Popular Newcastle live music bar which has hosted Sam Fender announces closure with costs "no longer sustainable"
A hugely popular back lane music bar which has seen the likes of Sam Fender perform has announced it will be closing.
Prohibition Cabaret Bar on Pink Lane has been a popular spot for live music fans for a decade but will close later this year.
The site has promised it will “go out with a bang” in its final weeks ahead of its final day of operating, which will come on Thursday, July 31.
A post onto the bar’s social media platforms on the evening of Monday, April 22 said: “Dear friends,This is an announcement from the very heaviest of hearts to inform you that as of July 31st 2025 Prohibition Cabaret Bar will close to the public and cease trading.
“We've filled this last decade with so many amazing memories and fun times and we will cherish those dearly.
“Lately though, we have been up against it financially, we have been for some time, but thanks to the tremendous support and generosity we’ve always treasured from our wonderful customers, as well as, of course, the talent and dedication of all the acts that have brought so much to the bar, we’ve been able to defy the odds and keep going.
“Until now. From the very beginning we insisted that we’ve never been about profit or 'in it for the money' and we have proudly and rigidly stuck to our mission of being the home of free live performance here in Newcastle, believing that the culture and joy that live entertainment brings to us all should be for everyone, regardless of their circumstance.
“This approach has meant that we’ve only ever just about broken even (at times by the very skin of our teeth and often with sacrifices along the way) but with the many recent and upcoming rises to our running costs we would never have been able to continue and keep our heads above water.
“We are no longer sustainable in this format and would not work or would have had to compromise our core principals in any other, therefore, we accept that it is time to wrap this show up and lower the final curtain knowing we did our absolute best and have had an incredible ten years doing so!
“The focus now is to keep the good times rolling until the very end on July 31st. All bookings, shows and events in the calendar up to that date will go ahead as planned, in fact, we will put everything we can into making this a celebratory final countdown rather than a melancholic one!”
After more thanksto customers and staff, the statement continues: “All I ever wanted was to make great memories and create something unique that will be remembered with love and fondness for years to come. I think I managed that. I don't think I could have given much more, that's for sure, I'm mentally and physically exhausted and definitely look and feel ten years older!
“But for all the stress and worry it's been, I honestly wouldn't change it for the world. I've learned so much and can look back on this chapter of my life and career with a great sense of achievement and a heart full of pride.
“For that, I am truly thankful.For now, though, the stage is still lit and the bar is still serving, so let’s do this the Prohibition way and go out with a bang!
“With much love,Mitch, Danny and the Prohibition Mob.”
An additional part fo the post say the site will be looking to sell many of its decorations to reduce the financial impact of the closure. This is expected to include the bar’s piano, best known for a viral moment when a hooded Sam Fender took to the stage to perform an acoustic version of an released song back in early 2023.
That song, Remember My Name, ended up as the final track on his third album, People Watching, earlier this year.
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