The Criterion in South Tyneside

Visited on a whim with a friend after seeing the 3 for £10 cocktail sign outside. An absolutely beautiful interior, very friendly, polite and helpful staff. You can mix and match the cocktails which arrived quickly and high quality. Then after 5pm there is an complimentary cheese board which is amazing and of the highest quality and standard. I do not understand how the place wasn't packed. Cocktail deals and free cheese my idea of heaven. Would highly recommend.

Apparently great for cocktails.Asked for a Margarita. Sorry don't do them. But you have all the ingredients! Don't do them. Ok, I'll have a pint of stout. Sorry it's off.

Pint of real ale, glass of Savignon Blanc, meat feast pizza and chicken gyros all for over just £25. Food tasty, great portions and value for money.

We prebooked this place with friends. It was the first time here so I wasn’t sure what to expect. The place is easy to miss, I had to go back and forth a bit. Three of my friends had the normal brunch with cocktails, fizz and house spirits for £30 per person, they upgraded to the £35 version though when they arrived. This comes with sandwiches quiche and cake and cheese and meats selection. Two of us had the £15 option with sandwiches quiche and cakes and bottomless tea/coffee. This place did not disappoint, for the price we paid, I definitely feel like we got more than our money’s worth. My friends who had bottomless prosecco had wayyyyyyyyyyyy more than enough drinks. Though the initial time limit was 6, we had more than three hours. The sandwiches, cheese and scones were fresh and tasty. The waiters were attentive and continuously kept the alcohol coming. I would definitely visit this place again. My only downside was that the tables were sticky so maybe a bit more attention to cleaning is required.

An absolute gem of a place - tapas were delicious and drinks flowed constantly. All staff were so friendly and helpful will definitely come back again - thank you for such a wonderful night.

Probably the best bar in South Shields town centre….a proper pub with a great atmosphere. However, I think the beer prices are a rip off if you just want a half. The Madri is 80p more for two halves than a pint! Disgusting!!!

'The Criterion' used to be both upstairs and downstairs, but some years ago, the downstairs was closed (it's a betting shop). The upstairs bar was closed too, so The Criterion effectively ceased to exist. I'd been in the upstairs bar just once, in the 1970's, and thought it a truly magical place. Then it closed, and I always regretted only seeing it the once. I'd thought that the whole place would have just been stripped of everything, but it turns out that it was just locked up for all those years, and was in effect a sort of time capsule. Now it's open again, and it's like going back into the age of Charles Dickens. Polished carved wood, mirrors, windows with stained glass - all oringinal and dating from the late 1800s. If only they'd takeaway the TV screen and the piped music, it would be perfect (in my opinion, anyway). Whenever I go back to South Shields, visiting The Criterion is the first thing I think about. If you love old pubs, it's unmissable.

Dropped in for a couple of pints on a Sunday Evening. Excellent to see original features, two lit fires. Fair selection of drinks. Free cheeseboard. Bar staff fine. Easy to miss from the street. Little Gem I reckon. Makes a change from plastic pubs. I would visit again when in the area.

I have been a regular visitor to this small and cosy venue the past few years (exception being during the Covid 19 restrictions last year). I have enjoyed all of my visits no matter which days of the week or times at which I pop in. It can get a little busier on some occasions. Sunday teatime offers a complimentary cheeseboard. This has always been delicious and most welcome. Exceptional quality for a COMPLIMENTARY offering. Live music on Thursday evenings to mention two facilities this warm venue offers. It has a reasonable selection of beers, wines and spirits. The bar tariff is particularly reasonable for a town centre venue. The building is of Edwardian heritage (possibly late Victorian). The current owners have maintained the original design features including the two open fireplaces- which are lit on a cold evening. My visits have never disappointed....

Terrible service from rude staff, the place needed a good wipe down and some polite, happy, friendly staff that want to work there, The bottomless brunch was a total waste of money and the set up looked half attempted, Nothing I couldn’t of bought in the frozen isle at a supermarket, Cocktails were nice, if you get them. Prosecco in large wine glasses?!?!? Not a clue

Blonde haired girls need to learn manners and how to smile and be polite total attitude problem…. 2 cheese board between 5 people nothing like the picture advertise… awful atmosphere waited along time between drinks and when said the blonde haired girl just gave us attitude… never step foot in there again worst boozy brunch me and my friends have ever had… friend made a complaint and they didn’t want to know shocking service… feel like reporting them for false advertising as what we got was no what was advertised sure there is a law about this!!! Pic was supposed to feed five people… really.. everyone who I’ve shown the picture to and asked how many people do u think was for said 3 at a push maybe 4!!!

Called In on spec for cocktails. What a lovely surprise to be given a complimentary meat and cheese board. Lovely products edged by friendly staff. Lovey venue and will definitely recommend a visit. Thankyou Criterion.

Absolutely terrible service the manager of the bar was rude obnoxious and just dam right cheeky told me to shut up witch is quite frankly terrible service I will be sharing this review on Facebook and other sites

In 1966 I had my very first underage pint upstairs in the Criterion. It was closed for many years but has now reopened and my return visit was like travelling back in time. The windows and the dark painted woodwork brought the memories flooding back. The open fires with a hint of coal smoke added to the atmosphere. A good choice of beers and quiet background music make for a pleasant visit. The gents toilets are worth a visit, they really are something else! One closet and two 'Belfast sinks' for urinals are a conversation starter and make a visit an almost intimate occasion. You are sure to make new friends. There's an olde worlde feel to this bar and I like it.

The Criterion was closed for 12 years when both floors were taken over by Ladbrokes. The upstairs is now open again and it’s magnificent interior is undiminished. There are two open fires and an eclectic collection of bohemian furniture. The choice of beers is excellent and makes this fabulous venue the pinnacle of South Shields boozers. I go there every time I am home! Long may this marvellous pub stay open!

The drinks and service from the bar staff are very good here. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for the floor staff, at least the member who was working the night I was there with some friends. They were qutie rude and boarderline nasty to us. Really puts a downer on an evening spent in an otherwise nice venue so bear that in mind. Not sure we will go back again.

My wife and I were shopping on king street on Easter weekend and stopped off on our way home for a cheeky pint. Love the venue with its original fixtures and fittings, open fires etc. A cheeky pint became 3 and a Thai sharing dish. Fantastic! Just filled the hole that is Saturday teatime. This place is good for lunchtime food and drink and for evening drinking. Nice real ale available. If you are passing and intrigued by the sly entrance enter and enjoy a drink of your choice. You will not be disappointed.