Author: Andy Cullen

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.

Brewery taps

Posted on by Andy Cullen
The Sheffield area has an enviable list of breweries and many of the have either an on site tap room, their own pubs or an independent pub of choice for trying their beers! Here is our guide to the best places to sample local ales.
Abbeydale Brewery Rising Sun, Nether Green This pub is a large suburban roadhouse operated by local brewer Abbeydale. There are two comfortably furnished rooms with is a log burning fire between the main bar and the glass roofed extension, which also has glass panels in the end wall. A range of Abbeydale beers is always served, with up to six guests mainly from micros, dispensed from the impressive bank of 13 handpumps. Also has 9 keg taps serving continental lagers and keg ales. Quizzes are on Sunday and Wednesday evenings. The Sunfest beer festival is in the second week in July. Getting there: bus 83a or 120 Blue Bee Brewery Kelham Island Tavern, Kelham Island Former CAMRA National Pub of the Year (2008 and 2009) and regular regional and local winner, this small gem was rescued from dereliction in 2002. A two roomed free house with impressive garden. Twelve handpumps dispense an impressive range of beers, always including a mild, a porter and a stout. In the warmer months you can relax in the pub’s multi award-winning beer garden. Regular folk music features on Sunday evenings and quiz night is Monday. No meals Sunday. Getting there: tram to Shalesmoor stop or buses 57/81/82/86 Bradfield Brewery King & Miller, Deepcar This pub was originally a three roomed village local which is now two roomed. The large public bar has fixed seating, two good windows and a separate pool area at the rear through a widish doorway and stone walls – Victorian fireplace with coal fire, button upholstered fixed seating. There are some fine etched Tennant Brothers (two internal and one external) windows each with a colourful stained and leaded crest. The pub was taken over as their second pub by Bradfield Brewery in April 2018 in order to provide up to six beers from the Bradfield range. After sympathetic refurbishment, it reopened in October 2018. Getting there: bus SL1/SL1a (link bus – connects with trams at Middlewood) Nags Head, Loxley Tap for the nearby Bradfield brewery, this friendly two-roomed country pub is on the main road towards High Bradfield. Six beers are available, including both seasonal and special one-offs, all at very competitive prices. Good home-cooked food is served (no food Sunday evening, Monday or Tuesday). Excellent views of the Loxley Valley can be enjoyed from the outdoor drinking area. The games room includes a ¾ size snooker table. Opens early at weekends (10:00) to cater for anglers and walkers. The front of the pub was extended in 2019, to enlarge the main bar area. Getting there: bus 61/62 (rural bus – connects with trams and other buses at Hillsborough Interchange) Wharncliffe Arms, Wharncliffe Side A pub since the 1830’s, closed by Punch in Nov 2011, reopened as a free house in Sept 2012. A long single room split into distinct areas by the bar, open fires at both ends. A locals pub with a focus on conversation. Local carol singing Sunday lunchtimes in December. Also hold fairly regular charity auctions. Bought by Bradfield Brewery, September 2019, and reopened on November 21st. Getting there: bus 57/SL1/SL1a Brew Foundation The Ale Club, Ecclesall Road The Ecclesall Ale Club is an ale house and bottle shop run by Brew Foundation selling beer in cask, keg, bottle and can from independent breweries. Five hand pumps and eight keg taps. Getting there: bus 65/81/82/83/83a/272 The Ale Club, Fulwood Cosy drinking den & bottle shop, the second tap from Brew Foundation, the sister to the Ecclesall Ale Club. Opened on 14th December 2019. Getting there: bus 83a/120 Chantry Brewery Chantry Inn, Handsworth Traditional pub in St Mary’s churchyard. Three rooms with low ceilings supported by oak beams. One of four pubs in the UK with claims to be built on holy ground. Originally house for chaplains from mid-13th century becoming a public house in 1804. Sword dancers practice here in the winter. Re-opened as a Chantry Brewery pub., 16th.May 2019. Getting there: bus 30/30a, 52/52a, X5, X6 Cutlers Arms, Rotherham Originally dated 1825, the pub was rebuilt for Stones Brewery of Sheffield in 1907. Architect R. Wigfull was responsible for the impressive façade and other features. It was faced with demolition in the early 2000’s but was saved following statutory listing in 2004. Following a period of closure it was newly restored to its original Edwardian splendour by Chantry Brewery, reopening in February 2014. It retains some of the original art nouveau windows, tiling and original curved bar counter with elegant dividing screen. Local craftsmen were employed on the restoration. Offering a full range of Chantry beers, guest ales, two real ciders and quality craft beers on tap. Live music is on every Saturday evening, Sunday afternoon and most Fridays. Featured in CAMRA’s National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors. No formal meals served but snacks such as pickled eggs and specialist pork pies are. Getting there: Bus X1 or walk from Rotherham Central tram & train station. Brewery tap room, Parkgate The brewery is in a double industrial unit near Parkgate shopping park and now has a tap room upstairs on the mezzanine level offering the opportunity to drink the beer at source! The bar is open to the public Thursdays 6pm-11pm and Saturdays 1pm-11pm. On Friday evenings they often host live music gigs 7pm-11pm which require advance tickets, otherwise the bar opens to the public 5pm-11pm. Getting there: Tram Train to Parkgate terminus Dead Parrot Perch, City Centre The newly opened tap room at the brewery featuring the Dead Parrot beers plus guests. Burgers and Pizza available to eat. Don Valley Brewery Blind Monkey, Walkley Re-opened 27th April 2018 after extensive renovation. The formally open-plan pub is split into four separate areas. Decor was obtained from a large variety of sources. Much is ‘of age,’ little is recent. The bar area includes, possibly unique, pump handles and lots of design-care. The outside area is well planned and offers a comfortable experience on sunnier days. Food is available. Getting there: bus 135 Drone Valley Community Brewery Drone Valley Brewery, Unstone Community-owned five brewer’s barrel establishment which commenced brewing in 2016. The brewery is primarily volunteer operated and welcomes new members and shareholders alike. Opens to the public serving cask and bottled beer on Saturday afternoons. Getting there: bus 43/44 Fuggle Bunny Fuggle Bunny Brew house, Halfway Brewery with on site bar which opens every Friday for their “Fuggle Friday” tap session. Getting there: tram to Halfway Park & Ride, bus 80/80a Heist Craft Brewery tap room, Neepsend Heist’s old industrial building at Neepsend has been repurposed and now features their brewery and bar along with a Slap & Pickle burger outlet, coffee & doughnuts and a variety of games including shuffle board. Kelham Island Brewery Fat Cat, Kelham Island Opened in August 1981, this is the pub that started the real ale revolution in the Kelham Island area. Beers from around the country are served alongside those from the adjacent Kelham Island Brewery. Vegetarian and gluten-free dishes feature on the menu (food 12-3 and 6-8 Monday – Friday; 12-7 Saturday; 12-3 Sunday). The walls are covered with many awards presented to the pub and brewery. In June 2018, local artist Matt Cockayne, spend three days painting a mural on the outside corner wall. Beer festivals are held every August and at various other times. Monday is curry and quiz night. Getting there: tram to Shalesmoor, buses 57/81/82/86 Lost Industry Brewing Industry Tap, City Centre Specialist craft beer bar featuring a keg tap wall with 21 lines plus a fridge full of cans and bottles. The bar is no longer associated with Lost Industry Brewing although their beers are still usually featured. The tap list is displayed on a TV screen above the bar. A simple bar food offer of pizza and panninis is available to accompany your beer. Getting there: Various City Centre bus routes Loxley Brewery Raven, Walkley Formally, the Palm Tree, renamed as The Raven, November 2019. Traditional friendly community pub. Live music, open mic nights, karaoke. Since September 2019 operated by the owners of Wisewood Inn and Loxley Brewery. The pub closed for renovation and reopened on Friday 15th.November 2019. Six handpumps (including four Loxley beers) and nine craft keg taps. Getting there: bus 52a Wisewood Inn, Wisewood A pub popular with drinkers, main bar has three rooms (including a pool room). The cellar bar downstairs is available for hire for all occasions. A large garden to the rear, possibly the largest beer garden in Sheffield, overlooks the Loxley valley. The varied food menu includes continental sausages, pizza and tapas. Adjacent to the cellar bar is located the Loxley Brewery, which commenced production in February 2018. CAMRA Pub of the Month July 2017 and April 2020. Getting there: bus 61/62 (rural bus – connects with trams and other buses at Hillsborough Interchange) Neepsend Brewery Blake, Walkley Guest beers from small/independent breweries include a stout or porter. The pub also provides probably the largest selection of whisky in Sheffield with over 200 available. At the top of a steep hill (pedestrian handholds provided), this community pub reopened as a free house in 2010 after seven years of closure. Extensively restored, it has many Victorian features, including etched windows and mirrors. At the rear is a large decked garden. No electronic games, TV or jukebox. Getting there: short walk from bus 95, 95a or 135 Sheaf View, Heeley A nineteenth century pub near Heeley City Farm, the Sheaf experienced a chequered history before becoming a real ale oasis since re-opening as a freehouse in 2000. The walls and shelves are adorned with assorted breweriana and provide an ideal background for good drinking and conversation. A wide range of international beers, together with malt whiskies and a real cider complement the eight reasonably priced real ales. Six guest beers (one of which is always from Neepsend Brewery) and an extensive range of bottle Belgium and continental beers. Great value and a warm welcome come as standard. A busy pub especially on Wednesday quiz night and Sheffield United match days. Getting there: buses 10/10a/11a/18/20/24/25/43/44/252/X17 Wellington, Shalesmoor Traditional cosy, three roomed real ale pub. Neepsend beers are brewed on a separate site but still form the core beer range here alongside a range of guest beers including a stout or porter. Getting there: Shalesmoor tram stop is next to the pub or bus 57/81/82/86 Stancill Brewery Albion, London Road Recently returned to it’s original pub name of the Albion and very much a Sheffield United supporters pub although a relaxed venue on non-match days. Operated by Stancill Brewery and offers up to 10 beers on handpump. Getting there: Bus 20/43/44/75/76/86/97/98 Closed Shop, Commonside Traditional friendly local in a residential setting, with a focus on customer service and traditional pub values. Following a significant refurbishment in 2013 and further changes in 2017 when Stancill Brewery took over the operation of the pub, there are 10 handpumps, dispensing beers from Stancill and guests. Weekly quiz each Wednesday. Getting there: bus 95/95a The Brewery of St Mars of the Desert SMOD tap room, Attercliffe Tap room in building adjacent to brewery around the same courtyard. Opens to the public most Fridays and Saturdays (this can vary at the moment, check social media for latest updates) with a selection of their beers on keg tap plus bottled beers available to take home. Sometimes new beer launches take place at the tap room sessions. The tap room bar is normally staffed by the brewers themselves who can answer questions about the beer and will from time to time conduct brewery tours. Getting there: bus 9/9a/52/52a or tram to Attercliffe. Tapped Brew Co Sheffield Tap, Sheffield Station Opened in 2009 this was originally the first class refreshment room for Sheffield Midland Station, built in 1904. After years of neglect the main bar area has been subject of an award-winning restoration retaining many original features. Included on CAMRA’s National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors. Further seating has been provided in the entrance corridor and to the right of the bar. Usually three beers are from the on-site Tapped Brewery, opened in 2013 in the impressive former dining room and which can be viewed behind the glass screen. Foreign beer includes over 200 bottled beers. Getting there: Train or tram to Sheffield Station, buses to Sheffield Interchange Thornbridge Brewery Coach & Horses, Dronfield The pub is located next to Sheffield F.C, (the world’s oldest football club}’s ground on the northern edge of Dronfield. It is operated by Thornbridge Brewery and showcases a good range of their beers and guest ales across a wide range of beer styles. The large outdoor drinking area is particularly popular when Sheffield F.C. have a home fixture, or when live music is being played. Good value meals are available throughout the week. The pub hosts a quiz night on Sundays and Thursdays and an open mic. acoustic night on Monday evenings. Getting there: bus 43 Greystones, Greystones Large community pub reopened by Thornbridge in 2010 after extensive restoration. Open plan bar with raised seating area to one side. The back room is home to regular live music and a comedy club. Getting there: bus 83 Hallamshire House, Commonside Operated by Thornbridge Brewery, and known locally as The Tardis, the pub has two small comfy rooms at the front, and leading through bar area are a large lounge and an oak panelled snooker room with full size table.There is a courtyard drinking area downstairs with ample seating and soft furniture in the covered area. At least 5 Thornbridge cask ales plus guest beers and a wide range of bottled beers. Quiz night is on Monday and some Saturdays there is live music or a DJ. Getting there: bus 95/95a Stag’s Head, Sharrow Operated by Thornbidge Brewery. Formerly three rooms around a central bar but now opened out but retaining distinct areas. A conservatory leads into the pleasant garden. A total of eight real ales are offered, with two regular Thornbridge beers, an additional six changing Thornbridge beers, and two guest beers. Getting there: bus 218 Toolmakers Brewery Forest, Neepsend Brewery Tap for Toolmakers Brewery just around the corner. Refurbished and exterior facelift in April 2016. Karaoke on Friday nights. Open Mic nights Wednesdays and Sundays. A short walk from the popular ‘Valley of Beer’ pubs. There is also a separate brewery tap room next door that opens for special events such as live music or comedy. Getting there: bus 7/8 Triple Point Brewery Triple Point Brewery + Bar, City Centre Impressive conversion of an industrial shed type building that used to be a carpet showroom. Originally Sentinel brewery and tap bar. Became Triple Point after a father and son obtained the premises from the Liquidator of Sentinel Brewery. There are six handpumps on the bar showcasing the range including both core and seasonal beers, served in a choice of measures – 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or pint and served in appropriate glassware for the style of beer. Also home to the Twisted Burger Company. Getting there: various City Centre bus routes. True North Brewery Broadfield, Broadfield Operated by local company True North Brew Company and with a deserved reputation for good beer and good food. Dating from 1896, the Broadfield became part of what is now the True North Brew Co in 2011. It has established a reputation for quality food with an extensive menu including hearty pies and home made sausages. A large range of bottled beers and whiskies supplement the nine cask ales which always include beers from their own True North Brewery. Situated within the City’s antiques quarter, the Broadfield is now a leading player in the Abbeydale social scene. Getting there: bus 10/10a/75/76/86/97/98 Old House, City Centre After a refurbishment in Aug 2017, the Old House became the Devonshire. There are seating areas either side of the entrance corridor leading into the main bar area, with table service. Food ranging from snacks to hearty mains is home cooked and available throughout the day. The True North beers are brewed just around the corner and are offered for £2.50 a pint between 4pm and 7pm everyday. Bottled world beers available, as are cocktails and gins. Getting there: tram to West Street, various City Centre bus routes Riverside, Kelham Island On the banks of the River Don, with a pleasant terrace overlooking the river. The interior is largely open plan but with a separate room to the right of the main entrance. Furnishings comprise a mix of comfortable sofas and armchairs together with more spartan canteen style tables and chairs. Operated by True North Brew Co. Getting there: bus 7/8/83/83a/95/95a Wagon & Horses, Millhouses A family friendly long narrow pub on three levels adjacent to Millhouses Park, with part of the building converted from an 18th century farmhouse. Most of the food is home cooked. Getting there: bus 97/98 York, Broomhill Occupying a prominent site in the centre of Broomhill, the York was built in the 1830’s and was originally a blacksmith’s and alehouse called the Travellers Inn. Extensively refurbished in 2010, with parquet flooring and wood-panelled walls, it now offers high-quality dining. There is one regular beers from the group’s own True North Brewery together with a range of seven guest ales (including several true True North, and other local beers from the likes of Abbeydale, Arbor, Bradfield, Kirkstall, and Thornbridge), plus two real ciders, and over 60 gins. Beer and food events feature regularly throughout the year. Getting there: bus 51/52/52a/120

Sheffield City Centre

Posted on by Andy Cullen
For the benefit of those of you who are new to Sheffield, here is our mini guide to real ale venues in Sheffield City Centre. All are walkable, however all are also easily accessible by bus or tram! Where possible a link to the Whatpub entry has been provided for more details and a map.
Bankers Draft (JD Wetherspoon) – Castle Square tram stop Typical Wetherspoon pub with very affordably priced real ales, standard food menu and down to earth clientele over two floors. Get there: all tram routes stop outside, various buses nearby. Bath Hotel – Victoria Street Classic two room art deco back street boozer featuring a selection of ales. Simple bar snacks available, dart board, occasional music nights. Listed on the CAMRA National Inventory of pub interiors. Get there: University tram stop or buses 6,51,52,52a,95,95a,120,271 Benjamin Huntsman (JD Wetherspoon) Modern Wetherspoon bar on two floors, beer range, prices and food menu as you would expect from this chain. Get there: City Hall tram stop Bessemer – Leopold Street By day and night the Bessemer is two very different animals… in the daytime like many pubs in the Stonegate chain it serves value for money food to tables in various cosy corners and real ale is available – generally a mix of national and local brands. However Friday and Saturday night the pub is open until 2am with a DJ playing golden oldies, attracting a very mixed crowd! Pub is owned by Stonegate. Get there: City Hall tram stop, buses to West Street. Brown Bear – Norfolk Street Classic two room pub owned by Samuel Smiths Brewery exclusively serving their products. Obey the Smith’s old fashioned values of no swearing or electronic devices such as mobile phones and you will be rewarded with very affordable beer prices! Get there: Castle Square tram stop or Arundel Gate bus stops. Cavells – High Street Unpretentious cafe bar Get there – Castle Square tram stop, buses on High Street/Arundel Gate. Church House – St James Street Gothic looking pub next to the Cathedral, owned by Heineken Star Bars but independently operated, relaxed atmosphere during the daytime then livelier at night with the pub featuring live bands at the weekend, usually leaning towards the classic rock genre. Get there – Cathedral tram stop or any buses on High Street/Church Street Common Room – Devonshire Street American Pool Lounge, sports bar and diner owned by True North Brewery Get there –  West Street tram stop or any bus on West Street Dog & Partridge – Trippet Lane Traditional multi roomed pub with a range of real ales. Classically part of the ‘Irish Triangle’ of three Sheffield pubs (others being Grapes and Fagans) that for many years have had Irish ex pat landlords and customers. Sporting events are regularly shown on TV, the pub hosts a quiz night and classic video games night. Also check out the old fashioned snug room, which thankfully remained unspoilt when the pub was refurbished. Get there – City Hall tram stop. Sheffield Connect bus SC1 stops close by. Dove & Rainbow – Hartshead Square It certainly isn’t posh or smart and the limit of the bar food menu is a Pot Noodle, the Dove has been a home to the rock and alternative crowd for many years with a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Real Ale, Cider, Pool Table, music, pinball and murals feature here. Get there – Castle Square tram stop, buses to High Street/Arundel Gate/Angel Street Fagan’s – Broad Lane It may be described as a reyt proper pub and a Sheffield institution. It has recently changed hands after the retirement of the long standing licensees however it is still a traditional pub with folk music. Fargate – Fargate New Thornbridge & Co flagship in a building that used to be the Yorkshire Bank. The ground floor bar is a classic, grand space whilst the upstairs where pizzas are served is in a more modern, simple style. Wide range of beers on cask and keg from Thornbridge and guests. Frog & Parrot – Division Street Landmark corner pub owned by Greene King featuring their beers plus local guests and their usual food menu. The pub is quite music orientated both with the decor and occasional live entertainment. Get there – West Street tram stop Foresters – Division Street Recently refurbished and made into a laid back traditional pub that looks reasonably smart. Cask Ales usually from Thornbridge/Kelham Island. Food served. Outdoor drinking area at the rear. Getting there: West Street tram stop. Grapes – Trippet Lane Classic multi roomed heritage pub that has been Irish owned and operated by the same family for many years. Get there – City Hall tram stop Head of Steam – Norfolk Street Large venue with island bar in a building that was once a bank, part of a chain owned by Cameron’s brewery offering and extensive range of craft beer, real ales, European beers, food and more. Get there – Castle Square tram stop, any bus to Arundel Gate Howard – Howard Street Comfortable pub owned by Marstons Brewery by the rail station and Hallam University campus. Get there – buses to Sheffield Interchange, trains and trams at Sheffield Station. Industry Tap – Sidney Street Craft beer bar opened by local experimental brewers Lost Industry but now independent, serving an extensive beer range served on a 21 line keg tap wall and bar snacks in a new build development on the site of the old Niche nightclub. Get there: buses to Moorfoot or Shoreham Street, nearest tram stop is Granville Road (Note – keg only bar, craft beers may or may not be real ale depending on range featured) Lord Nelson – Arundel Street Typical friendly old fashioned local boozer. 4 handpumps for real ale, sport on TV. Museum – Orchard Street Compact but comfortable Greene King pub attached to Orchard Square shopping courtyard. Local guest beers available and food served. Get there: Cathedral tram stop or any buses on Leopold Street/Church Street. Old Queens Head – Pond Street A Thwaites pub attached to the Sheffield Interchange bus station, the original part of the pub is one of the oldest commercial buildings in the City and is now used as the dining area with the more modern parts of the pub offering a comfortable place to relax with a beer or bite to eat. On the bar the real ales are mostly from Thwaites, however there are two guest pumps, one of which is always usually something interesting from a local brewery. The food menu leans towards traditional pub grub with some cheaper lunchtime deals. Get there: any bus to Sheffield Interchange or tram/train to rail station over the road. Old Shoe – Orchard Square A City Centre bar and shop where cider is made on the premises and served alongside a range of bottled ciders from the UK and beyond along with a wide range of craft beer served from keg, cask, bottle and can. They also feature natural wines and other artisan drinks. Get there: Cathedral tram stop; buses to Church Street or Arundel Gate. Perch – Garden Street A modern bar that in its previous life was the base for Sheffield City Council’s parking enforcement officers!  Perch is the tap for Dead Parrot Brewery with a range of their beers on handpump. The brewery is next door alongside the sheltered outdoor drinking area at the rear of the venue which hosts special events from time to time. A food menu of good quality burgers and pizzas is offered along with snacks such as chicken wings. Red Deer – Pitt Street Classic ex Tetleys pub popular with University staff that feels like a country pub in the heart of the City. Range of real ales and fresh food served, regular events including quiz nights and music, small beer patio at rear. Get there: West Street tram stop, various buses. Red Lion – Charles Street Traditional multi room pub with snug and conservatory, pool table and lunchtime food. Get there: buses to Arundel Gate, Castle Square or Sheffield Station tram stop Roebuck – Charles Street A fairly traditional pub located in the heart of the City Centre with real ale and food. Get there: any bus to Arundel Gate. Nearest tram stops: Castle Square or City Hall. Rutland Arms – Brown Street Classic traditional street corner boozer that has been around the Sheffield real ale scene for years, however look beyond the heritage building and the interior that is a bit scruffy around the edges there is a little bit of a modern punk attitude – the pub offers a great range of real ales, some quite interesting craft beers on the keg lines, bistro standard fresh food cooking (as well as chip butties) from the kitchen and an extensive selection of top shelf spirits. They also have a beer garden. Keep an eye on their social media for special events planned including tap takeovers and themed parties, keep an eye on the walls for examples of staff humour and customer politics too! Get there – buses to Brown Street or Arundel Gate, nearest tram stop Sheffield Station. Sheffield Tap – Sheaf Street The Tap is located on platform 1b of Sheffield Station in a building that was previously a derelict storage area – although long before that it was the old first class refreshment rooms, buffet and station masters accommodation. It has all been restored and opened as a craft beer bar with its own on site brewery – Tapped Brew Co. Listed on the CAMRA National Inventory of pub interiors. Get there: tram or train to Sheffield Station, any bus to Sheffield Interchange. Showroom Cafe Bar – Paternoster Row Part of the independent cinema complex, this is a large single room with some art deco features. Get there: Sheffield Station (train and tram) & Sheffield bus Interchange is just around the corner. Three Tuns – Silver Street Head Fairly unique wedge shaped pub building, traditional and comfortable interior with friendly bar service and a choice of classic ales from breweries on the Heineken list such as Theakstons. Check out their social media for details of special events. Get there: Cathedral tram stop Triple Point Brewery + Bar – Shoreham Street Modern brewery and bar in a converted building. Enjoy a range of cask and keg beers brewed on site plus the occasional guest beer. Many of the beers tend to be classic English or European styles with a subtle twist. The bar is also home to the Twisted Burger Company. Get there: buses 1,1a,11,24,25. Nearest tram stop is Granville Road. Two & Six Micropub – Snig Hill Friendly little bar offering a range of cask ales, craft beers on keg and cider. There is also an attached gallery room next door which occasionally hosts exhibitions as well as meetings of the local Laurel & Hardy appreciation group, Sons of the Desert (Sheffield Tent)! Get there: tram to Castle Square or various buses on Snig Hill, Angel Street and Castle Street. University Arms – Brook Hill Formerly the University staff club and originally a vicarage, this slightly gothic looking building is now a pub open to all offering a timeless environment to enjoy beer and food inside and a proper beer garden outside.It also has a number of function rooms upstairs well used by University societies. Get there: University of Sheffield tram stop or buses 51,52,52a Vocation & Co – Devonshire Street Small but perfectly formed bar originally opened by True North Brewery as the Old House, now a branch of Vocation & Co which launched on 14 April 2023 with 5 cask ales and 22 keg lines featuring beer from Vocation and guests. Food is described as upmarket burgers and subs. Get there: West Street tram stop or any buses on West Street. Washington – Fitzwilliam Street Traditional pub building with imposing doorway and two rooms – one a comfy lounge, the other more basic seating/tables with DJ box, dance floor and stage. The pub is very music orientated with DJ and live music nights and a decent soundtrack the rest of the time. The pub also has a great outdoor drinking area. 4 real ales are available – Black Sheep Bitter and Abbeydale Moonshine on the regular pumps and two local guest ales. Open until 3am most nights and welcomes a wonderfully eclectic crowd. Get there: West Street tram stop, buses to Moorfoot or West Street. Waterworks (JD Wetherspoon) Originally converted from offices into a bar as a Lloyds No1 venue, this has since become a Wetherspoons pub with the usual reasonably priced ales and chain pub food menu that you come to expect. Get there: City Hall tram stop Yates – Cambridge Street A chain that probably needs no introduction. By day it operates as a pub with reasonably priced beer, basic pub food menu and sports news on the TV whilst at night it becomes a party venue with a DJ playing mainly latest pop hits (and I now feel really old writing those words). Get there: City Hall tram stop or any bus to West Street or Pinstone Street/Leopold Street

London Road & Ecclesall Road

Posted on by Andy Cullen

These two main roads head South West out of the City Centre and offer a huge cluster of pubs just across the other side of the ring road. There is also an international choice of dining options in this area catering for all tastes!

Frequent buses run along London Road (20, 43, 44, 75, 76, 86, 97 and 98) and Ecclesall Road (65, 81, 82, 83a, 88 and 272)

Albion – London Road
reasonably priced bar run by Stancill Brewery showcasing their ales, large outdoor drinking area.

Banner Cross – Ecclesall Road
Traditional two room boozer with a beer garden at the rear. For some televised sporting events there is a big screen mounted on the outside wall of the pub for those in the beer garden and an outside bar also features.

Beer Engine – Cemetery Road
Craft beer orientated pub with a great range on both cask and keg and knowledgeable staff. Also known for tapas menu.

Beer House – Ecclesall Road
Micropub in a shop unit previously occupied by an e-cigarette shop with a capacity for about 40 people across two small rooms. The front room has level access from the street and contains the bar with 6 handpumps with an ever changing range of real ales. A locally brewed draught lager and interesting bottled beer range also feature and quality wines & spirits from the local specialist off licence. A real cider and perry is also available. The rear room is up a few steps and contains a number of tables and a fire along with access to the toilets. There is a quiz on Wednesday evenings.

Clubhouse – London Road
Sports bar with a range of real ales and ciders, special offers, home made burgers and of course lots of TV screens showing the action!

Cremorne – London Road
One of Sheffield’s classic indie pubs, on a street corner on the main London Road by the bus stop and just a stones throw from Bramall Lane stadium. A choice of real ales are offered, pizzas are available to order at the bar and live music and DJ events regular take place at the back of the pub. It is also the bar HQ of O’Hara’s spiced rum.

Dark Horse – Ecclesall Road
New bar in a former bank branch offering all the usual drinks including a more mainstream craft beer range. Food is burgers from Slap & Pickle.

The Ale Club – Ecclesall Road
The Ecclesall Ale Club is a small ale house and bottle shop run by Brew Foundation selling beer in cask, keg, bottle and can from independent breweries, with the decor themed like a country club.  Five hand pumps and eight keg taps.

Greystones – Greystones Road
Large community pub reopened by Thornbridge in 2010 after extensive restoration. Open plan bar with raised seating area to one side. The back room is home to regular live music and a comedy club.

Itchy Pig Ale House 2 – Ecclesall Road
The new sister to the original Broomhill micropub, offering a great range of craft beer on cask and keg.

Jabbarwocky – London Road
Former Polish bar opposite Highfield Library on the junction of London Road and Abbeydale Road. Range of craft beers on keg and Moonshine on cask plus Polish Vodka and food

Lescar– Sharrow Vale Road
Large two-roomed pub with tap room at front and L shaped lounge both served by central bar. Separate function room at rear is host to Jazz club on Wednesday the Little Last Laugh Comedy Club on Thursday. Good range of guest ales always available as well as some craft keg. Good menu of main meals and light snacks. Quiz each Monday.

Local – Ecclesall Road

Previously a small cocktail and tapas bar called Paradise Lost, it’s now been renamed the Local Bar and has a handpump featuring a local ale such as Abbeydale Moonshine alongside wines and cocktails.

No3-Sharrow – Sharrow Vale Road

Modern micropub featuring beer from Loxley Brewery on cask and guest beers on keg.

Porter Brook – Ecclesall Road
Opened in 1990s in a converted house on the banks of the River Porter as a Hogshead. Now owned by Greene King and offers up to ten beers with guests mainly from local breweries. The open plan bar has exposed brickwork and bare floorboards.

Porter Cottage – Sharrow Vale Road
Open plan pub with an L shaped bar in the heart of the Sharrow Vale shopping area. Popular with students and the like. Recently revamped and rethemed with a less traditional style as part of the “Dirty Habit” chain.

Portland House – Ecclesall Road
Ecclesall Road’s Portland House has a new look for 2019. Portland House micropub was opened in February 2015 by Welbeck Abbey Brewery. In December 2017 it was taken over by industry novice Lance Worthington. A Photographer and Designer, Lance learned the trade in a New York bar and has applied his design flare and customer service skills to transform the bar to what it is now. Portland House has 6 constantly rotating cask ales and 9 kegs from local and national brewers. The bar also has over 40 gins, 10 rums, 10 whiskeys and a comprehensive wine list.

Sheaf Island (JD Wetherspoon) – Ecclesall Road
A Wetherspoon in the ground floor of the redeveloped Wards Brewery site. Central bar with extensive seating areas at each end and a large outdoor terrace.

Broomhill, Crookes & Walkley

Posted on by Andy Cullen

The districts of Broomhill, Crookes, Commonside and Walkley are suburbs just North West of the City Centre, in the hills above the University of Sheffield and west end hospitals, with many of the residents connected as either students or staff, meaning a diverse mix of pubs in the area catering for the locals, including taps for Stancill, Thornbridge and True North breweries!

There are two key bus routes to these pubs from the City Centre – the 52/52a to Crookes via Broomhill and 95/95a to Walkley via Commonside. Broomhill is also frequently served by buses 51 and 120. The 52a also provides a link up the hill from Hillsborough tram and bus Interchange. Additionally bus 31 provides a limited daytime service to parts of Walkley.

You may wish to also combine some of these pubs with Ranmoor, Fulwood and Nether Green (home to the Rising Sun, our 2022 Pub of the Year) which are on bus route 120 beyond Broomhill.

Click on the pub name to find more information at whatpub.com.

Ball Inn, Crookes
Large Greene King pub served from one bar. Has 14 hand pumps serving many local guest ales plus at least one cider. Wooden panelled snug area still remains with carpeted floor. Two pool tables in raised area at the back. Can show three sports channels on TV screens. Large outdoor patio area.

Blake, Walkley
Guest beers from small/independent breweries include a stout or porter. The pub also provides probably the largest selection of whisky in Sheffield with over 200 available. At the top of a steep hill (pedestrian handholds provided), this community pub reopened as a free house in 2010 after seven years of closure. Extensively restored, it has many Victorian features, including etched windows and mirrors. At the rear is a large decked garden. No electronic games, TV or jukebox.

Blind Monkey, Walkley
Re-opened 27th April 2018 after extensive renovation. The formally open-plan pub is split into four separate areas. Decor was obtained from a large variety of sources. Much is ‘of age,’ little is recent. The bar area includes lots of design-care. The outside area is well planned and offers a comfortable experience on sunnier days. Beer is Don Valley Brewery plus guests.

Wobbly Dagger, Walkley
Bar & bistro, extended from the original small unit and now has Abbeydale Moonshine on cask as well as various keg beers, cocktails etc.

Broomhill Tavern
A horseshoe shaped bar serving four cosy areas each with its own character. Charity donations have raised money for two guide dogs. Bargains in four pint jugs.

Closed Shop, Commonside
Traditional friendly local in a residential setting, with a focus on customer service and traditional pub values. Following a significant refurbishment in 2013 and further changes in 2017 when Stancill Brewery took over the operation of the pub, there are 10 handpumps, dispensing beers from Stancill and guests. Weekly quiz each Wednesday.

Cobden View
Situated on a quiet back street, there is a small drinking area near the front bar, a separate bar serves the games room at the rear with a lounge to the side.

Crookes Social Club
Popular social club offering live entertainment, snooker, bowls, and pool. Regular drinks promotions. Two cask ales from local breweries, typically Stancill Brewery, or Bradfield Brewery.

Dam House, Crookesmoor
Large bar and restaurant overlooking the lake at Crookes Valley Park, near the University of Sheffield and Weston Park Museum. 4 local real ales normally available.

Early Bar, Crookes
A coffee bar come micro pub in the centre of Crookes. A choice six craft beers on keg and at least one on cask.

Florist, Walkley
Friendly community pub with live music, quiz and bingo nights, disco and karaoke and big match evenings. Regular rotating guest real ale from Bradfield brewery.

Hallamshire House, Commonside
Operated by Thornbridge Brewery, and known locally as The Tardis, the pub has two small comfy rooms at the front, and leading through bar area are a large lounge and an oak panelled snooker room with full size table.There is a courtyard drinking area downstairs with ample seating and soft furniture in the covered area. At least 5 Thornbridge cask ales plus guest beers and a wide range of bottled beers. Quiz night is on Monday and some Saturdays there is live music or a DJ.

Itchy Pig Ale House, Broomhill
Micro-pub conversion of a gift shop previously called Knowles’s Emporium. Five real ales, two craft ales and a craft lager. The food offer is snacks with a porcine theme – pork pies and and a variety of pork scratchings.

Masons Arms, Crookes
Just off the main road. Two rooms, one with pool and darts with trophies over the bar and prints featuring Sheffield trams. Quiz night is on Friday with live music on Saturday. Cask beers are usually from local breweries.

Nottingham House, Broomhill
Popular with locals and students alike “The Notty” has quizzes & live music. Has a reputation for good homemade pies.

Old Grindstone, Crookes
Managed by Stancill brewery since May 2019. Extended greatly the upper level games areas was once a separate outbuilding. Has large projection screen in back room for televised sport. Plenty of other screens in rest of pub. Offers a range of severn beers from Stancill Brewery, some regular and some seasonal.

Princess Royal, Crookes
Traditional street corner Victorian local tucked away in the back streets between Crookes and Walkley. Two lounge rooms and large snooker room. Upstairs function room. Free quiz Mondays and Thursday with free sandwiches and chips for contestants.

Punchbowl, Crookes
A modern contemporary lounge style pub, and a dining area offering a spectacular view over the city. As of July 2019 under new management being operated by the True North Brew Co. Six real ales on offer, with two from True North, and four guest beers.

Raven, Walkley
Formally, the Palm Tree, renamed as The Raven, November 2019. Traditional friendly community pub. Since September 2019 operated by the owners of Wisewood Inn and Loxley Brewery. The pub closed for renovation and reopened on Friday 15th.November 2019. Six handpumps (including four Loxley beers) and nine craft keg taps.

Two Sheds, Crookes
micropub offers four cask beers and four keg beers, plus a bottle shop.

Walkley Beer Company
A small specialist beer shop and micropub that opens Thursday to Sunday. It has a tasting bar offering the choice of beers to drink inside. Three, gravity-served cask beers are available, with a frequently changing range. There are also five craft keg lines. Two pint takeouts are also available and occasional events are held in this friendly converted shop unit.

Walkley Cottage
Build for Gilmours on a large site, this spacious roadhouse-style suburban local is open-plan with a large L-shaped lounge and a central bar. There is a large sunken beer garden. Popular quiz every Thursday. Four regular beers with, at least, one rotating guest. Good value meals with OAP specials. No meals Sunday evenings.

The York, Broomhill

Occupying a prominent site in the centre of Broomhill, the York was built in the 1830’s and was originally a blacksmith’s and alehouse called the Travellers Inn. Extensively refurbished in 2010, with parquet flooring and wood-panelled walls, it now offers high-quality dining.

There is one regular beers from the group’s own True North Brewery together with a range of seven guest ales (including several true True North, and other local beers from the likes of Abbeydale, Arbor, Bradfield, Kirkstall, and Thornbridge), plus two real ciders, and over 60 gins. Beer and food events feature regularly throughout the year.

Large windows give natural light onto the parquet flooring and wooden panelling, with buttoned leather seating around the walls. Wide range of foreign bottled beers and cocktails. After work offers available 4-7pm weekdays.

Welbeck Abbey Brewery

Posted on by Andy Cullen
Spring has well and truly sprung and we have three special brews to celebrate the warmer weather. Greendale Oak is a 4.0% Springtime ale. Dry hopped using the freshest Australian and American hops to give zesty citrus and fresh apple-blossom aromas. The Welbeck parkland has always been famous for its oak trees. The most famous of all was the Greendale Oak which was said to be so vast, that the Duchess had a cabinet made from the centre of the trunk, leaving an archway so wide that a horse drawn carriage could be driven right through. Our second offering for April is Mistress of the Robe, a honeyed pale ale at 4.4%. In 1902 the sixth Duke commissioned Cartier to make a tiara which the Duchess wore at the coronation of Edward VII that year. She was ‘Mistress of the Robes’, senior lady in the royal household, to Alexandra between 1913 and 1925. This luxuriously silky blonde beer has been created with sweet malt and juicy New Zealand hops. Finally, we have the next brew in our Found and Foraged range. Breaking Bread is brewed with overbake from the School of Artisan Food. Sixteen keen bakery students are currently working hard to hone their skills at the School. As a result, they generate a monumental amount of bread. We have replaced a portion of the usual malted barley with this bread to produce a deliciously malty pale ale.

Heist Brew Co

Posted on by Andy Cullen
Derbyshire brewers Heist Brew Co make the big move from the sleepy mining village of Clowne to the once beating heart of Sheffield’s industry and now hive of activity for  development and regeneration, Kelham Island and Neepsend. The craft beer brewers’ new location will be situated in the Neepsend area of the city, on Neepsend Lane, close to the bustling Cutlery Works and legendary Gardeners Rest pub. From humble beginnings brewing once a week and distributing locally and regionally, Heist are now expanding their operation to deal with national and international demand and have seen the positives of moving into the brewing community currently building in the Kelham and Neepsend areas. The massive project will see an old machine works transformed into a brewery with interactive tours, tastings and events capable of hosting private bookings and corporate events in their two large bar spaces. Combining a modern style with raw materials to maintain the original character of the building, it will retain the two industrial cranes and other internal structures, along with maintaining a lot of the original characteristics of the building inside and out. With 30 craft beer lines hosting ten Heist lines of staple and limited release as well as beers from the rest of the UK and Europe, there will be regular guest lines from the US and further afield brought in especially for Heist, as well as special release bar top cask. The bar spaces will house gaming, eating and comfy spaces and a burger joint which will be serving up signature burger stacks and loaded fries provided by a very special street food vendor which is TBA, who will host regular guest street food vendors from around the UK and other unique food experiences. Adding to this vibrant area Heist will join a number of Sheffield Breweries in the area such as Sheffield Brewery, Neepsend Brewery and Kelham Island Brewery, which will be sure to gain the attention of avid beer drinkers, creating a popular spot for those beer drinkers seeking a day out in the steel city, as well as those looking for a unique shopping experience in the local area. Working with other local businesses Heist will be hosting a number of events over the coming months such as food and beer pairing at Boozehound (Cutlery works), a summer skate jam and BBQ at the House Skatepark, and a beer cocktail evening at the Millowners to name just a few. The details for all the events will be updated on their social media shortly. Heist Brew Co are planning to be open mid summer with dates to be confirmed. A weekend long opening is planned with special experiences to the opening up for grabs for a few lucky winners and their friends, plus other goodies up for grabs too. Head over to their social media pages @heistbrew and @heistbrewtap to keep up-to-date on the progress of the build and everything else Heist.

Steel City Brewing

Posted on by Andy Cullen
Steel City’s latest brew was a ‘super-collab’, with several of Sheffield’s craft-est breweries gathering along with Lucienne off of the Shakespeare to brew Collabracadabra for that pub’s eponymous event in Beer Week (Friday 13/03). Lucienne had been on a tour of the country brewing a dozen collabs for the event then a little closer to home arranged the super-collab hosted by Steel City with Lost industry, Abbeydale, Blue Bee and Neepsend visiting. After much discussion the brewers settled on an Apricot Vanilla braggot, brewed with 60kg of apricot, Madagascan vanilla and slightly more local Sheffield honey. Much beer was enjoyed on the day as well as a barbecue, oh and the brewing went pretty well too. 200 litres of the brew have been squirreled away in a Bordeaux red wine barrel with another 20kg of apricot and even more vanilla, this will launch at Sheffield Beer Week 2021. In other news, the brewery is finally getting round to exporting, with a shared pallet with Lost Industry making its way to Koeln (Cologne) where the beers will be featured at Craftbeer Corner Coeln as well as making their way deeper into Germany. The quest for world domination starts here…

Blue Bee Brewery

Posted on by Andy Cullen
March sees the return of Sheffield Beer Week and we can’t wait to enjoy some of the great beery events planned throughout the city. We were really pleased to welcome Luicenne from the Shakespeare down to the brewery to brew a beer for their Collabracadabra brew fest, the beer in question is a style we have not brewed for a while, a Black IPA showcasing American Ekuanot hops. At the time of writing the full details had not been decided but expect a dark ale packed full of hoppy bitterness. We also headed down to Steel City/ Lost Industry to join the Shakespeare team, Abbeydale and Neepsend to brew a beer for the event and can’t wait for Friday 13th March to try both beers at the Shakespeare. Other beers we have available for March are the new American 5 Hop version 43 4.3% this time combining Amarillo, Columbus, Cascade, Centennial and Mosaic. We also managed to get our hands on some Australian Galaxy hops for the first time in a long time and have combined it with Mosaic to create a citrusy and fruity West Coast IPA with a bitter finish, inventively named Galaxy Mosaic IPA 5.8%. On top of this we have Citra and Simcoe session New England Pale Ale in the pipeline so watch this space.

Kelham Island Tavern

Posted on by Andy Cullen
The Kelham Island Tavern has begun a monthly food night on the first Thursday of the month between 6pm and 8pm. February featured a curry night which proved really popular and plans for Thursday 5th March are for a Mexican themed evening, so come along and enjoy some great home cooked food and a beer. Also on the cards at the Kelham Island Tavern for Sheffield Beer week are a cask tap takeover of Leeds based Wilde Child Brewery on Tuesday 10th March. Expect a range of their signature flavoured stouts, porters and pale ales along with hop forward pale ales. Secondly on Friday 13th March there will be a Newcastle tap takeover showcasing some of the best breweries from Newcastle upon Tyne on both cask and keg. Featuring beers from Wylam, Almasty, By the River, Alpha Delta, Errant and more.

Beers by Queers at the Devonshire Cat

Posted on by Andy Cullen
Inclusivity and Diversity. Two words that are not mentioned often enough in connection to the beer community. However they are two of the pillars of Sheffield Beer Week and they are at the heart of what we want to achieve with our Sheffield Beer Week plans here at the Dev Cat. On Friday 13th March we’re proud to be hosting the launch party of the collaboration beer between Abbeydale, Sheffield based LGBT community – Out & About and The Queer Brewing Project. This collaboration will be joined by a host of other beers on draught that have been brewed by LGBT+ people in a considered effort to promote the much under-represented LGBT+ beer community. This is more than a tap takeover; it is a celebration of equality, diversity and of course great beer! Michael Deakin – Bar Manager at The Devonshire Cat.