The Saltgrass, Deptford, Sunderland

A fifteen or so minute walk from the city centre in the pouring rain saw me arrive at the Saltgrass, one of the survivors from Sunderland's former ship building area. This is a great traditional pub with a strong seafaring theme, as you might expect. The entrance takes you straight into a very dark main bar area with the servery along the rear wall. A dark wood tongue and groove counter with a part mirrored, part obscured glass bar back helps give the place the feel of an old fashioned boozer, which is further enhanced by some very dark wood half panelling and a similar arrangement on the ceiling. A lit fireplace opposite the bar with a huge Vaux Stouts and Ales mirror above was really pumping out the heat and helped me to quickly dry out. Seating runs in an L-shape opposite the bar and down the left hand side, mostly in the form of fixed benches and low stools. There are lots of references to life on the open seas, including a diver's helmet, life ring, old lamps and loads of ropes and pulleys along the ceiling. More conventional décor includes a small tankard collection hung from the ceiling above the bar. To the right of the servery is a short passage, running past a juke box, into a rear lounge. This was a much brighter space, but notably with no customers present. Similar seating can be found here in a marginally larger space with its own short section of servery and more ship-based décor. Music played throughout my visit and live music was being promoted on numerous posters. A plaque next to the bar declared that this was the Regional Winner of the Daily Express pub of the year contest for 1969. I think I counted five handpulls on the bar, two of which were out of action, leaving Maxim Swedish Blonde and Double Maxim plus Black Sheep Bitter as the options. The Swedish Blonde cost £3.00 for a pint and was in good condition. A modest crowd generated a decent atmosphere in the front bar, but the pub was a good deal quieter than most visited on this particular evening. I enjoyed the warm, cosy ambiance this traditional pub generated on a bitter Winter's evening. The place has a good deal of character and no doubt the walls could tell you a good few tales from down the years. It might be a bit of a trek out of town, but I found it worthwhile and a solid double header with the nearby Kings Arms.