The new bar at Hadrian's Tower is enjoying the dizzy heights of success this week with full bookings as it makes its city debut.
3Sixty is the 'sky lounge' bar on the 26th level of the luxury apartment block in Newcastle 's St James' Boulevard, just one down from the top, and it has already been packed out with customers eager to drink in the views - and lots of fizz - as they celebrate the easing of lockdown.
With restrictions lifting on indoor hospitality, 3Sixty welcomed its first guests on Monday who clearly could not wait to enjoy a touch of luxury in the form of champagne, cocktails, fine dining and the best views in the region.
One of its first arrivals that morning was so impressed by what she found that on leaving she booked to return that very night.
"She came in at 11am and loved it so much she booked in again," said sales and events director Aaron King-Underwood.
The bar, which serves from breakfast onwards, was packed from opening until midnight and the same was in store for Tuesday. In fact anybody hoping to have a Saturday night out there will now have to wait until August.
"Demand is through the roof" said Aaron, adding: "Champagne bottles were flying out.
"I almost forgot it was a Monday - it felt like a Saturday."
The lounge has teamed up with Laurent-Perrier and offers guests such luxuries as multi-vintage Grand Siècle and Cuvée Rosé.
It even has an exclusive claim to a limited-edition champagne sorbet which is offered as a dessert as well as in a cocktail, the signature 3Sixty which also includes vodka and passionfruit.
The man tasked with creating the cocktail menu is Connor Richmond, who has come up from Leeds to take up his post of mixologist, and has filled the lockdown period, which delayed the bar's opening, by perfecting some drinks with locally-inspired names such as a Millennium Martini and Grey's Jasmine Tea.
"We want people to experience the wow factor," he said.
There are four distinct sections to 3Sixty, to suit the mood for lunch, evening meal or just drinks and they lead on from each other around the building.
They include a carpeted dining lounge and a private area which can be hired out. All offer panoramic floor to ceiling views across the city and beyond.
The colour themes are greys and blues, with flashes of gold cushions and touches of neon and striking features include a flowing water wall and infinity mirrors in the toilets giving the impression of stars of lights receding into the depths.
Those 360-degree city views, as you would expect, proved a main talking point for Monday's customers, many of whom were celebrating birthdays and anniversaries.
Diners can see city landmarks such as St James' Park and Sage Gateshead across the river then onwards to Sunderland and even the sea.
A variety of tables and seating areas can accommodate different groups. A round table with curved seating for instance proved a hit with a group of young men out for a birthday get-together.
Aaron said: "You could tell people were happy to be out and about enjoying fine dining again because it's been so long for everyone. It's nice to see a lease of life come back to the city."
Manager Chris Hunter was equally delighted at the bar's reception. Praising his team, he said there was no real pressure as everybody had been fully prepared and he added: "All the feedback was great!"
See here for more information about 3Sixty.
