Theatre Royal opens new city centre bar

A theatre is expanding its city centre hospitality offering.

Newcastle Theatre Royal has opened The Green Room, a stylish new bar and cultural space on Market Street, creating more than 15 jobs. 

The venue, accessible from inside the theatre for showgoers, is open daily from 11am to 11pm and serves a wide range of drinks and hot beverages, featuring many local producers including Full Circle and Baristocracy. 

A food menu is planned to launch before the end of the year, further encouraging visitors to spend time in the theatre’s new space.

Siobhan Lightfoot, Newcastle Theatre Royal’s director of operations, said: “We’re incredibly proud of our landmark theatre and our standing in the heart of the city. 

“One of our key ambitions is to be able to share this beautiful building with more people, more of the time and The Green Room enables us to do that, bringing people into a warm and inviting space that is immersed in storytelling and provides a window into the magic that is created on our stage. 

“We advocate culture for all.  

“Our vision for The Green Room is that it will become a cultural hub for the city, a place where members of the public can relax and socialise, and for patrons can enjoy our theatre a little longer.”

The Green Room forms part of a wider hospitality operation, alongside the theatre’s two internal bars and 100 Grey Street, a coffee and wine bar opened in November 2024. 

Heading up the hospitality team are Peter Davis, formerly of the Alchemist Bar, as head of hospitality, as well as hospitality manager Barry Warner, who was previously with Greene King.

Meldrum Construction, Newcastle architects MawsonKerr and interior designers Design North delivered the six-month redevelopment.

The space features art installations by North East artist Beth Travers, while The Green Room’s name nods to the theatre’s heritage, honouring John and Benjamin Green, the father and son designers behind the building.

A box office kiosk is also housed in the space, open Monday to Saturday, allowing visitors to buy their tickets while enjoying drinks in the heart of the city.

Will Mawson, co-founder of MawsonKerr, added: “The Green Room was conceived as a new space reconnecting a series of previously annexed public spaces and connecting the theatre further to the city. 

“This has been an exciting continuation of conversations with the Theatre Royal on engagement with its community. 

“The Green Room has its own personality which is tied respectfully to the historic building with nods to the past as with the stories told in Beth’s artwork.” 

Charlotte Allan, associate interior designer at Design North, added: “Collaborating with the Theatre Royal to create such an innovative space is a designer’s dream. 

“We have created an interior that feels both calming and welcoming, with elements of luxury and opulence that will cultivate a connection between the Theatre and the wider public. 

“Beth’s artwork perfectly encapsulates this vision. 

“The bespoke wallpaper tells stories and keeps the Theatre’s history alive.” 

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