The Cluney (Newcastle)

...some town’s are exceptional – the Tollbooth in Stirling, the Leadmill in Sheffield and, in Newcastle upon Tyne, the Cluny (Ciao – your listing has an incorrect spelling!).

Such places are much more than just a concert venue; they can be variously community facilities, bars, eating places, rehearsal rooms, art exhibition zones and much more. The Cluny combines all of that with a really lively buzz so it is hardly surprising that is ...
...it was taken over by the Head of Steam chain (who also have two pubs in the city centre) the place has gone from strength to strength.

It’s location, however, is perhaps its main downfall. Situated out of town, near the river in the Ouseburn area, close to Byker, one of the most deprived areas of the city, visitors face either a bus ride or a fifteen minute walk from the city center to the Cluny. There’s a taxi office nearby which ... more

In his book “Raw Spirit” Iain Banks enthused about what he calls GLRs (Great Little Roads); my passion is GLVs – Great Little Venues. Every town should have one and some town’s are exceptional – the Tollbooth in Stirling, the Leadmill in Sheffield and, in Newcastle upon Tyne, the Cluny (Ciao – your listing has an incorrect spelling!).

Such places are much more than just a concert venue; they can be variously community facilities, bars, eating places, rehearsal rooms, art exhibition zones and much more. The Cluny combines all of that with a really lively buzz so it is hardly surprising that is has quickly become one of the city’s most loved meeting places. Since it was taken over by the Head of Steam chain (who also have two pubs in the city centre) the place has gone from strength to strength.

It’s location, however, is perhaps its main downfall. Situated out of town, near the river in the Ouseburn area, close to Byker, one of the most deprived areas of the city, visitors face either a bus ride or a fifteen minute walk from the city center to the Cluny. There’s a taxi office nearby which is handy for late finishes but there’s often quite a wait if you’ve not booked in advance (and this can be difficult if gigs overrun). An increase in trendy warehouse conversions and newly built luxury apartments close by has meant, though, that more people are using the Cluny as their local, choosing to meet friends here rather than in the city centre.

The building itself is a former bonded warehouse and an attractive redevelopment has turned it into one of the nicest arts buildings in the city – cleaned up brickwork and attractive windows give it a graceful yet solid appearance. The main entrance leads straight into the bar area which can be a nuisance in colder weather as those sitting close to the doors get a blast of cold area every time the door opens. On busy nights there just don’t seem to be enough tables but there is usually enough space for customers to stand. Seating is either at medium height round tables or, if you get there early enough, on one of the comfy low level black leather sofas on a raised area away from the bar. The decoration is eclectic with some great features like old tin signs advertising Latin American beers.

Moving through the bar and up a couple of steps there is a small exhibition area which is used to show photography and paintings by local artists. There are more sofas and tables and chairs in this area too. The main venue is accessed through this area and concert-goers can look at the artwork while waiting to go into gigs.

The main concert area is a bit odd and doesn’t work for all gigs. You enter on the upper level and two sets of stairs take you down to the floor/stage area. This area is usually all standing but, depending on the event, chairs and tables are sometimes used to give an intimate atmosphere (Thad Cockerell last year, a memorable example). Since the floor is completely flat late-comers (and people of diminutive stature) of use the stairs as a vantage point making it almost impossible to fight your way out and buy drinks during a really busy gig. The stage, though, is fairly low so you don’t go home with a terrible crick in your neck. On the upper level there are also tables and chairs and between the two spaces there are open arches (with a waist-height rail) through which you can watch the show if you turn your chairs right round. To the right is a small bar area serving a more limited range of drinks than the main bar (although drinks can be purchased in the main area and taken through to the hall). Despite this bar being tiny, service is usually swift so you never have to wait too long.

Unfortunately there is no cloak room so it’s a case of braving the weather and not taking a jacket or finding somewhere to stash your coat during the gig. (I have a place but I’m making not making it common knowledge!) The toilets are adequate – nothing plush but usually clean and tidy and it is rare to find any not in order.

The Cluny covers a wide variety of music, mainly smaller local and national bands but they do manage to get a fair smattering of international artists. Recently there have been concerts by Evan Dando (ex The Lemonheads), Papa M, Carbon Silicon (new band of Mick Jones (formerly of the Clash), Richmond Fontaine (great American alt-country band) and local bands – The Futureheads, Maximo Park and Kubichek. Newcastle’s “Jumpin’ Hot Club” who put on well-known country, blues and world music artists use the Cluny for many of their concerts. The Ordinary Boys played their first ever head-lining set at the Cluny while forthcoming acts include Chuck Prophet and the Coal Porters. As well as conventional gigs, there are also the regular and irregular club evenings, again covering a variety of genres but mostly branches of indie and dance music. The Cluny has its own DJs but also welcomes guest DJs too.

The variety of drinks served is as broad as the music you can hear at the Cluny. Real ale lovers will be pleased to know that a selection of cask ales is always available while there is always a good choice of bottled beers like Lindeboom, Budwar, Tiger, Sol, Erdinger and Corona. The Cluny takes part in the same kind of beer festivals as the other Head of Steam concerns and can therefore offer unusual British and international ales and bottled beers – during Euro 2004 a bottled beer from each of the participating nations was on offer and ran in tandem with a festival of beers from Baltic states (try Baltika – it’s great!). There are the usual spirits as well as more unusual tequilas, vodkas and single malts.

Food is served from lunchtime through to around 9.00pm and ranges from a good selection of sandwiches and salads to main courses and desserts. There are usually a couple of pasta dishes, burgers with fires and salad, curries, chilli con carne (and chilli non carne!), fish dishes and loads more. Vegetarians are well catered for and the style is very much traditional pub fare with a modern and healthy twist. A main course costs around £4.50 – £6.00. Sunday lunches are about the best in the city with several meat choices and a weekly changing veggie option, priced at £5.50 this is an excellent meal and helpings are always large.

This venue draws a very mixed crowd as you would expect from somewhere that has so much to offer but I would say that it is probably most popular with those in the late twenties to early forties range but this can vary depending on the event. The evening crowd is a relaxed bunch of people interested in music and the arts, there are no television screens – the sports crowd tend to go elsewhere. I would particularly recommend the Cluny to anyone looking for a venue for a get together as the broad clientele make this an easy-going and comfortable place for people of any age. If you’re up in Newcastle try to check out the Cluny, a friendly, interesting and diverse venue with plenty to offer.

 

...less