Award-winning Newcastle bar and music venue put up for sale as owner looks to retire

Hoochie Coochie, an award-winning bar and live music venue in Newcastle city centre, has been brought put up for sale.

The popular venue, on Pilgrim Street, has been brought to the market by specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co.

Hoochie Coochie is designed for people to enjoy jazz, funk and soul music right in the heart of Newcastle city centre and is licenced to be open until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays and until 1am on Mondays through to Thursdays.

It has come to the market as Warren Thomson, the current tenant, wishes to retire after running Hoochie Coochie since it opened in 2011.

He commented: “I set up Hoochie Coochie (HC) as a hobby initially and until 2020 traded as a not-for-profit organisation. As a lover of black music, I devoted the club to promoting the music I love.

"This past 13 years I’ve had hundreds of events and parties, watching unbelievable performers with customers who’ve become friends.

"At my age now though, I think it’s about time I slowed down a bit.

"The HC brand and reputation means an awful lot to me and to give that over to somebody, I have to be confident in their ability to carry it forward.

"All that said, customers should be assured that it’s business as usual for us until such time we do sell."

David Cash, regional director for pubs and restaurants at Christie & Co, has revealed that there has already been interest from a number of parties looking to take over the venue.

He said: "Hoochie Coochie is an institution in Newcastle and a stalwart of the live music scene.

"The location is second to none and Pilgrim St is set to become even busier with all of the development underway on this side of the city.

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"The Hoochie Coochie brand is a niche concept and may be available to purchase to the right applicant, but if a buyer didn’t want the brand and had their own concept, the leasehold interest and premises license only are also available.

"We have already had approaches from a number of parties who see huge potential in the location/premises and would look to completely reposition the offer to suit their own model.”