Play Hard

3 new openings in Newcastle you need to know about

Think plant-powered pies, Detroit-style pizza and an awesome warehouse pop-up event

Written by Becky Hardy
Published 12.06.2021

Magpye

Meet Magpye: Geordie purveyors of plant-powered pies. You heard that right – it’s the unique take on the quintessentially British classic that we didn’t know we needed, until we took a bite. But trust us, the deluxe vegan pies this plant butcher and deli handcraft every day are top notch. Think flaky, buttery shortcrust pastry full to the brim with plant-based versions of any and every one of our all-time favourites.

Luckily for anyone living in Newcastle, Magpye have now opened up their very first shop in the city’s iconic Grainger Market. So as well as securing a permanent place for us to get our pie fix, we can also pop along and peruse their deli full of plant-based ‘meats’ – including pastrami, pepperoni and ham – and even try out Magpye’s own vegan butter and cream, as well as some of the best plant-based cheeses out there. Smashing.

Grainger Market, Grainger Street, Newcastle NE1 5QQ

Square

Psst… Did you guys know it’s hip to eat Square now?

We may know about those deep-pan Chicago pizzas, we may even have drooled over those super-size, thin-crust New York pizzas, but the North East’s newest pizza joint is all about bringing classic Detroit pizza to Newcastle. And we are here for it.

So what is Detroit-style pizza, we hear you ask? It’s a game of layers. From proving to pan, making this kind of pizza takes time as flavours are lovingly interwoven into each and every layer. If that isn’t enough to entice you to visit their Slice House (firstly, what’s up hun?), then maybe their cracking playlist of bangers from motor city’s music makers might. Think everything from Motown to House. Because that’s just the way they do things here.

1 Market Street, Newcastle NE1 6SE

Salt Market Social

Ok, so this one is less of a ‘new opening’ and more of a ‘grand return’. But we’ve bloody missed our Salt Market Socials. And if you’ve never been, you need to get yourselves down to this warehouse pop-up event at North Shields Fish Quay, stat.

Having transformed a converted factory with unique décor and street art, Salt Market Social is where the best range of North East craft beers converge with the nation’s top breweries, as well as a signature cocktail list where every drink packs a punch. But don’t be fooled into thinking you should line your stomach before you come – there are also always five local food traders on hand which change with each social. We’ve heard street food hard-hitters Lobo Rojo and their Mexican tacos are coming down soon, as are Cocina Peru, Redhead’s Mac ‘n’ Cheese, Pan Asia and Parm-O-Rama (along with plenty others). Oh yeah, we almost forgot to mention the live music here, courtesy of some of the North East’s most popular DJs. Our bad.

Due to pretty sky-high demand, Salt Market’s ‘socials’ have moved from monthly to fortnightly sessions, meaning you now have twice as many reasons to visit. The first of June’s instalments is happening today, after that it’s from Thursday 24th–Sunday 27th June. See you there?

Blue Warehouse, 1 Liddell Street, Fish Quay, North Shields NE30 1HE

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