The multi-award-winning Blackbird in Ponteland is offering one of its most unique spaces, the Minstrel Gallery, for private hire.
This historic North East venue is not only known for its food and hospitality but also has a captivating history dating back to the Middle Ages.
The gallery, overlooking the main restaurant, was restored in 1597 after being razed to the ground by invading Scots two centuries earlier.
The design of the gallery, initially constructed for musicians to perform out of the sight of guests, makes it a novel space for various events.
The facility is open for private bookings for a diverse range of events, such as meetings, talks, parties, and private dinners.
The gallery can comfortably accommodate up to 32 seated guests or around 40 attendees for a standing buffet.
Along with this, the Blackbird has also introduced a new finger buffet menu for clients wanting to book either the Gallery or the venue’s outdoor tipi, which can host up to 65 people.
The Blackbird's new menu comes at a charge of £18 per head and includes finger sandwiches, cream and chive prawn boats, individual fish and chips, chicken satay with peanut dipping sauce and blinis with smoked salmon and cream cheese.
Dessert options like macaroons and mini brownies are available at an additional charge of £3 per head.
The tipi is available free of charge for parties of 25 or more who are opting for the buffet menu and drinks.
The Blackbird has been recognised with several industry accolades in recent years, including the North East Pub of the Year.
It takes pride in its seasonally changing menus that incorporate a North East twist to classic dishes from all over the world.
Stuart Young, of Northern Bar Management, which operates the Blackbird, expressed that there is "considerable interest" in both the Minstrel Gallery and the Tipi from clients seeking "something a little more unusual than a traditional function room."
He said: "The Blackbird is a wonderfully atmospheric building and, while the Minstrel Gallery and Tipi are very different from each other, they both really lend themselves to private functions."
The Minstrel gallery is available for hire daily, except Sundays, for £100.
For more information, visit www.theblackbirdponteland.co.uk.
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