11 must-visit Mackem pubs on the 70s drinking circuit

Dozens of pubs lined the streets of Sunderland in the 1970s - making '˜doing the circuit' quite a challenging task...So grab your glitter ball, raise a glass to the past - and settle your hangover with a good old Wimpy burger!
The Imperial Vaults - a perfect place to begin, or end, the 70s circuit. The Lotus Gardens was very close by - handy for curry sauce and chips on the way home.The Imperial Vaults - a perfect place to begin, or end, the 70s circuit. The Lotus Gardens was very close by - handy for curry sauce and chips on the way home.
The Imperial Vaults - a perfect place to begin, or end, the 70s circuit. The Lotus Gardens was very close by - handy for curry sauce and chips on the way home.

How many of these watering holes do you remember?

1: Imperial Vaults: Also known as The Imps. Great atmosphere, pool table, juke box and beer. Ideal for starting, or ending, your circuit.

The Old Twenty Nine - broken glass and live bands. The perfect combination.The Old Twenty Nine - broken glass and live bands. The perfect combination.
The Old Twenty Nine - broken glass and live bands. The perfect combination.

2: The Continental: Complete with glitter ball, disco lights and pool table. And it even had its own footy team.

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3: Old Twenty Nine: Live bands, carpet of glass and great times had by all. The Toy Dolls even sang a song about it. Iconic.

4: The Blandford: Upstairs in the Blandford was where dozens of folk headed during the 70s. Great beer, good cheer, nice atmosphere.

5: Upper Deck: Part of the space age town centre development, and a hugely popular pub - often one of the first visited on the 70s circuit. Closed when The Bridges was developed.

The Bee Hive pub is just tucked away behind the bus, while the cinema is to the right.The Bee Hive pub is just tucked away behind the bus, while the cinema is to the right.
The Bee Hive pub is just tucked away behind the bus, while the cinema is to the right.

6: The Borough: Welcoming revellers and beer enthusiasts for decades - and hosting plenty of decent bands upstairs over the years as well.

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7: The Beehive: Right in the middle of the town centre circuit. Offering the chance of a game of pool while supping your pint.

8: Argo Frigate: A favourite with Echo staff, as it stood next to the old offices in Bridge Street. It was also a firm favourite on the 70s pub crawl circuit.

9: Londonderry: The pool table and live bands were probably bigger draws than the history of this Edwardian treasure in the 1970s.

Do you remember the Mecca?? Huge bands, sticky floors - loads of fun... Here it is in 1979.Do you remember the Mecca?? Huge bands, sticky floors - loads of fun... Here it is in 1979.
Do you remember the Mecca?? Huge bands, sticky floors - loads of fun... Here it is in 1979.

10: Dun Cow: Another piece of history. Situated just across from the Empire Theatre - making it a favourite with big-name performers as well as regular punters in the 70s.

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11: Museum Vaults: Small, but full of character. Often packed to the rafters. Other popular 70s pubs/clubs included Greens, The Albion, Boar’s Head and Boilermakers CIU Club - which hosted regular live music gigs.

After drinking until last orders, it was off to the Lotus Gardens for curry sauce, rice and chips, before catching the last bus home from Fawcett Street.... Or a dash across the bridge to the Mecca. or along to Finos or Annabels, for some dancing and further fun!

And, if your hangover lasted until the next morning, a good old Wimpy burger would always set you right.