Then there’s the pub with a bar which was so long, it stretched into the next street!
Or what about the one which had a cannon outside to deflect horse and carriages? There’s many a tale to be told about the pubs of Wearside and we have plenty for you.
Each photo and story comes to us courtesy of Ron Lawson, the former JP who is also part of the Sunderland Antiquarian Society and who has shared a part of his huge photo selection.
Take a look at Ron’s great reminders of times gone by.
To find out more about the society, visit its Facebook page or its website at http://www.sunderland-antiquarians.org/
If you’ve got pub memories please contact Chris Cordner on [email protected].
5. The pub with a bar which stretched into the next street!
The Commercial Vaults was in Green Street and was open from 1873 to 1968. Ron said: "It had the longest bar in Sunderland at 139ft and it stretched from Green Street to the next street." Photo: Ron Lawson
6. The pub named after a Wearside hero
The Jack Crawford which was named after Sunderland's very own hero of Camperdown. The pub was on Whitburn Street and Charles Street from 1873 to 1943. Jack Crawford was haled a hero during the Battle of Camperdown in 1797 in which he recovered the colours from a damaged mast, climbed the mast and nailed them back on. Photo: Ron Lawson
7. The pub which dropped half its name
The Duke of Wellington was in South Railway Street and served the public from 1834 to 1999. Ron told us: "At one point, the name Wellington was dropped and they called it just The Duke." Photo: Ron Lawson
8. The pub which was named after a battle
The Alma was named after a Crimean War battle. The Hendon pub was open until 1960. Photo: Ron Lawson JP. Photo: Ron Lawson