The Central, Gateshead

A five minute walk from Gateshead metro station and an easy stroll over the iconic Tyne Bridge if you're coming from Newcastle, this is an excellent Head of Steam pub set in a striking wedge shaped, Grade II listed building. Entering into a central corridor, you are presented with the choice of heading left for the Buffet Bar, right for the Main Bar or upstairs for function rooms and a rooftop terrace. The main bar is at the widest point of the wedge and sees the servery along one wall with a row of smart banquette seating opposite. Some huge retro posters for various local transport services loom high above the bar and look fantastic. Over to one side, in a space you'd otherwise be unlikely to even notice, a group were setting up for a live performance. The room was packed when we arrived on a Sunday lunchtime, so we went through to the Buffet Bar, which turned out to be a great move. This is a wonderfully preserved bar with an intact U-shape bar counter and detailed carved bar back on the end wall. The floor has nice dark wooden boards and the white walls are topped with an elaborate cherub themed plasterwork frieze, all very much in keeping with the room's look. Whiskey boxes run along the window sills and there are large blackboards detailing an extensive whiskey range. More comfortable banquette seating (albeit with odd mock-snakeskin upholstery) runs around the perimeter under some fine etched glass windows with complex designs. Further examples of excellent glasswork can be seen in the 'Buffet Bar' pane in the door and a similar pane in a rear door which leads into a small snug in the wedge end of the pub, which was carpeted, with two rows of benches and a dartboard. There are two function rooms upstairs, as well as the aforementioned rooftop terrace, but I was perfectly happy in the Buffet Bar and didn't get round to exploring. If the spectacle of this grand pub isn't enough for you, there's also an equally impressive beer range which comprised Cameron's Thunder in Paradise and Haze Wheat Beer, Black Sheep Velo, Titanic Plum Porter, Consett Blast, Cullercoats Shuggy Boat Bilge and Small World Twin Falls. One real cider occupied the final pump and the usual extensive Head of Steam bottle and keg range was apparent too. I tried the Twin Falls and the other half sampled the Plum Porter, both of which were in pretty good shape. We also had a bite to eat and found the food tasty for the most part. This is a quality pub, well worth visiting as much for the marvellous old Victorian building as for the good range of beers. The Buffet Bar is definitely a highlight and should you find it shut, the staff will open it up for you to take a look around. Newcastle arguably has one of the UK's best pub scenes but there's no doubt that it can be further enhanced by a quick river crossing to take in what must be the best Gateshead has to offer. A marvellous pub and one that deserves to be far more well known.

Very interesting looking wedge shaped building, very reminiscent of the Baltic Fleet in Liverpool. The main bar is entered at the top end of the building, there's another room called "The Buffet" which was closed on our Sunday evening visit. There are also 2 function rooms apparently. The bar is long and narrow and is very nicely refurbished in Victorian style. 14 handpumps with most of them available. My pint was in excellent condition as was Ms CAMRA's half. Worth the short walk across the bridge.