Thousands of drinkers are set to descend on Jesmond Beach Box each day over Easter weekend as the popular event returns to Newcastle for the first time without Covid restrictions.
Table bookings have been "flying out the door" for the free five-day food and music festival which will bring a bit of the seaside to the city centre. Located behind Holy Hobo, just off Archbold Terrace, Newcastle, the Bank Holiday event kicks off on Thursday, April 14 at 5pm and will run until Easter Monday, April 18.
However, the pop-up event will then continue throughout the summer with DJs and street food vendors, organisers The Apartment Group have confirmed. And this year's event looks set to be bigger than ever, with those behind the festival seeing hundreds of people scrambling to book tables ahead of the long weekend.
But that's not all, as revellers have also been eager to book up a slot in the festival's two private hire hot tubs, which are a new addition to the event. Donna Cope, a Hospitality North East consultant involved in the marketing of Jesmond Beach Box, said demand has been "crazy."
"This is our third Beach Box event and it is massive now," she said.
"We're expecting around 1,500 to 2,000 people each day. It's completely free but we do advise people to book tables.
"This year we are providing two private hire hot tubs with their own changing rooms, decking area, and dressing gowns. We're also going to be doing hot tub cinema events once a month from the end of April, where we will have 20 hot tubs and put movies on the big screen.
"We have had phenomenal feedback on the hot tubs. We only launched the hot tub hire on Sunday and the phones have been ringing off the hook since. It's gone crazy!
"This year's Beach Box is going to be absolutely fantastic and the response has been amazing."
Beach Box visitors can expect to enjoy DJ sets and food from eight street food traders including Acropolis, Bao Down and Truly Madly Pizza. The venue will also feature five indoor and outdoor bars and a big screen where Newcastle fans will be able to watch Sunday's match against Leicester. A kids club will also take place each day from 10am to 1pm.
'Good Fish Friday' will be the theme of the event on Good Friday, with a variety of seafood specials on offer. Saturday's focus will be on chili, with stalls and challenges to take part in.
Sunday will be all about the music, with 10 DJs playing sets throughout the day and on Monday a vegan and veggie fest will take place.
"It's something a little bit different and it's about bringing a bit of London to the North East," Donna said.
"We have been through so much in the last two years and this is a really happy and chilled environment to be in. It is about celebrating what is good about our city and this is a really cool vibrant escape from everything where people can come and have a good time."
Jesmond Beach Box be open from 10am each day until 11.30pm. The event is free but people can make a donation to Ukraine on entry which will be matched by the event organisers.
Tables and hot tubs can be booked online at https://www.jesmondbeachbox.co.uk/
