Liam Arrowsmith, wine connoisseur and co-founder of TyneTipples, is chatting with The Library – your must-visit wine bar in Whitley Bay.
Over the last few months, I have noticed a change in my local area: bars and traditional pubs are making massive improvements to their wine offerings. It used to be the same old £5 bottles of something that vaguely claimed to be rosé but was so sweet you could feel fur growing on your teeth. But now I’m seeing Chenin Blanc from Stellenbosch, Vino Verde from Portugal, Malbec from Argentina, and even a cheeky Sancerre. I wonder why there has been this tilt in, not only what’s on offer, but also in what the consumer is ordering.
Back in early 2024 Jack took a punt on a bar at the top end of South Parade, Whitley Bay. Just as Whitley Bay was starting to show signs of life, Jack seized the opportunity and invested a great deal of time and effort in ‘The Library’.
His mission statement was to ‘revitalise a historic venue in the centre of Whitley Bay, into somewhere homely and welcoming where groups of any age can get together, socialise and relax with drinks that exceed expectations. No bookings, no shortage of space – just somewhere consistent and reliable with a great atmosphere’.
Jack hit the mark with the help of a brilliant Brazilian barman called Vilmar. Together they crafted a perfect cocktail menu, using only the best and freshest ingredients – even when it caused difficulties, there were no short cuts and no exceptions. They went on to forge a reputation of being the go-to place for premium cocktails in Whitley Bay.
I sat down to talk to Jack about The Library over his chosen glasses of wine.
Why do you think The Library fits into Whitley Bay, and why did you think there was a need for a venue like it?
Just before opening The Library, I’d been managing bars in New Zealand for a few years. When I came back, I did a bit of ‘market research’ – essentially trying out all the local bars with friends and family. What struck me immediately was the overabundance of food-forward venues, the difficulty of getting a table for a drink and the general rush we felt to drink up and move on if we did find somewhere.
I found myself thinking Whitley Bay just needed a more relaxed venue with plenty of space, a sociable atmosphere and a bit of a buzz about the place. Somewhere you could walk in anytime and know you’d get somewhere to sit regardless of how many people you came with.
From day one, The Library was designed to be a no-fuss, no-bookings place to go, which focused on great drinks and great hospitality. It’s something we’ve stuck to, and I feel like people appreciate that about us.
What challenges did you face while opening The Library?
Well, to start off, I’ve worked in bars, pubs and restaurants for about 12 years by the time I opened The Library. That’s about how long it took me to save up enough to take a punt on a place of my own – hence all the DIY and weeks of painting!
Aside from that, I think the biggest hurdle was getting the confidence to give it a shot; it’s a lot of risk and a pretty tough time for bars and restaurants. Oh, and it proved pretty difficult to find somewhere that would suit the kind of bar I wanted to open.
How would you rate your wine selection against other bars in the area?
That’s a tough one. I think there are a few places serving some great wines in the area. District comes to mind as somewhere with a similar quality that I’d recommend people to try out.
As for ourselves, I’d just say we focus on providing some really interesting and great wines, whilst still keeping some favourites for people who know what they like. That being said, we’ve carefully picked every wine on the menu, and there are some real hidden gems more people should try!
How have you found the experience of working with Majestic Wines’ commercial department?
In short, they really know their stuff and are passionate about their wines. They worked with us to curate a menu that suits our style of bar and the guests we have, whilst providing some interesting options for people looking to branch out.
Which events/evenings do you think are the most popular at The Library?
Our Friday night DJ nights are fantastic; it’s exactly what I wanted the bar to feel like when I opened up. Laid-back but fun, with great music and brilliant atmosphere. The DJ strikes a great balance with the music, and it’s something everyone can get into.
What is your favourite cocktail to make?
Personally, I love making a negroni. It’s a really simple but elegant and balanced drink with many different ways to shake it up. But that’s probably also because I love drinking them. Although not at first, it took some getting used to!
And I agree the Negroni from The Library is amazing, so if you are in the Newcastle area and fancy a day at the coast, why not visit The Library for a refreshing glass of wine or an outstanding cocktail, but don’t forget to return your books!