The Courtyard is a modern café bar set within the delightful surroundings of the council run Arts Centre Washington in Fatfield. Situated in the heart of Washington, the Arts Centre is both accessible for locals as well as for people from further a field.

Set in open grounds the Arts Centre has ample free parking there are nearby links with regional and local bus services.

We operate the bar on a franchise basis from the City of Sunderland council. Through our knowledge and expertise gained from running one of the best real ale houses in the North East, it has been possible to turn the Courtyard from a quiet café bar located within an arts centre, into a thriving locals bar, arguably serving the best quality real ale in Washington. We have been listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide for eight consecutive years now and was runner up in the Sunderland and South Tyneside CAMRA pub of the year 2008

The Courtyard operates a continuous cask ale programme sourcing ales from the very best micro brewers across the whole of the UK, and in doing so has introduced customers to a vast range of ales which they were unlikely to have sampled anywhere. Seven cask ales and at least one real cider are available at any one time. We showcase in the region of 15 to 20 different ales every week. The range is also complemented by a good selection of bottled Belgian beers.

There is a whole programme of events held in the bar during the week including quiz nights (General Knowledge Quiz - Thursday and Entertainment Quiz - Sunday) and live music featuring the now locally renowned Fatfield Buskers on a Monday evening.

Excellent quality home cooked food is served daily from 12.00pm till 2.00pm Monday to Saturday, 4.00pm to 7.00pm Wednesday to Saturday and 12.00pm to 5.00pm Sundays.

We have an extensive menu with daily blackboard specials also available.

Early Diner menu available 4.00pm until 6.00pm with 2-courses for £7.95 and 3-courses available for £9.95.