Spanish City
The North East's most iconic seafront building, the Grade II listed Spanish City dome originally opened in 1910 as a concert hall and tearoom. Beautifully restored and reopened in 2018, it now houses restaurants, a tearoom, and event spaces beneath its landmark dome.
About Spanish City
Spanish City is a landmark seafront building in Whitley Bay, originally opened in 1910 as a concert hall, tearoom and entertainment complex known for its distinctive white dome. After years of decline and closure, the Grade II listed building underwent a major restoration and reopened in 2018. Today it houses a collection of dining and event venues beneath the restored dome, including Trenchers fish and chip restaurant, the 1910 restaurant, Valerie's Tearoom and a champagne bar, as well as wedding and event spaces. Overlooking the promenade and the North Sea, it remains one of the North East coast's most recognisable buildings and a focal point of the town's seafront regeneration.
Featured in These Guides
Blog posts and guides that feature Spanish City.
Corporate Christmas Party Venues in Whitley Bay
Spanish City runs shared party nights through December, the ice rink has a 150-capacity suite above it, and the Playhouse will sell you a box for ten. A buyer's guide to booking the work do in Whitley Bay.
Bonfire Night in Whitley Bay
The Links hosts North Tyneside's borough-wide fireworks display on Sunday 1 November, and it is completely free with no tickets. Here is how to do the night properly.
Family Activities in Whitley Bay: Days Out with the Kids
The best family days out in Whitley Bay, from the beach and the Links to St Mary's Lighthouse, the Spanish City and a great spread of rainy-day soft play, grouped so you can plan around the weather.
Date Night in Whitley Bay: Restaurants, Bars and Things to Do
Where to eat, drink and wander for a romantic evening in Whitley Bay, from Park View restaurants and the Spanish City dome to cocktails, craft ale and a walk along the seafront.
The Lost Buildings of Whitley Bay
From the twin-towered Empress Ballroom to the roar of the Spanish City fairground and a string of vanished cinemas, here are the Whitley Bay landmarks that time and the demolition men took away.
Interesting Facts About Whitley Bay
From a pleasure dome that was once the second largest in the country to an electrified island lighthouse and a Dire Straits song, here are the stories that make Whitley Bay so distinctive.
Whitley Bay on Screen: Film and TV Locations
From the floodlit Spanish City dome in Vera to St Mary's Lighthouse and the wider coastline, a guide to the film and TV filmed around Whitley Bay.
STACK Street-Food Venue Moves Closer at Spanish City's Empress Ballroom
Plans for a STACK street-food, bar and live-music venue in Whitley Bay's historic Empress Ballroom have taken a step forward, with a licence granted and around 140 jobs promised.
£11m Seafront Route Linking Tynemouth and Whitley Bay Celebrated
A five-mile walking, wheeling and cycling route between Tynemouth and St Mary's Lighthouse has been completed and celebrated with a launch weekend on the coast.
Best Wedding Venues in Whitley Bay
From the restored Spanish City dome to a lighthouse on a tidal island, some of the most distinctive wedding settings on the North East coast.
Feast by the Sea Returns to Spanish City Plaza on 25-26 July
The Feast by the Sea street-food festival is back at Spanish City Plaza on 25-26 July 2026, with regional vendors, bars, kids' rides and entertainment beneath the dome.
Whitley Bay Carnival Returns with a 'Folk' Theme on 11 July
The free seafront carnival is back on Saturday 11 July 2026 with a Folk theme, a parade of giant puppets from the Metro station to the seafront, and a full day of entertainment.
Local Museums and Archives Near Whitley Bay
St Mary's Lighthouse, the Stephenson Railway Museum, Segedunum Roman Fort, and Newcastle's free galleries -- a guide to the museums and heritage sites within easy reach of Whitley Bay.
Historic Trades and Crafts of Whitley Bay and Cullercoats
Coal mining, salt panning, the Cullercoats fishwives, and the Victorian entertainment industry -- the trades that shaped Whitley Bay before the seaside resort arrived.
Whitley Bay at War: The Coast Defences
Coastal guns, anti-invasion beach obstacles, searchlight batteries, the wartime role of St Mary's Lighthouse, evacuees, and rationing on the coast -- Whitley Bay in the Second World War.
Victorian Whitley Bay: Architecture of a Seaside Resort
How the railway created a resort from nothing -- the Spanish City dome, the Rex Hotel, Edwardian promenades, cinemas, and the seafront terraces that gave Whitley Bay its character.
Heritage Walking Trail: Whitley Bay
A 3-mile walking trail through the story of Whitley Bay -- from the Spanish City dome and Edwardian seafront to the Panama Dip, Watts Slope, St Mary's Lighthouse, and the places where a fishing village became Tyneside's playground.
Whitley Bay: The Rise and Fall of the Seaside Resort
From a fishing village of 300 people to Tyneside's playground, through golden-age ballrooms and revolving beach chalets to boarded-up hotels -- and back again. The story of Whitley Bay.
Upcoming Events
Events that feature or are connected to Spanish City.
1910 BYOB Night at Spanish City
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM · Spanish City Plaza, Whitley Bay, NE26 1BG
The North East King of Swing: Jason Isaacs
7:00 PM - 12:30 AM · St Mary's Lighthouse Suite, Spanish City, Spanish City Plaza, Whitley Bay, NE26 1BG
Tribute Night: Stevie Wonder, Spanish City
Evening · Spanish City, Spanish City Plaza, Whitley Bay, NE26 1BG
Bonfire Night Dinner at 1910
6:30 PM arrival, 7:00 PM dinner · 1910 Restaurant, Spanish City, Spanish City Plaza, Whitley Bay, NE26 1BG
1910 Introduction to Wine Tasting
7:00 PM · Spanish City, Spanish City Plaza, Whitley Bay, NE26 1BG
Christmas Tree Light Switch On at Spanish City
4:00 PM · Spanish City, Spanish City Plaza, Whitley Bay, NE26 1BG
Spanish City Christmas Market
12:00 PM · Spanish City, Spanish City Plaza, Whitley Bay, NE26 1BG
Christmas Tribute Night: Shoutout to the 80s
Evening (see booking page) · Spanish City, Spanish City Plaza, Whitley Bay NE26 1BG
Festive Lunch with Santa
12pm to 4pm on selected dates · Spanish City, Spanish City Plaza, Whitley Bay NE26 1BG
Christmas Tribute Night: George Michael
Evening (see booking page) · Spanish City, Spanish City Plaza, Whitley Bay NE26 1BG
Christmas Tribute Night: Motown
Evening (see booking page) · Spanish City, Spanish City Plaza, Whitley Bay NE26 1BG
Breakfast with the Grinch
See booking page · Spanish City, Spanish City Plaza, Whitley Bay NE26 1BG
Festive Lunch with the Grinch
See booking page · Spanish City, Spanish City Plaza, Whitley Bay NE26 1BG
Christmas Tribute Night: Elvis
Evening (see booking page) · Spanish City, Spanish City Plaza, Whitley Bay NE26 1BG
Christmas Tribute Night: 70s Disco Divas
Evening (see booking page) · Spanish City, Spanish City Plaza, Whitley Bay NE26 1BG
Christmas Tribute Night: Motown
Evening (see booking page) · Spanish City, Spanish City Plaza, Whitley Bay NE26 1BG
Past Events
Recent events connected to Spanish City.
North Tyneside Restaurant Week at Spanish City
7 October 2026 · 1910 Restaurant, Spanish City, Spanish City Plaza, Whitley Bay, NE26 1BG
Tribute Night: Billy Joel, Spanish City
25 September 2026 · Spanish City, Whitley Bay, NE26 1BG
1910 Steak Night at Spanish City
25 September 2026 · 1910 Restaurant, Spanish City, Spanish City Plaza, Whitley Bay, NE26 1BG
1910 Lobster Supper at Spanish City
28 August 2026 · Spanish City, Spanish City Plaza, Whitley Bay, NE26 1BG
More Sports & Leisure in Whitley Bay
Jam Jar Cinema
Independent, community-run cinema in the heart of Whitley Bay, showing the best of new releases, classics, documentaries and world cinema across three screens, with two bars and full accessibility.
Whitley Bay Playhouse
A state-of-the-art theatre and entertainment venue hosting music, drama, comedy, dance, and family shows throughout the year. The Playhouse is a cultural centrepiece for the town with a busy programme of touring productions and local events.
Waves Leisure Centre
A popular leisure centre near the seafront with a swimming pool featuring wave machine and flumes, gym, spa facilities, and soft play area. A go-to destination for families and fitness enthusiasts alike.
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What's On
Barry Steele in The Roy Orbison Story, Playhouse Whitley Bay
7:30 PM · Playhouse Whitley Bay, Marine Avenue, Whitley Bay, NE26 1LZ
10CC's Graham Gouldman: Heart Full of Songs, Playhouse Whitley Bay
7:30 PM · Playhouse Whitley Bay, Marine Avenue, Whitley Bay, NE26 1LZ
Whitley Bay v Marske United
3:00 PM · Hillheads Park, Rink Way, Whitley Bay, NE25 8HR