Sunderland City Real Ale Guide
The map above shows Sunderland City Centre as far north as the Wearmouth Bridge. There are 12 real ale pubs featured. Included for historical interest is one non real ale pub. The city centre has three Conservation Areas (CA) ; Ashbrooke CA, Bishopwearmouth CA and Sunniside CA With the last two are several pubs and sports bars which don’t sell real ale. Please refer to the more detailed maps here :-
Each pub below shows a link to the CAMRA Experience website, with gives more details such as opening times. Please note that information contained may change. Telephone numbers have been provided if you wish to check details.
Heritage Pubs:- One pub features in the CAMRA Pub Heritage Guide and there are two Grade II listed buildings. .
Public transport information is correct as of Nov 2024.
1. Barge & Barrel
3-5 Burdon Road, City Centre, SR1 1QB Barge & Barrel, Sunderland – CAMRA Experience
Former Yates pub , now Craft Union, opposite the Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens. No real ale .Tel :- 0191 5671649 . Sunderland Train and Metro Station is five minutes walk and most city centre buses stop nearby in Fawcett Street and Borough Road. See also Sunniside CA
2.The Borough
Vine Place, City Centre, SR1 3NE Borough, Sunderland – CAMRA Experience
Another Craft Union pub which has recently ( Sept 24) reintroduced real ale. It opened in the 1820’s as The Vine Cottage. Tel :- 0191 5145675 . Three minutes walk to Park Lane Public Transport I/C. Many bus services also stop opposite. See also Bishopwearmouth CA
3. Bridge Hotel Vaults
145 High Street West, City Centre SR1 1UW Bridge Hotel Vaults, Sunderland – CAMRA – The Campaign for Real Ale
Reopened in November 2024, this was the former Bridge Hotel and Lambton House. Its a Grade II listed building. No telephone number available on opening. 5 minutes walk to Fawcett Street bus stops and Sunderland Metro/Train Station.
2-14 Green Terrace, City Centre, SR1 3PZ Fitzgeralds, Sunderland – CAMRA Experience
This is a Grade II listed building that was originally a house. Its former pub name was Greensleeves. It was also known as Fitzies, until a refurb in 2025 saw it change to The Canny Lad, . Up to eight real ales on offer . Regular in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide. Tel :- 0191 5670852. Five minutes walk to Park Lane Public Transport I/C. Many bus services also stop outside. See also Bishopwearmouth CA
5. Chaplins
40 Stockton Road, City Centre, SR1 3NR Chaplins, Sunderland – CAMRA Experience
Welcoming busy city centre pub with mostly local real ales from up to six handpulls. Tel:- 0191 5653964. Two minutes walk from Park Lane Interchange. See also Bishopwearmouth CA
6. Clarendon
143 High Street East, East End, Sunderland, SR1 2BL Clarendon, Sunderland – CAMRA Experience
Historic pub in Sunderland’s East End. It has been closed for a while. Internal refurbishment is ongoing ( as of Dec25). An article on the Branch Heritage Pubs Website provides more information and photographs, including the former Bull Lane Brewery which operated underneath the pub. Tel :- 0191 5103200. Bus stop nearby to City Centre.
7. Cooper Rose.
2-4 Albion Place, City Centre, SR1 3NG Cooper Rose, Sunderland – CAMRA Experience
One of two Wetherspoons pubs in the City Centre – the other one being The William Jameson (13). There is the usual real ale choice of core brands plus local beers. After a recent refurbishment, a roof terrace was added in 2022. Tel :- 0191 5148530. Three minutes walk to Park Lane Public Transport I/C. Many bus services also stop opposite. See also Bishopwearmouth CA
8. The Dun Cow.
9 High Street West, City Centre, SR1 3HA Dun Cow, Sunderland – CAMRA Experience
A visually stunning pub both outside and inside. This is a Grade II listed building , features on CAMRAs Pub Heritage Interiors website ( see the Historic Interior on the CAMRA Experience link ( above) . It is the winner of two CAMRA/ Historic England Awards. An article describing a Heritage Pubs Trail in Sunderland features the pub, and can be found on the Branch Heritage Pubs Website Real ale usually from three handpulls are available. Tel :- 0191 5672262. Less than 10 minutes walk to either Park Lane Interchange or Sunderland Railway Station, where many city bus services also operate. See also Bishopwearmouth CA
9. Engine Room
Old Fire Station High Street West, City Centre,SR1 3DT Engine Room, Sunderland – CAMRA Experience
Next door to The Dun Cow and part of the same Pub Culture pub chain, The Engine Room also sells real ale from two handpulls, and has a comprehensive food menu. Part of the Fire Station entertainment complex. Tel :- 0191 5947241 Less than 10 minutes walk to either Park Lane Interchange or Sunderland Railway Station, where many city bus services also operate. See also Bishopwearmouth CA
10.The Ivy House
7A Worcester Terrace, City Centre, SR2 7AW Ivy House, Sunderland – CAMRA Experience
On the periphery of the City Centre this pub features up to five changing real ales. There is an open kitchen for food. The original building dates back to the 1860’s. Tel:- 0191 5673399. Just over five minutes walk from Park Lane Public Transport Interchange. See also Ashbrooke CA
11. M.O.D
12 Mary Street, City Centre, SR1 3NH M.O.D. Bar, Sunderland – CAMRA Experience
This micro pub opened in 2024 and is next door to The Gunners Club, who own both buildings. Up to two changing cask ales are usually available. Tel 07758 989911. Two minutes walk from Park Lane Interchange. See also Bishopwearmouth CA
12. The Peacock
287 High Street West, City Centre, SR1 3ES Peacock, Sunderland – CAMRA Experience
This distinctive V shaped building is Grade II listed This current building dates from 1901. More information can be read on the Blue Plaque outside. Real ale available from four handpulls. Note check opening times. Tel :- 0191 5143494 Less than 10 minutes walk to either Park Lane Interchange or Sunderland Railway Station, where many city bus services also operate. See also Bishopwearmouth CA
13. The Rosedene.
125 Queen Alexandra Road, Ashbrooke, Sunderland, SR2 9BT Rosedene, Sunderland – CAMRA Experience
At least a mile walk from the City Centre , this Greene King pub is located in leafy surroundings. Up to four real ales available, usually from Greene King. Tel:- 0191 5284313 Buses to the City Centre are 10 minutes walk away.
14. The William Jameson
30 – 32 Fawcett Street, City Centre, SR1 1RH William Jameson, Sunderland – CAMRA Experience
This always busy Wetherspoons is on a busy junction opposite Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens. There is the usual combination of core and guest ales available. Tel :- 0191 5145016. Sunderland Train and Metro Station is five minutes walk and most city centre buses stop nearby in Fawcett Street and Borough Road. See also Sunniside CA
The other guides can be found at the top of this page, where there is also a “Contact Us” form.
Bus Information :- Traveline North East
Compiled by Ken Paul Oct 24 who took the photos except where indicated.
Revised Nov 24 – addition of Bridge House Vaults