Local Info...
Sunderland is a wash of wonderful places to peruse and ponder in the City Centre. While some of the best beaches in the Country are only a quick walk or ride away.
We understand there is a lot of you arriving from far and wide with little to almost no knowledge of our cozy Coastal City..
So we'd like to give you a little list of some of favourite spots in the local area alongside the wonderful locations we'll be visiting over the festival weekend...
VENUES
The Peacock.
287 High Street West, Sunderland, GB SR1 3ES
A stunning family run Edwardian public house with a fantastic upstairs function room equipped with a ridiculous sound system... Ideal for Boundaries!
The Peacock has a huge selection of drinks, ranging from the many loved local drinks to tasty continental faves.
They also make some of the best bar food around!
The Dun Cow.
9 High St West, Sunderland, SR1 3HA
An incredibly charismatic building that is also one of the oldest pubs in the North East. It only recently got voted as one of Britain's best pubs too! Take a step back in time as you enter the Dun Cow, The bar of this extraordinary building has etched panels, bevelled mirrors, fine plasterwork and grand fireplaces. The venue located upstairs is a beautiful cozy room perfectly suited to compliment each and everyone of one the Boundaries artists who will perform there. The Dun Cow, is a grade 2 listed building, originally named the ‘Edwardian Gin Palace’ when it was designed in 1901! Let's Party!!
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SUNDERLAND MINSTER.
Sunderland Minster, High Street West, SR1 3ET
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A stunning building situated right in the middle of festival proceedings. An incredible space filled with history, character and charisma. The acoustics in this location are sublime and will compliment the artists ideas and methods wonderfully. The perfect place to sit down and experience some top class sounds.
It was built in 900 AD and still looks a dream!
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CAFES / PLACES TO SIT AND RELAX
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POPRECS, 172-175 High Street West SR1 1UP Sunderland
Poprecs is a much loved and dearly cherished cafe, music and arts venue and community hub located in the heart of Sunderland. They make their own fresh bread every day as well as serving some of the most delicious vegan and veggie snacks imaginable. It has people travelling from far and wide to experience their tasty treats alongside soaking up the warm welcoming atmosphere of one of the best spots around. The staff working Poprecs are some of the kindest supportive people you're ever likely to meet. Highly recommend grabbing a breakfast / brunch from Poprecs, might need to book a table if a few of you though...
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THE GOOD APPLE CAFE, 18 Derwent Street, Sunderland, GB SR1 3NU
The Good Apple Cafe was one of Sunderland's first ever Vegan cafes when it opened many years ago! Its still a total fave with lots of locals, serving fantastic hot and cold vegan and veggie foods throughout the day. Get on it!
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OTTO COFFEE, 29 Stockton Rd, Sunderland SR2 7AQ
Otto is a relatively new addition to the Sunderland cafe scene but has certainly staked its claim at being one of the best around when it comes to serving the tasty coffee treats. Serving specialist coffees, teas and light bites by day, plus craft ales & cocktails by night, Otto is an exciting spot for those in need of the caffeine buzz!!!
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FAUSTO COFFEE, Marine Walk, Roker, Sunderland SR6 0PL
Located directly on the seafront, this spot is a very popular location for those wanting to take in the fresh sea views and relax for 5 mins. Specialising in house-roasted, single-origin artisan coffee, sipping one of their brews along with a cheeky slice of homemade cake or a toasted bagel along the seafront will have you feeling back to your best in no time, all the while unwinding looking out at across the beach at Roker Pier.
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LITTLE SHOP SUNDERLAND, 313 High St W, Sunderland SR1 3ET
Located slap bang in the middle of the festival site, in-between where all the action is, you're going to need something to keep you on your toes and the Little Shop will certainly have you covered. Having been around for a while now in various locations The Little Shop (formerly as Holmeside Coffee) seems to have finally found its spiritual home on High St West. This very cozy spot is a total fave with the local crews wanting a quick hit of the coffee buzz ( and a fine selection of teas too though..). Seemingly influenced by European and continental cafe culture, The Little Shop is primarily a take out spot, all though there is small bench outside for quick sits! Its a real gem in the City, a perfect pit stop to fill up and go on your way. 30 years ago it was once an old Newsagents shop, now with a detailed refurb they restored its original vintage Newsagents shop header at the front to add even more charm to this much loved Sunderland coffee house. Alongside the magnificent hot drinks, The Little Shop also cater towards your craft ales and European beers, so there's nothing they wont have to get the taste buds rocking and the party in full swing..
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As well as the above mentioned cafes there are quite a few more cafes and tea places scattered around the City Centre. Those above are Boundaries faves and ones we think you will all love.
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PUBS
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Sunderland has some of the best pubs in the land, seriously! Drenched in history, charm, character with a vast array of local beers that are in some cases quite affordable..ha! Below is a few faves ( not forgetting the aforementioned PEACOCK AND DUN COW..), this is a quick list as it were, all of these are a stone's throw away from the local hotels and festival location. JOB DONE.
THE ISIS PUB.
Located 2 mins next door from the Premier Inn, this pub is one of the oldest in the City and also one of prettiest. Absolute cozy vibes and beautiful classy authentic decor, serving some of the best fresh pizza the City has to offer, no joke, get a pizza from here when you can courtesy of Wildfire Pizzas.
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MUSEUM VAULTS.
The Vaults as its called to us locals, is a city treasure. A pub that probably hasnt changed too much, if at all since it first opened many many moons ago, a pub where the local punk and diy scene would congregate back in the 80's and 90s to talk gigs, ideas and whatever over a few beers. If you're looking for old school boozer with friendly old and new punks this is the spot. The Museum Vaults is like a 1min walk just passed The Isis Pub.
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THE ENGINE ROOM.
The Engine Room is a wonderful spot located right in the middle of the festival site. Beautifully restored as part of the Fire Station Concert Hall positioned in Sunderland's Cultural quarter. The Engine Room at The Fire Station was recently converted from the city's former fire station. The bar and bistro serve a delicious selection of food and drinks in a quirky setting displaying much of the original paraphernalia from the original working station. If in need of quick sit down away from the crowds for 5 mins we highly recommend this warm friendly pub.
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