Small but perfectly formed seems to the definition of the trio of bars created by WC owner Steve Blair.
Making up the trio is Atelier, the latest cocktail bar to be opened by Steve who launched his first, WC, in Newcastle in 2020, whose name pays homage to the 1898 venue's former use as a gentleman's 'water closet'. Next came The Gin Closet which opened earlier this year : the conversion of an even smaller former toilet building, just around the corner from WC.
Read more: Hidden gems to explore around Tynemouth
Now Steve, who was ex-forces before moving into property, has picked a space inside The Land of Green Ginger in Tynemouth 's Front Street for his latest venture. And Atelier, which opens its doors just in time for the weekend, is out to attract visitors to the coast from its home inside the former church.
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Atelier also boasts an outdoor space and can seat around 60 customers - as well as their four-legged friends, who are catered for on a menu which includes a 'puppuccino' drink for dogs. Their owners meanwhile can enjoy a range of coffee or cocktails, including a signature range.
And an opening offer this Friday includes two cocktails for £12 until 8pm.
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Atelier will open from 11am "until late" and walk-ins are welcome. It adds to a buzzy social scene in The Land of Green Ginger arcade which already includes a mix of independent bars, restaurants and shops.
And soon it will be followed by another new arrival. Rhumba is to open upstairs in the venue, hot on the heels of Atelier, with a planned launch date in a week's time - coinciding with the upcoming Mouth of the Tyne festival.
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This rum and tequila cocktail bar, to include Brewdog pumps, will have a Day of the Dead theme, with striking interior features such as a centrepiece neon sugar skull. Behind the new bar is a team of three, including Adam Blenk who says work on Rhumba is due to be complete by July 8.
The Mouth of the Tyne festival, which was postponed last year, is to run from July 8-10 with a line-up including Keane on the Friday and Sophie Ellis-Bextor on the Sunday. The Lighthouse Family initially had been due to be among the headliners but recently pulled out after the local favourites announced they are going their separate ways after almost 30 years.
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