Tilleys Bar, Newcastle Upon Tyne

Tilley's is often a bar we overlook when in Newcastle, preferring to bypass it and head instead to the nearby Bodega. So, it's been several years since I last visited. I'm not sure if it still is, but Tilley's used to be part of the Head of Steam chain. The last time I visited in 2017, they had 7 cask ales. These days, it is reduced to just 4. Anarchy Blonde Star & Cameron's Strongarm are the regular beers. Guests for our Sunday evening visit were Oakham Citra & Titanic Plum Porter. Amongst the keg beers were Wylam Jakehead, Fierce Lemonade Raspberry (not really a beer, but fairly refreshing), Tooth & Claw Squeeze & Jellyfish Nebula & Yeastie Boys Bigmouth. Whilst reducing the cask ale range, they also seemed to have dispensed of the real cider they use to stock. It was very busy inside with plenty of Newcastle fans preferring to head for a drink instead of watching their team's qualification for the Champions League in the ground. Or perhaps they'd not been to the game and had been watching inside the pub. Either way, it wasn't the Newcastle game that was being shown on the multiple TV screens. The main drinking space is around the bar and the entrance. There is further seating up a couple of stairs to the rear, where I spotted a dartboard. This is another Newcastle pub that seems to have gone downhill since Covid. I will downgrade my score a couple of points. However, whilst some Newcastle pubs have deteriorated, I can still say that Newcastle is a good day out for drinkers. Visits to the Bridge Hotel, Lady Grey's and the Wobbly Duck were excellent as usual.

Modern semi-spartan corner bar with a large main area for drinking on entering and a smaller, quieter raised area to right. In the main bar are a number of booths which notably all have sockets prominently displayed to allow for phone charging and laptop powering (of which I gratefully partook!). Watch out for the cast iron pillars. Seven ales on and my Mordue 20 was in good shape. Lots of bottles in the fridge too. Another solid ale bar in NE1 that's worth checking out - and very close to the Bodega. Just needs a bit more charm.