Roker Hotel, BW Premier Collection

You're settling into one of the best bar views in Sunderland, watching the waves crash against Roker pier whilst nursing a properly made G&T. The bar here feels like what hotel bars should be – comfortable leather seating, floor-to-ceiling windows facing the North Sea, and staff who know how to pour a drink without acting like they're doing you a favour. The location does most of the heavy lifting, perched right on Roker Terrace with uninterrupted views across the beach to the lighthouse. It's the sort of place that works whether you're meeting friends before a meal, having a nightcap after walking the seafront, or just want somewhere civilised to drink that isn't another chain pub. The cocktail list covers the classics competently, and they've got a decent selection of local ales alongside the usual suspects.