New Sunderland craft beer and food venue reveals first images and opening date

The first images of the new Keel Tavern at Riverside Sunderland have been released ahead of its planned November opening.

The Keel Tavern will sit under the Holiday Inn at Keel Square, next door to award-winning bar and restaurant The Botanist, and will see 30 new jobs created. Serving up a range of craft beers and food, the venue is the latest in a string of openings by North East hospitality firm the Vaulkhard Group.

Vaulkhard, which has been operating in the North East for over 30 years, is best known for its successful venues Barluga, The Bridge Tavern and Redhouse. The Keel Tavern, however, will mark the group’s first foray south of Tyneside and will see its portfolio grow to 19 venues across the region.

Oliver Vaulkhard, founder of Vaulkhard Group, commented: “We are incredibly excited to be opening the Keel Tavern just in time for Christmas. The individual charm of the venue and the fantastic food and drink offer we have crafted will create a really compelling offer which we’re sure will prove a huge hit with residents and visitors alike.

“It will also tie in with the ongoing transformation of Riverside Sunderland, which alongside the opening of The Botanist, Holiday Inn and The Stables at Sheepfolds, will see the venue provide a huge boost to both the city’s day and night-time leisure economies.

“Previously, we’d only ever looked north of Tyneside when scoping out new venues, however the ongoing transformation of Sunderland presented us with an opportunity too good to miss and I’m sure there’ll be plenty more businesses turning their attention to the city as we look to the future.”

The designs for the Keel Tavern were produced by award-winning North East interior design specialist, Pulp Studios Design House.

Briefed with paying homage to the brewing history of the area and its rich industrial and maritime heritage, the designs will see the two-storey venue decorated with ‘oversized still tops’ and barrels, with its mezzanine and viewing gallery overlooking Keel Square also providing the “perfect environment” for guests seeking to dine al fresco.

Founder of Pulp Studios, Gerard Mcelvenny, added: “This project presented an opportunity to create something truly special to compliment the superb offering already here in the city.

“The brief was to create a contemporary craft beer and fine food venue for 21st century hospitality guests. Ollie wanted us to embrace the brewing history in this part of the city. All the while, with a modern and impactful approach to the interior, and I’m confident our visuals demonstrate that.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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