We're bringing a big Oktoberfest celebration to our micro bar in heart of village

It may be the smallest bar in the village, but the historic Stables is big in character.

Named after the building’s use as a stables, a history that dates back to 1738, The Stables saw a major transformation of a former florists into a micro bar and brewery, which opened its doors in Cleadon in 2021.

The pint-sized Front Street pub has built up plenty of loyal regulars since then and now The Stables is galloping ahead with a series of community events.

People are being encouraged to dust off their Lederhosen and take on a stein for the first Oktoberfest, which will take over the micro bar on September 26 from 12pm.

It’s free entry and a £10 deposit for a stein which you get back when you return the two-pinter. The venue will be dressed to its rafters in a Bavarian style and you’ll be able to choose from a range of German beers such as Brinkhoff.

The autumnal festival is the first in a series of new events the bar will be hosting.

Owner Leighanne Johnson took over the bar in January 2025, but has worked there since it opened after her husband and his friends transformed the site, making the most of its original stone walls and installing beams and a real fire.

“We actually first opened in lockdown when people were allowed to drink outside for the first time and we had an amazing response,” said Leighanne. “Everyone was so desperate to socialise and had missed being able to do that in pubs.

“We created a micro brewery upstairs because my husband has a big passion for brewing, called The Lazy Lizard. The plan was to call the pub that too but when they were doing all the building works, villagers would walk past and tell them the history so it seemed only right to call it The Stables.

“We haven’t used the micro brewery for a while, but we get asked about it all the time by customers, so we plan to bring that back in the new year.”

Because of the small space, the bar operates table service predominantly and many people book their favourite tables well in advance at the dog-friendly spot, which has 17 taps featuring local breweries as well as guest ales.

Jasmine Hall, assistant manager, said: “We have loads of local, loyal customers and we’re doing more social media, so as our following grows we wanted to do more for the community and get everyone involved.

“Not everyone drinks, but they’d still like to come to the pub, so events are great for them as well as being something a bit different for our regulars.

“It’s a really cosy pub so we’re going to be doing wreath making events closer to Christmas. On December 20, we also have a brass band performing on the stairs, which is always a lovely atmosphere.”

The team also want to make the most of the upstairs room, which is free to hire, and are looking into the possibility of running a book club in the space.

They’ve also teamed up with the nearby Little Theatre to offer theatregoers with a ticket 10% off drinks before and after the show.

Leighanne said: “There’s lot of independents in Cleadon and it’s a proper, village community. In six years we’ve never had any bother, everyone looks after each other.”

*The Stables is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3pm and Friday to Sunday from 12pm.