A historic boozer on the Newcastle Quayside is set to reopen as a maritime-themed bar and restaurant following a major transformation.
The former Charts bar has been closed since July while renovation work was carried out to turn it into a stylish new venue called Chart House. The Grade II listed building, which offers stunning views of the Quayside, will open to drinkers and diners for the first time under its new name on Wednesday, September 7.
Hospitality leisure group, Pub Culture, which owns Chart House, said the menu and décor of the new eatery have been inspired by the Maritime Spice Route - the name given to the network of sea routes that link the East with the West. The theme references the history of the Chart House building which was once home to Matthew S Dodds, a former map purveyor to seagoing vessels visiting Newcastle Quayside.
READ MORE: Newcastle Quayside bar Charts closes to drinkers but 'exciting' new venue in the pipeline
Chart House, which was once known as ‘Flynn’s bar', is also one of the few buildings that escaped the devastation of the 1854 Great Fire of Newcastle and Gateshead that destroyed much of the Quayside.
Customers visiting the new Chart House can expect bespoke cocktails and a spicy menu with small and large plates including Ras El Hanout spiced lamb meatballs, whole Thai spiced seabass, and lamb tagine.
Pub Culture group head chef Matt Watkins said: “Chart House aims to impress our guests with great food and excellent service. The haul of spices and exotic ingredients that might have filled merchant ship’s holds are peppered throughout our menu, taking tastebuds on a mouth-watering adventure.”
Inside, the venue features a trendy ground-floor bar and pavement terrace, with the walls decorated by large sea chart murals. There will be a first-floor mezzanine with a relaxing lounge and an elegant dining room above offering "panoramic riverscape views".
Rhys McKinnell, CEO of Pub Culture, said: "When I joined Pub Culture back in September last year, I was immediately excited about the huge protentional for Chart House and its location. Delving deep into what customers are looking for and where the opportunities lay, we knew we could bring our expertise to introduce a distinctive concept to Newcastle.”
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