Date Night in Sunderland

A night out for two in Sunderland usually falls into one of two shapes. The first is a city-centre evening built around a show, with the Empire, The Fire Station and the cinema all within a short walk of the restaurants of High Street West and Sunniside. The second is the seafront at Roker and Seaburn, where you can walk along the promenade at sunset and then eat or drink with a view of the pier. The places below were all open in 2026. Opening days vary, and several restaurants close on Mondays, so book ahead and check times before you go.

A show at the Sunderland Empire

The Sunderland Empire on High Street West opened in 1907 with the music hall star Vesta Tilley on the bill, and with around 1,860 seats it is one of the largest theatres in the North East. Its programme is built around touring West End musicals, drama, comedy, concerts and the winter pantomime, and tickets are sold through Ambassador Theatre Group.

Best for: Suits a special occasion, especially if you both enjoy musicals.

A gig at The Fire Station

Across the road, The Fire Station has turned the former Central Fire Station into a music and performance venue. Its auditorium seats around 550, or holds around 800 standing, and won a RIBA North East Award in 2024. The programme covers touring bands, folk and roots, comedy, dance and spoken word. The Engine Room, its bar and restaurant in the old engine house, uses fresh and locally sourced produce and is set up for eating before a performance.

Best for: Suits couples who would rather see a band or a comedian than a musical.

Pre-theatre food on High Street West

Mexico 70 is an independent Mexican restaurant a few doors from the Empire, known locally for its tacos. It is a popular choice before a show, so booking ahead on theatre nights makes sense.

Best for: Suits a relaxed, informal meal before the curtain goes up.

Italian in Sunniside

Angelo's Ristorante & Cocktail Bar on West Sunniside is a family-run Italian restaurant serving antipasti, fresh pasta, stone-baked pizza and Italian mains, with a bar lounge for a cocktail before you sit down. It opens for lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Saturday and is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Tables can be reserved online.

Best for: Suits a classic dinner date with a drink beforehand.

Dinner by the river

Asiana Fusion is on the ground floor of the Echo 24 building on West Wear Street. The menu draws on Thai, Malaysian, Chinese, Indonesian and Vietnamese cooking, and the dining room looks across the River Wear towards Wearmouth Bridge. It is open for dinner from Tuesday to Sunday.

Best for: Suits couples who like to share several dishes, with a river view.

Weekend dinner on John Street

Spent Grain is an independent restaurant on John Street, one of the Georgian terraces of Sunniside. It is mainly a daytime and brunch venue, but it adds dinner service on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Best for: Suits a quieter weekend dinner, or a brunch date the morning after.

The cinema

The Omniplex Cinema on Lambton Street has 12 screens. Its MAXX screen has recliner seats and Dolby Atmos sound, one screen has sofa beds, and The Avenue upstairs has balcony seating and armchairs. Sunniside's bars and restaurants are a few minutes' walk away, so a film fits easily around a meal.

Best for: Suits a low-key evening, or a cold and wet night.

Drinks on Keel Square

The Botanist on Keel Square has a botanical-themed cocktail list, live music on Friday and Saturday evenings and an outdoor area lit with festoon lights. It is a few minutes from the Empire, which makes it a useful place for a drink after a show. Our guide to cocktail bars in Sunderland has more options in the city centre.

Best for: Suits ending the night somewhere lively.

An evening at Roker

For a seaside date, start with a walk along the promenade from Roker towards Seaburn, then head to The Roker Hotel on Roker Terrace. Poetic License Bar has a large beer garden facing the sea, serves food daily from noon until 9pm, and runs cocktail masterclass brunches if you would like to do something together rather than just sit and eat. Inside the hotel, 1842 Cafe & Bistro is a cafe and patisserie by day and a coastal bistro in the evening, and its afternoon teas need booking at least 24 hours ahead.

Down by the harbour mouth, Tin of Sardines is a small gin bar in the old toilet block on Pier View, with a terrace looking out to Roker Pier and its lighthouse. Our Roker and Seaburn seafront guide covers the walk itself.

Best for: Suits couples who would trade the city lights for a sea view.

Planning the evening

The Empire, The Fire Station, Keel Square and Sunniside are all within walking distance of Sunderland station and the Park Lane Interchange. Roker is a short taxi ride from the centre, and the E1 bus runs along Roker Terrace. On match days at the Stadium of Light the city and the seafront both get busy, so it is worth checking the fixture list before booking a table.

Know a place we have missed? Get in touch.