Popular 'proper' pub under new management - here's what's in store at Bridge Hotel Vaults
The pub is at the heart of Sunniside as it undergoes a wave of change and investment.
It’s the site of one of Sunderland’s oldest pubs dating back to 1820 - and The Bridge Hotel Vaults is now entering another new chapter under new management.
Although many of the original pub features were lost over the years, as the site was used for offices, the pub underwent a sympathetic refurbishment two years ago to reimagine how it would have looked in its heyday as a proper boozer.
Dan Shannon, a director at neighbouring Pop Recs, was involved throughout, along with Vaux initially, and has now taken over the helm as tenant.
Alongside new manager Emma Biwaki, they have plans to make the most of the site, with a broader range of drinks and a brand new food concept, which will replace the current Midnight Pizza Cru.
An announcement on the new food offering will be announced in September, but it includes a well-known city chef in the kitchen.
Food-wise, we can also look forward to a new bar menu and pop ups with independents in the coming months.
“The opportunity came to take it over fully and it just made sense,” said Dan. “The Bridge has established its identity and atmosphere and we want to build on that and work with like-minded people bringing something quality to the city.
“It’s also a chance to get Pop Recs and The Bridge working together in what’s a really exciting time for this neighbourhood.”
Emma, who’s worked at other hospitality businesses around the city, said: “I jumped at the chance to come on board. It’s a great little pub and it’s so important to keep these places alive in what’s a challenging time for hospitality.”
The building has long been owned by city businessman Phil Gibbs who was keen to honour the history of the site by turning it back into a pub.
With its ornate tiling, still in remarkably good condition, and distinctive curved shape, The Bridge Hotel Vaults has stood guard over the corner of Sunderland Street and High Street West since 1797.
Built as a grand townhouse for the wealthy Lambton family, it became a pub in 1820, making it one of the oldest in the city, before being used as offices and meeting rooms for the city’s youth offending service from the 1990s.
But it started pulling pints once more after a major refurbishment, opening its doors under the revived Bridge Hotel Vaults name in November 2024.
Part of the ongoing heritage-led regeneration of Sunniside, it brought major new life to the historic site, which has a colourful history in the city as a hotel, once housing Charles Dickens when the literary great was appearing at the old Lyceum Theatre in Sunderland.
As well as being City of Sunderland fans, Dan and the team are big Sunderland AFC fans and the pub has become hugely-popular on match days.
Patrons can look forward to a broader range of beers and lagers, with its most popular pints proving to be its premium lager range of Super Bok, Warsteiner and Budvar, alongside Guinness. There’s four handpulls of guest ales, alongside a range of other options at the bar.
More wines have also been introduced, including orange wines. There will also always be a gluten-free option and zero alcohol drinks available.
This Bank Holiday Weekend is set to be a busy one in Sunderland, with the first home game of the new season as the Black Cats take on Fulham.
On the same day, The Bridge will be hosting a kitchen takeover from Greek pop up, Pella Newcastle, on Sunday, August 30, from breakfast through to tea, alongside DJ sets.
Over at Pop Recs, there’s a Blossom DJ set in the Sonny’s garden and Cool for Cats club night.
*The Bridge Hotel Vaults, High Street West, is open 3pm to late Wednesdays and Thursdays; 12pm to 11pm Friday and Saturdays and 12pm to 8pm on Sundays. Dog friendly.
Sunniside Up
The Bridge is set to be joined by new neighbours as the Sunniside area of the city undergoes a wave of investment and change.
Next door to Pop Recs, work has started on George Clarke’s Home of Books.
The plans are to convert the ground floor of the Grade II-listed building into a cultural bookshop, café and flexible event space described as a ‘community living room.’
Meanwhile, the upper floors are set to be transformed into an apartment that would be used by the presenter and his family, as well as being marketed as boutique accommodation for short stays when he isn’t in town.
Over the road from that, work is nearing completion on the former Tyre Shop on the corner of Villiers Street.
Led by the Tyne and Wear Building Preservation Trust, this regeneration has been supported by funding from Historic England, who have committed £923,208 along with significant investment from the Quakers, who have taken on the lease of the building, which will now be called The Friends Meeting Place.
As well as being a meeting place for The Quakers, the upstairs of the building will also be a community hub, a mixed use space for a host of groups.
Downstairs, shopfronts are being sympathetically restored and talks are at an advanced stage with two established Sunderland businesses who will open in the ground floor units.
And next door to that, new commercial space and 75 new homes are taking shape as part of the ‘Nile + Villiers’ housing development
“When you look at how Sunniside was to its development now, it’s really striking. It’s coming on more and more,” said Dan. “It’s still not where it needs to be, but that’s certainly more tangible than it was five years ago.
“That infrastructure is improving and it’s so important to have these places that offer a real quality experience and places to go. The bar is being raised in the city all the time.”