The Emporium

You'll find yourself on Vine Place in the heart of Sunderland's town centre, pushing through doors into somewhere that takes its drinks seriously without the pretension. The Emporium stocks a proper selection of gins—the kind of place where you'll actually learn something from the bartender rather than just get served—and they've built a menu around them that goes beyond the obvious tonic mixer. The space itself has character; it's the sort of spot where locals proper rate it, judging by the reviews, and you can understand why once you're in. Cocktails are crafted with actual care, and they know what they're doing with their spirits.