The Best Pubs
in
Sunderland

Tucked away with a proper, traditional feel, The Bridge Hotel Vaults is a gem for anyone who loves a well-kept pint. The selection of local cask and keg beers is superb, and the bonus of ordering ridiculously good, greasy pizza from next door makes it an absolute winner for groups. With its beautiful wood panelling and friendly service, it's the kind of place you'll want to return to again and again.

Step through the door of The Ship Isis and you’re instantly wrapped in the warmth of a classic, wood filled pub that has been a local favourite for generations. The constantly rotating keg and cask lines are a delight for beer lovers, while the food menu—from incredible pizzas to juicy fried chicken—is genuinely some of the best in town. Dogs are welcome, the outdoor seating is perfect for groups, and the live music adds to the lively, welcoming buzz that makes this place impossible to leave after just one round.

A proper local where the Sunday lunch is a weekly event worth planning for, The Shipwrights offers a warm welcome and hearty, homemade food that keeps tables filling up fast. The beer and wine flow freely, and with a spacious outdoor area and a lively, dog friendly buzz, it’s a cracking spot for groups catching a match or a relaxed meal. For under a tenner, you get a generous, tender roast that’s hard to beat—just make sure you book ahead to snag a seat.

For incredible value and a warm, welcoming buzz, The Cliff is an absolute find. This family-run spot serves up generous, freshly cooked pub classics and a legendary carvery that draws crowds, all paired with a great selection of beers, wines, and cocktails. With live music, plenty of outdoor seating, and screens for watching the match, it’s the perfect place for a relaxed meal with friends or family, just minutes from the seafront.

This hidden gem of a pub is a true delight, serving up everything from award worthy burgers and triple cooked chips to outstanding vegan options and a proper Sunday roast. The bar boasts a fantastic range of real ales, fruit beers, and a full selection of wines and cocktails, all at fair prices. With live bands at the weekend, plenty of outdoor seating, and a dog friendly welcome, it’s a brilliant spot for groups catching a match or just enjoying a relaxed meal.

Welcome to The Dun Cow, a wonderfully ornate Edwardian Gin Palace that delivers the ultimate British pub experience right in the heart of the cultural quarter. This Grade II listed gem boasts one of the most stunning bar backs in Britain, with etched panels, bevelled mirrors, and grand fireplaces creating a cosy and stylish setting. With a superb range of cask ales, craft beers, wines, and cocktails, plus live music and a fully dog friendly welcome, it’s an absolute must for groups and anyone who appreciates history with their pint.

Perched right on the seafront with breathtaking views of the beach and pier, Grannie Annies is a brilliant spot for a relaxed pint or a hearty meal. The menu is packed with generous, well priced options like steak and ale pie with chunky chips or a perfectly cooked full English, and the bar is fully stocked with beer, wine, and cocktails. It's wonderfully dog friendly with treats on the counter, and with live music, outdoor seating, and screens for the sport, it’s a cracking choice for groups any day of the week.

Crackling with life on match days and cosy enough for a quiet pint any other time, Chaplins is a proper traditional boozer with a fantastic range of real ales and a hearty menu that goes far beyond the usual pub grub. The large, characterful interior and front beer patio make it a brilliant spot for groups, while the many screens ensure you won't miss a second of the action. With friendly, sharp service, a full selection of wines and cocktails, and live music to boot, it's an absolute winner from breakfast right through to last orders.

Head upstairs to the sun trap balcony for a quiet drink, or grab a seat outside and soak up the live music and big screen sports. The drinks are some of the most cost effective around, with a cracking selection of beers, wines, and cocktails that keeps everyone happy. It’s a brilliant, friendly spot for groups, mixing old school pub charm with a lively modern buzz.

Right by Rocker Beach, the New Derby is a cracking spot to kick off a seaside day or settle in for a big match on one of their many screens. The drinks are brilliantly affordable, with a full range of beers, wines, and cocktails to keep any group happy, and the pub is fully dog friendly so your four legged mate can join the fun. With live music, a welcoming buzz, and a menu packed with tasty pub food, it’s an easy choice for a relaxed meal or a lively afternoon watching the footy with friends.