The Malt TravAle Podcast
Episode 17 - A bottle of Dog and a Schooner please-Pints on the Tyne - our humble view of the best pubs to visit in Durham & the Toon -includes ice cream in Whitley Bay & mention of a vibrant brewing scene. Our beery trip around the North East will also pay homage to 2 regional delicacies The Stottie & The Parmo (though Singing Hinnies will also get a mention) both fine booze soakers. Warning Sam Smiths may be mentioned
Durham
Victoria Inn, Hallgarth Street – Grdae II Victorian classic – ticks most of Bruce’s boxes; open fires, cosy snug, even a vintage cash register pretty much now like it was when first opened in 1899!
Dun Cow, Old Elvet Street – try and find out the history of the Pubs Name – Monks, a milk maid and St Cuthbert the clues, another Grade II listed gem with the required front snug usually a least a couple of top class cask ales available
Swan & Three Cygnets, Elvet Bridge – of course it’s a Sam Smiths House- nice riverside setting with a nice terrace for when the sun is out. Why not try a Mild or a chocolate Stout – Cask Old Brewery should be on.
Shakespeare, Saddler Street – close to the Cathedral at the top of the hill – lively boozer with theatrical links, often serves London pride hence one of Nicks choices – but it is a pub full of character and characters
Beamish
Sun Inn, Beamish Open Air Museum a true Edwardian pub – requires paying an entrance fee to the museum one of the small number of pubs moved brick by brick from its former site (Bishop Auckland) to its current museum site – (The Red Lion at the Crick Tram museum is another great example moved brick by brick from Stoke on Trent when they built the D Road) The Sun normally features North eats beers but unfortunately at 21st century prices, Middletons Fish n Chip shop at Beamish Museum also well worth a visit.
Newcastle Upon Tyne
Crown Posada, Quayside – narrow frontage hides a little this Toon classic – small snug and long lounge, lots of interesting features couple with great local beers.
Red House Sandhill, Quayside (as had a few former names including Bob Trollops!) – 17th Century building 2 bars and loads of little nooks and crannies – a pub to get lost in food offer heavily biased towards Pies – Bruce’s favorites.
Quayside betwixt the Swing and Tyne bridges on cobbled quayside a decent spoons – with usual cheap beers and food offering, as is often the case with Spoons pubs lots of old photos etc of the area
Bridge Hotel, Castle Square overlooking the Tyne Bridge – interesting stained glass again lots of seating options refutes to have the oldest folk club in the country (though Im sure we reported that a pub in Leeds said the same thing!)
Strawberry, Strawberry Place (right next to St James Park) if you don’t like football or Newcastle Utd perhaps stay away – nice roof terrace and Bruce’s choice for a pre match drink and giant filled Yorkshire pudding!
Town Mouse Ale House St Marys Place (Look down it’s a basement boozer) former coffee shop and not huge so can get busy and was a bit limited during Covid times – as the norm for a good micro pub these days great range and good staff
Box Social, Arch 11 Forth Street (Split Chimp in older pub guides) under the arches micro bar feature Box Social and sister brewery Newburn Native beers (Brewing now done in a new nit in Newburn, a village/suburb on the west side of the city)
Byker
Free Trade Inn, St Lawrence Street – Great views of the river, quite a distinctive form S&N pub good beer garden and really interesting range of beers on offer
Tyne Bank Brewery Tap, Walker Road, Byker – check website for open days and times tends to be end of week and weekends, based at the brewery and website says 15 plus beers on offer, Whatpub description – as an ‘industrial’ feel – treats include Table football and Xbox
Tynemouth
Gibraltar Rock, East Street – upstairs bar for real ale – great views over Tynemouth priory and North Sea
South Shields
The Steamboat, Mill Dam South Shields (using your Metro day ticket ferry to or back) larger bar and smaller lounge wide range of beers regular CAMRA award winner.