From New York to Newcastle

NEW York has come to Newcastle in the shape of a new alternative bar that has just opened in the old ticket office at Central Station.

Formerly Science, the Neville Street premises has got a new name - Zerox completely new look, heavily influenced by NYC’s thriving punkdisco scene of the late 70s and early 80s.

And the people behind it are the same team who own the very popular No.28 bar and bistro, also in the city centre.

It opened for business on Friday night, with the first visitors through the door treated to a first look at some of the striking art work adorning its walls, including a blow-up of a brilliant photo by late and great South Shields born photographer Tish Murtha of a girl in Elswick in the 1970s, and work from Jamie Turrell, who has just been the subject of a successful show at the Baltic.

Kristian Atkinson, who owns Zerox with Paul Skevington, explained “I’ve been a DJ for 15 years now and the promoter of the two longest running weekly alternative nights in Newcastle Dragnet and Jukebox and Zerox is inspired by the same kind of music.

“The inspiration is the thriving punk disco movement of late 70s/ early 80s New York, with strong Newcastle links with the showcasing of some amazing work from Tish Murtha and Sal Poore.”

As well as the decor and musical output, the bar’s eclectic cocktail menu, also take its lead from decades gone by.

And Zenox will also launch a craft beer from Island Records, the label responsible for the careers of music legends like Grace Jones.

From Friday, 9 the bar, which will be open from 4pm-2am Monday to Thursday and 12pm2am Friday, Saturday and Sunday, will team up with High Bridge restaurant Kultur to serve food.