Classic Sunderland pubs - which is your favourite? Which would you add to the list?Classic Sunderland pubs - which is your favourite? Which would you add to the list?
Classic Sunderland pubs - which is your favourite? Which would you add to the list?

9 classic Sunderland pubs every Mackem should visit, according to a veteran barman and quizmaster

He’s been a barman, a quizmaster, and a pub patron for decades.
By Tony Gillan
Published 4th Aug 2019, 17:10 BST
Updated 17th Aug 2019, 10:07 BST

Now our writer Tony Gillan is sharing his experience and recommending nine classic pubs he thinks everyone should try.

He said: “The nine Sunderland pubs I recommend here, in no particular order, have a small geographical spread. All but two are in the city centre.

“The list is on personal experience. In fact, I worked in most of them. See what you think.”

“The list is on personal experience. In fact, I worked in most of them. See what you think.”

Run by the Wilson family for years. I don’t think it’s changed much since my granddad played for their darts team in the 1930s. I like to think not. I was both barman and quiz master in there, if historians are interested. This is a tremendous place for aficionados of what is known as “proper pubs.” Picture by Laurie Cansfield

5. Museum Vaults, Silksworth Row

Run by the Wilson family for years. I don’t think it’s changed much since my granddad played for their darts team in the 1930s. I like to think not. I was both barman and quiz master in there, if historians are interested. This is a tremendous place for aficionados of what is known as “proper pubs.” Picture by Laurie Cansfield Photo: Laurie Cansfield

Photo Sales
I only started frequenting the Stables about a year ago. So called because it used to be, well, stables. It’s unusual in that there is no outside signage. The nearest Sunderland has to a country pub, it’s cosy, charming, welcoming and I might get a free drink out of this. Even if I don’t, it’s highly recommended.

6. The Stables, West Herrington

I only started frequenting the Stables about a year ago. So called because it used to be, well, stables. It’s unusual in that there is no outside signage. The nearest Sunderland has to a country pub, it’s cosy, charming, welcoming and I might get a free drink out of this. Even if I don’t, it’s highly recommended. Photo: Tim Richardson

Photo Sales
Fitzgeralds was called Greensleeves before the mid 1990s. It has always been an oasis in the city centre for those who eschew bars with silly names blasting out awful music. A permanent entrant in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide, with a well-used dartboard. I was quiz master for a few years. It has since recovered its popularity.

7. Fitzgeralds, Green Terrace

Fitzgeralds was called Greensleeves before the mid 1990s. It has always been an oasis in the city centre for those who eschew bars with silly names blasting out awful music. A permanent entrant in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide, with a well-used dartboard. I was quiz master for a few years. It has since recovered its popularity. Photo: Google Streeview

Photo Sales
This has been a pub since 1834. The current building was erected in 1885. Amid some relief, it was recently taken over by the people behind Mexico 70 in High Street and is CAMRA’s Sunderland and South Tyneside Pub of the Year for 2019. It wasn’t always this salubrious during its days as Livingstone’s and (oh dear) Banana Joe’s. I never worked there. However, I do represent the Ship Isis in the Sunderland Quiz League. The pub deserves a better team

8. The Ship Isis, Silksworth Row

This has been a pub since 1834. The current building was erected in 1885. Amid some relief, it was recently taken over by the people behind Mexico 70 in High Street and is CAMRA’s Sunderland and South Tyneside Pub of the Year for 2019. It wasn’t always this salubrious during its days as Livingstone’s and (oh dear) Banana Joe’s. I never worked there. However, I do represent the Ship Isis in the Sunderland Quiz League. The pub deserves a better team Photo: Stu Norton

Photo Sales
Previous
2 / 3
Next Page
Related topics:Sunderland