The Blake Hotel towered (literally) above its North Sheffield rivals to win the Pub of the Year 2024 (North) on Thursday 18 July.
Situated at the top of one of Sheffield’s steepest hills, the Blake serves a range of six-seven cask ales to both regulars, and younger student drinkers. You can even take your pooch with you. There is also a large range of single malts and rums for the spirits connoisseur. Outside sees a nice beer garden to enjoy the sun.
In 2009, the pub was resurrected from it being boarded up. The cellar was dug out, the floor relaid and the décor revived. It is now a traditional local, without the usual trappings such as trinkets and horse brasses.
The pub serves a very good range of casks ales, at reasonable prices. There are also pork pies to accompany the beer.
Dom (pictured) receiving the award from Sheffield CAMRA Branch Secretary, Phil Ellet.
The New Barrack Tavern on Penistone Road, although standing out on its own away from the centre of Hillsborough and the trendy hotspot of Kelham Island, has been a local stalwart on the real ale scene for many years now.
Also well established is Kev, Steph and daughter Rebecca being at the helm making it something of a family business with regulars that attend nearby sporting events at Hillsborough and Owlerton stadiums almost becoming part of an extended family!
Real ale drinkers are catered for with beers from Castle Rock brewery plus guests and regular live entertainment events are hosted including live music and a comedy club in this classic multi-roomed roadhouse style pub which also has an excellent beer garden (with outdoor stage!). It also has a function/meeting room with its own bar and a pool table.
The pub is also on CAMRA’s heritage pub inventory as a one star listing with an interior of special national historic interest.
The award we are presenting however recognises what a great destination the pub is for cider drinkers. Investment has been made replacing the kitchen with a cider cellar adjacent to the bar and a large range is available covering both traditional and flavoured options and the availability of cider is well promoted!
Our local CAMRA members in Sheffield & District voted the New Barrack Tavern as our branch Cider Pub of the Year, as a result it went forward into the Yorkshire competition in which it was runner up.
Join us there on Saturday 3 August from 7pm for a drink or two as we present both award certificates.
The New Barrack Tavern has won Yorkshire cider pub awards before!
On the evening of Wednesday 3 July CAMRA members and regulars joined Josh, Louise and the team at the Kelham Island Tavern to celebrate again being judged Sheffield & District Pub of the Year. The certificate was presented, beer was drunk, cheese & biscuits and pork pie was enjoyed! Well done to all involved and thanks for an enjoyable evening!
Paul Manning with the management and staff of the Kelham Island Tavern at their Pub of the Year presentation
After previously running the Railway Hotel, Bramall Lane and winning a CAMRA PotM award, Andy and Jack Cater were given the nod that the Railway in S6 was coming to the market in 2022.
Already owning an arcade games company, they set about transforming this little music and ale gem which opened in September of that year. While retaining its charm, the pub now boasts entertainment in an arcade game room, a pool table, two dart board set-ups and a singles/album jukebox. Live bands play Saturdays, with special events like Tramlines fringe and beer festivals throughout the year.
The award takes place on Tuesday 13 August from 8pm.
19 Penistone Road North, Wadsley Bridge, S6 1LP. Get there by bus 7, 8, 86 or 97.
Sheffield & District CAMRA Chairman Paul Manning presents the award for East Sheffield Pub of the Year to Terry and Alison of the Chantry Inn, Handsworth.
Sheaf View at Heeley received the award for South Sheffield area Pub of the YearItchy Pig in Broomhill received the award for West Sheffield area Pub of the YearThe Bath Hotel received our award for Sheffield City Centre Pub of the Year
Still to be presented:
North Sheffield area pub of the year – Blake Hotel, Walkley
East Sheffield area pub of the year – Chantry Inn, Handsworth
Kelham Island & Neepsend area pub of the year – Kelham Island Tavern
Our overall 2024 pub of the year and also Sheffield Kelham Island & Neepsend area pub of the year is the outstanding Kelham Island Tavern. The Kelham Island area is now a Sheffield beer tourist attraction, with excellent bus and tram connections from the City Centre.
Constructed in the 1830s as part of a terrace, and originally operating as the Sawmaker, the pub was later renamed the White Hart, and in 1995 became the Kelham Island Tavern, before closing in 1999. In March 2002, the derelict building was purchased and reopened, specialising in real ale.
Over the last 22 years, the pub has continued to thrive and since 2019, under the management of Josh and Louise, it has continued to offer a wide range of both cask (13) and craft keg beers always including a porter and stout along with many IPA’s and bitters. It has an excellent rear beer garden and the pub maintains the standards to which many others aspire.
The beer range is consistently excellent, always including at least one from Blue Bee. A simple snack menu is available including pork pies.
KIT is the only pub to be CAMRA National Pub of the Year two years running (in 2008 & 2009). It has been CAMRA Yorkshire Pub of the Year five times and Sheffield Pub of the Year on 17 occasions: a record which is highly unlikely to be overtaken.
Please join us on Wednesday 3rd July as we present the well deserved awards to Josh, Louise and the team.
Under the leadership of Stephanie, Kevin, and daughter Rebecca, the New Barrack Tavern is still thriving after its 1936 rebuild and various renovations, although the original bar remains.
The pub opens seven days a week (times on webpage) and hosts bands, comedy nights and local groups such as Morris dancers.
Six cask ales are normally available, but the pub is renowned for the choice of real cider.
The award is to be presented on Saturday 3 August from 7pm. Everyone is welcome to toast their success. Buses 7, 8 and 86 stop outside or Bamford Street tram stop is 5 minute away.
On the evening of Tuesday 14 May a group of CAMRA members joined regulars at the Bath Hotel celebrating the pub winning our City Centre Pub of the Year award. Paul Crofts (our branch treasurer and beer festival organiser) presented the pub’s owner Brian Johnson with the certificate and all present enjoyed some excellent ales, pork pies and samosas!
Brian and team at the Bath Hotel presented with their City Centre Pub of the Year certificate by Sheffield CAMRA’s Paul Crofts
The full list of our Pub and Club of the Year winners:
