Franchise

Newcastle University has history running through its veins — from its beginnings in 1834 to awarding Martin Luther King Jr. an honorary degree in 1967. That legacy now continues in Luther’s Bar, the Students’ Union’s buzzing social hub, which Harrison Ince were thrilled to reimagine.

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The transformation celebrates Newcastle’s story while embracing contemporary style. Double-height bottle cabinets and new free-pour areas create a bold backdrop, while sleek overbar glass racks — inspired by Sunderland’s glass-making heritage — bring a crafted elegance. Reeded glass adds texture and intrigue, and warm LED lighting casts a welcoming glow, echoing the pioneering work of local inventor Joseph Swan, whose 1860 lightbulb is reflected in the bar’s exposed lamps and intimate ambience.

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Every detail has been designed for both comfort and character. Four-person booths and glowing globe pendants invite connection, while a darker palette, brass finishes, reclaimed chestnut flooring, and plush velvets root the space in Newcastle’s industrial heritage — when shipbuilding, steam power, and innovation made the Tyne a driving force of the Industrial Revolution.

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The result is a sophisticated, eclectic, and inviting bar that honours the past while creating a new atmosphere for the present.

Newcastle

September 2023