I've worked in Newcastle on various shows over the years and have always had a great time there. The people are great and I still have a few Geordie musician friends to this day.
In London, back in the 80's, my flatmate was a Guitarist (from the Byker area) and he had studied music at CAT before moving down to London.
I used to travel up there quite a lot with him for social shenanigans. Rockshots (Formerly Scamps, I think) and The Broken Doll were two of my favourite haunts.
Christ, they were right old places...🤣
I have nothing but great memories of the place. Particularly a certain mad, Geordie vocalist girlfriend, I was with during that period.