Masons Gin Bar and Bistro in South Tyneside

first time we have visited, came for sunday lunch. we had pre booked a table, but it wasnt that busy. we were shown to our table, but took awhile before the drinks order was taken. we also waited a few minutes before the menu was brought to us. there was 3 choices of meat, beef pork or chicken. we opted for the beef. the meal was served hot and nicely presented, with a gravy boat so you could pour on your own. the staff were lovely, very friendly and helpful. The meal itself was very nice and for £7 we enjoyed it. Yes I would return again.

Service/ poor to non existent. Disappointing. Food average. Shame as I came for a pint in the week and the service and atmosphere where great. Maybe an off day or lack or supervision. Poor customer relations on Sunday which was a shame as I was looking forward to a Sunday Roast.

Masons was on Facebook as being the best for takeaway lunches. I phoned up to order only to be told they don't deliver to my area Boldon/Jarrow. I phoned back at 12.30 to say I'd pick them up at 2pm. I arrived at 2.05 to be told there were no Yorkshire puddings left! The barman, a lovely guy gave me a refund for yorkshires,I wasn't bothered about it, it must have been embarrassing for him. A lady & her Daughter had a sit in meal, they had a Sunday lunch ( no yorkies, and mother had chicken, with pieces of beef in the gravy) . Gravy was all lumpy, Only veg left by the time I left at 2.30. Come on management, get your act together . Won't return

We visited for Sunday lunch for my mother’s birthday. Six adults, one toddler & a baby. There were two vegetarians in our party who had real difficulty in finding out what their options were when one asked if they could just have a Sunday dinner without meat. The waitress was unable to answer this and had to keep going upstairs to ask the chef for these sorts of simple questions throughout our meal. We waited at least half an hour for our lunch to be served and then two of us had to wait an extra ten minutes for ours to be served and it arrived cold. One member of the party is diabetic and had to eat within a certain time period of taking insulin. They also asked if they could order additional items as they needed so many carbohydrates but these were never served. It was reported that the two meals were cold and an additional ten minutes was waited before the meals were re-served; fair enough - it takes time to put together a new meal (or likely, reheat it), however, it was then over twenty minutes of two people waiting for food when the rest of the party were almost finished. We asked what the problem was and we were told the heat lamp wasn’t big enough to keep all of the dinners hot. There was us and one other table of four. 10 adults in the whole place eating lunch. How would they have managed with drops in or more bookings?! Desserts were ordered (for reasons unknown to me) and my mother asked for the cheesecake from the menu. She was told it’s more like a sorbet cheesecake... She declined. The toddler, aged two, wanted ice cream and was served this with a very long metal sundae spoon. Appropriate? The whole thing started bad and kept getting worse. One barman/waiter was apologetic but it was too little, really. The only other member of staff visible was the one who couldn’t a answer a single question and seemed unable to cope with her job. One of the questions we asked was can we order a third meat for the sharing platter (advertised as an option on the menu), but she didn’t know and she suggested, “I don’t think so.” The food wasn’t worth the wait and the meat looked ill: pale and dried out. The only other table in asked if they could order coffee when they were finished eating and were told, “We only have instant.” But you’re a bistro...? If you can’t keep food hot, don’t sell hot food. If you can’t serve non-instant coffee, don’t call yourself a bistro.

Had a great night for my daughters surprise 30th but was really disappointed when going back today to get deposit back as they refused to give us it back as said there was a blocked toilet which was caused by children which it wasn’t as was already blocked at half 6 when first guests arrived and one of our party was sick on outside steps and mat which had to be cleaned this must have required an expensive cleaner to cost 50 pound to clean this

The first visit after the "relaunch" was bad, the second visit was just screaming children running riot and after the third and final visit, as Jim Morrison said "This is the end" How can such a nice bar be occupied by the ex clientele of the Sundial. A beautiful bar in a nice area but full of horrid charvers that put people off ever visiting again.

It was the first time here with Friends. First impression was very good , lovely atmosphere. The Staff are very friendly and polite. Now the down side , my first pint of Coors was very cloudy tasted awful I looked around and all my friends were the same , told the barmaid and she changed it for me to Carling that was also awful. We all said its due to not pulling the beer through as the room is only used for Functions. We went down to the bar and the pints were perfect. Prices a bit steep Carling £3 60 Coors £3 90 and wine £16 50 a bottle .

Our friends won a competition to have their wedding party upstairs in this pub. The barmaid was fab the food was nice just the right amount of room for about 40 guests. The party started at 3pm went brilliantly, but as people were leaving around 10.30 the Landlady came upstairs into the party screeching at the top of her voice " everybody out now" there was about 20 of us left including a young bridesmaid & grandmother & the landlord was shouting get out get out the lot of you, we were all shocked. The Bride & Groom found out some one had been fighting outside & they were kicking us out because it had been some one from the wedding. We all thought the Landlady was very rude but luckily the barmaid was helpful saying you can leave the cake & balloons until the next day, I had my car so took the presents. I would never go back there again, yes they won the venue in a competition but to be treated like that especially Infront of children was utterly disgraceful !!!!

Came out for lunch with a party of 16. We all had an amazing meal. I went for 3 tapas dishes. Cheese soufflé, hot and spicy strips and nachos. Another went for the burger and sweet potato fries. At the end of the meal lots of empty plates were on show. An extensive gin menu and cocktails are available to drink

I have visit masons both for food and drinks. During the day it has a lovely relaxed atmosphere. Fabulous place to go for food with plenty to choose from. I’m a very fussy eater and they have changed things on the menu to suit my needs. Great place to go with either the family, other half or with the girls. The staff are lovely and helpful to. On a weekend it has a nice and lively atmosphere. I love the gin and cocktails.

Lovely tapas meals, cocktails and service. Atmosphere was excellent and all there to celebrate my daughters birthday thoroughly enjoyed their night. We’d heard great things about this restaurant and can now recommend it. For example off a mixed menus of normal and Christmas I chose lamb koftas, Spanish chicken and prawns and chilli with a raspberry mojito and a Gordon’s gin fizz....lovely