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Chronicle Live
Entertainment
Lesley Oldfield

Irish bar The Points opens in Newcastle's Bigg Market and here's how it looks

Guinness is a given, of course. And come St Patrick's Day The Points will be one of the favourite places to visit. But what else does it offer?

Here is a look inside the new venue in Newcastle's Bigg Market, which opened its doors for the first time on Friday night. It will open again tonight and after that will open each Friday and Saturday with three bands each night, plus Irish dancers, on its sizeable stage.

The bar, which has a sister venue already popular in Belfast, was inspired by New York's famous Irish bars and named after area of the city. The bar is where Illegitimate and Blu Bambu used to be.

Manager Tony Knox said: "it's all about the party in the Bigg Market. We are all about entertainment, that is our key."

The basement venue, which is joined to neighbouring Passing Clouds and Filthy's, has a speakeasy vibe and specialises in Irish whiskey, though it has everything else too.

There are four brands of Bushmills which you can sample in a flight for £15, as well as Scottish and American whiskies and its cocktail menu includes an Irish Coffee at £8.50. There is also Irish Chieftan IPA on tap and Hop House 12 Irish lager.

As you enter, a floor-to-ceiling barrel leads you to the large seating area, or turn right for the bar. Vintage posters, including Guinness ones, and lots of Irish paraphernalia adorn the walls, including, behind the bar, a Shebeen display including tinned meat, rice pudding and boxes showing model Irish ponies - all just for fun.  And not just for St Patrick's Day after all.

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