The Hooch
Quick info
About The Hooch
The Hooch is a cafe-bar in Newcastle Upon Tyne at 81 Quayside, where the windows look onto the Quayside bridges and a DJ plays soulful music in the background. The day side of the menu runs on coffee, with the Flat White among the espresso-based drinks, and food includes a Cheddar and honey roast panini. Once the evening starts, the bar moves to cocktails, with an alcohol-free option on the list for anyone skipping alcohol. The team serves guests at the table, so ordering does not mean queuing at the counter. Early evening can get busy, when the music and the crowd build together.
Good to know
“Situated in one of Newcastle's most beautiful buildings with some of the best views in town. A cafe & bar with great coffee, good food & the most soulful music around, all the while looking out onto the Quayside's picturesque bridges and buildings.”
- AccessibilityWheelchair: seating
Menu & Prices
49 dishes · mains £1–18- Espresso£2.60
- Macchiato£3.00
- Americano£3.20
- Flat White£3.30
- Cappuccino£3.40
- Latte£3.50
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention cocktails, coffee, cakes and cheese boards.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention cocktails, coffee, cakes and cheese boards.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers return most for the coffee, naming an Americano with cold milk and a flat white, and several call it ridiculously tasty. Close behind is the cake, with apple and pistachio and rose singled out as moist and full of flavour, plus a panini and cheese boards that one reviewer rates five stars. Cocktails draw repeat visits too, including espresso martinis and porn star martinis, along with single malts and Scottish gins. The music comes up repeatedly, from a DJ played at a low level to one reviewer calling it the funkiest cafe they have visited, and staff are described as friendly and attentive, with one turning the music down for a companion with a hearing issue. The complaints are few. One diner found the milk in the flat white too hot, another noted cheap cutlery against nicer tableware, and one reviewer with a dog was made to sit outside despite a dog bowl inside, with slow drinks and food and a disappointing bread with dip. Another reviewer notes the place gets busy early evening, and one reviewer was turned down no request when asking for quieter music.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers return most for the coffee, naming an Americano with cold milk and a flat white, and several call it ridiculously tasty. Close behind is the cake, with apple and pistachio and rose singled out as moist and full of flavour, plus a panini and cheese boards that one reviewer rates five stars. Cocktails draw repeat visits too, including espresso martinis and porn star martinis, along with single malts and Scottish gins. The music comes up repeatedly, from a DJ played at a low level to one reviewer calling it the funkiest cafe they have visited, and staff are described as friendly and attentive, with one turning the music down for a companion with a hearing issue. The complaints are few. One diner found the milk in the flat white too hot, another noted cheap cutlery against nicer tableware, and one reviewer with a dog was made to sit outside despite a dog bowl inside, with slow drinks and food and a disappointing bread with dip. Another reviewer notes the place gets busy early evening, and one reviewer was turned down no request when asking for quieter music.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Cheddar and honey roast panini was great, one to recommend, however the bread with dip was quite a disappointment in comparison. It’s not dog friendly despite there being a dog bowl inside and we were made to sit outside. Drinks took ages to be brought to us despite only ordering a coke and a still water. Food was also the same story. All in all I’d say if your don’t mind a wait and are looking for a great panini then it is a good choice but with a dog, it is not to recommend.”
- Google user
“AMAZING VENUE! the staff were very attentive when asking about prices of drinks and offered their personal recommendations on some of the great selection of single malts and Scottish gins. great selection of food to help keep you level. the cheese boards are 5 star! would highly reccomend.”
- Google user
“Great little place, relaxed atmosphere with DJ playing (not overloud) in the background. A variety of cocktails from the menu and a sharing platter. Just be aware this place can get busy early evening. Had a great time. Thanks for a lovely, relaxing, thirst quenching, music loving evening.”
- Google user
“Fabulous place which has exceeded all expectations…! 👏👏👏👏👏 The staff are lovely, attentive and extremely welcoming, even first thing on an hot Tuesday morning, after a long bank holiday weekend. The coffee is ridiculously tasty and a lot of thought has gone into sourcing it and making it 🔥 The music in this place… well… this has got to be THE funkiest cafe I’ve ever visited, I will be sure to visit again whenever I’m in Newcastle. Thank You 🎉❤️”
- Google user
“Visited yesterday. Whilst the menu is not extensive (we knew this) the food is 1st class. Great coffee and all served by attentive staff. The service was well timed. They happily turned down the background music as my companion had a hearing issue.”
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Location
Bars near The Hooch
- Akenside Traders4.21,7980.2 miWheelchair accessible
bottomless brunch, dog friendly pub, sport on tv
- By The River Brew Co.4.35570.2 mi£1–30ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
world cup screenings, riverside location, HWKRMRKT street food vendors
- Station East4.64890.3 mi£1–10
real ale selection, live music, pies and sausage rolls
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The HoochWheelchair accessible | 4.7316 | — | — | cocktails, coffee, cakes |
| Akenside TradersWheelchair accessible | 4.21,798 | 0.2 mi | — | bottomless brunch, dog friendly pub, sport on tv |
| By The River Brew Co.Reservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.3557 | 0.2 mi | £1–30 | world cup screenings, riverside location, HWKRMRKT street food vendors |
| Station East | 4.6489 | 0.3 mi | £1–10 | real ale selection, live music, pies and sausage rolls |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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