Newcastle's newest bar, Duke's, a Texas-inspired two-floor saloon, was 'absolutely rammed' on its opening day on Saturday, drawing large crowds shortly after its doors opened in the afternoon. Located on Groat Market in the former Blackie Boy pub, Duke's features live music on both floors and karaoke booths themed after Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash.
Transformation of a Historic Venue
The Blackie Boy pub, a well-known spot in Newcastle's city centre, underwent a Stateside makeover to become Duke's. While retaining original features such as the recognisable lamps over the bar top, the venue now offers a retro Texas saloon experience. The upstairs floor has been transformed into a karaoke haven, with a main stage and two private booths available for hire.
Packed Opening Day
Doors opened shortly after lunchtime on Saturday, and by the time ChronicleLive visited, the bar was packed out. Singer Kimberley Heron entertained the crowd in the main bar. The bar plans to stay open until 3am, with more music scheduled on both floors. American Tristan Egdorf, one of the founders, said: 'We're really excited to show people the space we've created. We started this project in March of this year. To finally see it all come to life, with all the cool decorations we've got from vintage stores and different places in America, we're absolutely over the moon. The style of this bar is very retro, Texas saloon experience. Me and my business partners really wanted to create an experience led type of bar for people to step into a different sort of reality.'
Duke's Opening Hours and Future Plans
Duke's will be open seven days a week, offering a unique experience for visitors. The bar's decor includes items sourced from vintage stores and various locations in America, contributing to its authentic Texas feel.
