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Equalz Reviews, Newcastle upon Tyne (2025)

04/08/2024

6 years ago today, I met former Newcastle United Right Back DeAndre Yedlin. ⚫️⚪️

The most miserable footballer on the planet. 🤦‍♂️ 🤣

Sorry for the recent lack of updates, I've not had much going on that's worth posting about!

Hope everyone is well! 😊

10/06/2024

Me and a group of friends went to the Hard Rock Cafe Newcastle yesterday for the Kevin and Perry themed Bottomless Brunch.

It was my first experience of bottomless brunch and I loved every second of it!

It cost £35 per person which included a starter of jam sandwiches (yes, you read that correctly!) and a main course. You could also upgrade to bottomless cocktails for an extra tenner which we all did. 🍹

A member of staff very kindly came out and took us to the wheelchair accessible entrance and made sure we got into the restaurant okay.

A special thanks to everyone involved who looked after us. 👌

05/05/2024

It's always a pleasure catching up with my friends from Guns 2 Roses - Guns N' Roses Tribute Band.

I've been going to their shows for 14 years (Since I was 15 years old!) so it's become a tradition. 🤣

I always get value for money and last night was no different!

Get yourselves to a show, you won't be disappointed! 🤟

31/03/2024

Celebrating Newcastle's 4-3 victory yesterday with some awesome food and company at Hard Rock Cafe Newcastle. ⚫️⚪️

Football, food, beer and cocktails. What more could you want? 🍔🍟🍻🍹

Happy Easter everyone! 🐇

21/02/2024

I bumped into former WWE wrestler Chris Jericho earlier.

I'm looking forward to seeing Fozzy for the second time tonight! 🤘

06/02/2024

Catching up with a childhood friend. 🍻

25/01/2024

I went to Walkergate Park Hospital this morning for some more botox (Eat your heart out Katie Price!) in the back of both my legs to reduce the clonus (uncontrollable muscle movements) I suffer with daily.

I've been getting botox for over a year and they've been hit and miss if I'm honest.

I've had better days but hopefully they do the trick this time. 🤞

14/01/2024

First home game of 2024 yesterday. ✅️

Shame about the result. ❌️

Hope everyone is well! ⚫️⚪️

03/12/2023

At the match last night.

It's always nice to get 3 points against Man United! ✅️ ⚫️⚪️

25/11/2023

I went to see The UK Foo Fighters at Riverside Newcastle for the second time last night.

I bought my ticket a couple of months ago via the Riverside website. I was advised to buy a General Admission ticket and then email the venue to let them know I'm a wheelchair user, which I did.

When I arrived on the night, I noticed there was a ramp already set up for me to get inside which I was very happy about. Small details like that go a long way!

I managed to get a space at the front of the stage for a great view. There is a disabled toilet in a seperate part of the building, the only problem is it's next to a Fire Exit door which doesn't leave me much room to open the toilet door and actually get in. That's my only negative.

The band were top notch as always, they played for ever two hours and are more than value for money!

A special mention to the doorstaff. They're always very organised and are very approachable. One of the lads kindly held the back of my chair whilst I reversed down the rap as there was a small drop on the way down.

Overall, I had a great night! The Riverside is one of my favourite music venues as it's more intimate. I feel as if wheelchair users are more part of the show with everyone else as opposed to being segregated on a platform like we normally are at bigger venues.

I definitely recommend checking it out! ♿️ 🤟

09/11/2023

Earlier today, I went to Bao Down in the Grainger Market for the first time after hearing about it online.

This establishment has been serving delicious bao buns since the beginning of lockdown and I thought it was a'bao't time I tried them!

I ordered both the crispy duck and the katsu chicken curry flavoured bao's along with some chicken and vegetable dumplings.

I really enjoyed both bao buns, they were soft and filled with flavour!

With that being said, the seating wasn't the best for my wheelchair. The tables are either too high or too low and there's no inbetween. I brought this up to one of the staff members after I complimented him on the food. He completely understood my feedback and is going to raise it with the manager to see if things can be improved!

Overall, the food is outstanding and the staff are very friendly. However, if you're a wheelchair user, I'd advise you to take your food away when you order to make things easier. Like I said, this isn't a slight on the staff at all, it's just unfortunate circumstances which is why I give Bao Down a thumbs in the middle.

Click the link below to watch the reel I made on Instagram documenting my experience!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzbiRy7Ia3Q/?igshid=ang3YzVwcXE4bjY0

26/10/2023

Another day "Equalz" another review! ✅️

I went to Redhead's Mac 'n' Cheese in the Grainger Market for a quick bite to eat before the match last night.

This place has been on my radar for a while and I've never got round to trying it until last night. I played it safe and ordered their original Mac and cheese with a side of garlic bread. I was plesantly surprised by how good it tasted, it's extremely cheesy and the perfect comfort food on a rainy day.

The staff couldn't have been more helpful if they tried, they offered to bring my food over to my table as opposed to me taking it myself which I was very thankful for. The table was the perfect height for my chair and I was able to get my legs fully underneath which made things comfortable for me. You'd be surprised how many places have tables that are too low for my wheelchair to fit under!

I'd definitely recommend trying Redhead's if you haven't, you won't be disappointed! ♿️

Click the link below to watch a reel I made documenting my experience!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cy1EemyIzRT/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

24/10/2023

I decided to treat myself to a three course meal during Happy Hour At Insieme yesterday. I first discovered this delicious Italian establishment just after lockdown and I can't keep away!

When I arrived, I was greeted by the manager who kindly moved the chair from under the table so I could get my wheelchair underneath. I had the tomato soup which was amazinlgy creamy and the perfect starter to warm me up.

I then ordered Asparagi Pancetta Carbonara accompanied by some garlic bread and a glass of red wine for my main course. This was honestly some of the best carbonara I've ever eaten, it was hot and wonderfully presented.

This was followed by chocolate fudge cheesecake for dessert which topped off a thoroughly enjoyable meal.

I needed to use the toilet before I left and was escorted to the disabled toilet at the back of the restaurant by one of the waiters. It's clean and accessible, my only criticism is the lack of space for my chair but I managed okay.

Overall, I had a wonderful time as always! The staff are some of the friendliest people I've ever met and always go out of their way to make me feel welcome!

I can't recommend this restaurant enough! ♿️🇮🇹

As usual, I've posted a reel on Instagram with footage of my experience which you can watch by clicking the link below.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyypBD6IJLo/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

22/10/2023

I decided to stay out after the match yesterday and went to Redhouse Pie, Mash & Ale House on the Quayside for a pre night out meal to line my stomach!

I've been a regular customer here since the start of the year. The staff are very friendly and always make a point of opening the door for me to get into the restaurant/bar area. I ordered their famous Steak and Brown Ale pie with mash and mushy peas and a pint of Guinness to wash it down. The food here is outstanding and I can't recommend it enough, they have a pie of the day so make sure to ask at the bar what it is before you order. There are also a wide selection of local and regional beers to choose from. My only minor problem is the tables are a little bit low and I found myself having to lean forward quite a lot when I was eating and drinking.

Other than that, the disabled access is good, there is a slight step to get to the toilets, (Including the disabled one), however, the venue have their own ramp which I needed to ask for at the bar. When I did, a member of staff kindly set it up for me and unlocked the disabled toilet door. The toilet is very clean and has all the neccessary handle bars on the wall should you require to use them.

Redhouse has quickly became one of my favourite restaurants in the North East. If you're local and a pie connoisseur like me, make sure to check this place out! You won't be disappointed! ♿️ 🥧 🍺

Feel free to check out the reel I made on Instagram documenting my experience!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CytUjk2ITdy/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

16/10/2023

Earlier tonight, I went for a pint and a bite to eat at my local Wetherspoons, The Red Lion.

I entered via the accessible entrance round the back of the pub relatively easily and managed to find a table suitable for my wheelchair.

The staff are very friendly and have always been more than helpful whenever I've required any assistance.

In regards to the food, it's what you would expect from Wetherspoons. Nothing complicated, just simple food that will fill a hole which isn't a bad thing.

I needed to use the disabled toilet before I left and found that a bit difficult due to a stack of high chairs being in the way of the door. A fellow customer saw me struggling and kindly helped me move them out of the way. The toilet requires a radar key which you need to ask for at the bar, luckily I have my own.

I always enjoy coming here. The only thing that let's the place down is the amount of able bodied people who use the disabled toilet, presumably because they can't be bothered to walk upstairs to either the men's or women's toilets. I understand that this is a grey area and I know there are people with disabilities that aren't visable, however, this can often get frustrating as a wheelchair user and I never know where to draw the line.

That aside, this is the ideal place to visit if you're local! ♿️ 🍺

Feel free to click the link below to watch a reel of my experience on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyePJ8VAKIQ/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

10/10/2023

Hi everyone.

As you'll have probably noticed, I have changed the name of this page. I will now be writing blogs reviewing restaurants, bars and other venues. These will be centered around food, drink and disabled access in the places I attend.

I'll look forward to you following these blogs within the next couple of weeks!

Josh.

Equalz Reviews