Yolo Townhouse Newcastle | A new venue to try for your next girl's night out

*Press Event

Earlier in the week I was invited along to sample cocktails at Yolo Townhouse - Newcastle's most recent bar/restaurant opening. I know, I know, it's a hard life. Yolo Townhouse is perfectly located on High Bridge. Situated opposite my favourite city centre hotel (Motel One) and over the road from my favourite coffee shop in Newcastle (Laneway & Co) they are in very good company. 

First of all, I will say that Yolo's interior is stunning. Split over three floors it looks as if no expense has been spared and the combination of plush sofas and bar stools, exposed bricks, glamorous chandeliers, exotic plants and the odd neon light works really well. 

We spent most of the evening in 'The Parlour' on the middle floor. Filled with booths, tables and a 'super snug' that seats larger groups of up to 25, this is the perfect area to head to for a girl's night out. A live DJ entertained us with a mix of 80's and 90's dance and pop classics, the highlight being TLC's No Scrubs - what a tune! 

Speaking of girl's nights out, Yolo Townhouse offer a range of experiences to ensure your night out has extra sparkle:

• Cocktail towers
• Spirits by the bottle
• A roof terrace
• A range of areas to hire for groups of 8+
• Sharing platters
• Cocktail classes
• Live DJs and acoustic acts
• Open until 2am

As I am trying to be mindful about what I eat at the moment I restricted myself to just a couple of cocktails. I can highly recommend Yolo's Espresso Martini (£7.95). I love a good Espresso Martini but have really struggled to find a decent one in Newcastle - they always taste overly sweet and a little manufactured if that makes sense? Well Yolo's version is spot on, not too sweet and as it's made with a freshly brewed espresso, it is full of that strong coffee taste I love. 

Another highlight was the Candy Pants (£7.95). Made with Absolut Cherry Vodka and strawberry puree (amongst other things), this drink really reminded me of cherry lips.

My friend Katie was ordering Strawberry Bliss Cocktails like they were going out of fashion. Katie knows her stuff when it comes to Champagne so if you like a glass of fizz, give this one a try (£8.15).

Other recommendations from our table included 'Rhubarb on the Rocks' and for those who abstain from alcohol or are the designated driver, the reasonably priced Virgin Apple Mojito also comes highly recommended.

As part of the evening we were invited to make our own cocktail and as I had just returned from Cuba I decided to try and re-create a Cuban Zombie. Made with Havana Club Anejo Especial rum and passionfruit puree with grenadine and pineapple juice, it almost transported me back to those white sandy beaches of Varadero.

Onto the food and we sampled a few bits and bobs from the menu. There is a real mix on offer including hanging kebabs, sharing platters, burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, pastas and steaks. 

The food we tried was all perfectly adequate but it does feel a little bit generic. The Botanist is already famous for their hanging kebabs, you can already grab a steak at chicken platter at nearby Lola Jeans, The Redhouse is famous for their pies and if I want a burger, I'll always choose the Fat Hippo over anywhere else. I think the only time I will probably ever order food at Yolo Townhouse is if I am primarily heading there for cocktails but fancy a few nibbles at the same time, it's not somewhere I would really choose to book for lunch or dinner, not because it's bad (it's not) but there are too many options for eating in Newcastle now. 

It's worth noting that if you do want to order food, there are a couple of offers running at the moment: 

• 2-for-1 pies every Tuesday
• 2-for-1 pizzas every Wednesday
• 2-for-1 hot drinks daily from 8 am-12 noon, served with a complimentary mini muffin

An espresso is only £1.95 at Yolo Townhouse and as they're 2-for-1 until 12 noon and are served with a complimentary mini muffin, this is a bargain not to miss if you're looking for a break from a morning spent shopping in town or even somewhere to meet a colleague. There's free WiFi too. Steve and I will pop in soon and let you know our verdict on how decent their coffee is.......

Overall, I was very impressed with Yolo Townhouse as a venue for cocktails with the girls. With the Botanist, the Alchemist, Lola Jeans and Dat Bar all in close proximity, this area of Newcastle is my number one choice for cocktails in the city. 

Find out more via Yolo Townhouse's Website