Huge crowds packed out Newcastle's Stack on Bank Holiday Monday as "devastated" drinkers paid one final visit to the city centre venue before it closed for good.
The shipping container village on Pilgrim Street said goodbye to revellers in style as it held a major 'closing party' until midnight on May 2. The venue's closure will make way for a huge HMRC office block housing 9,000 members of staff.
Live music, DJ sets and the ever-popular Kroud Kareoke took place throughout the course of the Stack's final weekend. And on Monday, both drinkers and traders told Chronicle Live how they were "devastated" to see the venue close.
READ MORE: The last weekend of serving as Newcastle's 'iconic' STACK venue set to close its doors for good
Jo Overs, who owns Texas Smoker with husband Garry Overs, said they were sad to say goodbye to Stack but the venue had been a great place to help raise the profile of their business.
"It is very sad as we have been here the full time Stack has been open," Jo said in the final hours before closing.
"It is a real shame to see it close but it has been a fabulous last weekend. Everyone has come out to support it.
"There will be some tears tonight!"
Staff at Hatch 76 said they were "sad that it's closing," while Acropolis owner, Filip Tachan, said: "We’ll be very sad to see it go, there’s nowhere else quite like it, the atmosphere every day is so joyful."
Friends Sophie Nugent, 28, and Lauren Bell, 24, from Wallsend, were among those enjoying their last drinks at the Stack on Monday.
"I am gutted it is closing," Sophie said.
"I don't know where we are going to go when it shuts. There is nothing quite like it!
"I love the location and the music and it has a good vibe."
Friends Rosie, 27, and Emma, 26, from Newcastle, had also headed down to the Stack tp make the most of the venue before it shut.
"I am devastated it is closing," Rosie said.
"We wanted to come down with it being the last weekend. It is a great meeting place in the city centre and one of the only places that have heaters so in the winter it is a perfect place to come.
"We have met so many people here over the years."
Stack bosses thanked customers for their support before it closed. Neill Winch CEO Danieli Group, owners of Stack Newcastle, said: “We’ve had an amazing few years at Pilgrim Street and achieved more than we could have ever imagined so we will all be very sad to see Stack Newcastle close on Monday at midnight.
"It’s been overwhelming to read all of the positive comments and messages that have flooded in since we announced the closure and we can’t thank our customers enough for the support they have shown."
