Sunderland's 808 Bar honours city centre site's Continental past with new cocktail

After an investment of £250,000, 808 Bar and Kitchen opened its doors on the corner of St Thomas Street and John Street last year and brought new life to the site, whose previous guises have included The Continental and Gillespies.

More recently it had been a Chinese restaurant, but many drinkers have fond memories of its previous incarnations, particularly The Continental, which it was called twice, in the ‘80s and mid 2000s.

Now, 808 have devised a Continental cocktail – which features Empress 1908 Gin, Grey Goose orange vodka, orange juice, syrup and a dash of Grenadine – on its new cocktail menu in response to customers’ memories of the venue.

Head barman Liam Duncan said: “I’ve worked here since we opened last year and we get quite a few regulars in now, especially on match days. “A lot of the older generation remember the bar as The Continental and have really fond memories, so we decided to remember its time as that with a cocktail.”

As well as a new cocktail menu, the bar has launched a special Christmas menu featuring seasonal concoctions, priced £7.95, such as the Hot Buttered Rum, which features Old j spiced rum, sugar and melted butter and Chocolate Almond Martini, which is a blend of Finlandia vodka, orgeat, crème de cacoa, milk and cream.

Liam says cocktails have become a popular feature at the bar as it approaches its second Christmas in business.

“Cocktails are one of the most popular things we do here, particularly Hippy Juice, which is a watermelon cocktail, and Pink Blossom, which features a pink gin. We have a lot of variation on our drinks menu, and like to use local brands such as Vaux, Poetic License and Durham Gin.

“People are a lot more savvy about what they drink these days, especially with gin, so we have to respond to that by offering as many options as we can.”

He added: “We’re coming up to our second Christmas now and we’re getting busier, especially with private functions and events. Sunniside isn’t as busy as the centre of the city, but it’s definitely picking up, especially as there are other good bars to go to around here as well, such as The Church Door, Sam’s Bar and the Mr Jack’s, which is in the old Gin & Bear It.”

Highlights of the events Christmas calendar at 808 include a Gavin & Stacey quiz night on December 10 and a Christmas Food Challenge on December 16.