Freight Island, a huge new rooftop entertainment complex, has arrived in Newcastle city centre, featuring a £1m retractable roof - the largest in the UK - and Michelin-starred food options.
Opening Night and Excitement
The venue opened to invited guests on Wednesday night, with nearly 700 people getting a first glimpse of what is set to become one of the city's hottest summer hangouts. Announced last year, Freight Island is the second of its kind in the UK and the largest such venue in the country, overshadowing larger counterparts elsewhere. The general public can enjoy it from 4pm on Friday.
Size and Offerings
Spanning 60,000 sq ft, the complex takes time to explore, featuring 12 different food kitchens, including local favourites like I Scream for Pizza, Miso, and Meat:Stack. A dedicated section will house PYR, a new venture from Michelin-starred Northumberland restaurant Pine, which recently made the National Restaurant Award top 100.
PYR Live Fire Kitchen
PYR will be a 'live fire kitchen' serving small plates from £5 to prime cuts from £30. Owners Cal and Sian Byerley said: "Freight Island is a serious development, the kind of space Newcastle deserves. PYR belongs in the centre of the city: coal, smoke, char, incredible ingredients, and a room built on energy and atmosphere." Expect fire at the heart of everything, whole animals, day-boat fish, vegetables off the grill, and big cuts cooked over coals.
World Cup Viewing and Entertainment
Freight Island opens in time for the World Cup, with a fan zone under the £1m retractable roof, which will likely be open during good weather. The World Cup will be shown on 10 screens, and four bars serve everything from cocktails to local brews from Two by Two Brewing. Entertainment includes Playing Out on Thursdays, Rhythm Tonic on Fridays, headline DJ sets on Saturdays, and Sundaze to close the weekend.
Epic Views
The venue offers epic views of Newcastle from the large windows of PYR and the fully outdoor terrace, ideal for photo opportunities. Freight Island is ready to shout about its arrival from the rooftops.
