Café Mercy – owned by Mother Mercy in Fenwick Newcastle and the city’s Cloth Market – opened this summer on Newcastle’s historic Grey Street.
With Instagram-worthy, Ibiza-inspired interiors, the venue’s menus centre around refreshing spritzes and Mediterranean-style cocktails.
Portfolio North’s Anna Robinson was invited along to try its new drinks menu.
The bar sits at the Dean Street end of Grey Street and features an outdoor space, which will no doubt prove popular next year when the weather improves. The entrance opens on to a pink-hued bar with white and wood accessories.
The staff are warm and welcoming from the get-go and our waiter, Will, spent time explaining the menu and recommending drinks he thought we might enjoy. We were offered space at a plush booth, but there are also high and low tables available to suit a range of group sizes.
The atmosphere was calm and welcoming, with gentle music and background chatter adding to the laid-back ambience. The lighting is a mix of stained-glass lampshades above the bar and smaller lights around the seats. It was a rainy day when we visited, but the venue made us feel as though we’d been transported to warmer climes.
We opted for a mix of drinks, allowing us to get a real taste of the new menu, which is inspired by European café culture. These included a classic margarita, an R&R Spritz and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc.
The margarita was zesty and strong – just as it should be. Often, they’re served with too much salt, but Café Mercy’s was dispersed around the rim of the glass evenly and precisely, ensuring the drink was not overpowering.
The R&R Spritz is one of Café Mercy’s specialities – a mix of Lillet Rose wine, Prosecco, rhubarb, Franklin & Sons and rose lemonade. Served in a wine glass, it was sweet, floral and summery.
The Sauvignon, from New Zealand, was perfectly-crisp with a fruity undertone.
We also tried the venue’s take on a Hugo Spritz – a delicious mix of elderflower, Prosecco and mint.
The team describe the venue as ‘Grey Street’s escape from the chaos’, which is definitely reflected in their calm and welcoming demeanours. Attentive without being overbearing, they came to check on us frequently and went above and beyond to make our visit the best it could be.
Alongside our drinks, we were offered bowls of vegetable crisps and nuts, which were well portioned and complemented our drink choices perfectly. A good taster – quite literally – of the venue’s new small plates menu, stretching focaccia, hummus, salads and charcuterie on offer for a distinct Mediterranean feel and flavour.
Our waiter, Will, noted that many of Café Mercy’s visitors attend before or after a visit the city’s much-loved Theatre Royal, which is just a short distance away on foot. We were also told that a good proportion of customers visit for post-work tipples, before catching the Metro home.
Café Mercy really does feel like a quiet escape in the heart of Newcastle and the atmosphere felt like a brief trip to the White Isle, or somewhere similar. Sunshine in café form – perfect for year-round visits. A must-visit when you’re next in Newcastle.
