We first visited the Blake during the Sheffield Beer Census in June 2017 and were so impressed with it that we make a point of calling in whenever we are visiting friends in Walkley. Although we are neither local or regulars we are always made welcome.
Formerly part of the Stones brewery estate, the Blake is now owned by James Birkett, who also runs the Sheaf View and Wellington pubs, along with Neepsend Brewery. It’s a street corner pub with a central bar and three comfortable rooms, including one with a log burning stove for the cold nights. There’s also an outside sitting area for when it gets warmer.
On the bar you’ll find Neepsend Blonde plus 5 rotating guest ales, usually from small independent brewers. There’s also a good choice of international beers either on keg or in bottle and a scrumpy for cider lovers. On the shelves behind are over 180 different whiskies, plus a range of rums and gins. Pork pies are usually available as well as the usual snacks.
A major attraction of the Blake and the other pubs in this group is that they don’t have TVs or background music. You go there for the company and conversation. It’s surprising how many dog walkers find their way there too, and quiz lovers are welcome on a Wednesday.
It’s a great local – I wish it was nearer to where I live! You’ll find it open between 12 noon and 11.30pm seven days a week but it’s either uphill or downhill if you’re walking to this pub on Blake Street. A choice of either the 95 (Fulton Rd stop) or 31 buses will help get you there.
Malcolm Dixon
We will be presenting the Blake Hotel with their award on Tuesday 12 February, as usual arriving from around 8pm onwards for a presentation at 9pm. We hope you can join us!
The Bar Stewards recently celebrated their first inclusion in the Good Beer Guide for 2019 and the beer line-up this evening showed just why the pub has become so popular over the last couple of years, with cask ales on offer from national breweries such as Siren, Moor and Hawkshead alongside an excellent range of KeyKeg beers, bottles and cans. Free food – always appreciated! – was on offer too, with locally made pork pies and onion bhajis.
Sheffield & District CAMRA vice-chairman and Bar Stewards’ resident quizmaster, Patrick Johnson (a.k.a. Captain Space Maths), was on hand to make the presentation to owners Alan Quinlen and Charlie Mullen and their staff. Congratulations again to everyone involved! 
As would be expected on a Saturday afternoon, there was a good number of punters in attendance to see pub landlord Trevor Wraith (left) presented with the certificate by Regional Director for Yorkshire, Kevin Keaveny.
Congratulations to Trevor, Lewis and all the Kelham Island Tavern’s staff and customers on their continued success. 
The Stables Bar was very busy also with children and dogs, but we managed to present the award to Mandy during a brief few minutes to an appreciative audience. 
Vice-chairman Patrick Johnson handed over the certificate, which will take pride of place alongside the pub’s host of previous Pub of the Month and Cider Pub of the Year awards, to licensee Liz Aspden and Exit 33 brewer Pete Roberts.
Congratulations once again to everyone at the Harlequin on their award! 
The bar features up to 10 well-kept real ales with the regular beers (Blonde and Northern Best) provided by Exit 33. All the latest seasonal and one-off Exit 33 brews feature too, as well as quality rotating guest ales, generally from Yorkshire and the North East. There is also a range of craft keg and bottled beers including an international selection, mainly German and Belgian.
A regular winner of our Cider Pub of the Year award, the Harlequin is considered one of the best pubs in Sheffield for apple fans. Landlady Liz’s passion for cider is clear for all to see with as many as 14 different boxed ciders available, plus more in bottle and on keg. Keep an eye out (it’s hard to miss!) for the cider board with the current choice including descriptions and tasting notes.
A popular quiz (affectionately known as the Harlequiz, of course) is hosted on Wednesdays, while live music features on Friday and Saturdays with rock bands normally dominating the Saturday slot. The second Thursday of each month is jazz and swing night and all music nights are free to attend.
The Harlequin is a short walk from the City Centre or Kelham Island, or there is a bus stop right outside the pub served by routes 3, 7 and 8. We will be presenting the award on Tuesday 9 October, arriving from around 8pm for a presentation at 9pm. 
All CAMRA members who attended were offered a complimentary half pint of the newly released Voyager #12 IPA (5.6%), which was of course very much appreciated. There was, as always, a varied and interesting selection of cask ales on offer, with Abbeydale’s core offerings joined by a range of seasonal beers and guests from breweries such as Thornbridge and Hawkshead.
Congratulations again to Liz and all the Dev Cat team on their success!