If you’re always on the lookout for places to get stuck into the North East’s independent food and drink scene, head down to the coast for a unique venue that’s a foodie haven with a difference.
Tucked away in an unassuming warehouse right at the heart of North Shields Fish Quay is a lively venue which plays host to some of the best grub that the region has to offer on a monthly basis. Salt Market Social brings together street food stalls, craft beers and cocktails, switching up vendors so that each month's event offers a taste of different cuisines from around the world.
The latest offering on the first weekend in June saw four vendors take their place in the warehouse: Disco Burgers, Medhead, Baba Khass and Sachins, a typical assortment of what visitors can expect at a Salt Market Social. Disco Burgers offer patties and crispy fried chicken, Medhead serves up Mediterranean specials, Baba Khass specialises in kebabs, and Sachins dishes out curries.
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The venue has made sure the former factory has kept its original charm, retaining the industrial feel for a unique place to enjoy some food - or a tipple, with the bar stocking 10 craft beer lines. Live DJs raise the roof on Friday and Saturday nights too, while the venue also offers ticketed music events between their monthly socials.
Events coming up at Salt Market Social include Soul By The Quay for an evening of soul music from Motoon DJs on 11 June, followed by a 70s Glam Rock N Raise night packed with rock, soul and disco 70s tunes on 18th June. The end of the month from 24-26 June will see a three-day event take place at the venue for CheeseToon, the North East’s very own cheese festival featuring cheesy street food from local cheese traders accompanied by live music.
Visitors to the North Shields warehouse will get even more than they bargained for, as Salt Market Social isn’t the only venue where you can grab a drink or a bite to eat. Downstairs you’ll find The Loading Bay, a separate business to its upstairs neighbour offering a quirky daytime hangout spot.
The Loading Bay is permanently home to Jungle Coffee, supplied by the local Tynemouth Coffee Company and housed in a converted horsebox, as well as Medhead who serve up the likes of loaded fries, panzerotti, Spanish eggs and Lebanese wraps from their vintage 1969 Airstream van - which vendors say was recently used by crews filming Vera, so may well make an appearance on the next series of the popular ITV show. There’s also an ice cream cart on site from Whitley Bay legends Di Meo’s offering a selection of flavours ideal for the summer.
The dog-friendly Loading Bay is described as “the perfect stop-off” for walkers, cyclists and coffee lovers, and the colourful design makes for a truly unique pit-stop. A giant mural by BrownOxArt brightens one wall, and there are all manner of unusual additions tucked away in the corners - from a tiger wearing a horned helmet to a mannequin in a bowler hat.
The Loading Bay venues are open until 3pm from Wednesday to Friday and 4pm on weekends, while the Salt Market Social has different opening times depending on their events. Watch the video above to take a look around Salt Market Social and The Loading Bay.
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