A stylish new wine bar has opened at Sheepfolds Stables, one of the North East’s most popular food, drink, events and entertainment destinations.
Named ‘The Wine Bar’, the new venture will serve a wide range of hand-picked, high-quality wines, premium champagnes, cocktails, mocktails and signature drinks, and is expected to be popular with new and existing customers.
Located next to The Taproom, the bar features plush booths and seating areas as well as 1940’s-inspired interiors. Designed by Black Box Design, the décor creates 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 are focal points too having been hand-made and constructed onsite, while other interiors stay true to the site’s rich industrial heritage with leather strap detailing being 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 two landladies who ran the public houses, are also 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 Thursday’s from 5pm-10pm, Friday/Saturdays from 12pm-midnight and Sundays from 12pm-9pm and complements Sheepfolds Stables’ existing social spaces including its two existing bars – The Taproom and Back of the Pit – and the Spey Snug whisky lounge.
The venue is also taking part in Sunderland Cocktail Week (30 January – 8 February 2026) with special offers available on drinks during this period.
Customers will also be able to enjoy creative and classic cocktails all 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, commented: “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.”Dating back to 1884, Sheepfolds Stables in Sunderland is a historic, independent venue that has become a ‘go-to’ hospitality hotspot attracting thousands of visitors each month. It is home to an eclectic mix of restaurants and operators, and hosts live music, private hire and business events weekly.