South Shields

South Shields is a funny one because depending on which mode of transport you arrive by, depends on which pub you’ll find first. If for example you arrive on the Shields Ferry (which is also operated by Nexus and accepts metro tickets) the first pub you’ll come across will be Alum Ale House, which is immediately on the left as you come off the boat.

However keeping in the spirit of the guide and assuming most people following us will be using the metro that’s what we’ve gone with. As South Shields station is the end of the line you can only get off and on from one platform. So as you come out the station and turn right down South Shields high street the first pub you come to  is grade II listed building; The Scotia on the corner on your left.

It’s a long, thin pub which you’d actually be forgiven for missing if you weren’t looking out for it and if you go in from the main street level you’ll find a small lounge area to your right with the main bar up some stairs straight in front of you. We ordered two pints, a medium glass of wine and a gin & tonic and it came to around £14 – not earth shatteringly cheap but not extortionate either and as most people seemed to be sitting around the  bar area we sat down in the lounge

Despite appearances from the outside suggesting that it may not be the most salubrious of establishments, I thought he décor inside was actually quite modern and trendy and wouldn’t be misplaced in a fancy overpriced gin bar in town. The seats were plush velvet all signs pointed to it having been given a bit of a face lift in recent times. It’s difficult in places like South Shields where there’s so much competition servicing one station; there’s a Wetherspoons practically next door and a large Gin Bar just round the corner so I wouldn’t be surprised if The Scotia was often overlooked. However for me, when it comes to pubs its quantity not quality that’s important so who says there isn’t enough of my wine money to go round?!

Contact:

1 Mile End Road, South Shields, NE33 1TA

Find out where else we’ve been on our metro adventure here