Live Music in Gosforth and Ouseburn
From folk sessions at the Cumberland Arms to touring bands at The Cluny, here's where to find live music in and around Gosforth.
Gosforth itself has one dedicated live music venue — the Civic Theatre — but a ten-minute walk or short Metro ride takes you into the Ouseburn Valley, which has one of the best concentrations of grassroots music venues in the country. Here's the guide.
Gosforth Civic Theatre
Gosforth Civic Theatre on Regent Farm Road is Gosforth's own venue, with a main theatre holding up to 325 standing or 200 seated. The music programme is eclectic — recent and upcoming shows include Parker Millsap (Americana), China Crisis (synth-pop), Duke Special, and the Strictly Smokin' Big Band.
The theatre runs its own GCT Folk Club and hosts Beyond the Moor, an annual one-day folk and roots festival across two stages. Acts have included Kathryn Tickell and Martin Simpson. The venue programmes in 4-month cycles and welcomes co-promotions. Box office: 0191 284 3700.
Best for: Touring artists in an intimate setting, folk and roots, community theatre.
The Cluny
The Cluny at 36 Lime Street in the Ouseburn is one of the best grassroots music venues in the North. Housed in a Grade II listed former flax spinning mill designed by John Dobson in 1848, it has two rooms: the main Cluny (capacity 275) and the more intimate Cluny 2 (130 seated).
The venue has no house style — anything goes. Arctic Monkeys played here in 2005, Mumford & Sons in 2009. It hosted the influential Schmazz jazz club (1999-2003) and has been voted Best Live Music Venue by Generator North East. Gigs typically start at 8pm, 18+. Box office: 0191 230 4474 (Mon-Fri 12-5pm).
Best for: Touring indie, folk, rock, and everything else in a stunning building.
Cumberland Arms
The Cumberland Arms on James Place Street in the Ouseburn is the folk music heartbeat of Newcastle. Seven real ale hand pulls, a traditional pub atmosphere, and an extraordinary programme of regular sessions:
Mostly Irish Session — every Wednesday at 8pm. An Crúiscín Làn Irish Session — every Friday at 8pm. Global Music Session — 1st, 3rd, and 5th Tuesday at 8pm. Old Time Music Session — 2nd and 4th Thursday at 8pm. Ballad Club — 1st Sunday at 2pm. Jam Session — 1st and 3rd Sunday at 8pm. Ukes4Fun! — 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 1pm.
The Cumberland also hosts Lazy Sunday with Stagger Lee (free, monthly) and the comedy open mic Let 'Em Speak (last Tuesday monthly). Plus four en-suite B&B rooms if you don't want to leave.
Best for: Traditional folk and Irish sessions, real ale, the authentic Ouseburn experience.
The Tyne Bar
The Tyne Bar sits under the Byker bridge in the Ouseburn Valley. An Ouseburn original since 1994, it has a purpose-built indoor stage plus the famous beer garden overlooking the river. Free live music most nights, including DJ sets, with live bands every Sunday. Food served daily 12pm-9pm.
Best for: Free live music, beer garden gigs, Sunday sessions.
Little Buildings
Little Buildings at 3-5 Stepney Bank in the Ouseburn is a dedicated grassroots venue with a capacity of just 55-65. In-house sound tech, full backline, and the option to record live sets. A packed touring schedule of indie, alternative, folk, and emerging artists. Contact: info@littlebuildingslive.com.
Best for: Intimate gigs, emerging artists, DIY music scene.
The Globe
The Globe on Railway Street is worth knowing about even though it's near the city centre rather than Ouseburn. It's the first bar and venue in the UK owned and run by a music cooperative (Jazz.Coop, community-owned since 2014). Capacity 150. Jazz, blues, folk, world music, Americana, and club nights. Fully wheelchair accessible. Check theglobenewcastle.bar/whats-on for listings.
Best for: Jazz, blues, world music, community-owned ethos.
Brandling Villa
The Brandling Villa in South Gosforth hosts occasional live music, comedy, and film nights alongside its regular programme of craft beer and food. Not a dedicated music venue, but worth checking brandlingvilla.com/event-list for what's coming up. The same team previously ran the much-loved Bobiks on Jesmond Road (capacity 60, closed early 2024).
Best for: Occasional gigs in a gastropub setting.
A Note on Bobiks
Bobiks — the intimate 60-capacity venue on the first floor of the Punch Bowl Hotel — closed in early 2024 when the building changed operators. It ran 18-25 gigs a month, many selling out, and was rated 5.0 stars on Google. Its loss was felt across the North East music scene. No replacement venue has emerged at the time of writing.
Know a venue or regular session we should add? Get in touch via our [contact page](/contact).