New bar Hidden on the Harbour opens in Seaham Harbour

Bar bistro Hidden on the Harbour opened on Seaham Harbour at 11.30am today (Friday, August 4) in what has been a two-year long wait for the owners.

Joe Gullis, from Seaham, entertainment manager of Hidden, said the venue was originally due to open just before the pandemic hit.

The venue, which is owned be Michael and Sharon Downey. was purchased in 2017 and underwent a major renovation shortly after.

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Speaking on the opening, Mr Gullis said: "After the pandemic finished, Michael just wanted to leave it until things got back to normal.

"Now he feels the time's right and Seaham needs another offering, so we're opening this weekend, which is the food festival as well, so it's a pretty good weekend to open.

"I think another offering down here is going to help give [Seaham] a bit of a lifeline, The food's very strong down here, but I think in general, the more the merrier.

"Going to pubs, I think people don't as much as they used to, I think pubs have got to work harder now compared to what they used to, to get people in.

"We hope you like it, it's a long time coming, it's been six years of hard work. We've tried to stay in keeping with Seaham, this is why we've named it Hidden on the Harbour.

"We just hope everyone likes it and we hope to see everybody."

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He said they decided to open during Seaham Food Festival as it would be good timing for the new venue.

Mr Gullis added he believes their decision to not open just after pandemic restrictions were lifted as it has allowed the industry to settle.

He said the cost-of-living crisis has affected the hospitality industry with people having, less money to spend in venues, but believes the pub's location and offering will help them overcome these challenges.

The bar will be offefring a limited menu over the weekend which will include grazing platters, dirty fires, and pizzas.

The regular menu will boast a range of british classics as well as fajitas, pizzas, grazing boards and chips.

Mr Gullis said the venue sports a Thatchers infusion machine, as well as London Essence tonic on tap which both utilise a specialist machine to infuse drinks with flavour.

The location will also offer Madri, Atlantic Pale Ale, Staropramen, two draught options, and freshly-made cocktails.

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The venue will not be taking bookings for the opening weekend and will only be taking walk-ins.

This is the second venue of Mr Downey's, with the other being Hidden on the Green Terrace in Sunderland.

The opening times will be 9.30am to 11pm Monday to Thursday, Friday and Saturday is 9.30am to 1am, and Sunday is 9.30am to 11.30pm.