Food and lifestyle with a dusting of magic
Revolución de Cuba Newcastle is a Cuban tapas and cocktail bar serving up Latin inspired food in the centre of Newcastle.
In the heart of Newcastle Upon Tyne city centre there is a bustling area called the Bigg Market. This area has many bars with late licenses and a range of restaurants. The area dates back to the Middle Ages when it was a market place. The Bigg market was the place to get a course barley known as Bigg Barley. Surrounding it are the other market areas including the Cloth and Groat market. The area has 31 listed buildings and you can also find Newcastle’s oldest pub in the area. This is The Old George which dates back to 1582. King Charles 1 was a regular visitor to the pub. Old Newcastle is just around the corner. Pop into Newcastle Castle to go back in time.
Currently a rejuvenation project is taking place in the Bigg market area which aims to update the area and bring back the market vibe. Revolucion De Cuba is a new restaurant on the Cloth market. Serving up tapas food and cocktails in a Cuban themed bar, this is one place you must go and visit.
Recently we were invited to come along to a bloggers event at Revolution De Cuba. I took my son along to enjoy the cocktail making master class and the food. We were excited to find out more about the place.
Revolucion De Cuba is found on the Cloth Market just across the road from St. Nicolas Cathedral. The building used to be the Pig and Whistle pub but it has been completely transformed into a modern and welcoming premises. There is a outdoor patio area so you can sit out with your drink in warmer weather. Inside the whole building has a party feel and a warming Cuban vibe. The moment you walk in the door you feel welcome.
While we were waiting for everyone to turn up we got shown into the Castro corner on the ground floor. We enjoyed a cocktail and snack while we were waiting and had a good look around. Fedoras were adorning the tables, bright comfy cushions make the sofa look inviting and photos of Cuban life brighten up the walls. The traditional Cuban bar makes a focal point in the room. You can choose to sit in comfy snug areas at the front, around smaller tiled tables or take a stool in front of the bar.
Cuba is famous for its music and live salsa music is common in many bars and clubs. Live music is regularly played here which adds to the Cuban vibe. We enjoyed some mellow guitar music whilst sipping our cocktails. As it is a Cuban bar rum plays a big part in the cocktail menu. I took sips from a pineapple daiquari, which is one of four daiquari flavours on the menu. The frozen drink is perfect on a hot summer day. My son tried a blackberry colada, one of the mocktails on the menu. Both drinks were refreshing. Of course we had to try on a fedora while we were there.
Downstairs at Revolucion De Cuba is the Havana Club. It is a dark and sultry club which is reminiscent of the Prohibition era. The bar is an area for private parties and live Latin music fiestas with a stage at one end. There are plenty of comfy booths and seating. During July Revolucion De Cuba will be running salsa nights here where you can learn to dance the salsa. This sounds like it will be great fun.
Access to the roof terrace is either via a lift or up a lot of stairs. We went up the stairs which are truly unique, little messages encourage you on the way up. Each hallway has its own quirky features and we particular like the toon meets Cuba paintings before you enter the roof terrace. Che Guevara in a toon top really impressed my son. The roof terrace is the perfect place to sit on a hot day but the retractable roof and firepit mean it can be in use all year round.
The roof terrace has a lovely carnival feel. Comfy booths with a view across the roofs of Newcastle are a lovely place to sit in the sun. The bar has a beach feel with its wicker roof and you can pull up a seat here. This was the venue for our cocktail making masterclass and I could easily have sat here for ages.
The cocktail list features premium Cuban rums taking its influence from sultry long Havana nights. Under the guidance of two expert bartenders we were shown how to make Cuban Mojitos and then got a chance to try making any of the cocktails on the menu ourselves. We even got a chance to try making Mojitos in pairs, with one of us blindfolded and the other directing. This was really difficult but was a good laugh. Everyone got a chance to try making their own cocktail and we worked our way though the menu. Revolucion De Cuba offer cocktail masterclasses and I would recommend this as a fun way to spend a night with friends.
First we learnt the recipe for mojitos. This is a traditional Cuban drink with white rum, sugar, lime juice, mint and soda water. Two teaspoons of sugar go into the glass. Squeeze the lime wedge and place it in the glass. Crush some mint leaves and add to the glass. Add crushed ice and a measure of rum. Garnish with a mint spring and some soda water. The result is a refreshing drink with a zesty flavour. My son was given a refreshing mocktail instead with raspberries and mint in it.
Revolucion De Cuba use wooden cocktail stirrers to allow you to sip the drink though the ice removing the need for plastic straws. If you do want a straw biodegradable ones are provided.
Next we had a strawberry margarita shot. This is a tequilla shot which is sweet with a touch of sharpness which is delicious. My son then had a chance to make a virgin zombie slayer. I totally love the glasses these are served in. They look like zombies. Have a look at the video which below which shows him making it.
After all that hard work making cocktails we were hungry. A delicious feast of Cuban tapas was set out for us to enjoy .Revolucion De Cuba specialise in tapas style dishes, made for sharing. The menu has little and big plates as well as a selection of burgers, burritos and sandwiches. You will definitely find something to enjoy.
We tried a range of different dishes which are:
On the side you can add a spicy rum sauce which has a unique flavour and complements the dishes perfectly. All the dishes were delicious and perfect for eating under the hot sun on the roof terrace. My particular favourites were the Cajan Cream Mushrooms which were perfectly cooked in a rich creamy sauce with a hint of spice. The calamari which is lightly dusted and fried was also a surprise hit. I never fancied trying calarmari but I am now a convert. These were delicious crisp morsels with a delicate taste. The Albondigas are the meatballs which are meltingly tender in a rich tomato sauce. The food is definitely made for sharing and a few small plates among friends would be perfect for lunch.
Having been to Revolucion De Cuba I would definitely go back. The venue is gorgeous and the different floors have a different vibe making it ideal for parties or just a quiet drink with friends. I love the way they have live music and are organising salsa nights. This is a unique concept which should make it popular. The cocktail making masterclasses are also a lovely idea for a unique night out with friends. The bar is situated centrally in Newcastle which makes it ideal for accessing the bus and metro in order to travel home later.
The vibe and feel of the place is relaxed and laid back making it the ideal place to enjoy a bite to eat and a drink. I imagine that later in the evening the vibe will be less relaxed and more of a party atmosphere. The food and cocktails were delicious and the prices are reasonable as well. I will definitely be popping in again soon.
Really can’t wait to visit this place! We visited Cuba last year and fell in love with the place. Love the look of the roof terrace.
I would love to go to Cuba. The restaurant is amazing and the roof terrace is wonderful in the sun
I’d love to go to a cocktail-making masterclass, what a great opportunity to learn and sample new flavours. It looks like a lovely fun place, with good music and food. You both look good in fedoras, I think you need to buy them. 🙂
We might consider getting fedoras. It was a fab afternoon, and a lovely place to visit
This place looks great (love the terrace!) and the food looks pretty authentic too
The terrace is perfect when it is sunny, so relaxed and cosy
I thoroughly enjoyed making cocktails on the roof terrace. I like the idea of returning for a session of salsa dancing.
Funnily enough that is exactly what my son said! He really fancied a bit of salsa.
I love the look of those tapas and it sounds fun learning to make the cocktails. That fedora hat really suits you
It was a fun day. The food was lovely and we did have fun making cocktails. You are the second person to say the hat suits me, will have to invest in one!