Good cheap pubs in Town that aren't always packed?

God damn you geordies like to drink. I like to frequent the mile castle, the quayside and the five swans before it was shut (notice the trend of whetherspoons, can't beat a cheap pint)

But lately I'm getting sick of these because if it's a Saturday or a Sunday you can forget about getting a seat and even on the weekdays your chances are slim, I'm not kidding I have been in on a Wednesday at like 4pm and there's still no seats (I like to drink but wtf guys lol)

So is there anywhere good that's actually not always crammed? Last Friday I tried the "tiny city tavern" or something next to primark thinking oh this place looks small and quant at least I can served here but no place was fucking packed.

Is there anywhere that's semi quiet at all in this town or is everyone just constantly on the piss 😂