The Purple Peacock Newcastle

You'll spot the neon bird long before you reach the entrance on Pilgrim Street. Inside, velvet banquettes and moody lighting create the kind of atmosphere where you linger over drinks that arrive smoking or garnished with actual flowers. The kitchen matches this theatrical energy with dishes that look as dramatic as they taste – think charcoal-black buns and plates that could double as art installations. The cocktail list reads like a chemistry experiment, but one where every test tube contains something you actually want to drink. Staff know their way around both the extensive spirits selection and the menu's bolder flavour combinations. It's the sort of place where ordering the most outrageous-sounding dish usually pays off, and where your Instagram will thank you later.