The Pavilion

venue information venue map user reviews (32)

Ideally located within the Backworth Business Park, The Pavillion is ideal for a business lunch or a refreshing drink after a hard days work. It serves a delicious menu filled with tradtional British grills, steaks and much more.

Full of noisy kids , running all over the place & theres no real bar area where you can enjoy a drink & read the paper in peace , some parents are very ignorant & let their children carry on doing this all day ,,
No television , which would have been handy to watch the 6 nations rugby & other sporting events , myself family & friends went to the nearby Stonebrook , where we actually enjoyed a lovely pint for a few pence more , which brings me to my next whinge ,, the price of beer lager & wine is ridiculous , a bottle can be upto £10 more expensive than their local rivals , and a pint 30p more , but it also seems to go up 5p every month , the food is very expensive & depending on what chef you get depends on the quality & quantity you get , theres no WI-FI !! Hasnt been for months , !!
So overall for a "Flag ship" pub , there is alot of negatives which need to be sorted by the hierachy , especially as theres another pub opening up in September less than 200 metres away ,
On the plus side the staff are friendly & work hard to get you served as soon as possible & help with any issues , well apart from the above ,, lol ,,

Good choice of beer. Good menu but the food can be a bit hit and miss, chicken breast on your Sunday lunch but if you are unlucky because they run out you will get a leg, I could not find any fish in my fish cakes but there was plenty of kids running round the little cherubs.

I really like this place. It's clean, no sticky carpets, and well presented. The food is not cheap but the food is tasty and well presented. I like to go for a little treat. There are other good pubs locally but this place has something extra. It's handy for Northumberland Park metro aswell which is good when everyone wants a drink.

Had Caesar salad at £8 50 don't mind the price but what we got was 7 gem lettuce leafs a thin stick of dry sweet bread and a Caesar dressing.Has to be the worse meal I have ever had.The pub it's self is big and airy good for large groups lovely toilets but a total rip off for food. Will not go back.We did complain would not give us our money back but did give us a drink.

We have visited the Pavilion recently for a Sunday lunch and although it was on the expensive side, the food was hot, good quality and portions were generous. Based on this, I decided to take my wife and her mother for Mother's Day - bad decision! We arrived around 15:15 and there were plenty of tables, although they were not very clean and the waitresses seemed to clean around the one we were sat at, ignoring the fact it was dirty from the previous diners. A family at a table nearby were complaining their food was cold (should have probably left then when we had chance), so the warning signs were there. We then bought drinks and ordered food (3 x adult Sunday lunches, 2 x kids meals). There was quite a wait and when it did arrive, the plates and food were cold. As my meal hadn't arrived, everyone else waited to eat (and for their veg too which also hadn't arrived either). My food didn't arrive at all (forget to add it at the till apparently). The food was then sent back whilst we waited for mine for arrive. The replacements were still cold, meat was fatty, tough and greasy and barely edible - my wife gave up and left her's. My wife then complained to a waitress who although apologetic, was frazzled and said the usual chef was not working and did we want a refund for everyone's meals, which missed the point really! The duty manager offered us a refund for my wife's meal and free desserts to try and rectify the situation. Had we paid for the full bill (including 2 x half beers, 3 x small glasses of wine, 3 x soft drinks), it would have been around £85. The whole point of a Mother's Day lunch out is to give the ladies a rest from cooking so they can relax and enjoy good food made by someone else; my wife's Mother's Day lunch was cheese on toast when she got home! An utter shambles on what should have been an enjoyable family meal out. Sorry, but we won't be chancing eating here again :(

It was good to see a new licensed premises in this area very modern and up to date with people in general. From the back ground music to the lights dimming as the evening rolls on all adds to the atmosphere of the place. Had a meal with in the first few months of it opening which I thought was a bit on the expensive side quality was fine. The second time was just last year had a great meal most excellent.It is open till late new years eve and was a good venue more so now they have regular live music on always well attended.We booked a Christmas meal on a Sunday to dine at 8pm.We went for our usual visit on a Friday and stated to the manageress that we were looking forward to our meal on Sunday, to our horror there had been a mistake as they did not do Christmas meals on a Sunday after 6pm. With out hesitation our manageress invited us along for 5.30pm on the Sunday and laid out a table the best one in the house specially for us and the food to match. I would agree with some of the reviews that there are sometimes a lot of children running around that is down to the parents responsibilities. We love going there it is considered our new local, one thing though I wish that massive big clock would be put back above the fire place.I always recommend the pavilion.
bri

I went to the Pavilion for my birthday recently. Staff were very helpful and sectioned off an area for us. There were 26 of us in total and everyone had a good day out. The food was good and so was the service. There were quite a few children in the bar but, contrary to other reviews, none of them were nosiy or running wild!. I would recommend this place to anyone.

full of noisy kids.

Food is always great, service can be a little slow, even when they are not that busy.

And if you like a quiet enviroment then go later in the evening,take ear plugs, or better still eat somewhere else, as this place is a haven for parents with noisy , badly behaved children, at times it is like a kindergarden but with extra volume! the management make no allowances for people who don't want to hear noisy hellions, and do nothing to stop them running all over the place.

Management of the pavillion take note.

Went the for my girlfriends anniversary and was amazed the service we received was brilliant the building has recently been refurbished was my first time there and just loved it. The food was cooked to our preferences didn’t have to wait long for the food. It was well cooked and hot, didn’t seem to be warmed up via the micro wave. It’s a moneys worth wasn’t expensive and very spacious.

We have visited this bar on many many occasions and whilst we have always found the service to be a little "quirky" it is now getting unpleasant. When we arrived there was only one table unoccupied and it was covered in dirty dishes - we sat down and waited for somebody to clear the table. This did not happen despite a couple of waiters wandering past (one who looked very busy and one who was looking a bit lost and unsure what he should be doing, so he seemed to have settled on nothing). After a few minutes I went to the bar and asked the duty manager to arrange to have the table cleared - he mentioned that they were very short staffed but he would get it done. Still nothing! Eventually (after another 5 minutes I would guess) we grabbed a passing waitress who grudgingly cleared the table but left the glasses. We had to ask her again to clear the glasses which she did but left half of them. So again we explained that those glasses were not ours and finally she cleared them away but only after glowering at me. For some incredible reason she seemed to think it was more important to clear an adjacent table that was now empty than it was to clear our table.

By this time our evening was already spoiled but feeling our options were limited we stayed anyway until informed that the main course that we had both chosen was not available - at that point we decided enough was enough and left. We spoke to the manager on the way out and he was superficially apologetic but I got the impression he couldn't care less - he kept making excuses about being short staffed and changing shifts - this is not an excuse and especially not when staff are wandering about aimlessly or clearing empty tables before ours!

Give The Pavilion a miss - go to Shiremoor Farm instead, same group but different world.

I thought id found the perfect venue for me and the girls to meet on a regular basis for a few drinks and food if we felt in the mood. Lovely warm friendly relaxed atmosphere until now!

We have been on quite a few occasions and it seems to be going downhill. I’m not sure who they are catering for we went on Friday night which has been our worst experience yet. The music they had on was certainly not back ground or relaxing. If I’d wanted that kind of pub/music I could have gone to Newcastle.

We generally order a bottle of wine and one of the sharing platters – which has changed in size every time we have ordered it. From a slight over kill to very little this must be dependent on whom setting the board or what they have in at the time, surely it should be standard?

The service has always been prompt at the bar however the waiting staff sometimes leave a bit to be desired. Getting constantly asked if we have finished the board every 5 minutes, starts to get on your nerves. They need to learn the difference of good service and badgering. Also if they want to talk about people they should be discreet rather than turn round and stare it’s a sharing platter not a meal so it’s something we pick at as the night commences and we have more drinks.

The car park also leave a bit to be desired needs more lighting, also reading other reviews a taxi service that’s prompt where we always have our designated driver we have seen quite a few getting in their cars after a few too many. although this is not the pavillions fault they dont have the service there that might prevent it slightly.

Our driver got accosted in the car park when going to get her car by someone who had too much to drink and he and his friend for some reason need to compare cars. Has the atmosphere and the clientele gone down?

I actually haven't visited this place in a little while because the last time I was there, the bar was covered in filthy glasses and bottles and it wasn't even near closing time. While the food is fairly good I find the whole place lacking in real atmosphere; it doesn't seem to know what it wants to be, a bistro/bar, a restaurant or a food pub. It fails on all counts. It's in an open location with scope for a really nice garden area, but all that is provided are some basic benches without even a single umbrella in sight. Conversely, the lighting in the evening is akin to being in an airport departure lounge. Whoever is in charge is totally lacking in vision or imagination.

we visited the pavillion on the 27/10/2010 for a birthday meal.The decor and bar were very nice however the food was an utter disappointment,i ordered the the 10 oz sirloin at £16.50 and when it arrived the steak was not how i ordered and was tasteless also it said it would be accompanied by hand cut chips which is the best description i have heard for frozen chips and the garlic butter was frozen.Told management and they were quick to refund however a birthday spoilt and the next day and the next day as i have not been off the toilet since,i would strongly recommend giving the pavillion a miss for food

Went for a meal on Saturday evening with a couple of friends. New menu looked impressive, nothing too overpriced.

My wife and I both ordered lamb rump. My wife is pregnant and as such shouldn't eat undercooked meat, so she asked for hers to be cooked medium-rare. A few minutes later the waitress returned with a message from the chef that the lamb would be 'coming out pink' and he wouldn't cook it any other way. She also mentioned that it was due to the mood he was in. I don't see what the problem was - it would have taken an extra 5 minutes to cook it the way my wife wanted. Anyway, she had to order something else from the menu.

If we were on our own I would have asked to see the manager or just left and gone elsewhere. The food was nice but the attitude of the chef was disgraceful - I think he's seen one too many episodes of Hell's Kitchen.

Been to the Pavilion for the first time tonight... 3 girls 5 bottles of wine and food. Great night, lovely decor, sometimes had a long wait to be served but in general, oak. However.... we ordered a taxi for 11.30. it came at 11.40, in the mean time the once pleasant barman turned into an arrogant rude person in front of our very eyes. He should have just said "right I've got your money, just leave". I will never return to this bar.

We went on a busy Friday night, going specifically for a meal.
All four of us were happy with our main courses - plenty of meat, veg and all tasty and well-prepared. The menu familiar items but imaginative ways to serve them. Excellent.

Two of us had dessert and got very small portions, should be more.

Drinks at the bar - wide selection including Real ale, cocktails, wine menu and all the usual pints, bottles and spirits. Very good.

At closing time we found that the area is poorly served by taxis - and we had to stand outside in cold pouring rain! Also outside were some girls in scanty night-out clothes, they must have been freezing.
It was annoying that the Pav has a large porch with two sets of doors - they could have, with discretion, locked the inner doors and let us wait for taxis in shelter.
After all, we had all spent well that evening!

So, very good food and drink. Recommended. But you'll need luck at taxi-time.

This is in our opinion the most friendly, helpful and most comfortable bar we know. I base this on several years socialising throughout the North-east of England, for a bar to have no tv screens and no loud blasting music you would think the atmosphere would struggle- no chance. It is simply a bar where you can talk to others, chat with people you have never met before and know you are not going to worry about idiots swearing all the time when children are around.

We are locals, the whole area waited for The Pavilion to be built and we are all extremely happy with the service and the best staff bar none. Shaun, Andrea, Steve, Jason, Gareth. I could go on naming all the staff, all do their very best to make you feel welcome and nothing is a problem, nothing. I recently celebrated my 40th, I only wanted a quiet evening with a few friends due to a recent family loss, this idea was taken away by my better half and the Pav (as its known by locals) did the rest, all the staff were superb. I cannot recommend The Pavilion higher, its got to be the finest run bar I have known- well done to all the staff. A five star bar! Terry & Carol

Visited the restaurant for the first time on Tuesday 17th November 2009. It was around 6.30pm and whilst the bar was steady the restaurant was empty. The staff were helpful and attentive. The drinks and food orders were taken in a reasonable time as was the service of both. The food was very good, well presented and plentiful. I followed with the cheese board whilst the other member in the party had the apple pie, the pastry and filling of which were both excellent. The cheese board was very good too. If I had a criticism, and it is a small one, the cheeses did not have an example of a hard cheese such as cheddar. However, that is a minor issue. After reading so many poor reviews, I had all but written off this restaurant. I am pleased I tried it. We will definitely return.

visited last evening with my daughters, not impressed!

service was very poor, inspite of appearing to have plenty staffbeef in ale, the meat itself was ok buy potatoes were raw and the dumplings were so hard you coulndt cut them let alone eat them.

not a good evening out for my daughters birthday

Have visited the Pavillion a number of times and have always had fantastic food!

Sunday roast is fabulous, huge portions with local veg...so tasty!

Midweek meals also good. Lovely variety on menu. It is more of a bar/grill than a local pub but have to say I can't fault it.

Prawn skewers smelt off. 'Caesar' salad consisted of thee lettuce leaves drowned in dressing...and whitebait!

Chips were automatically served with it - I don't eat chips and was looking for a healthy meal before doing the great north run.

Specials board was hidden away - I didn't know there was one until after I ordered from the very limited menu. Everything very overpriced for the service and quality of food.

And why aren't there any signs for the toilets? Had to go trailing around the place, no staff thought to mention where th loos were - then found that a door next to our table was also for the loos.

Drab interior - all brown. VERY PRETENTIOUS place - neither a friendly pub food atmoshphere, nor an upmarket diner, although they think nothing of charging under the pretence of the latter.

No wonder the country has an obesity problem - everything was served with chips, dressing or dripping in fat, as standard.DONT GO.

Sunday "supper" in July 2009.

Excellent: service, food, beer, decor, price.Sadly we are not likely to visit again: we live in Canada.

Interesting some of these other reviews saying it was "busy" or "crowded". It's like traffic jams; people in them don't perceive that they are lust as much a part of the problem as anyone else..

..We had no problem with speed of service: excellent.

Anyway, we loved the place. The Chamagne beer, though pricey, was marvelous. Just a personal preference, I also would have preferred table service rather than ordering at the bar, but it was swift and easy.

Good luck to The Pavillion; I understand it opened in December 2008.

We went on a Thursday evening and it was very busy.

It's a shame you need to order everything at the bar, which took some time, but the food arrived reasonably quickly and was very nice indeed, though flat-bread doesn't really work with a "dry" dish.

Both main and side orders were plentiful and tasty and I would definitely go back again.The real ales were good as well.

Visited on a Thursday night in March with five friends.Restaurant itself was very nice but very busy.

Waited ages for our meal, when it came prawn skewers were very burnt. Steak pie and salmon fishcakes were very good but all meals let down by lack of veg (8 green beans and 2 slithers of cabbage plus Macdonald s type french fries).

Will not return as very overpriced for what we got.

Nice bar/grill, staff friendly. Visted twice in one week! Food not up to much prawns over cooked and overpriced on first visit.

When visited with family for Sunday lunch only two bowls of vegetables were served for eleven diners!! I would have left starving if I hadnt of had the delicious crumble for dessert!

Went there on Saturday night and the place was very full. Initially disappointed that we had to queue at a very busy bar to order food and it seemed to cause confusion when we wanted 2 seperate orders for the same table.

My wife ordered the prawn skewers which consisted of one with 5 prawns on it. The prawns were burnt and rubbery so overcooked.

The flat garlic bread was tasteless and had no garlic in it. I ordered the herb crusted cod which was about half the size of a postcard in what looked like a tin of chopped tomatoes with 4 pieces of gnocchi and eqaul pieces of chorizo.

We were not impressed at all.I gave it one star for the friendly and efficient staff but we won`t be going back.

visited the pavilion on 7th feb very busy when we got there when we got our table the food was excellent steak cooked to perfection and chicken skewer was more than enough excellent! we will be returning! dont miss it

went to the pavilion last night had mixed thoughts as people told me different things about the pub,it was fantastic,had steak it was gorgeous, kids had chicken nuggets ate the lot and even said they were the best chicken nuggets they"ve had.reasonably priced,nice and friendly.would definately go back.

Thought we’d made an exciting discovery when we drove by the Pavilion the other day on the new Shiremoor Bypass road.
Went on Saturday (31st January). Very disappointed. Ordered skewers (note plural), only one each arrived, very small portion. Pity 'cos they did taste nice. Garlic flat bread had no garlic. Management over apologetic, but damage done. Overpriced for size of portion. Won’t be going back in a hurry, if at all.

Visited The Pavilion twice this week and absolutely love the place, building excellent, staff excellent & food excellent. Typical Sir John Fitzgerald food, freshly prepared and well worth the money, in my opinion good sized portions at reasonable prices. Will be visiting again.

We visisted this pub tonight , the food was very very average and overpriced and very small portions , the place itself is nice enough and the bar staff were very friendly , dont think we will be rushing back though which is a shame because its whats badly needed for this area .

Great steaks, family friendly and the staff are welcoming and happy. Nice addition!