Best Bar None honours top pubs

Pub, bars and clubs in Sunderland have been celebrating after triumphing in the area's first Best Bar None Awards.

Fitzgeralds scooped the gold prize in the pub category at the ceremony held at the Best Western Roker Hotel on Sunday with Paddy Whacks and The Lambton Worm winning silver and bronze respectively.

Innfusion was named best bar followed by runner up Glass Spider and Varsity in third place.

Best Bar None is a national awards scheme aimed at promoting responsible licensed premises. It currently runs in more than 60 towns and cities

Sunderland City Centre manager Louise Hardy said: "Our first awards event was a massive success and we are delighted by the support given to us by the city's clubs, pubs and bars."

"This will certainly become an annual event on Sunderland's calendar."

Cllr Tom Foster, chair of the Safer Sunderland Partnerships said: "My congratulations to our winners and thanks to all the bars, pubs and clubs involved with the Best Bar None awards for this demonstration of their commitment to helping make Sunderland an ever safer place in which to enjoy yourself."