Back Down The Pub

Tag: Grade: Relaxed

  • Newcastle #6 – July 2026

    Newcastle #6 – July 2026

    A lazy day on the walking front. We decided to stick to pubs within about 100 metres of Newcastle Central Station. Well done Newcastle. There are plenty of options for cask ale in that small radius. And we didn’t even make it to the full selection.

    Near Newcastle Central Station

    Gunner Tavern

    Area: By Pink Lane
    Style: Modern and popular
    Visit order: 1

    With no real plan, we stepped out into the sunshine and, seeing the light reflecting off the Gunner Tavern’s green tiles, decided that would do nicely for our first stop. Well… perhaps it wasn’t quite that deliberate, but it made an excellent start to the day.

    No picture this time, there are enough already posted from earlier visits. We did end up drinking a bit of a mix of cask and keg during this visit to ensure adequate refreshment in this very warm weather.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Duration BrewingCharm3.4%
    Howling HopsSmall Batch Special Cold IPA (keg)5.3%

    Mosaic Tap

    Area: Pink Lane
    Style: Micropub
    Visit order: 2

    The bar at Mosaic Tap Newcastle with pumps on the bar and beer list behind.

    We were lucky enough to grab a seat in Mosaic Tap. In that strange way pubs have, there was a complete changeover of customers, giving me just enough time to take a photo that makes the place look deserted. It really wasn’t. Atmosphere and beers were top drawer as ever. And as ever, I’m very happy with the new location on Pink Lane. Much handier.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Pomona Island Brew Co.PENSAMIENTO4.5%
    KellerbierHacker-Pschorr (keg)5.5%

    The Forth Hotel

    Area: Pink Lane
    Style: Stylish traditional/modern mix
    Visit order: 3

    Signage at the Forth Hotel on Pink Lane Newcastle.

    This was a favourite of mine back in the 90s, it was scruffier and more studenty back then with a cracking jukebox. I remember being disappointed when the makeover happened. It’s changed again since then and I appreciate the contemporary take on the traditional pub that I think it’s trying to achieve. Oh, and there’s food now. Very good.

    The bar at the Forth Hotel on Pink Lane Newcastle with pink backlighting on the bar back.
    BreweryBeerABV
    Leeds BreweryLeeds Pale3.8%
    Verdant Brewing CoLightbulb (keg)4.5%

    The Mile Castle

    Area: Westgate Road/Grainger Street
    Style: It’s a Mega-Spoons
    Visit order: 4

    The heritage exterior of the Mile Castle Super Spoons Wetherspoons at Newcastle.

    The obligatory food stop. One of five Spoons in the Toon and spreading over three floors with hotel and beer garden. And always busy. Time for a meal deal before moving on.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Erdinger WeißbierErdinger Weißbier (bottle)5.3%

    Newcastle Tap

    Area: Neville Street
    Style: Modern Craft
    Visit order: 5

    Exterior of the Newcastle Tap showing outside seating and groups of people socialising.

    I’m still haunted by the slip and fall down the stairs that a mate of mine did a while ago. We take refuge on the ground floor nowadays. The cask and keg selection here is second to none and I like the airy refined vibe of the place.

    The long bar at the Newcastle Tap showing the extensive range of cask and keg beers.
    BreweryBeerABV
    Tapped Brew CoElectric Works4.2%
    Elvington BreweryMittel 3.8% Lager (keg)3.8%
    Silent Brew CoGreater Good4.0%

    Beer Street

    Area: Forth Street
    Style: Micropub
    Visit order: 6

    The beer board and bar at Beer Street Newcastle also showing the cask ale pumps on the bar.

    A short walk through the tunnel under the railway station brings us to the arches, one of which contains Beer Street. There is always a warm welcome here and a good atmosphere to boot. We brought the average age up significantly. Feeling old, we enjoyed our beers and headed back for our train.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Brew YorkCitrus Cinema4.5%

    The Telegraph

    Area: Forth Street
    Style: Traditional pub with modern interior
    Visit order: The One That Got Away

    The train was due so we missed this one today, but it looked so good, I couldn’t resist a picture. We did manage a visit during the Newcastle #4 trip, so there is that.

    A panoramic view of the Telegraph Pub in Newcastle.

    Back to Durham

    The Station House

    Area: Under the Viaduct
    Style: Cosy Micropub
    Visit order: 7

    And a last beer before heading home. The Station House can always be relied upon to have well kept beer and a warm welcome. And so it was.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Wensleydale BrewerySign of the Times4.0%
    Today’s Summary
    Total Pubs: 6+1
    Total Beers: 12
    Cask: 7
    Keg: 4
    Bottle: 1
    Strongest: 5.5%
    Mildest: 3.4%

    We set ourselves the challenge of barely straying from Newcastle Central Station, and still managed seven excellent pubs, twelve beers and one missed opportunity. That says everything about how good the area around the station has become for beer lovers. There are still plenty left for another visit.

    But “please stop putting litter here”.

    Graffiti on a post in NEwcastle "please stop putting litter here" with litter below.
  • Bangor, Co. Down #1 – June 2026

    Bangor, Co. Down #1 – June 2026

    After a morning in Newtownards including a visit to Spoons, I took a short bus ride to Bangor to meet up with the rest of the group. We followed an ice cream and a stroll along the seafront with a few beers before heading back to Belfast for the evening.

    The Rabbit Rooms

    Area: Near the Water
    Style: Traditional bar with a nautical style
    Visit order: 1

    Following a wander along the shore, it was time for a beer. The Rabbit Rooms made a pleasant first stop. I started with a red ale while we looked over the menu, which was tempting enough to make us briefly reconsider our plans. It was fairly quiet, but a handful of locals propping up the bar gave the place a relaxed, local feel.

    Sorry Rabbit Rooms, I forgot the pictures here.

    BreweryBeerABV
    The 5 Lamps Brewery DublinFive Lamps Red Ale (keg)3.8%

    Jenny Watts

    Area: High Street
    Style: “Bangor’s Oldest Pub”
    Visit order: 2

    Exterior of The Jenny Watts pub in Bangor showing the hanging baskets, pub signage and the pink painted frontage.

    Bangor’s oldest pub has plenty of character, with photographs and memorabilia covering the walls and giving you something to look at wherever you sit. Seeing their own Out of Office beer on the bar was an unexpected bonus and naturally had to be sampled. There was also a chocolate orange stout from Out of Office on the bar. A quick taster confirmed it was excellent, but at around 7% it felt a little ambitious for the middle of the afternoon. Maybe next time.

    The bar of the Jenny Watts pub in Bangor showing the beer pumps with two Out of Office Brewing beers.
    BreweryBeerABV
    Out of OfficeJenny’s (keg)4.0%

    The King’s Quay

    Area: Off Main Street
    Style: Smart neighbourhood pub
    Visit order: 3

    We weren’t sure what to expect as it’s tucked away down a side street. It turned into a real treat. Plenty of folk in, pool table occupied and as an added bonus, a cask ale on the bar. There was a great atmosphere here and it’s another of those pubs that you could settle into for the rest of the day. After two beers though, we felt Belfast calling us back and had to sup up and head back for the train.

    Beer pump for New Zealand Pilsner by Bangor Bay Brewery on the bar at the Kings Quay pub in Bangor.
    BreweryBeerABV
    Bangor Bay BreweryBangor’s Best Bitter3.9%
    Bangor Bay BreweryNew Zealand Pilsner (keg)4.8%
    Today’s Summary
    Total Pubs: 3
    Total Beers: 4
    Cask: 1
    Keg: 3
    Strongest: 4.8%
    Mildest: 3.8%

    Bangor turned out to be much more than somewhere to fill a couple of hours. Three very different pubs, all worth visiting, and enough to convince me there’s another trip waiting to happen. There’s plenty more exploring to do too, as the coastline is beautiful..

  • Newcastle #4 – May 2026

    Newcastle #4 – May 2026

    Not every trip is meant to be a blog post. This one certainly wasn’t. A simple run up to Newcastle to see a friend somehow turned into a day of very good beer thanks primarily to the Mosaic Tap, which proved good enough to warrant two visits on the same afternoon.

    The Outbound Leg

    The Waiting Room

    Area: Durham Station
    Style: Railway Snug
    Visit order: 1

    A familiar start at the Durham station bar, which is becoming something of a ritual for an aperitif. The cask ale was a familiar one, so I opted for a keg start to the day. This steeled me for the rammed train. Newcastle were at home.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Verdant Brewing CoLightbulb (Keg)4.5%

    Newcastle

    Mosaic Tap

    Area: Central Station, Pink Lane
    Style: “A vibrant & friendly craft beer and natural wine bar”
    Visit order: 2 & 5

    A busy Mosaic Bar on Pink Lane Newcastle with drinkers and bar staff

    The reason for today’s trip was to catch up with an old friend, but seeing as I was early, I popped into Mosaic for a quick one, or two as it turned out.

    The atmosphere on Pink Lane was great with all the football fans providing great energy. One of the advantages of Newcastle being a one club city is that everything is moving in the same direction, even for those not going to the match.

    Mosaic Tap is settling into its new location so well, you’d think it’d always been there. And it’s a lot more handy these days, being so close to Central Station.

    Three cask ale pumps on the bar at the Mosaic Tap Newcastle

    I was to return here following my catch-up whilst waiting for my train. In truth, I adjusted my train plans slightly so I could return for the two cask ales shown in the action shot above.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Blackjack Brew CoSix MPH Mild5.2%
    DEYA Brewing CompanyRue De Soda (Keg)4.0%
    LHG BrewpubFolded Page5.0%
    Otherworld BrewingKhaos4.0%

    The Actual Plan

    Barluga

    Area: Grey Street
    Style: Trendy with eats, is gastropub the word?
    Visit order: 3

    Barluga Grey Street Newcaslte from the mezzanine level showing people enjoying a drink

    A style that’s not usually my scene, but the building is beautiful and there is an extensive terrace out back. Very busy today, so, having failed to book, we had a limited time and no chance of food. There’s no cask ale, but I managed a decent keg brew anyway. Also an excellent Espresso Martini, but I guess that’s for a different blog.

    BreweryBeerABV
    WylamHickey The Rake (Keg)4.2%

    The Five Swans

    Area: Civic Centre
    Style: Wetherspoons
    Visit order: 4

    Newcastle Civic Centre through a window of the Five Swans Wetherspoons pub

    Without the food at Barluga, it fell to Spoons to pick up the slack. Reliable as ever for a meal deal and a couple of cask ales.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Erdinger WeissbräuErdinger Weißbier (Bottle)5.3%
    Coach House Brewing CoBlueberry Classic Bitter5.0%
    Hook Norton Brewery CoOld Hooky4.6%

    Durham – Full Circle

    The Station House

    Area: Durham, Under The Viaduct
    Style: Cosy Pub
    Visit order: Last Of The Day

    The cold room at The Station House Durham showing cask ales ready to dispense fine beers. The bar is in the foreground

    After an uneventful return leg, it felt right to have a quick refreshment at the Station House.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Almasty Brewing CoBest Bitter4.5%
    Today’s Summary
    Total Pubs: 5
    Total Beers: 10
    Cask: 6
    Keg: 3
    Bottle: 1
    Strongest: 5.3%
    Mildest: 4.0%

    What started as a straightforward trip turned into something a bit more rounded. A mix of the familiar and the new, with one bar in particular standing out enough to warrant a return visit within hours.

    Not a planned crawl, not a recommended tour — just a good day out that came together nicely, albeit with more walking than expected.

  • Sunderland #1 – March 2026

    Sunderland #1 – March 2026

    A Stroll Through Central Sunderland

    A laid back visit to Sunderland, aiming for a couple of well-chosen ales.  The rain cleared by the time we approached the city and a patch of blue sky promised an easy stroll around the centre.  We didn’t hit every pub we’d have liked – so clearly, a return trip is inevitable.

    Sunderland: Keel Square and the Empire Theatre

    The Peacock

    Area: Keel Square/High Street West
    Style: Traditional style with food options
    Visit order: 1

    The bar of The Peacock pub in Sunderland showing assorted pumps and glasses

    I’ve always had a soft spot for a triangular building. The Peacock ticks that box beautifully – especially as there’s real ale on tap inside.  Perched just off Keel Square, which continues to improve with the redevelopment.

    It’s a great start to the crawl, especially today as there are home-made sausage roll samples on offer today. The ones with chorizo went down very well with the team.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Maxim BreweryIdaho 74.5%
    Pennine Brewing CoPacific4.1%

    The Dun Cow

    Area: Next door to the Empire
    Style: Traditional ale house
    Visit order: 2

    Ornate wooden bar back of the Dun Cow pub in Sunderland

    A legend of a location standing proudly next to the Sunderland Empire Theatre.  From the outside it’s striking, but inside, the bar back really steals the show. A tempting selection of craft and keg beers had us sampling a couple, the Anarchy Brew was outstanding.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Anarchy Brew Co.Backfire4.5%
    Wylde Sky BrewingGold4.0%

    Sunderland: Green Terrace, City Centre

    The Canny Lad (formerly Fitzgerald’s)

    Area: Central
    Style: Large bar with an Irish theme
    Visit order: 3

    Exterior of The Canny Lad pub in Sunderland with Irish Tavern graphic

    Renamed about a year ago, it still proudly bears its Irish Tavern identity.  Cosy and welcoming, with a mix of folk enjoying a variety of drinks.  Four kegs on the menu, all good.  We sampled two before moving on.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Three Brothers Brewing CoS’more Porter4.8%
    Stewart BrewingJack Black3.7%

    Sunderland, Park Lane Bus Station

    The Cooper Rose

    Area: Near Park Lane Bus Station
    Style: Wetherspoons
    Visit order: 4

    Exterior of Wetherspoons pub The Cooper Rose in Sunderland

    A busy Wetherspoons, buzzing with the promise of the afternoon deal (that’s why we had no real ale here).  The nationwide Spoons beer festival is imminent and the menu looks inviting.  I’ll be back to try a few during the festival period.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Erdinger WeissbräuErdinger Weißbier (bottle)5.3%

    M.O.D

    Area: Near Park Lane Bus Station
    Style: Military Themed Micropub

    Next door to The Gunners, M.O.D is all military, making it a fascinating stop even for non-buffs. It’s not every day you see a Gatling gun behind the bar.  The real ale selection is modest, but the price is keen and the decor more than makes up for it.

    Exterior of the M.O.D pub in Sunderland showing Union Flag signage
    BreweryBeerABV
    Timothy Taylor’s BreweryBoltmaker4.0%

    Chaplins

    Area: Near Park Lane Bus Station
    Style: Busy pub with outdoor seating
    Visit order: 6

    Exterior of Chaplin's pub Sunderland with home nations flags and exterior seating

    Always busy, always a reliable choice for quality real ales.  Luckily we snagged a table to enjoy our final beers with the bus station just next door ready to whisk us away.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Bowness Bay BrewingSwift Best3.8%
    Crafty Monkey Brewing CoReward IPA4.7%
    Bowland BreweryBuster IPA4.0%
    Today’s Summary
    Total Pubs: 6
    Total Beers: 12
    Cask: 11
    Bottle: 1
    Strongest: 5.3%
    Mildest: 3.7%

    There are plenty more pubs in Sunderland to (re)visit, but this short trip hit the spot perfectly. It wasn’t a monumental trek – just a quick, satisfying slurp around the city. Mission accomplished.

  • Durham #1 – February 2026

    Gilesgate To The Viaduct

    Some days call for the long haul. Others are better suited to a short wander and a handful of good pubs. Gilesgate offers a fine starting point for that sort of afternoon. A micropub, a couple of traditional locals and an easy walk to the city centre.

    This small crawl would end up becoming more than just a pleasant afternoon out. Somewhere along the route the thought occurred to me that these beers, places and pubs deserved writing down.

    The idea for this blog started to take shape here.

    Gilesgate. A Good Starting Point.

    The Hop Knocker

    Area: Gilesgate, Sunderland Road
    Style: Micropub
    Visit Order: 1

    Sampling the cask and a couple of kegs is always a treat, and today didn’t disappoint. This visit delivered both, plus a nostalgic Rohaus Märzen that, just for a moment, transported me straight back to the Black Forest.

    Bottle of Rothaus Märzen Beer at The Hop Knocker Durham
    BreweryBeerABV
    RothausMärzen (bottle)5.5%
    First & Last BreweryFallen Giant4.0%
    Spaten MünchenMünchner Hell (keg)5.2%
    To Øl#SIPA (keg)4.7%

    The Queens Head Hotel

    Area: Gilesgate, Sherburn Road Ends
    Style: Traditional/Sports Bar
    Visit Order: 2

    The Queens Head has been rebranded as more of a sports bar and this was my first visit since the change. Apart from the rather bright new exterior, the bar hasn’t changed too dramatically.

    No real ale here, but a serviceable Murphy’s did the job before moving on.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Heineken IrelandMurphy’s Irish Stout (keg)4.0%

    The Woodman Inn

    Area: Gilesgate (top of Claypath)
    Style: Traditional Pub with Beer Garden
    Visit Order: 3

    Great to see this place thriving. The Woodman usuallly keeps three real ales on the bar and it remains a dependable stop when walking down into town

    Two of them needed sampling, naturally.

    BreweryBeerABV
    The Consett Ale WorksRed Dust4.5%
    Timothy Taylor’s BreweryLandlord4.3%

    Into the City Centre

    From Gilesgate it’s a gentle stroll down Claypath (much easier than going up Claypath). Rhythm established. Short walk, pub, repeat.

    The Bishops’ Mill

    Area: Walkergate Development/Millennium Square
    Style: Wetherspoons
    Visit Order: 4

    Now the only Wetherspoons in Durham. As a Lloyd’s Bar it gets lively in the evenings. Time for a couple of brews before moving on.

    BreweryBeerABV
    Stewart BrewingKa Pai5.2%
    Hadrian Border BreweryTyneside Blonde3.9%

    The Station House

    Area: Under The Viaduct
    Style: Cosy pub
    Visit Order: 5 and last

    A real ale institution beneath the viaducy and a fitting place to finish. The Station House typically keeps five cask ales and rarely disappoints.

    What would Durham trip be without a visit here?

    BreweryBeerABV
    The Durham BreweryTotara3.9%
    GlassHouse Beer CoAltitude4.5%

    Map & Summary

    Today’s Summary
    Total Pubs: 5
    Total Beers: 11
    Cask: 7
    Keg: 3
    Bottle: 1
    Strongest: 5.5%
    Mildest: 3.9%

    A modest five-pub wander from Gilesgate into the city centre, but an enjoyable one. More importantly, it was somewhere between the first pint and the last that the idea emerged: to keep and share a record of these pub trips.

    Every crawl has to start somewhere.

    This one happened to start a blog as well.