Whitley Bay has gained a new bar and café in the form of Baba Yaga’s House, offering a tasty food and drinks menu as well as some extra touches that visitors might not expect.
Behind the quirky new addition to the coastal down are brother and sister duo Madé Stores, 25, and Kester Stores, 29. After growing up in Whitley Bay, the pair were keen to bring something new and unique to the area.
One of the most well-known figures in folklore, ancient European stories depict the supernatural Baba Yaga as living in a wooden hut standing on chicken legs. When renovating the unit on Whitley Road where their café is now housed, Madé and Kester discovered wood panelling behind the old shop interior - and decided to make their new bar and café the stuff of fairytales.
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The pair opened the doors of Baba Yaga’s House on May 31, with the aim of creating a cosy and quirky space with a welcoming atmosphere “where everyone feels comfortable and happy”. Wood-panelled from floor to ceiling with antler chandeliers, a hanging wicker egg chair and artwork filling the walls, the venue is a one-of-a-kind addition to Whitley Bay.
Open from 11am until 11pm every day except Monday, Baba Yaga’s starts the day off as a café before transforming into a late-night bar. Coffee and soft drinks are on offer for brunch and lunch time visitors, along with a hearty sandwich menu served until 5pm.
The venue boasts a cocktail menu for later in the day, including a Baba Yaga rum special with a fruity mix of pineapple, cranberry and lime, as well as a wine list. There are also sharing platters served up from 11am till 9pm so that guests can treat themselves to a charcuterie or cheese board for lunch or dinner.
Another element that sets Baba Yaga’s House apart as a unique venue is its support of local artists and businesses. The artwork adorning the wooden walls of the café and bar is all by talented local artists - and most of it is available to buy, with Madé and Kester offering the space to artists for free.
The café doesn’t just double up as an art gallery - potted plants also line the windows of Baba Yaga’s that are on sale to visitors, all from fellow Whitley Bay business The Potted Plant Shop. These quirky aspects of the venue are all part of Madé and Kester’s dedication to support and encourage local businesses.
And, in a testament to the Whitley Bay community that will come as no surprise to locals, the siblings have received just as much support as they are giving out. Popular nearby venues including the Jam Jar cinema, The Split Chimp ale house and Laurels theatre have all been in touch to welcome Baba Yaga’s to the area.
Madé and Kester say that the encouragement they have received from the people of Whitley Bay has been “absolutely amazing” - and they are hoping that word continues to spread about Baba Yaga’s House. “Come for a drink, see the art, and leave with a plant,” invites Madé - and who could resist an offer like that?
Watch the video above to take a look around Baba Yaga's House.
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