Pleased To Meet You: Cocktails, Brasserie Food and a 17th-Century Coaching Inn

The Queens Head Hotel on Bridge Street has stood since the 17th century, serving as one of Morpeth's coaching inns for travellers heading north into Northumberland or south towards Newcastle. After years of closure, the building was stripped back to its original bones and reimagined as Pleased To Meet You — a bar, restaurant, tearoom and event venue that opened in late 2021 and has become one of the most talked-about destinations in town.

PTMY is the second site from the team behind the original Pleased To Meet You on High Bridge in Newcastle, a cocktail bar that helped transform Newcastle's drinking scene. The Morpeth version takes the same commitment to drinks and atmosphere and sets it within a building with considerably more history.

The bar

The cocktail list is where PTMY really distinguishes itself from other Morpeth venues. Over fifty gins line the back bar, and more than seventy per cent of the cocktails sold are bespoke in-house creations — developed by the bar team rather than pulled from a standard recipe book. Alongside the cocktails, there is a well-curated selection of craft beers, spirits, and cask ales. DJs play on Friday and Saturday evenings.

The restaurant

The restaurant serves modern British brasserie food using seasonal, locally sourced North East produce. Menus change with the seasons, but popular dishes include pork belly with crackling, steak sandwiches, and a well-regarded eggs Benedict at brunch. Sunday lunches are a particular draw.

Emily's Tearoom

For something more genteel, Emily's Tearoom operates seven days a week within the venue, offering Prosecco afternoon teas with twenty-four hours' notice. It is a lovely option for birthdays, hen parties, or simply an indulgent Saturday afternoon.

The Wildings

Upstairs, boutique hotel accommodation is available under the name The Wildings — making PTMY one of the few places in Morpeth where you can enjoy cocktails, dinner, and a bed for the night all under one roof.

Practical details

PTMY Morpeth is on Bridge Street, NE61 1NB. Opening hours are Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 9am to midnight, and Friday and Saturday from 9am to 2am. The venue is dog-friendly with designated areas in the bar, restaurant, and tearoom.

Booking is recommended for the restaurant, especially at weekends. You can book through the PTMY website or by calling 01670 333970. Private dining is also available.

Best for: Cocktails, brasserie food, afternoon tea and boutique rooms in a beautifully restored coaching inn. Open from 9am, seven days a week.

---

Know a great bar or restaurant in Morpeth? Let us know.