character from Geordie Shore).

Newcastle: where to eat, drink and visit

Where to eat
The Siren restaurant plays on the obvious reference to a fire engine. But the wallpaper – specifically designed for Gotham – pivots to the Greek mythology siren, a sea nymph who enticed sailors with enchanting music.

Siren offers a refined take on the British classics. Stand-outs include a beef sirloin served with all the trimmings, and a tasty side bowl of perfectly cooked cauliflower cheese. For afterwards, the sticky date pudding with butterscotch sauce is well worth the indulgence.

Breakfast is also served here, with a continental buffet and table-service main dishes ranging from a classic full English to smoked salmon and an avocado burrata.

In the hotel’s second venue Fire, the red tonal palettes are dialed up. The bar uses recycled fire hoses for menus, with old equipment redeployed and turned into lampshades and ceiling decoration. The bar is open from 11am until late, with a cocktail menu split into the classics, femme fatales and the director’s cut.

A special mention has to be handed to ‘Sorry Mez Jackson’ from the director’s cut, which mixes cazacabel, mezcal and disaronno with coconut rum and black walnut. For a special touch, bar staff will bring a martini trolley to your room and make your drink to taste, while telling you about the history of the drink. The ingredients are clearly very well sourced: the olives alone are a particular highlight.

What to do in the ‘toon’
With the hotel sitting in the centre of the toon – Newcastle’s affectionate nickname for locals – it’s easy to make the most of a short visit.

In a former Victorian subterranean gentleman’s toilet in the centre of town is a candlelit cave dubbed WC. The underground wine and cocktail bar is a must-visit, found inside a beautifully restored Grade II-listed former public toilet dating back to the late Victoria era.

For food, down on the Quayside in a Victorian warehouse is Dobson & Parnell, which boasts a visual style that matches the 1930s aesthetic of Hotel Gotham. In the centre of the city is Grainger Market, which hosts a thriving street food scene.

Newcastle is also famous for clubbing: if you’re going out late, try Dog & Parrot for a famous treble and a super club called Digital in Times Square.

Newcastle reveals itself through winding riverside paths and scenic walks that are every bit as exciting as the city’s nightlife. A short walk from Gotham is Leazes Park, with sights of the St. James’ Park football stadium, home to Newcastle United FC. The centerpiece of the area is the large, serene lake surrounded by weeping willows.

A night at Hotel Gotham starts at £99, for more information go to hotelgotham.co.uk