Today, I’m introducing my awesome hubbie, my partner in crime on TravelTheGlobe4Less. He recently joined me for a weekend in Newcastle, and one of the delights we sampled, was the Boiler Shop Steamer, a great night out.

Let me pass you over to him so he can share his thoughts with you on this unique event.

 

The Boiler Shop Steamer

Fed up with the usual weekend night out in town? Fancy doing something different? Whether you’re a resident of Newcastle or its surrounding areas, or you want a weekend away, then why not try The Boiler Shop Steamer in the heart of Newcastle?

This once a month event (the first Friday and Saturday in the month) is located on Sussex St, behind the train station, and is based in an old factory building, cum warehouse. The Boiler Shop is the birthplace of Robert Stephenson’s Rocket.

The premise of the event is based on street food from across the globe, drinking options and great live music. The Boiler Shop Steamer attracts a varied crowd, with both young and old, gathering to enjoy the offerings. It’s a vibrant event, celebrating all that is great about food, drink, music and art.

As you queue to get in past the make-shift ticket booth, you know it’s going to be a busy night, by the sight of numerous burly doormen protecting the entrance. Once payment duties have been performed, you enter the outside compound already full of the gathering hoards milling around enjoying the atmosphere.

A few sofas are scattered around (you’ll be lucky to nab one of these as they prove very popular!). A trendy burger bar is accompanied by a pizza “bus”, an American style bus converted into a fresh pizza stall, and a stall selling fresh wraps filled with a variety of delicious options.

All are doing a good trade, and the smells are certainly encouraging me to get stuck in straight away! Mixed in are a couple of bars selling ice-cold Belgian beers to counteract the warm evening.

Inside, the main building is even better. Steel girders, peeling plaster work, and a big open space is transformed into a vibrant, trendy and buzzing atmosphere. Umpteen stalls circle the perimeter, each with its own variation of street food, from various international destinations.

Indian, oriental, sizzling steak, and deluxe hot-dog options are all available and for the sweet toothed among us, offerings such as ice-cream and fresh mini donuts with naughty toppings are available.

 

If you’ve got more of a thirst, there are plenty of bars to choose from, offering craft beers and cocktails as well as speciality bars, with varieties aplenty of gins and whisky, with enough choice to satisfy even the most fussy of connoisseur.

Payment for items can be done with cash, but the preferred method is by token (it’s like being in a theme park!). Exchange your cash for tokens and use these instead. Things vary in price from 1 to 4 tokens, with each token being worth £2. Most items seem to be 2 or 3 tokens!

Central to all this is the stage, which hosts a variety of bands and musical artists with foot-tapping, easy listening, energetic music being dished out from noon ’til night.

Open midday, the event goes on until midnight, although things tend to ease down around 11 as some head to late bars (I’m guessing!) or hit the sack (like me!) after a busy day, or too much indulgence.

Entry is free before 6pm and £5 after that.

Join the other 3,000+ that visit each monthly event and enjoy a great experience on the Toon!!!!!!!

 

Thanks to NewcastleGateshead Initiative and English Heritage who hosted our weekend. All views are unedited, and our own.

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