The GIN Bar, Crowne Plaza - The best Martini in Newcastle

The Crowne Plaza hotel opened in Newcastle this month (you may remember our 'builder's lunch' tour a few months ago). My last memory of the hotel was of it looking like this:-



We couldn't wait to pop back over opening weekend to take a look at the stunning transformation.


Far from being 'just another chain' I adore how much the hotel has integrated itself into North East community from the locally sourced food on offer in Hawthorns (Robson's of Craster Smoked Salmon, Turnbull's of Alnwick Gourmet burger and Toon Ale Battered Cod all featuring on the menu) to Wylam Brewery beer and Ouseburn Coffee stocking the bar. The bar menu even features a sketch of Newcastle's famous Grey Street. Supporting local is a big thing for me and this interest in sourcing local really sets the Crowne Plaza apart from other city centre hotels in Newcastle.


The Gin Bar

The Gin Bar is open to residents and non residents from 9am until late. Located on Forth Street, just a 3-4 minute walk away from Central Station it is an ideal location for commuters to meet for after work drinks and the environment is perfectly designed for an informal business lunch (I can certainly see myself arranging to meet clients here). 


In the evening, I'm sure the substantial cocktail and beer list will draw in the crowd who prefer a quality drink and good conversation over 2 for 1 cocktails and dancing. The GIN bar isn't far from Newcastle's Metro Radio Arena and is going to be my new go-to meeting place for pre-concert cocktails.

Engineer Your Martini

The GIN bar prides itself on it's Martini's and there are over 27,000 varieties. No typos! That's 27,000! The highly skilled bartenders will help you engineer your own signature Martini. With so much choice, the Martini menu has been cleverly created to help you design your own drink - simply choose a liquour, garnish ( I want to try thyme and rocksalt), vermouth and serving style. Martini's cost from just £6.50. We tried the classic 'GIN bar' Martini and I have to say I was really impressed. I'm not a Martini girl but this one was 1000 times more drinkable than the ones hubby makes me at home!



We also tried a couple of Gin based cocktails which were all delightful. I loved them all and don't think I could pick a favourite! 

Raspberry and Thyme Smash - £7.20

Sloe Royale - £8.90

Sloe Gin and Cucumber Sour

What if I don't like Gin?

I am super excited to see an English Sparkling Wine on the menu - there aren't many places that stock English Sparkling Wine and it is my absolute favourite. Better than Champagne in my opinion! A bottle of Nyetimber Classic Cuvee will set you back £58 but if you are celebrating it is worth every penny. 

You will also find a good selection of beers and a very good selection of soft drinks - if you are pregnant, driving or abstaining from alcohol you will be spoilt for choice with Fentimans Ginger Beer, Belvoir Raspberry Lemonade and Bottlegreen Elderflower and Pomegranate all featuring. Lovers of Ouseburn Coffee will also be delighted to OCC Tea and Coffee behind the bar.

There are a selection of cocktails that don't feature Gin but are equally as good including the OCC Espresso Martini (of boilershop steamer fame) and the spiced mai-tai which is recommended.



Bar Food and Snacks

There is a small but pleasing bar food menu available in the GIN bar offering a selection of small plates (hot butchers sausage, king prawns and salt and pepper squid are all highly recommended), sandwiches, desserts and sharing platters. When I visit with Steve I just know his eyes will head straight to the Farmer's Platter - Turnbull's pork pie, pulled ham & Doreen's black pudding press, mortadella, nettle cheese, Yorkshire blue, glazed butchers sausage, pease pudding, onion jam and Geordie Bakers bread - £18 for two people.



The GIN bar impressed with their bar snacks and cocktails and it was such a lovely environment to catch up with the girls. What really made the difference though were the staff. Every single team member was passionate about providing first class service, welcoming us, taking the time to chat and they were really very knowledgable about the drinks available. It really makes the difference when staff welcome you like this. They truly are the best of the best.



If you are looking for somewhere new to try in Newcastle City Centre, give The GIN bar a visit and you won't be disappointed.

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37 comments

  1. I can't wait to go here for a girls night out, it looks fabulous!!

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  2. Looks great. Will definitely be visiting on our next trip to Toon.

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  3. This looks fab! From food to drinks to music!! Must try this with the girls x

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  4. OMG didn't even realise it's close to the arena! Brilliant!!!! I've always struggled with where to go before a concert!

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    1. Yeah the arena is just across from Centre for life so it's not far xx

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  5. Oh wow! It looks fab! The drinks sound absolutely amazing and I don't even like gin. lol x

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    1. I don't like Gin either - at least I thought I didn't! Been converted now x

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  6. Wow, this looks like a great place for a might out! I am not a gin fan but the drinks look amazing!!

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  7. Wow what an amazing looking and sounding place I would totally pop in if I was in the area. x

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  8. This place sounds and looks amazing! If I'm ever in the area and not pregnant I am there! x

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  9. Looks like a great venue for an amazing night out!

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  10. This looks lovely, I adore gin so sounds perfect for me. I'll have to visit next time I pop up north to see my parents.

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  11. That looks like a great place to visit, I was particularly pleased to see a mention of an Espresso Martini - one of my favourite cocktails!

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  12. My friend lives in Newcastle so I know exactly where I'm going to be heading the next time I come up there - mother's ruin and giant prawns?! Someone get me a room stat!

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  13. I realllllly want to visit! The gin bar sounds amazing, and delicious ;) x

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  14. This looks like a fantastic venue. Thank you for a great review and lovely photos x

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  15. OOh now you can't go wrong with a good martini in my opinion x

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  16. I need to go there when i next visit Newcastle - I love Gin! x

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  17. Oh wow this place looks amazing. I don't even drink and these drinks looks fantastic!

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  18. I'm not so keen on gin but this looks like a great place!

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  19. I don't drink. However, for those who do, this must be an amazing place to meet. I am truly amazed at the great variety of Martinis.

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  20. This looks like a fantastic place to visit. I don't really drink nowadays but looks good to me!

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  21. Those cocktails look amazing! Sounds like a great bar :)

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  22. I love gin! The raspberry and thyme smash sounds like heaven!

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  23. Wow - the drinks look delicious and check out the size on that prawn! :o

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  24. The Raspberry and thyme smash looks so refreshing and what a great variety of choice too!
    http://www.fadedspring.co,uk

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  25. Oh Sally! I need this Martini thing in my life and when I am there ,have to try it x

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  26. Half closed eyes ! Samantha sorry not Sally ! Oops

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  27. great interior and the coctails looks fab! Whats more we need?

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  28. THOSE PRAWNS <3 they look incredible. The cocktail with thyme looks so pretty and yummy!

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