The Distributed Social
Discover Newcastle on Wednesday Evening
Newcastle is an incredible city, full of exciting things to see and do. While we're providing plenty of opportunities to network through dedicated social events, we also want you to explore the parts of Newcastle that interest you most, alongside others who share your interests. That's why our final social event is going to be a little different!
Our Distributed Social will see members of the RSE community spread out across the city, enjoying activities that suit their preferences. We've curated a list of activities—from catching the train to Tynemouth Beach to visiting one of the many climbing centers—and invite you to join the one that appeals to you the most.
You might be excited about making new connections, or wanting to catch up with old colleagues. Perhaps you're attending RSECon with your team and want to use this time to socialize, or simply looking for some downtime after two busy days of conferencing. There's something for everyone. Use the list below to find the perfect activity for your evening.
How it works
- These events are self-organized.
- Costs are not covered.
- Make others feel welcome.
- Each activity has a dedicated channel in our RSECon24 Slack workspace. Use it to plan your evening. Ensure others will be attending your preferred activity, and confirm arrangments for meeting beforehand. The meeting time and locations shown in the list below are suggestions. Please use the Slack channel proactively develop plans for all who would like to participate.
We understand that social events can be a bit intimidating for some. We're committed to making sure everyone feels welcome and able to fully participate. We've included meeting locations and times below, and some activities will be supported by volunteers to help with the organisation.
Suggested Activities
Walk along Tynemouth beach with fish and chips Group ActivityVolunteer Supported
Take the Metro train to the coast, and get fish and chips then walk along Tynemouth beach. Get the train from Monument to Tynemouth station. Longsands Fish Kitchen does excellent food, but closes at 8pm, so get there in time.
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Take in a movie at the Tyneside cinema Solo Activity
Tyneside Cinema is a thriving arts hub which aims to enrich people’s lives by thinking differently about film. See what's on, and enjoy a film alone, or with others from the conference.
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Relax in your hotel room, and sleep Solo Activity
We understand the conference can be very intense. Take an evening to recharge and look after yourself.
Board games gathering Group ActivityVolunteer Supported
Bring along some games that you'd like to play, or come and discover a volunteer-curated collection. We'll find a local eatery and somewhere with some good gaming space.
(This was previously advertised as taking place at Geek Retreat.)
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Bouldering at the Valley Climbing Centre, followed by a burger at the Brinkburn Street Brewery Group ActivityVolunteer Supported
Newcastle has a vibrant climbing scene, with several excellent bouldering centers across the city. We suggest people visit the Valley Climbing Centre, and then afterwards head around the corner to the Brinkburn Street Brewery for food and drinks. This could be popular, so you may need to split yourselves across the suggested climbing centres, and book tables for food in advance.
We are recommending centres that offer bouldering activites, which is a form of climbing that is performed on short walls without the use of ropes or harnesses. You only need climbing shoes, which you can hire from the climbing centre. You will need to register your details at the climbing centre before you can climb. You can do this online, and we recommend you do this prior to arriving at the centre.
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Evening walk around exhibition park Solo Activity
Exhibition Park is a beautiful park close to Newcastle City Centre with a mix of tree-lined paths, large informal lawned areas, a Victorian bandstand and a small, boating lake home to swans and ducks. The park is adacent to the Town Moor which is a large area of common land in the heart of the city, that can also be explored. Enjoy an evening walk alone, or with others from the conference.
Alternatively, you may want to consider a 3.2km circuluar walk along the Quayside of the River Tyne on both the Newcastle and Gateshead sides of the river, crossing over the iconic Gateshead Millennium Bridge as well as the High Level Bridge, and passing sights such as the BALTIC Art Gallery, the Sage Gateshead, Newcastle Castle and plenty of lovely food and drink stops too.
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Mini-golf at the Junkyard Golf Club Group Activity
Step into a wild world of mini golf like no other at Junkyard Golf, located in the heart of Newcastle city centre. Explore mini golf courses crafted from salvaged materials, featuring twisted obstacles, neon lights, and mind-bending challenges. Whether you're a golf pro or a complete beginner, this is a great option for a fun evening with others at the conference.
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Swimming and Turkish Baths at The City Baths Solo Activity
The Newcastle City Baths is a swimming and sports facility located in the heart of Newcastle. It is a Grade II listed building, with a Victorian-style Turkish baths. Enjoy an evening swim alone, or with others from the conference.
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Go for a workout at the gym Solo Activity
There are several gyms in the city that offer day passes, but you may want to consider PureGym (day pass £8) which is close to the conference venue. Alternatively, The Gym Group (day pass £8) is also located centrally.
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Badminton at Newcastle University Sports Centre Group Activity
Miren Radia and Tuomos Koskela have booked 2 badminton courts at the Newcastle University Sports Center for 7pm. Equipment is provided. People joining should wear appropriate sports clothing and bring a drink.
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Bowling at Lane7 Group Activity
Lane7 in Newcastle is a bowling haven that offers an array of activities, including table tennis, karaoke, food and drink.
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Hit the town! Enjoy Newcastle's famous nightlife
Newcastle's famous nightlife is legendary, offering a vibrant mix of stylish bars and cozy Northern pubs that create an electric atmosphere, making it one of the UK's top destinations for a night out.
Whether you're looking to join fellow conference attendees to make new friendships or have some dedicated catch-up time with that colleague you never get to see, the list below will help you find the perfect venue. Please enjoy your night responsibly, and look after each other.
St James Stack
Head over to St James Stack after the conference, and see where the night takes you
St James Stack is a new venue located just across the road from the conference venue. It's a 3,000-capacity leisure hub and the official fanzone for Newcastle United, offering delicious street food and live entertainment. We suggest everyone congregate here after the conference finishes. Please remember that this is an outdoor venue, so dress appropriately for the weather.
Pubs
Think cosy Northern pubs with proper beer!
- The Bridge Tavern, Newcastle Quayside
- The Forth, Newcastle City Centre
- The Town Wall, Newcastle City Centre
- The Bridge Hotel, Newcastle Quayside
- The Crown Posada, Newcastle Quayside
- The Free Trade Inn, Ouseburn
- The Tyne Bar, Ouseburn
Cocktails
Think chic, crafted cocktails with a creative twist!
- The Alchemist, Newcastle City Centre
- The Botanist, Newcastle City Centre
- Mother Mercy, Newcastle City Centre
- Pleased To Meet You, Newcastle City Centre