Pulling up in a somewhat derelict-looking industrial estate in the middle of nowhere didn’t give the best first impression, but is what’s behind the unit door as drab as the outside, or is it a hidden gem? Read on, and I’ll let you know!
BOOKING
Accessible bookings for this event weren’t technically available. Events at the Anarchy Brewery are booked through links on their website, which direct you to See Tickets.
The Anarchy Brewery and the See Tickets page had no information about accessible tickets or facilities, which was disappointing. I had no idea if they were wheelchair accessible, if I could get a companion ticket or if they had an accessible toilet.
The Anarchy Brewery website has a contact email address, so I emailed them. They got back to me and said to book one ticket through See Tickets, then message them to let them know, and they would add a companion ticket to the guest list on the night. They also told me about the accessible toilet situation (see below), so I booked!
LOCATION AND GETTING THERE
The Anarchy Brewery is an actual brewery on Benfield Industrial Estate, on the outskirts of Newcastle. Although it’s quite a distance from the city centre, there’s a Tyne & Wear Metro stop just a few minutes away, linking you to the vast Tyneside area. According to the Nexus website (the Metro operator), the whole Metro system is accessible. There is a very in-depth access guide on their website.
The main entrance to the industrial estate is not fantastically signposted, and you cannot see any of the buildings from the main road, so it feels strange driving in. You drive past the Heaton train depot and down towards a gatehouse.
It being an evening, most other businesses were closed, so there were no lorries or vans and minimal traffic. We were pleased it was still daylight and followed the road to the unit. Some of the other units looked a bit run down, but there was nothing so as to suggest the area was unsafe.
There is a large parking area next to the brewery in front of a large unit housing a kids’ indoor play centre, which was packed on a Friday night. There is another parking area just along from the brewery, but there was also space to park in front of some of the other units. Please check local signage; some units may require 24-hour access or have different restrictions.
GETTING IN
The brewery has a huge illuminated arrow with the word ‘BEER’ right above the entrance; otherwise, you’d probably be unsure where you were headed.
To each side of the doorway are large wooden planters, making the pathway narrow for larger wheelchairs.
The black door, which opens outward, has the Anarchy Brewery logo painted in white. The door handle is relatively high, so you might need help. At the bottom of the door, there is a small concrete step.
Pulling the door open, you realise the doorway is quite narrow. What also presents itself is a step down onto the floor inside the building, bigger than the one outside. Some wheelchair users could likely bunny-hop up and down, but there is a sturdy ramp inside the door that staff will put down for you. I’ll be completely honest - it wasn’t easy to manoeuvre - with the doorway being narrow, there wasn’t much room for your hands at the sides of your wheels, and the doorstep itself causes a hindrance. As you try to wheel up onto the ramp with your front wheels, your back wheels are catching on the outside edge of the step, so I needed a good nudge from behind to get me up and in!
The brewery has additional doors into the building, so there is a step-free entrance with a wider door that you can request to use if it’s easier for you.
Once you’re inside, a guy sits at a table with the admissions list to take your name and show you in. There are no security checks, scanners, or security staff on the doors.
FACILITIES
You get a real feel of the building when you’re in through the door. Quirky wall art, dim lighting, and a very industrial feeling. There’s even a disused Metro train carriage!
This front area of the venue has ladies’ and gents’ toilets to the left and a food bar in front of you. Then, moving around to the left, you’ll find the merch table, the bar, and an accessible toilet. Total clarity - the accessible toilet is currently a portaloo. It’s one of the larger accessible portaloos on a concrete floor with a light, and it’s been well maintained. There are plans for an upgrade - I’ll explain more at the end.
There are several wooden benches dotted around for you to sit on and enjoy your drinks and food
The bar is a disused shipping container with hatches cut out on both sides, one inside the main room. It stocks a selection of the brewery’s own products plus the usual drinks. Due to the nature of its construction, there’s no lowered counter.
The food bar hosts local food vendors.
The venue is open on Fridays and Saturdays, subject to live events, and you can book a brewery tour and tasting. You can also book the venue for private functions and weddings - there are pictures online, and it looks great all dressed up!
SEATING
Moving into the main room, the bar is to your left, and the stage is at the far end. Along the left-hand wall, there is bench seating. I say wall - it’s actually large clear panels separating the room from the brewing tanks, which adds to the industrial look!
Over on the left-hand wall is a designated access area with some chairs. This is great for people who prefer a safe space out of the crowd, but for me, the view would be too obstructed as it’s not raised. Also, being out to the side of the stage, your view probably wouldn’t be the best. This kind of venue is perfect for me, though - I could get to the front!
There is also a small number of tables and stools in front of the bar.
With a relatively small capacity, the room didn’t feel crowded, and I could easily wheel out to the bar or toilet throughout the evening.
Being an industrial unit, I was concerned it might be cold in there, but I was pleasantly surprised - there are some heaters on the ceiling, and once the crowd was in, it was pretty cosy!
GETTING BACK OUT
You use the same door through which you came in to get out.
Chesney was doing a meet-and-greet and signing after the show at the merch desk, so there was a considerable queue. We waited in the main room near the seating while the queue died down a bit. A staff member kindly came to us and offered to take us out of the side door if we didn’t want to wait for the queue to clear. We were happy to stay, and the guy sat and chatted with us about the venue, and we talked about AAA101.
Once we’d met Chesney, had a chat with him and we were ready to leave, we just bumped my chair up the step to get back out to the car and head back out of the industrial estate.
OVERALL EXPERIENCE
A great little venue. It’s plain and simple and does what it says on the tin.
They’ve obviously considered access needs and done what they can to accommodate them. Some access customers wouldn’t be happy to have to use a portaloo, but it’s better than having no facility at all.
Chatting with a member of staff, I learned that the venue plans to upgrade its facilities in the near future, including improving access. I’ll be intrigued to see how it progresses. They’re also hoping to increase the capacity, which would mean they can attract larger shows and tours.
The location is a bit random in some respects, but it’s not an issue for me. Some people prefer to be away from city centres and this ticks that box. Being so close to the Metro station is a huge positive
