Newcastle's most lauded and popular real-ale pub, this bar's reputation is second to none.

The Venue
Right on the edge of Chinatown, The Newcastle Arms is a real-ale drinker's paradise. Indeed, under the expert tenancy of Neil Amos it has been voted CAMRA's Tyneside & Northumberland real-ale pub of the year for the past three years.

It's housed inside a stone building, with an attractive tiled mosaic entrance. It's L-shaped and not that big, and simply getting past the crowd at the bar further into the room can be an effort during busy times. It has a polished wood floor, big mirrors on the back wall and flashing fruit machines. The walls are cream with the lower half wood panelled and the lights emit an orangey glow. There's a jukebox opposite the bar and several plasma screens are dotted around the premises.

The People
It's a pretty male-oriented environment — you don't see many gals necking pints of Rivet Catcher (although it's not unheard of). When the sport is on, the testosterone levels peak. Although all ages come here the over thirties predominate and it can be hard to get near the small bar at peak times. They have, according to the landlord, a strictly no idiots, radgies, tracksuits, or shoplifters code (shopfitters are welcome, however). Molly the dog is a regular too.

The Food and Drink
With Strongbow, Guinness, Stella, John Smith's and Carling on tap, (the one regular ale is Deuchar's IPA) and five guest ales continuously alternating, the nine-gallon barrels being drunk till they’re empty before getting a new brew in. Local and and regional breweries are very well-represented, with the likes of Mordue, Wylam, Jarrow, Big Lamp and High House Far, as well as more far-flung breweries such as Marble, Oakham and Dark Star. A selection of house wines is available by the bottle (£8.50 to £10). Food is for jessies, but pork scratchings are allowed.

The Last Word
A real-ale pub for real-ale people, The Newcastle Arms is a veritable institution.

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