Graeme Stewart, wine writer and co-founder of TyneTipples, heads to Angels’ Share, Jesmond, to review their self-serve wine bar in Newcastle

Jesmond has always been a good day out.

It is the place of weekend markets, slow walks through the Dene, and cafés that turn a quick coffee into a full-blown brunch. A neighbourhood built for wandering, grazing and letting the afternoon drift by.

And lately, it has discovered wine.

Not in a nightclub way. In a slower way. A sit down, take your time and see where the evening goes sort of way.

Places like Angels’ Share sit comfortably in the middle of that shift.

You might start with a glass in the afternoon, telling yourself it will just be the one. A catch up with a friend, a quick stop after a walk through the Dene, something small before heading home.

And then the evening arrives without you quite noticing.

First impression of Angels’ Share, Jesmond – self-serve wine bar in Newcastle

I visited Angels’ Share on a Thursday evening, arriving for a 7:30 pm booking just as the venue was filling up. Music played softly in the background at first, setting a relaxed tone while people settled in with their first glasses. Later in the evening, a jazz and swing singer took over, adding to the atmosphere and giving the room a gentle lift as the night unfolded.

By the time we were seated the place was already lively. Tables full, conversations flowing, and a steady rhythm of people moving between their tables and the self-serve wine machines.

The concept here is refreshingly straightforward.

Instead of a traditional bar where everything is ordered across the counter, Angels’ Share allows guests to explore wine themselves through a bank of self-serve dispensers. Around 36 wines are available through the machines, with additional bottles available behind the bar.

The wines are grouped by style rather than region or prestige. Crisp and Fresh whites sit alongside Aromatic styles, while reds are organised into categories such as Light and Juicy or Structured and Bold.

It is designed less like a lesson in wine and more like an invitation to explore.

The beauty of the system is that you can try a small taste before committing to a full glass. You might arrive convinced you are a Sauvignon Blanc person and leave having discovered something completely different.

Wine without the ceremony

To accompany the drinks we ordered a three meat and three cheese board, which arrived with breads, crackers, pickles and grapes. It is exactly the sort of plate designed for this environment, something to pick at slowly while the conversation continues and glasses are topped up again.

What stood out most was how approachable the experience felt.

The staff are open about the fact they are not sommeliers, but the team clearly understand the wines they serve and are comfortable helping guests navigate the options. The server looking after us was welcoming, relaxed and happy to chat about different styles, asking what we typically enjoyed and suggesting alternatives to try.

It never felt like a lecture. Just a conversation about wine. And that seems to be the point.

Angels’ Share removes a lot of the pressure people sometimes associate with wine bars. You are not expected to know the regions, the vintages or the grapes before you arrive. You are simply encouraged to try something, see what you like and enjoy the experience.

Some guests clearly had their favourites. Others were experimenting, moving between glasses and comparing notes with friends across the table.

Wine, but social

And this is where the idea of day drinking, but classier really begins to make sense. Not the stereotype of starting early and losing the afternoon entirely. Something slower and more considered. A glass rather than rounds. A bottle shared over conversation rather than rushed between venues.

The sort of drinking culture that begins casually and stretches comfortably into the evening.

On a busy Thursday night, with live music and a full room of people doing exactly that, Angels’ Share felt like a good example of how that shift is happening.

A relaxed place to explore wine, enjoy the atmosphere and occasionally discover that the one glass you planned on having quietly turned into a very enjoyable evening.

Bookings can be made via their website angelssharejesmond.co.uk or by phone on 0191 200 1975.