Theatre Royal’s new café bar spreads festive cheer

Newcastle Theatre Royal is spreading festive cheer with the launch of a Christmas-themed café bar at 100 Grey Street, transforming the former Nitehawks cocktail bar into a seasonal destination.

Set to open later this month, the café will serve locally sourced beverages and treats during the theatre’s eight-week run of The Little Mermaid pantomime.

Collaborations with North Shields-based Baristocracy Coffee and Cleckheaton’s Eden Fine Wines will feature prominently on the menu, alongside offerings from Washington-based LWC Drinks.

Siobhan Lightfoot, director of operations at Newcastle Theatre Royal said: “We are incredibly excited to be introducing 100 Grey Street and this marks a new milestone in our ambition to diversify our income streams and offer an enhanced customer experience.

“100 Grey Street will be a destination for everyone to enjoy, whether as part of a theatre visit to see the pantomime, an opportunity to catch up with friends over the festive season or relax after a Christmas shopping spree.”

This festive initiative marks the Theatre’s first step in expanding its iconic premises into a vibrant community hub, with plans for year-round seasonal collaborations with local businesses.

Further developments are underway, with work scheduled to begin in 2025 on a new space at 11 Market Street, formerly home to Dat Bar. Local firms MawsonKerr Architects and Design North will lead the design for both projects.

Siobhan added: “Whilst presenting the very best touring productions on our stage remains at the forefront of what we do best, as a registered charity, it is vital that we generate additional income streams and developing our off-stage commercial activities enables us to support our broader charitable objectives.”

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