Sunderland's popular Port of Call pub opens in Seaham

A sister site to the successful Port of Call in Park Lane, Sunderland, the pub has now branched into Seaham’s burgeoning North Terrace.

Around £250,000 has been invested in transforming the site, which had previously operated as The Bank pub, so called because of the building’s history as a bank.

Opening in time for the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, the bar is the latest independent business to open along the town’s seafront.

Owner Adam Dickman said: “It was the brewery that alerted us to the site becoming available and we got the keys in early February. “We’d been looking for a second site and the strip along here is a very up and coming area, with a great string of businesses, so it’s the perfect place.”

Though it shares its name with the original Port of Call, the new site has its own decor, drinks and food menu.

Adam, whose family also own Sunderland’s Gatsby pub, said: “The first Port of Call has an industrial, seafaring theme, but we’ve gone with a much softer look here. The building is also in a conservation area, so we’ve kept the period features too.

“On the menu we’ll have some of the Port of Call classics, but while that venue is focused on burgers, this will have more of a pizza focus. We’ll also be doing lots of gin-based cocktails.”

Speaking about the bar’s arrival in Seaham, he said: “Because we’re on the front we’ve had a lot of interest from people who’ve been popping in asking when we’ll be open. We’ve also had a lot of support from the police and council, they’ve been really helpful.”