Andy has been actively involved in CAMRA since the early 2000s after being recruited to sit on a National Younger Members Task Group.
Since then he has held roles on the branch committee including Secretary, Membership Secretary, Magazine Editor, Chair and now Social Secretary.
Andy has also been involved with the Steel City Beer & Cider Festival almost every year since becoming active in the branch.
The two Sheffield City Centre Stonegate pubs that closed for a minor refurbishment – the Beehive on West Street and Globe on Howard Street, are now both open again and operating as “Craft Union” venues, which are Stonegate wet let pubs run in partnership with self employed managers and their staff. The focus is on drinks deals and entertainment with the Beehive open until 2am at the weekend with a DJ on. Cask ale remains available at the Beehive with Timothy Taylor Landlord, Marston’s Hobgoblin Gold and Robinsons Dizzy Blonde on the bar on the opening weekend.
The Wharncliffe Arms is set to close temporarily at the end of May for renovation work which will see an extension of the seating area, installation of a commercial kitchen and relocation of the bar area.
The Ladybower Inn reopened at the beginning of April although just serving drinks – beers, wines, spirits, cocktails and hot drinks. The kitchen was scheduled to open on 17 May so by the time this issue of Beer Matters hits the pubs the food menu should have been launched! Also by the time you read this in print the rooms upstairs should be available to book for overnight stays.
The Cross Scythes Hotel in Totley, which was leased from the Stonegate pub company by a local independent operator, closed on the 18 April after 5 years being run by Ben & Scott – a good chunk of which was through the Coronavirus pandemic! The pub and restaurant reopens on 12 June following refurbishment as part of Stonegate Pub & Dining chain.
It has been announced which Dronfield area pubs and clubs are taking part in the annual One Valley festival on Saturday 3 June. The main town event involves the Victoria, Blue Stoops, Manor House Hotel, Green Dragon, White Swan, Dronfield Arms, Underdog, Jolly Farmer and Dronfield Woodhouse Sports & Social Club. Running alongside this is “One Valley Extra” at Drone Valley Brewery. There are four Stagecoach bus routes serving Dronfield and most of the venues – 15, 16, 43 and 44 with a “Silver DayRider” pass offering all day travel on Stagecoach services in the area for £5.90 per adult or £15 for a group of 5, this can be purchased and use on the Stagecoach app, alternatively a flat fare of £2 per ride applies, paid to the driver – see stagecoachbus.com for more information.
The Cremorne on London Road has a new manager and the pub is back on form with a good range of well kept cask ales and music has returned too!
The Cricketers Arms on Bramall Lane has been voted as a top fans pub for an award by football supporters. The pub only opens on match days and has lots of Blades memorabilia on display, Abbeydale Moonshine is on the bar at a reasonable price.
Whilst CAMRA is better known for banging the drum about real ale and pubs, we also campaign for better availability of proper cider and perry in pubs and bars and have two months a year – May and October – when we are asked to make a special effort to promote cider & perry and encourage drinkers to seek it out and try it. The reason those two months are chosen is October is typically when the apples and pears are harvested and pressed and May is usually when new batches of cider and perry are ready and released!
When we talk about “real” cider or perry, we mean products that are made by fermenting freshly pressed juice and using only natural, genuine flavours. The vast majority of ciders on the bars in the UK are industrial products manufactured from concentrate.
A flashback to 2017 and the Harlequin’s cider board
Sheffield isn’t exactly known for its cider scene but we do have a few people and places doing great things. The longer term stalwarts have been Liz at the Harlequin and Steph & Kev at the New Barrack Tavern which both stock a large range of bag in box ciders with a number of them fitting CAMRA’s definition of “real” and just over the border in Holmesfield, Derbyshire, we have Dick Shepley at Woodthorpe Hall making cider.
Ross on Wye cider tasting at Hop Hideout
Since then they’ve been joined by Hop Hideout in the Kommune food hall in Sheffield City Centre stocking an impressive selection of bottled ciders and perries as well as occasionally having a keg conditioned cider on tap and for national Cider Week in April a number of events were organised by Jules showcasing various producers and I attended a special tasting session with Albert from Ross on Wye cider. Whilst the majority of the differences in flavours and characters in the different ciders are down to which apple variety is used, they also make a number of interesting ciders that have been fermented in oak casks and also do blends of different vintages to maintain the right flavours.
Mike Pomranz at the Cider Hole
Finally, the newest show in town, Mike Pomranz, who opened the Cider Hole at Shalesmoor and started making his own cider there under the Exemption Ciderhouse banner. He’s also worked with us to host tutored tasting events at our Steel City Beer & Cider Festival and the CAMRA Members’ Weekend plus each year he works with Heist Brew Co. to put on an annual cider festival in their tap room, this year it is planned for 15 July. The end of May saw the Cider Hole close with it all relocating to a new City Centre bar – The Old Shoe in Orchard Square – opening in partnership with Matt from the Bear on Abbeydale Road (read more elsewhere in this issue).
Grizzly Grain’s Sheffield Mead
You may have noticed the headline also mentioned mead – an alcoholic drink made from fermented honey – and wondered where that fitted in. Well partly because I have memories of attending certain CAMRA beer festivals years ago where the cider bar randomly had bottles of mead tucked away at the end and I don’t ever recall seeing mead on sale at any pubs or bars in that era – but also because Grizzly Grain brewery has been making Sheffield mead in small batches using honey from Heeley City Farm with bottles available at their tap sessions. Interestingly as well as the traditional strong mead in big bottles they also offer a session mead at a more sensible strength with a hopped version available. Changes are afoot on the mead front however with beekeeping due to end at the farm so the honey will be sourced elsewhere with an opportunity to produce slightly bigger volumes as a result and there is talk of putting mead into cask for a pub to serve on handpump!
Summer of Pub is CAMRA’s summer-long campaign to promote pub and club-going, highlight the social and cultural importance of the UK’s pubs and social clubs. It launched in May and runs to September, when the 2024 edition of the Good Beer Guide is published.
It’s been a tough winter for the licensed trade with energy and business costs skyrocketing, so we feel now it is especially important to encourage you to get out and enjoy our great pubs and clubs this summer!
Summer of Pub kicked off on the second May bank holiday which didn’t exactly see great weather but it was the weekend of King Charles III’s Coronation. Pubs played a big role in facilitating communities getting together for “a bit of a do” whether that involved bunting, entertainment and showing the cermony on TV or providing an alternative event for those who weren’t interested – such as the Dog & Partridge who instead of a Coronation party ran a fundraiser for the Shelter homeless charity and a collection for the S6 food bank.
There are various pub based events coming up over the summer including beer and music festivals, organisers are invited to submit their events for national listing online at camra.org.uk/pubs-and-clubs/current-campaigns/summer-of-pub/ (or you can find our own festival guide here)
Annual beer festival at the Dronfield Arms, part of the “One Valley” event in June
If the weather does prove to be a bit more British and wet this summer then of course pubs are indoors and provide a great place to get together with friends, enjoy a nice beer and maybe a bite to eat! Alternatively if you are on your own and bored head to a pub with entertainment such as live music!
Live music at the Washington in Sheffield City Centre
A working group has over the last year been looking at how the volunteering hierarchy works. It is structured with branches reporting to a regional director who reports to the national executive.
Issues have been identified with how the regions are working and some changes have been recommended and one of these affect Sheffield & District branch which currently straddles both Yorkshire and East Midlands creates a complication working with two different regional directors.
Therefore the proposal is for the Derbyshire part of Sheffield & District to be separated and ideally give the Peak District part (primarily the Hope Valley and out towards Buxton as far as Millers Dale) its own branch, run by members who live in the area.
If you are a CAMRA member in the Derbyshire part of our branch and would be interested in joining a committee of locals running a new branch please get in touch. It will include organising meetings and socials in the area, surveying the pubs and encouraging them to provide any news. There are also two breweries in the area – Intrepid and Eyam – to build a relationship with and keep their details up to date in CAMRA’s Brewery Information System. The branch will also need to run an awards programme, choose which pubs go in the Good Beer Guide and attend East Midlands regional meetings.
Intrepid Brewing are hosting their first open day of the year on Saturday 29 April offering a day of beer, pizza and tunes amongst the Peak District hills! A bar will be open in the brewery whilst out in the yard along with seating will be Sunshine Pizza slinging their wood fired pizzas and next door neighbour Calum Audio providing the soundtrack. The brewery is located in unit 12 Vincent Works on the road between Hope and Bradwell. Many journeys on bus 271/272 stop at the end of the drive and it is also the Hope Valley Beer Festival at the Old Hall Hotel that weekend so you can easily combine a visit to both!
Loxley Brewery have a new slightly hazy Citra pale ale out and at 4.4% ABV should be perfect when it’s beer garden weather!
Emmanuales have invested in some new tanks and their original 100L flat bottomed fermenters have been retired!
Fuggle Bunny Brew House have announced a number of additional Saturday tap events in addition to the routine Fuggle Fridays. The next few are 6 May, 27 May, 3 June and 29 July.
Grizzly Grains continues to open for tap sessions about once a week, Check their Facebook page for announcements. The brewery is just off Queens Road on Duchess Street, not far from Bramall Lane stadium.
Little Critters latest single batch cask special, number 20, is a pale ale involving El Dorado and Ekuanot spring hops.
The Globe closed on 10 April for a refurbishment and was expected to reopen on 22 April as one of Stonegate’s Craft Union partnership pubs.
The White Lion at Heeley is expected to reopen at the beginning of May under the same management as the Crown, just up the road!
The Bear on Abbeydale Road is hosting an event with Balance Brewing & Blending on 27 April, they will be treating ticket holders to a few of their fantastic mixed fermentation beers and blended wild ales, accompanied by a snack or two.
The Ladybower Inn reopened on 7 April. Initially it was just the bar that was open, by the time this issue of Beer Matters hits the street it is expected the kitchen and accommodation will be up and running too.
The Rose House at Walkley has now lost its “wooden curtains” and has new windows with the pub being prepared to reopen at the end of April. The pub is owned by Stonegate and is being leased to a local operator.
Vocation & Co launched their Sheffield bar on 14 April. This is the former Old House on Devonshire Street. It features 5 cask ales and 22 keg lines with beers from Vocation and guests, cocktails are also available. Food is described as “upmarket burgers and subs”.
The Hallamshire Hotel on West Street, Sheffield City Centre, reopened on 20 April, under the same management as the Washington. It nailed its colours to the mast of being a music orientated venue from the word go with Barry Krisp & The Bangers performing on opening night and they are keen to reclaim the pub’s musical heritage with an ongoing programme of live music and DJs! The initial opening saw the venue still configured as it was when it closed as Bloo88 but there are plans longer term to make changes which will include bringing back the upstairs function room into use and a bar refit that will introduce cask ale alongside craft beers and cocktails.
Grizzly Grains are now hosting regular tap sessions at their brewery, generally on Sheffield United match days with a range of their beers on the bar and snacks too. The brewery in on Duchess Road (just off Queens Road) on the Sheaf Gardens industrial estate. It is walkable from the City Centre or buses 24/25 stop nearby. Dates in April are 7th, 15th, 18th and 21st. Weekday openings are 4pm to 10pm whilst weekend dates are midday to 9pm. Check their Facebook page for latest information.
Heist Brew Co have brewed a “Reyt Good” Stout in collaboration with local artist Andy Slater (of Reyt Good Illustration) who the brewery work with regularly. The beer is described as having a deep, dark colour with a velvety smooth texture and irresistible aroma. It is 4.3% ABV and available on the nitro keg line in their taproom, however a cask of it will be making its way to the CAMRA Members’ Weekend bar.
Intrepid Brewery’s first cask special of 2023 was Geolo, a 3.9% ABV dry hopped golden ale. This is a tweaked version of Solito with some extra malt to make the colour golden rather than straw and is delicately dry hopped with Amarillo to give it a little orangey character. Described as perfect for drinking on days of spring sunshine!
Drinkers at both Rotherham Real Ale & Music festival and the Fuggle Bunny Brew House Friday tap session were introduced to their “chapter 10 – Stomper”, a 5% ABV dry hopped IPA, alongside the longer established “chapter 2 – Cotton Tail” pale ale (4% ABV) and “chapter 4 – 24 Carrot IPA” (6% ABV).
Recent beers from Little Critters include “Vanilla Chinchilla” Ice Cream Porter and “Swag”, an IPA brewed in collaboration with Heist. Meanwhile number 14 in their series of single batch cask specials was an American Brown Ale.
Lost Industry Brewing celebrated International Women’s Day, which falls during Sheffield Beer Week, with a collaborative brew day again this year. The beer is a chocolate & cherry porter.
Loxley Brewery offers a range of merchandise alongside the bottled beers available to order from their webshop, this includes engraved tankards and hip flasks.
Early March saw Neepsend brew a cask only Australian Pale Ale called “Bandicoot”. It is 4.6% ABV and uses Enigma and Vic Secret hops and is expected to be super pale in body and feature big punchy hop notes.
Sheffield Beer Week saw the Brewery of St Mars of the Desert launch a new beer in their taproom, a golden Bock called Krönungsbier.
Stancill Brewery continued with their series of star sign themed beers in March with “Pisces”, a 4% ABV delicately aromatic pale ale.
Triple Point Brewery has introduced a classic English bitter to their range, the first one they’ve produced on any scale. It is 3.7% ABV and brewed with a boatload of American hops in the whirlpool for a super fruity and rounded bitter. Like many of their beers it is Vegan and Gluten Free.
For Sheffield Beer Week True North Brewery released a beer brewed in collaboration with SALT, called the Wool Monty (Saltaire was known for its wool industry and Sheffield, well you know, Full Monty!) The beer is a 4.2% West Coast Pale Ale brewed using Columbus, Centennial and Amarillo hops that deliver bitterness and light citrus flavours.
Abbeydale Black Mass, their 6.66% black IPA, won best beer in bottle/can at the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) awards. This was judged at their annual conference and BeerX in Liverpool. This beer is also delicious on cask!
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A number of beers of interest will be making their way to the bar at the CAMRA Members’ weekend, open 21-23 April, which are either new or not often seen around Sheffield’s pubs.
From Abbeydale we have the latest special edition of Heathen using UK Harlequin hops, we also have their Coronation special. From Blue Bee as well as the latest iteration of their American 5 hop we have a dark mild. Dead Parrot are supplying Maranta along with Hohot, which was originally brewed with a former member of bar staff at Perch (their tap room) who was an international student. Emmanuales are expected to supply beer, they are a very small batch brewery who put most of their production in small pack. From Eyam look out for their Cherry Bakewell Stout. Grizzly Grains are offering “Business Secrets of the Pharaohs”, a Phoenix hopped pale ale.
Heist Brew Co only produce cask beer now and again so we are thrilled to be able to pour two of their beers – Parking Fine Photoshoot and Reyt Good Stout. We are expecting a couple of beers from Intrepid – a Peak District based brewery who impressed those taking part in the online tasting event we ran with a Sheffield beer box in 2021 – but which beers aren’t confirmed yet. Lost Industry are supplying an Opus single hop pale ale along with a milk stout whilst from Neepsend look out for their Ergot Rye Porter.
Toolmakers only normally brew for their own pub (the Forest) so we are pleased they are able to supply us a couple of beers – Flange Noir and a new mild. Three beers are coming from Triple Point including a zesty citrus pale ale, a porter and their Alpha Bitter. Going back to the future is True North, we’ll have their locally brewed Stones Bitter on the bar!
Dorothy Pax canal side bar on their Ukraine fundraiser event night
You may recall that last year the Dorothy Pax didn’t run their Canal Lines event on Tramlines festival weekend with a live music stage outside their canal side bar at Victoria Quays as the Canal & Rivers Trust no longer allow it.
Instead, the guys from the Pax put on a new event, Pax in the Park, at Heeley People’s Park with a busy programme of live music, food vendors, a bar and free entry.
Stage at Pax in the Park. photo credit: Mal Whichelow
Being able to offer free entry to all at this fringe festival was only possible thanks to money left from their successful application to the Arts Council England’s Culture Recovery Fund, which had paid for improvements to the sound system at the Dorothy Pax bar to help them as a live entertainment venue.
This year, of course all that grant is gone, it has also been a hard year in the hospitality business with significantly increased operating costs as well as customers going out less frequently thanks to the cost of living crisis, so they have very little funds spare to start up such an event – it costs in the region of £85k to put on.
View from Pax in the Park stage. Photo credit: Mal Whichelow
Team Pax are still well up for running Pax in the Park again this year, from 21-23 July, with a stage in Heeley People’s Park hosting some top class live music supported by a bar serving quality slurps from local breweries and vendors selling delicious street food. They passionately believe it should be a community spirited free entry event too. They are asking for help though…
volunteers to help on the day with things like stewarding, marshalling, litter picking and generally ensure the event fits in the local community happily
Live music at Pax in the Park. Photo credit: Mal WhichelowLive music at Pax in the Park. Photo credit: Mal WhichelowSelfies at Pax in the Park. Photo credit: Mal Whichelow
This area of pubs is a short distance out the City Centre in a South West direction and is made up of two areas – the “Heeley Triangle” with pubs on the main Chesterfield Road and the hills above it along with venues along Abbeydale Road which combined make up a bigger triangle shaped pub crawl.
Regular buses on the Chesterfield Road corridor (20/24/25/43/43a/44/X17) serve the Heeley side of the triangle, buses on the Abbeydale Road corridor (75/76/86/97/98) run regularly on the Broadfield side with the bit in-between being walkable in under 10 minutes (or there is a limited bus service, the 10/10a).
This can also be combined with a visit to pubs on London Road (see separate article on our website). There are also a number of classic community locals in the Nether Edge area which is walkable from Abbeydale Road. It is also only a short bus ride up to Woodseats where there are three micropubs, a number of traditional locals and a Wetherspoons.
The Heeley area is a classic real ale pub crawl that has been a favourite for many years whilst Abbeydale Road has been a more recent development with an eclectic selection of little bars and cafes springing up alongside the bigger venues.
More information on the pubs is available on CAMRA’s pub database website – whatpub.com; bus timetables and maps are available at travelsouthyorkshire.com.
Sheaf View, Gleadless Road Previously a failed, closed and boarded up Marstons pub, James Birkett bought the pub in 2000 and transformed it. Two rooms, both clean and simple, good range of real ales and continental beers at reasonable prices, knowledgeable staff and an outdoor drinking area. There have been few substantial changes to the winning formula since, even with recent changes of ownership. Get there: buses 20/24/25/43/43a/44/X17
Brothers Arms, Well Road Previously known as the Olde Shakespeare, this pub was taken over by a member of the Everley Pregnant Brothers Ukelele Parody band who’s day job is a brewery rep! Inside the pub has a traditional layout with cosy corners and a dart board, there is a great choice of beers at fair prices and basic bar snacks are available. Outside, the pubs hillside situation means the extensive beer garden offers fantastic views over the City. Get there: buses 20/24/25/43/43a/44/X17
White Lion, London Road One of Sheffield’s Heritage pubs that still has a corridor and multiple small rooms as well as the bigger open plan rooms towards the back. The pub is also known for having live music at the weekend and also has a Wednesday quiz night! The bar features a selection of cask ales on handpump, usually including the more well known favourites such as Oakham Citra and Titanic Plum Porter. Get there: buses 20/24/25/43/43a/44/X17
A small bar operated by Little Mesters Brewing featuring a mixture of mainstream beers, guest beers and their own brews. Get there: buses 20/24/25/43/43a/44/X17
Crown Inn, Albert Road Traditional and comfortable two room pub with a great beer garden. A range of cask ales are available, mainly from the better known breweries. Food is available, primarily pies. Get there: buses 20/24/25/43/43a/44/X17
Tramshed, Chesterfield Road Small neighbourhood bar with craft beer (no cask) and attached dining room. Get there: buses 20/24/25/43/43a/44
Hardy Pick, Broadfield Close Part of Greene King’s Hungry Horse chain with the associated food menu, family friendly, feel of a motorway service station, range of cask beers from Greene King plus a couple of guests. Get there: buses 10/10a
Broadfield, Abbeydale Road Pub & Restaurant owned by True North Brewery with large patio area at the rear. Always an interesting selection of real ales and other craft beers plus cocktails etc. The dedicated dining area offers table service and booking is advisable for food whilst the relaxed atmosphere of the pub side offers broad appeal. Get there: buses 75/76/86/97/98
Two Thirds Beer Company, Abbeydale Road A neighbourhood craft beer bar with 16 lines of varied cask ales & keg beer, and a bottle bar. Slogan – don’t drink shit beer. Sounds fair to me. Food available. Get there: buses 75/76/86/97/98
Picture House Social, Abbeydale Road Located underneath the old Picture House, it consists of a lounge bar, pizza diner, games room and music venue. 2 or 3 real ales normally available along with a few other craft options. There is also an outdoor drinking area accessed via steps from the diner. Get there: buses 75/76/86/97/98
Over the Yardarm, Abbeydale Road A neighbourhood bar inspired by the catina culture of Barcelona and Seville, serving coffee, cocktails, craft keg beers and wine, with bar snacks and sharing platters. Beers include offerings from Abbeydale, Salt and Camden. No cask. Get there: buses 75/76/86/97/98
Abbeydale Tap & Snap, Abbeydale Road A small neighbourhood bar with two handpumps and a simple food menu of flatbreads, fries and nibbles. Get there: buses 75/76/86/97/98
Cole’s Corner, Abbeydale Road A record & art shop that is also a cafe with craft beer available in cans! A pretty cool place to sit outside for a snack and drink. No cask or keg. Get there: buses 75/76/86/97/98
Beer Works, Abbeydale Road Abbeydale Brewery’s new tap room, in the premises previously occupied by Turners Bottle & Tap. Not yet open. Get there: buses 75/76/86/97/98
Dead Donkey Bar, Abbeydale Road Neighbourhood bar offering craft beer on keg along with grilled cheese sandwiches. No cask. Get there: buses 75/76/86/97/98
The Bear, Abbeydale Road Small bottle shop and bar with a number of craft beers on keg. Bear is an acronym – Beer Emporium Abbeydale Road. No cask. Get there: buses 75/76/86/97/98
The real ale trail around Kelham Island, Shalesmoor, Neepsend and Hillsborough – The Upper Don Valley – is pretty much the modern history of Sheffield’s real ale scene. Much of the area is a former industrial district but is now in advanced stages of gentrification with lots of pubs, bars, cafes, breweries and residential developments as well as a little remaining industry.
There are two key public transport corridors through the valley – the Blue and Yellow tram route down one edge and the number 7 and 8 bus down the other.
Shalesmoor tram stop is a useful gateway to the whole area whilst the 7/8 bus will take you close to the Neepsend pubs.
You can also stay on the tram to Hillsborough where there is a run of pubs and bars both small and large, however this article focuses on the Kelham Island and Neepsend area – check out our Hillsborough guide for venues further up the valley.
Alder Bar – Burton Road Alder bar was previously the Sheffield Brewery Company and is located in the former Blanco Polish factory, which supplied the British troops in World War Two. Beer was brewed here from 2006 until the Coronavirus pandemic, on kit arranged on the traditional tower principle. The bar in the brewery was rescued from a student halls of residence that has since been demolished and fits in style with the Victorian building. Currently brewing has been suspended until further notice and the bar is now operated independently as “Alder” with a range of guest ales and regular special events. Get there: bus 7,8. Nearest tram stop Shalesmoor.
Crow – Scotland Street One of the newest pubs on the real ale and craft beer scene with the addition of en suite hotel rooms upstairs, brought to you by the same people as the Rutland Arms. Bar snacks primarily include pork pies, scotch eggs and sausage rolls. A short walk up Lambert Street from Shakespeares pub and the rest of the Kelham Island circuit. Get there – bus 31 (or walk up from Gibraltar Street)
The grandaddy of Sheffield’s real ale pub scene – the first real ale free house to feature beers from outside the area and the first to offer a no smoking room! An old, traditional multi-room pub that hasn’t changed in many years, has a great beer garden and a simple, affordable food menu that always includes a veggie/vegan and gluten free option. The pub was previously associated with Kelham Island Brewery which has since changed ownership. Get there – Shalesmoor tram stop, buses 57,57a,81,82,86 to Gibraltar Street
Forest / Toolmakers Brewery tap room – Rutland Road/Botsford Street The Forest is just that little bit up the hill away from the popular Kelham Island circuit allowing it to remain a simple locals pub with reasonable beer prices, yet is still welcoming and comfortable. The beer on the bar is from the Toolmakers Brewery located around the corner owned by the same couple as the pub, the brewery has a tap room that opens up on a part time basis for special events including live music and open mic sessions – check their social media for details. Get there – bus 7/8 to Neepsend Lane.
Gardeners’ Rest – Neepsend Lane One of Sheffield’s classic real ale pubs featuring around 6 regularly changing cask beers. The pub has 3 rooms – the main lounge, snug (featuring bar billiards table) and conservatory, leading out to the quite wonderfully eccentric riverside beer yard. The pub is now community owned and gets involved with a lot of community initiatives. Note card payment only. Get there – bus 7,8 stops outside or Infirmary Road tram stop is walkable.
Grafters – Percy Street Small container bar boasting a spacious outdoor garden with heating and covered seating areas. Serving cask, keg and bottled delights alongside a carefully selected range of hand picked spirits and mixers. Note this bar doesn’t normally open in the winter. Get there: bus 7,8. Nearest tram stop Shalesmoor.
Harlequin – Nursery Street Fairly big L-shape pub, recently reopened following refurbishment under the same management as the Rutland Arms and Crow Inn. The bar features 7 varied cask ales plus cider along with an interesting range of craft beers on keg. An ethos of only stocking independent producers where possible applies to all the beers, wines and spirits! Tutored tasting events are held now and again. The lower area at the back of the pub features a dartboard and also hosts live music some weekends. There is a small outdoor drinking area at the rear. A simple menu of good quality home cooked food is served at meal times, look out for the specials board on the bar. Get there – buses 7,8,75
Kelham Island Tavern – Russell Street One of the area’s long established real ale pubs that has won many awards over the years including National CAMRA Pub of the Year for two consecutive years. It is a basic pub with two rooms and a beer garden that is kept well presented, large beer range with all basic styles including mild, stout/porter and traditional bitter alongside popular pale hoppy offerings and more across 13 handpumps, usually including some from Blue Bee Brewery. A recent bar refit has also increased the number of craft beers on keg. Bar snacks include pork pies, bhajis and samosas. Get there: Shalesmoor tram stop, buses 57,57a,81,82,86 to Gibraltar Street
Millowners Arms – Kelham Island Museum Formerly a museum exhibit celebrating Sheffield’s pub and brewing history, this traditional pub room is now open full time as a public bar with real ale and other craft beers available along with a simple food menu. Get there – Shalesmoor tram stop, buses 57,57a,81,82,86 to Gibraltar Street
Themed bar serving beer and food. Get there: Shalesmoor tram stop or bus 7, 8
New Barrack Tavern – Penistone Road Friendly multi room roadhouse pub owned by Castle Rock Brewery but operated independently by Kev and Steph. Popular with the more discerning fans of Sheffield Wednesday football club and Sheffield Tigers Speedway team whilst the weekend live music and comedy events also draw a crowd. Usually a good selection of real ales on the bar and an extensive cider and bottled beer selection also features. Get there: Bamforth Street tram stop or buses 7,8,86.
Riverside– Mowbray Street Bar owned by True North Brewery offering their beers plus guests and food is available. As the name implies, there is also an extensive outdoor drinking area overlooking the river Don. Get there: bus 7,8,75,83
Shakespeares – Gibralter Street One of those old places that has been around for years and dates back to the days of being a coaching inn with stables at the back for the horse and carriage, it only really became noteworthy from a beer point of view in recent years since becoming independently owned and operated. The interior is a basic ale house style with several rooms on the ground floor plus a live music room and games room upstairs. The bar offers an extensive range of craft beers on cask and keg served by knowledgeable staff, they also boast quite an extensive top shelf spirit choice. Get there: bus 57,81,82. Nearest tram stops Cathedral or Shalesmoor.
Ship Inn– Shalesmoor Classic pub that won an award for its last refurbishment. Laid back atmosphere. Get there: Shalesmoor tram stop is across the road or buses 57,57a,81,82,86.
SALT – Green Lane New build pub/restaurant, initially opened as “Stew & Oyster” but since refurbished and become SALT brewery’s Sheffield bar pairing craft beer with bao buns to eat. Get there: Shalesmoor tram stop or buses 57,57a,81,82,86
Wellington – Henry Street Old fashioned two room pub next to Shalesmoor tram stop operated by Neepsend Brewery featuring craft beer on cask and keg from their range plus guests. Also known for its cheap sandwiches and whisky selection! The kind of pub where you sit and enjoy quiet conversation or read the paper. Beer garden also available. Get there: Shalesmoor tram stop or buses 57,57a,81,82,86
Former industrial building expensively renovated with part of it converted into a bar (the other part is a clothes warehouse for the Drop Dead Clothing designer brand). The bar features craft beer, cocktails, vegan fast food, photo booth, classic coin-op arcade games, Playstation pods, pool table, music and riverside balcony. Sounds hipster as hell, actually a really cool, relaxed place to chill with a beer. Cask ale sometimes available. Get there – Infirmary Road tram stop or buses 7,8,86
Heist Brew Co – Neepsend Lane The new kid on the block, a converted industrial building containing a brewery, burger joint, coffee and craft beer bar with 30 taps and a fridge full of exotica. Oh and a mini games arcade. Cask beer sometimes available for special events. Get there: Infirmary Road tram stop or bus 7, 8
Small craft beer bottle shop and bar on a modern residential development. Get there – Shalesmoor tram stop, buses 57,57a,81,82,86 to Gibraltar Street
Old Workshop – Hick Street Bar in, as the name suggests, an old former workshop! Features a range of craft beer, premium spirits and vegan fast food, in a laid back atmosphere. Get there: bus 7,8 or Shalesmoor tram stop
Peddler Market – Burton Road, Neepsend Takes place the first weekend of most months in an old warehouse and surrounding courtyards, featuring a craft beer bar with a different guest brewery each month, numerous street food traders, makers stalls, music and more. Get there: Shalesmoor tram stop or bus 7, 8
Saw Grinders Union – Shalesmoor Smart but relaxed bar & dining room serving cocktails and craft beer. Outside courtyard area also offers seating. Get there: Shalesmoor tram stop or buses 57,57a,81,82,86.