Since visiting Roof Thirty Nine at Fenwicks last summer it’s kind of given me the taste foe a rooftop bar. What can I say? I’m a wannabe Instagram girl 20 years too old, and you can’t beat a cocktail with a view to hawk on the ‘gram in terms of aesthetics. Above Newcastle has been around for a little over a year now and was the next logical venue for my regular catch up with Patricia.
It was a rainy March afternoon when we went however I don’t think it dampened our experience. Located on top of Newcastle’s Vermont hotel (however you actually access the entrance via the bottom of Dean street, I arrived a little early so ordered a Lychee Martini. Oh My God honestly, one of the nicest drinks I’ve ever had. Lychee isn’t for everyone but it was perfectly balanced with the sharpness of the vodka and lychee syrup and the rose flavour for a bit of sweetness. Hard not to just down it and order a second, but it was still lunchtime so I restrained myself.
When Patricia arrived we ordered some Cosmopolitans for old times sake (it’s pretty much all we drank when we went to New York together in 2007). Then ordered some food.
I went for the buratta cheese which came with some crostini and salad and P went for the salmon poke bowl (neither of which appear to be on the menu anymore which is a shame as they were both really lovely. Perhaps it’s more seasonal now and they might make a comeback come the autumn. We also ordered a bowl of fries to share which was a really decent portion so pretty reasonable for £4. You can view the latest menu here for current options and prices.
As you know a cosmo barely touches the sides so we ordered a bottle of prosecco (£35) to wash it all down with and go out onto the terrace in the rain to take some pictures.
Here’s the thing. I get the impression that Above can be to different places depending on when you go. During the day, sedate, calm swish bar to enjoy some drinks or afternoon tea after some shopping with the girls. At night though, hen they turn on all their trendy blue lights and Tyson Fury rocks up for a private party, it’s a very different place. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing by any means, it all look incredibly cool, and if the service we received is anything to go by you’ll have an absolutely amazing night because the staff are great.
But it’s a very long time since I’ve worn any kind of heel and feel like my ‘jeans and a nice top’ might not quite cut the night time vibe mustard. I’d be willing to risk it for another lychee martini though!
