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The Sticky Wicket, Durham – Pub classics and doggy dinner

8oz sirloin steak at Sticky Wicket, served with hand-cut chips, chargrilled tomato, mushroom, crispy onion rings, and peppercorn sauce

By Ania Askwith

The Sticky Wicket, Seat Unique Riverside, Chester-le-Street, Co. Durham,DH3 3QR

Wednesday night was the most wholesome date night—with Loui in tow, of course! He was very excited to get his paws on some doggy dinner, while we couldn’t wait to try the festive cocktails and some proper pub food. Sticky Wicket is such a cool spot, offering great food and a proper dog-friendly experience.

Golden fish and chips at Sticky Wicket, served with chunky chips, mushy peas, and tangy tartar sauce. 8oz sirloin steak at Sticky Wicket, served with hand-cut chips, chargrilled tomato, mushroom, crispy onion rings, and peppercorn sauce
Pub Classics at The Sticky Wicket, Durham

Festive Cocktails

We had to try the festive drinks—I would happily drink festive cocktails all year round, so definitely making the most of this season!

  • Gingerbread Man: This is as festive as a cocktail gets! It was topped with Lotus Biscoff and whipped cream, so indulgent but not too sweet. Loui thought it was a puppuccino (nice try, Loui!), but this one was definitely not for sharing.
  • Santa Cosmopolitan: A Christmassy twist on the classic Cosmo, made with cranberry juice and topped with candy canes. It was lovely, refreshing, and so festive.
Festive Gingerbread Man cocktail at Sticky Wicket, topped with Lotus Biscoff, whipped cream, and a sprinkle of cinnamon,. Santa Cosmopolitan cocktail served at Sticky Wicket, garnished with candy canes and featuring cranberry juice for a Christmassy twist
Cocktails at The Sticky Wicket, Durham

Both were lovely and set the tone for a cozy night!

Pub Classics for Dinner

When it came to food, we couldn’t resist going for the pub staples.

  • 8oz Sirloin Steak: This came with hand-cut chips, chargrilled tomato, mushroom, onion rings (take a look to appreciate the size of those!), and a choice of sauce. The steak was butter-soft and perfectly cooked, and all the sides went beautifully with it. A proper classic done so well! I loved the theatre of watching the butter melt on top of the steak as it arrived—so hearty and warming.
8oz sirloin steak at Sticky Wicket, served with hand-cut chips, chargrilled tomato, mushroom, crispy onion rings, and peppercorn sauce
Sirloin Steak at The Sticky Wicket, Durham
8oz sirloin steak at Sticky Wicket, served with hand-cut chips, chargrilled tomato, mushroom, crispy onion rings, and peppercorn sauce
The Sticky Wicket, Durham
  • Fish & Chips: My absolute go-to in a pub, and this one didn’t disappoint. Super fresh fish in a gorgeous crispy batter, paired with chunky chips, mushy peas, and (perfectly) tangy tartar sauce. Just delicious!
Golden fish and chips at Sticky Wicket, served with chunky chips, mushy peas, and tangy tartar sauce
Fish and Chips at The Sticky Wicket, Durham

Portion sizes were fab too.

Loui’s Doggy Feast

Let’s talk about the real star of the show (and the main reason we picked this venue for Tuesday’s date night)—Loui’s dinner! Sticky Wicket absolutely caters to their four-legged visitors. We ordered him the Chicken Breast, Rice & Broccoli meal, which is such great value at just £3.50. It was so beautifully presented, and Loui absolutely devoured it (the chicken was, of course, his favourite).

Dog-friendly chicken breast, rice, and broccoli meal at Sticky Wicket, beautifully plated for four-legged diners
Dog-Friendly Chicken Breast at The Sticky Wicket, Durham

They also have small plates for dogs like scrambled eggs, sausage, or plain chicken breast if you’re after something lighter for your pup.

We’ll definitely have to come back on a Sunday to try their Doggie Sunday Din Dins, which comes with a choice of meat, mash, carrots, broccoli, gravy, and Yorkshire pudding. It sounds pretty amazing, doesn’t it?

Sweet Treats for Pups

Sticky Wicket also offers Dog Ice Cream for £2.50, and what’s great is that every order supports Dogs Trust. If you need an excuse to treat your pooch, there you go!

Cozy interior of Sticky Wicket pub, featuring rustic wooden tables, warm lighting, and a welcoming atmosphere for dog-friendly dining
The Sticky Wicket, Durham

What we liked about the Sticky Wicket

We knew they did great pub classics before we visited, as the photos on their website looked amazing, but they actually exceeded our expectations.

If you’re looking for proper pub food in a setting where your dog is not just allowed but properly spoiled, Sticky Wicket is definitely worth a visit. Great food, fab cocktails (the gingerbread one in particular is a must-try), and Loui was treated like a VIP.

We’ll be back for sure—especially to let Loui try that Sunday roast!

Location

Sticky Wicket is located at Seat Unique Riverside, Chester-le-Street, Co. Durham, DH3 3QR, and there is free parking available at the front of the venue.

Tips for Visiting

  • Check the opening hours before you visit:
    • Monday/Tuesday: Closed
    • Wednesday: 5pm – 10pm
    • Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 12pm – 10pm
    • Sunday: 12pm – 8pm
  • Plan ahead: The pub gets busy during weekends and events (it is situated within the Durham Cricket grounds) so bear this in mind if you’d prefer to go when it is a little quieter.
  • Try the Doggie menu: It’s the ultimate treat for your furry friend, and so beautifully presented too. Loui recommended!

Website

For updated information, new menus, events, and special offers, visit their website here, or check out their socials here.

Reviews

Sticky Wicket scores highly on reviews with a Google rating of 4.3 and a TripAdvisor rating of 4.0. Common praise includes excellent food, a cozy atmosphere, friendly and attentive staff, and hearty food. Visitors also love the generous portions. Some reviewers mention that the pub can get busy during match days (it’s located at the cricket ground), so planning ahead is a good idea.

Best For: Dog-friendly dining, pub classics, festive cocktails, pub in Durham, casual dining, sports bar, good parking outside

Enjoyed this post? If you love discovering things to do, places to go, and the best spots to eat and drink in the North East and beyond, be sure to follow my blog for more reviews, recommendations, travel tips, and hidden gems. And for a closer look at my day-to-day experiences, follow me on Instagram@ania.askwith for behind-the-scenes content and even more discoveries! Let’s explore together!

Magpie and Mash, a blog about food and drink, things to do and travel in the north east of england

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