A Guide To The Best Pubs In Whitley Bay
Gone are the days of Whitley Bay being one of the busiest spots on a bank holiday weekend along South Parade, but despite this there are still plenty of proper pubs, old pubs and new pubs in Whitley Bay that are worth visiting. With the official town borders stretching beyond just the town centre and out across Monkseaton, Whitley Lodge and St Mary’s, these pubs in Whitley Bay all have something to offer.
Most of the Whitley Bay locals have their favourite, the closest one to them or the ones they’ve visited for many years. With the surge in popularity of the North Tyneside coast in recent years, you might be visiting the caravan park, one of the sea front hotels, or even a holiday home. These pubs are all worth visiting over your stay.
Although there are still some remnants of days gone by in the very centre of Whitley Bay, I’m going to be honest and say in my opinion there’s much better elsewhere. If you do want a Wetherspoon, the Fire Station is on Whitley Road. Read on for traditional pubs, micro pubs, pubs with a view and dog friendly pubs in Whitley Bay.
Old Pubs in Whitley Bay
These are all classed as pubs in Whitley Bay, but some do require a drive to reach them, all under 10 minutes from the town centre and seafront though. They’re traditional pubs, so expect no frills, pub grub and plenty of locals enjoying a pint.
The Beehive
The Beehive is a short drive from the sea front and St Mary’s lighthouse, and is one of the best pubs in Whitley Bay especially for food. It’s so popular if you want to have Sunday lunch here book well in advance. It’s a Grade II listed building from the 18th Century, that was once a coaching inn and still has the same features and character. Inside there are many little rooms, cosy fires, a very dog friendly area and the food is exceptional.
It’s family friendly, but you will need to drive to get there unless you fancy a big walk. Outside there is plenty of parking, a secret beer garden and a woodshed area under shelter. It really is worth a visit. Find it on Hartley Lane down from Earsdon, although you may hear the locals refer to it as ‘The Beehive Road’.
Find more photos and information on my Instagram post here, or their website here. Postcode NE25 0SZ
The Red House
The Red House pub has undergone a big refurbishment since lockdown, despite being there for many years. It’s just a five minute drive from Whitley Bay beach straight up from the Rendezvous, and sits in the Red House Farm estate. It’s much more modern than it used to be, with big booth seating areas ideal for groups or families, and a contemporary feel to it.
Open daily from 12pm, but they don’t serve food on a Monday and Tuesday. On other days they serve a varied menu including small plates, pizzas, nachos, loaded fries and so on. On Sundays they serve a Sunday lunch menu. The staff are friendly and there’s a good gin selection – it’s my local so take my word on it. Dogs are welcome on one side of the bar area, and outside on the terrace. They used to have TVs to show the football, but since the refurbishment they don’t any more which is the only thing I miss.
See more information on the RHF website here. Postcode NE25 9XJ
The Beacon
The Beacon is found on Earsdon Road, a 5 minute walk from West Monkseaton metro station, and is another good family friendly pub with plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors. It can get very busy with the locals and it’s open daily from 11am, or 10am at weekends.
They serve food, with a fixed price menu for lunch and dinner, and with their app you can not only order directly to your table you can also take advantage of offers they have on. It is dog friendly, and there is plenty of on site parking.
Find out more on The Beacon here. Postcode NE25 9PT
The Red Lion
The Red Lion is right on the corner of Earsdon, again less than a 10 minute drive from Whitley Bay sea front. It’s family run, and has indoor seating as well as a beer garden and beach hut outside. They have separate lunch and dinner menus, and often have events like karaoke, buskers nights, quiz nights and bank holiday celebrations.
The Kittiwake
Located on Whitley Lodge, so just a few minutes from the seafront is The Kittiwake, a traditional pub that serves food, is very family friendly, and has lots of TV screens. It’s dog friendly too. I know a lot of people who nip in for a pint while they’re waiting for their takeaway from one of the many places on Whitley Lodge.
Find more on the Kittiwake here. Postcode NE26 3HL
Pubs in Monkseaton
Although a small town in its own right, Monkseaton still sits under the umbrella of Whitley Bay, and Monkseaton Front Street has a good run of pubs that might take your interest.
Monkseaton Arms
A big longstanding pub, the Monkseaton Arms has plenty of space and dining options for families, groups and friends. They have a substantial pub menu that can also be ordered for takeaway, it’s dog friendly in the bar area, and they have plenty of TVs for sports.
Find out more on the Monkseaton Arms here. Postcode NE25 8DP.
The Ship
Also known as Ye Olde Ship Inn, it’s been there since 1688 and was originally a farmhouse. Rebuilt in the 1920’s it is now a welcoming pub in Whitley Bay that has a lounge and log fire inside, and a yard and beer garden outside.
The Ship is dog friendly, and although they are just a pub for drinks, rumour has it they are looking to extend to serving food soon.
FInd out more on The Ship here. Postcode NE25 8DP
Black Horse
The Black Horse also on Front Street is a typical British pub, with big portions and always full of locals. It can get busy on match days as they do show the football.
Postcode NE25 8DP
Pubs on Whitley Bay Sea Front
If you’re looking for sea views or pubs right on the coast then these are the places in Whitley Bay to go for a sea view with your pint.
Briar Dene
Right on the front and within walking distance of St Mary’s, the caravan park and the beach, Briar Dene is a Fitzgeralds pub ideal for families, dog walkers and holiday makers. As well as the casual bar area they have a dining room with table service, an outside terrace and a takeaway counter – why not take your fish n chips onto the beach?
You can download their app to book tables, order food and drinks, and get more information, or visit the Briar Dene website here. Postcode: NE26 1UE
Beefeater
Not sure if this is technically a pub, but since the closure of 42nd Street it’s about the only pub type place on the seafront of central Whitley Bay, and you’ll find it right next to the Spanish City. It’s not somewhere to go for just a drink, more bar meal type food but ideal if you’re staying in the Premier Inn next door.
Find more details here.
The Queens Head
Technically in Cullercoats, but again under the Whitley Bay umbrella, the Queens Head is the fabulous white pub right on the corner as you come round to Cullercoats bay. Serving food including Sunday lunch, but what you always notice about here is in the sun there are more people sitting outside enjoying the view than are sat inside. They also host events like karaoke, and show sport on the TVs.
The Split Chimp
Although this is a micropub, it’s still a pub and you can find it in the Spanish City right on the Whitley Bay seafront, so there’s a cracking view! They serve real ales, ciders and bottle beers, with typical pub snacks like crisps and pork scratchings. They actually have three locations across Newcastle and the coast, so if you’re a keen cycler have a look at their website as you could visit all three.
See more info on the Split Chimp here.
Which leads me nicely on to…
Micro pubs in Whitley Bay
The trend of micro pubs has definitely hit Whitley Bay, with many popping up in places that used to be shops or even ticket offices. Park View in Whitley Bay, and metro stations are home to some of the best micro pubs in Whitley Bay if you fancy something a bit different.
Dog & Rabbit Micro Brew Pub
Found on Park View, the Dog & Rabbit is a craft beer micro pub that has grown in popularity thanks to its friendly atmosphere and unique selection. It’s family run, and very simple but it works.
Gilbert & Smith
Gilbert & Smith is at the other end of Park View, and as well as local beers, ales and IPA’s, they serve cocktails and a good selection of gins. They have high table seating inside and a couple of tables outside. It’s the ideal place to go for a drink before a meal at Ahar Indian restaurant or Papa Ganoush opposite.
See more on Gilbert & Smith here.
The Ticket Office
The Ticket Office is a quirky micro pub on Whitley Bay metro station platform 2, and as well as beers and ales they serve prosecco, and often have deals or offers on as well as occasional entertainment.
Follow the Ticket Office on Instagram here.
Left Luggage Room
Another micro pub this time on the Monkseaton metro platform, it used to be the old left luggage office. They serve beers, wines and spirits, as well as some bar snacks too. It’s a great little spot I really like this one.
See more on the Left Luggage here.
You could even do a metro station pub crawl of the North Tyneside metro stations, many of which have micro pubs, cafes and bars within them. Have a read of my metro pub crawl blog here.
As you can see, there is an abundance of pubs in Whitley Bay that cover all needs, whether that is a family meal out, watching the football, a pint after a dog walk along the beach, or for a drink somewhere new.
Other posts you might like:
A North Tyneside Metro Pub Crawl
Where to get breakfast in Whitley Bay, Cullercoats and Tynemouth
Cowrie Cottage – a fishermans cottage holiday home in Cullercoats