A new wine bar has opened at food, drink, events and entertainment destination Sheepfolds Stables in Sunderland.
The Wine Bar will serve a wide range of handpicked, high-quality wines, Champagnes, cocktails, mocktails, and signature drinks. Located next to The Taproom, the bar features plush booths and seating areas as well as 1940s-inspired interiors. Designed by Black Box Design, the décor aims to create a cosy yet opulent ambience with rich colours, velvet fabrics, high bar stools and a hint of art-deco.
The display case and bar area have been handmade and constructed on-site, while other interior elements stay true to the site’s rich industrial heritage with leather strap detailing giving a nod to the former stables building.
Inspiration has also been drawn from former drinking establishments that once stood in the streets opposite Sheepfolds Stables to serve the local mining community. Ma Vic of the Engineer’s Tavern and Rose of the Waggon Tavern, the landladies who ran the public houses, are both acknowledged as part of the décor.
The Wine Bar can accommodate up to 40 people and is available for private hire and special occasions. It is open Thursdays 5-10pm, Fridays and Saturdays noon-midnight, and Sundays noon-9pm. The new venue complements Sheepfolds Stables’ existing social spaces including its two existing bars – The Taproom and Back of the Pit – and the Spey Snug whisky lounge.
Customers will also be able to enjoy creative and classic cocktails year-round following a change of use for one of the outdoor cabins. In the near future, bottomless brunches and afternoon teas will also be available.
Rick Marsden of Building Design Northern (BDN), the developers behind Sheepfolds Stables, said: “The Wine Bar is a luxury space to enjoy wines, Champagnes, cocktails and more, and it certainly adds something different to an already unique site which has firmly established itself as part of the region’s social and hospitality scene. It complements our existing operators and the site’s food and drink offer, and will no doubt appeal to many different audiences from groups of friends enjoying an afternoon or night out to people looking for a special space for a private function. It’s a great addition to the site.”
