What we’re about
Welcome to North East Culture & Conversation! 👋
This is a new social group for meeting and mingling with potential new friends in lovely locations, and bonding over shared interests. It’s aimed at the 20s, 30s and 40s age range.
Here you’ll find coffee gatherings, board game meets, dinners, a cake club offering convivial chatter for those with a sweet tooth, and some fun days out too. From time to time, we may offer some cocktail events and parties to bring everyone together, as well 🍸🍷🥳.
Our Adventures in Art 🖼️ events centre around not just visiting museums and galleries, but also trying out new creative skills such as life drawing and pottery painting. There are other cultural activities to try out too, such as theatre trips and live music events. For those who enjoy cross-stitch, crochet or knitting with a side of chitchat, come and join our Stitch and B*tch🪡🧵😉 …
We host two book clubs - one for fiction and one for non-fiction - take your pick or try both! We also offer film club events from time to time, which skew towards foreign, cult and indie movies. It’s great if you want to engage in thought provoking discussion! 📚🎬
Sometimes we attend talks and lectures too, on various subjects: science, history, psychology, classics and more! It’s a great opportunity to learn something new and explore ideas together 🤓.
Our events are primarily based in Newcastle and the surrounding areas, but sometimes we’ll venture a little further afield for day trips and some special adventures! If you’re interested in helping out with hosting in Durham, Sunderland or Northumberland, let us know as we’d love to branch out to offer events for young people there as well. If you have any ideas for new events, too, we are certainly open to suggestions ☺️.
We do ask that members use their first name rather than an initial on their profile, and recommend using a recognisable photo of themselves. We are all here to meet with new people face to face! Clarity about who you are when you show up helps both the organisers and the members 😊.
The group is fuelled on the values of friendliness, kindness and mutual respect. We are all adults, so let’s act like it 😉! Bigotry, harassment and abusive behaviour won’t be tolerated. We aim to foster a pro-social environment, so try to be considerate of your fellow members.
Now let’s have some fun 🤩!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Book Club: The Master and Margarita 🐈⬛💃🏻✍🏻😈The Exchange Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne
Whether you’re a true bookworm or simply seeking a motivation to get reading more often, the book club is a great place for conversation and meeting new people! Come and enjoy some interesting discussion alongside more relaxed chatter, with the book as the jumping off point.
🗣️📖
We delve into various genres; this month we’re reading a controversial modern classic of marvellous magical realism: The Master and Margarita, by Mikhail Bulgakov.
“Brilliantly flamboyant and outrageous” (Joyce Carol Oates), The Master and Margarita was banned and then censored in its home country for much of the 20th century, due to its inconveniently honest satirisation of Stalinist Russia!
The Guardian declares it “a book about how to go on living when your spirit is broken”, which explores “just how easy it is to mess up a nation psychologically”.
🐈⬛ ✍🏻🧙♀️♟️
”Cowardice is the most terrible of vices.”
The Devil arrives in Moscow, accompanied by a beautiful naked witch and a giant talking cat, who loves chess and vodka. They’re about to wreak havoc.
As the chaos unfolds, condemned writer The Master seeks refuge in both his former lover Margarita and a lunatic asylum, but their paths are inextricably intertwined with the Devil’s in this daring and witty exploration of innocence vs guilt and good vs evil …
The Exchange serves a variety of alcoholic and soft drinks ☕🍹🍷 - something for everyone! A typically quiet and spacious underground speakeasy lounge, it’s very central yet slightly hidden away from the hordes; think comfort, velvet and a slightly luxe vintage vibe.
Look out for the magic telephone box entry door ☎️ 🪄😉! Click here for a quick walkthrough guide to locating the bar.
This is an open session, so feel free to drop by at any time during the evening: we’re pretty relaxed!
Hope you can join us! ☺️📚
- Open Mic Night @The Globe 🎤The Globe, Newcastle upon Tyne
Open Mic Night: New Faces, Good Vibes! 😎
Looking to try your hand at performing? Or just in the mood to enjoy some fresh talent? Come join us for an exciting, no-pressure Open Mic Night, where everyone is welcome—whether you’re taking the stage for the first time or just here to soak in the fun!
✨ For Performers:
No experience required! Whether you’re a poet, comedian, musician, or spoken word artist, this is your chance to showcase your talent in a supportive and friendly environment. Nervous? Don’t be! This is all about good vibes and great energy.✨ For the Audience:
Come cheer on your friends, meet some new faces, and enjoy a night full of creativity and spontaneous fun. The more, the merrier—whether you’re watching or performing, we promise a great time for all.🗓 Date & Time: Wednesday 22 January 8:00pm. We’ll meet from around 7.20pm to get to know one another before the performances begin.
📍 Location: The Globe Newcastle
🎶 Cover: Free entry for all!Grab your friends, bring your nerves (or none at all), and let’s make this night one to remember. See you there!
Please note this is a public event. The main bar has a maximum seating capacity of 60. Further details of the event can be found here
- Smash It! Badminton Social Session 🏸Nucastle , Newcastle
Buckle up for Badminton 🏸
Looking to shuttle your way to some fun? Whether you’re returning to the court or simply looking for players of a similar skill, our Badminton Social Session is the perfect way to get back into the swing of things!
🤝To help manage the cost of court booking fees and ultimately ensure sustainable badminton sessions, attendees have agreed on an optional contribution payment system. See below for more details.🤝
🔹 1 Hour of Non-stop Action: We’ve got a full hour court booked from 1:00pm. Chill between rallies - we’ve got seating by the touchline where you can relax, chat and cheer on your fellow players.
🔹 Find Your Match: This session is all about matching up players of similar abilities.
🔹 Bring Your Gear: Grab your racket and your shuttlecock. Attendees are required to bring their own equipment to play.It’s a great chance to meet other badminton enthusiasts, improve your skills, and most importantly—have fun!
🕓 When: 1:00pm - 2:00pm
📍 Where: NUCASTLE - Newcastle United Foundation. We’ll meet in the foyer around 12:30 - 12:45pm for introductions before heading to our court.Don’t miss out—come serve up some fun, work on your smashes, and get back into the game! 🏸🎯
‼️Parking is located around the back of the centre, off Stanhope Street next to Avolon Court, car parks to the side and front of the sports centre are privately owned
👕Changing rooms including an accessible changing room are available on site.
⚠️I’ve set the attendee limit to 16 to make sure everyone has a chance to play. Please edit your RSVP if you are unable to attend.- Donation-based system: To avoid chasing payments, contributions will be voluntary.
- Inclusive: This allows people with low disposable income to still participate.
- Flexible contributions: Those who can afford to give more are welcome to do so.
- Contribution platform: A Collectiv system has been set up to receive donations.
- No excess expected: Any surplus will be used to ensure we can always book 2 courts, regardless of attendance.
- Suggested donation: With 10 regulars (after potential cancellations), it would be £2 each, but this may vary each week. A suggested donation of £2.50 will be recommended, and people can adjust up or down.
- Personal contribution: I am happy to contribute £10 each week to support the group.
- Coffee and Conversation! ☕️Coffee Trader, Newcastle upon Tyne
We’re a talkative bunch in North East Culture & Conversation 💬! Join us at Coffee Trader for a friendly chat and a cuppa (and a bite to eat too if you’re peckish) ☕️🫖.
These coffee afternoons are pretty relaxed and a great opportunity to make new friends or catch up with old ones. Whether you’re new in town or just looking to branch out more socially, come along and join the conversation 🗣️.
Coffee Trader is located just off Northumberland Street, near the library and between Moss Bros and Five Guys. Check out this little video for a hint! It offers a variety of sandwiches/toasties/panini and sweet treats, alongside all sorts of hot and cold drinks, plus some very comfy seating if we can nab it 😉! 🥪🍰
We’ll post the position of the table(s) we're sat at in the comments on the day, along with how to recognise us 😊.
This is an open session - feel free to drop in when you can and stay as long as you like. Come and make some new connections! 🤝☺️