Newcastle's quayside is famous for its nightlife. Cheap pints, cheap shirts and a kebab - the three items most associated with a Geordie night out - are under threat from a style revolution.

Researchers at the University of Newcastle found that many of the city's independent and alternative pubs are losing out to an invasion of expensive 'style bars'.

Even the traditional pint and obligatory Ben Sherman shirt is changing as people opt for expensive foreign vodkas and designer clothes. Researcher Dr Paul Chatterton said this could be bad news for people on low incomes.

Over the next few years there will be a move from traditional Geordie drinking culture as city-centre bars and pubs become more up-market and expensive, say researchers. Dr Chatterton, from the Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies (CURDS), said the changes will be geared towards the city's more affluent residents. "The city and region Are moving rapidly away from connections with their industrial past," he said.

"This means big changes for the city's nightlife. "The expansion of expensive style and café bars reflects recent rises in female employment and the boom in city centre living and office developments. "The key question over the next 10 years is what place is there for Geordie drinking culture and the traditional 'boozer' within these changes?

"Urgent attention is required to make sure that there will be something for everyone in the city centre at night and not just flashy cocktail bars. "Those with families, on lower incomes or under 18 have very few options."

Newcastle's night-time 'style revolution' began with bars like Chase, Pitcher and Piano, Pacific Bar and Casa. Recent additions such as Bar Luga, Bar 38, Revolution, and the proposed Tiger, Tiger have continued the trend.

Famous areas such as the Bigg Market could find it difficult to compete with the new bars on the Quayside and Osborne Road in the Newcastle suburb Jesmond, say researchers. Dr Robert Hollands said it was good news for the local economy but home-grown entrepreneurs are missing out on their slice.

"The night-time economy could be a great opportunity for many young local entrepreneurs, but at the moment most development activity is from people and companies outside the region.

"What the city centre really lacks are independently run bars which provide opportunities for young entrepreneurs and a variety of affordable entertainment like live music, DJs, or cabaret, and are not just geared towards drinking alcohol."

The research found that while the new style nightlife has brought benefits, 'old' problems of excessive drinking and violence are unlikely to disappear.

Many of the new developments are aimed not at local people, but at new, wealthy in-migrants to Newcastle who are attracted by the city's party reputation. These new arrivals 'drive up' the cost of going-out in the city centre, with the price of a pint of lager edging above £3 in some bars.

Researchers say lessons can be learned from cities such as Leeds which have experimented with later and staggered licensing hours, and which have a strong cluster of independent bars and clubs.