The Grove

You'll find this proper neighbourhood watering hole tucked into Byker, where the drinks are taken seriously but the atmosphere stays refreshingly down-to-earth. The Grove gets the balance just right – craft cocktails that don't come with lectures, decent wines by the glass, and bartenders who remember your order without making a song and dance about it. The space feels lived-in rather than designed, with the kind of lighting that makes everyone look good and conversation flow easily. It's where Byker locals actually drink, not just pose, and the 4.8-star rating reflects what happens when a bar focuses on doing the basics brilliantly rather than chasing Instagram moments.