Sheffield has a tradition as a brewery city since the mid-late 18th century when there were around 30 in the city. It is also a music city, which sees the real ale bars busy most nights.
The ‘60s saw the advent of Sheffield as an emerging force in music, mainly through Joe Cocker. A gas fitter. He lived in Crookes. He took the scene by storm, singing “With a Little Help from My Friends.” This song landed him a 1969 Woodstock Festival spot, and his famous animated performance shot him to fame. Joe was a local legend often drinking Stones, Magnet or Whitbread in Crookes and Sheffield Lane Top pubs.
The ‘70s saw a more pubs and clubs vying to put performances on, among the best of these The Mucky Duck and The Jolly Buffer. The Mucky Duck hosting the first gig by British punk band The Clash. The late ‘70s and ‘80s saw the emergence of rock and electronic bands playing pubs and clubs around the City including The Limit Club.
There is much to celebrate from the City’s new bars that provide music. Many of them around Neepsend, Kelham, Commonside and Ecclesall all serve real ales from Blue Bee, Stancill, True North, Abbeydale, Vocation, and provide entertainment. Thornbridge are also popular and provide music on a regular basis. The Gardeners Rest at Neepsend has a regular Sunday session with the likes of M&J Blues (pictured) and Jake’s Rake, this goes well with the wide selection of 8 cask beers, and a few kegs and ciders
Just down the road on Percy Street sits Alder Bar, an old Victorian polish factory. The bar hosts a brewery and live music at the weekend. A real ale enthusiast bar, although the odd keg is served. Music ranges from bands to DJs.
The 3 giants of the local music scene however, are The Leadmill, a club that began in the ‘80s, partly due to Martin Bedford (local artist and music promoter), way before he founded the Honey Bees Blues Club which launched a good few local careers. The venue has hosted many bands including Big Country (pictured), Manic Street Preachers, The Killers, Suede and Muse. Although there is no cask ale available, Craft beer from breweries such as Triple Point, Abbeydale, Thornbridge and Heist is sold here on keg and in cans.
Shakespeares Ale & Cider House and The Greystones, sit at opposite ends of the City; Shakespeare’s being part of the Kelham Island catchment area. A very good range of cask beers is supplemented by unus International Americana ((Massy Ferguson pictured) and folk bands play. Cask, kegs and stouts including strong Imperial Stouts feature strongly. They regularly host a Tramlines Fringe every year, which sees the local and International artists. Meanwhile down at Victoria Quays on the edge of the City Centre is the Dorothy Pax hosting regular gigs.
On the South of the City sits The Greystones, atop the Greystones Road hill. A pub taken over by Thornbridge some time ago, they regenerated The Backroom. This hosts anything from Americana, Country, Folk, Blues and the odd rock band. These are mainly British, but again American bands come over to play such as Wild Ponies (pictured).
New kids on the block like Hillsborough Social Club have joined the fray, hosting Honey Bees Blues Club bands in the afternoon on the Sunday Sessions (Donovylan pictured), as well as faces from clubland and the local Indie/rock scene on Saturday evenings.
A great scene, at little or no cost to the drinker.