The Criterion

The Criterion Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from The Criterion, Pub, 2a Ocean Road, South Shields.
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✨ A warm & welcoming local pub in the heart of South Shields, hiring our local people. ✨
📍 Find us above Ladbrokes, right next to the museum.
🥂 From bottomless brunch to hearty Sunday lunches.
☕ Coffee & cake by the glow of our three real coal fires.

🍽️ WE SOLD OUT SUNDAY LUNCH AGAIN 😬🍽️After another sell-out Sunday lunch, we’ve decided to give you late lunch lovers wh...
07/09/2026

🍽️ WE SOLD OUT SUNDAY LUNCH AGAIN 😬🍽️

After another sell-out Sunday lunch, we’ve decided to give you late lunch lovers what you’ve been asking for! 🙌

We’re now adding an extra 4pm–6pm sitting for those who prefer a slightly later Sunday dinner. 😋

⚠️ Booking is essential for the 4pm–6pm sitting so we can make sure we’ve got enough staff, food and gravy to keep everyone happy!

And this Sunday is Great North Run day, so we’re expecting it to be busier than usual 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

If Sunday lunch is on your agenda, book early to avoid disappointment — we’d hate for you to miss out!

📅 Sunday 13th September
🕛 12pm–4pm
🕓 4pm–6pm late sitting

Come hungry… leave happy! ❤️

Great North Run

Sundays are easily the most enjoyable and relaxed days here at the Criterion! 🍽️🍹🎲Join us for our amazing Sunday lunches...
06/09/2026

Sundays are easily the most enjoyable and relaxed days here at the Criterion! 🍽️🍹🎲

Join us for our amazing Sunday lunches, served from 12pm until sell out

We’ll also have plenty of old-school board games out for everyone to play

3 cocktails £12 from 3pm

Definitely the kind of day for mince and dumplings, serving from 12pm
05/09/2026

Definitely the kind of day for mince and dumplings, serving from 12pm

🎉 serving food this week From this week you can get your food fix:Friday: 9.30am – 3.30pmSaturday 9.30 -3pm🍽️ Sunday: 12...
04/09/2026

🎉 serving food this week

From this week you can get your food fix:
Friday: 9.30am – 3.30pm
Saturday 9.30 -3pm
🍽️ Sunday: 12pm – 5pm

So whether you’re after breakfast, lunch, a proper feed or just an excuse to avoid cooking… we’ve got you covered! 😋

We sold out of mince and dumplings yesterday but there’s a fresh batch in the oven ❤️

The Criterion is cooking again! 🔥

Bottomless just got better here at The Criterion We’ve been asked so many times to bring back tapas and tuck shop cockta...
03/09/2026

Bottomless just got better here at The Criterion

We’ve been asked so many times to bring back tapas and tuck shop cocktails on the brunches , so we have !

🍹 The orginal and the only 2 hour Bottomless Brunch is here at The Criterion , pints of draught l***r and c***r and house white or red w**e are now available on our brunches 😋

4 Unique Experiences • 2 Hours • Unlimited Drinks
3 Cocktail menus (tuck shop only available on premium)• Fizz • House Spirits • draught l***r and c***r , house white or red w**e


🥡 Friday Night Takeaway Brunch

A bold start to the weekend with a choice of:
•Sharing Tapas board ( menu in pic)
• Double cheeseburger meal
OR
• Chicken, Dona, or mixed kebab



🥪 Saturday Brunch

•Sharing Tapas board ( menu in pic)

Or

A fun, sociable spread featuring a grazing board of:
• Assorted sandwiches, quiche
• Continental meats & cheeses
• crackers & pickles



Sunday brunch

•Sharing Tapas board ( menu in pic)

Or

🍖 Sunday Lunch Brunch

The ultimate Sunday feast sharing board of:
• Homemade Yorkshire puddings
• Sausage meat stuffing balls
• Giant pigs in blankets
• Crispy roasties
• Roast meat selection
• Rich homemade gravy
OR choose an individual Sunday roast



Pricing
• Classic Brunch: £35
• Premium Brunch (includes premium cocktails and tuck shop ) £40

Tapas sharing board min of 2 people

Booking is essential just message the page – don’t miss out!

We all want our town centre to be safe, accessible and welcoming to everyone.Our town centre has been hit hard in recent...
01/09/2026

We all want our town centre to be safe, accessible and welcoming to everyone.

Our town centre has been hit hard in recent years, and hospitality businesses in particular continue to face huge pressures. The recent wave of youth antisocial behaviour is not good for our young people, our businesses or the wider town.

That’s why we’re really pleased to see conversations like this taking place.

We believe there needs to be a balanced approach. Stronger deterrents where behaviour is causing harm, alongside greater incentives, opportunities and positive activities for young people.

We’ll certainly be attending to share our views as a town centre hospitality business, hear from local residents and discuss ideas about how we can tackle these issues together.

If you live or spend time in Beacon and Bents, this is a great opportunity to have your say.

📍 Ocean Road Community Centre
📅 12 September
⏰ 10:30am or 12:30pm
🎁 £20 Love2Shop voucher for everyone who takes part

Details on how to book are on the flyer.

Do you live in, work in or spend time in Beacon and Bents? We want to hear from you!

Our 1 Community is working with Fortia Insight on a national research study looking at how investment in youth activities can help create stronger, safer communities.

We’re inviting local people aged 18+ to join a friendly, informal discussion about life in the area, opportunities for young people, community safety and what could make Beacon and Bents an even better place to live.

📍 Ocean Road Community Centre
📅 12th September
⏰ 10:30am or 12:30pm
🕐 Around 90 minutes
🎁 £20 Love2Shop voucher for every participant

There’s no preparation needed — we just want your views, experiences and ideas.

Your feedback will help make sure local voices are included in wider national research around youth provision and community safety.

Places are limited, so book using the Eventbrite link/QR code on the flyer or email [email protected].

Please share with anyone in the Beacon and Bents area who may be interested 💬

🎨 Heading to South Shields Museum & Art Gallery this weekend?The museum is opening its new exhibition, Mignard: The Powe...
28/08/2026

🎨 Heading to South Shields Museum & Art Gallery this weekend?

The museum is opening its new exhibition, Mignard: The Power of Posing, so if you’re planning a visit, why not make a day of it and pop into The Criterion while you’re in town?

We’ll be open from 9:30am on Saturday and 12pm on Sunday, serving up great food, freshly made coffee and cake, plus delicious cocktails and a nice cold pint. ☕🍰🍹🍺

Perfect for a bite to eat before the exhibition, a coffee afterwards, or a few weekend drinks with friends.

📍 The Criterion, South Shields
🕤 Saturday from 9:30am
🕛 Sunday from 12pm

Come and enjoy a bit of art, culture, food and drink in South Shields this weekend. ❤️

START YOUR BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND WITH US! 🇪🇸From Friday 28th August, our much-loved Tapas Deal is BACK! 🎉Get a delicious ...
24/08/2026

START YOUR BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND WITH US! 🇪🇸

From Friday 28th August, our much-loved Tapas Deal is BACK! 🎉

Get a delicious tapas sharing board + a jug of red or white sangria for 2 for just £40! 🍷🍴

Available every Friday from 5pm–8pm.

Perfect for sharing, sipping and kicking off the weekend in style! ❤️

📩 Message the page to book your table!

See you Friday! 🇪🇸🍷

Address

2a Ocean Road
South Shields
NE332HZ

Opening Hours

Friday 12pm - 12am
Saturday 12pm - 12am
Sunday 12pm - 10pm

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