Key Points
- As reported by Simon Duke of Chronicle Live, Hickory’s Smokehouse has officially confirmed the opening date for its brand-new restaurant in Newcastle.
- The restaurant is located on Benton Road, Newcastle upon Tyne (NE7 7EB), taking over the site of the former Newton Park pub (previously associated with Hungry Horse).
- Table bookings are officially open starting from 4:00 PM on Friday, 13th November.
- The venue follows the massive success of the brand’s earlier regional launch in Gateshead earlier in the year.
- The site has undergone a complete transformation both inside and out, featuring family-friendly spaces, a bar showing live sports, a movie room, and a Fro-Co Creation Station.
- Standard operating hours will span seven days a week, running from Monday to Friday between 12:00 PM and 11:00 PM, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
Newcastle (Newcastle Times) October 27, 2026 – Following months of eager anticipation and extensive architectural transformations across a well-known local watering hole, hospitality operators have formally established the operational rollout for a major new American-style dining destination. As detailed by Simon Duke, What’s On Editor for Chronicle Live, Hickory’s Smokehouse is set to open its doors on Benton Road in Newcastle, welcoming diners from mid-November following the complete conversion of the former Newton Park pub site. The launch comes hot on the heels of the brand’s triumphant debut across the River Tyne in Gateshead over the summer, bringing its signature Southern-style barbecue, extensive bourbon selections, and family-oriented hospitality further into Tyne and Wear.
What Are the Key Details Surrounding the Opening of Hickory’s Smokehouse in Newcastle?
As outlined by the management team at Hickory’s Smokehouse and reported by Chronicle Live, the brand-new venue on Benton Road is now officially taking table reservations ahead of its grand opening. As stated on the official Hickory’s Smokehouse platform and highlighted by Simon Duke, bookings are live for slots starting from 4:00 PM on Friday, 13th November.
The extensive rollout follows the final closure of the Newton Park pub, which served its last pints and called last orders amid emotional scenes from local patrons and staff. The venue—initially a staple of the local community on the outskirts of Newcastle—has since undergone a total refurbishment of its interior and exterior layout to align with the brand’s distinct aesthetic.
According to promotional previews shared by the company and cited by Chronicle Live, the revamped destination includes features tailored for diverse crowds:
“Your brand new smokehouse is on the way…think a new bar, plenty of space for celebrations and get-togethers and of course our fro-creation and movie room for the little ones!”
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How Will the Venue Function and What Can Diners Expect from the Menu?
Operating across the week to accommodate varying visitor schedules, the site will maintain robust opening hours. As specified in official business disclosures, Hickory’s Smokehouse Newcastle will open Monday through Friday from 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
Food enthusiasts visiting the Benton Road location will encounter authentic Southern-style American barbecue. The culinary framework revolves around authentic techniques utilizing specialized smokers shipped directly from Tennessee and Missouri. The menu spans traditional slow-smoked meats designed to achieve characteristic smoke rings and tender textures, alongside dedicated children’s options, brunch menus, lunch selections, and non-gluten alternatives.
In addition to the primary dining spaces, the site incorporates a dedicated neighbourhood bar environment. As noted in corporate background material provided to regional outlets, the bar houses a curated collection of over 25 bourbons, local craft beers on tap—including the exclusive Hickory’s Pale Ale—and a comprehensive cocktail, mocktail, and shake lineup. The venue also features dedicated spaces for screening live sports fixtures, alongside interactive dessert offerings such as the Fro-Co Creation Station featuring frozen custard.
Background of the Particular Development
The arrival of Hickory’s Smokehouse on Benton Road represents a significant structural shift in the North East’s suburban leisure and hospitality market. The site was previously occupied by the Newton Park, a long-standing community pub historically tied to the Hungry Horse portfolio and named in honor of regional athletics legend Brendan Foster. Following changing consumer habits and post-pandemic shifts in the casual dining and pub sectors, the building ceased operations as a traditional local tavern, with doors closing permanently in July.
The decision by Hickory’s Smokehouse to target the site stems from the triumphant regional performance of its initial Tyne and Wear launch in Gateshead earlier in the year. Seeing strong engagement across digital platforms and high local demand for experiential, family-focused American barbecue formats, the company acquired the Benton property to capture the North Newcastle catchment area. This development illustrates a wider commercial trend across British suburban corridors, where traditional, drink-led community pubs are increasingly redeveloped into food-led, destination-style themed restaurants to secure long-term financial viability.
Prediction
This development is projected to exert a multi-layered impact on local residents, regional diners, and the surrounding hospitality sector in North Tyneside and Newcastle upon Tyne. For local consumers and families residing around Benton, Four Lane Ends, and surrounding suburbs, the conversion of a dormant pub into a high-footfall lifestyle destination introduces a fresh, family-friendly social hub that eliminates the need to travel into Newcastle city centre for specialized dining.
Economically, the launch creates numerous full-time and part-time employment positions spanning front-of-house, bar, and specialized pitmaster roles, injecting fresh commercial activity into the local neighborhood. For competing independent eateries and traditional pubs within the immediate vicinity, the arrival of a high-profile national brand will likely intensify competition for evening and weekend leisure spending, compelling neighboring establishments to elevate their food offerings, service models, and community engagement strategies to retain their customer base.
