Jesmond Dene House

You'll feel like you've escaped the city entirely when you're nursing a perfectly balanced Negroni in this Victorian mansion's elegant bar. The building sits right on the edge of Jesmond Dene, so you're essentially drinking cocktails in the woods – which feels gloriously ridiculous and exactly right at the same time. The bar itself strikes that sweet spot between country house grandeur and actual comfort. Think proper glassware, expertly made drinks, and staff who know their stuff without being precious about it. It's the kind of place where you pop in for one drink after a walk through the dene and somehow find yourself settling in for the evening, watching the light fade through the tall windows.