Category: Inn Brief

The White Lion at Heeley, as well as its usual busy live music programme, real ale on the bar and newly introduced bar snacks, has a few additional things going on during December. At the beginning of the month is a charity Christmas fair then on Christmas Eve there is a fancy dress competition. Boxing Day is designated ‘Red and White day’ which could equally refer to Christmas or the fact that Sheffield United is playing at home that day. The New Years Eve party is a dress to impress affair. Also amongst the Christmas music programme worth pointing out is the Christmas Concert on the 22nd when mulled wine and mince pies will be available! See their advert for full listings.

The Bradway is now fenced off and has contractors on site. It looks like demolition to make way for the Sainsburys Local convenience store is imminent.

The Yew Tree at Malin Bridge is to have a new outdoor drinking area. An initial scheme was rejected earlier this year because of the predicted noise and other disturbance for neighbours. Now ambitions have been scaled back to the satisfaction of the council although the proposed external drinking area is only slightly smaller, with fixed umbrellas. Proposals for seating booths, TV screens and floodlights have been dropped.

The management team running The Wharncliffe Arms has taken on the Miners Arms in Chapel­town. This opened on 8 Nov, run by Martin and Emma.

The Hearty Oak at Dronfield Woodhouse has closed and is available to lease. This is a big multiroomed pub, not long since refurbished, located on the border of a residential area and green belt countryside and has lots of potential.

The Crown at Totley has reopened under new management following a refurb by Punch Taverns, at your editors brief visit on his monthly magazine delivery walkabout it looked smart and busy. As before the well kept range of real ales included popular national brands along with a local beer in the form of Bradfield Farmers Blonde.

The Green Dragon in Dronfield closed on 17 Nov with the departure of Martin Stacey who has been running the pub on a lease from Enterprise Inns for the last couple of years. In that time he has improved the beer range, and introduced special events to the pub and we wish him well for the future. The Dragon is due to reopen under the new management of Veronica Tomlinson on 25 Nov. Whilst Veronica is moving to the Green Dragon from her management role at the Dronfield Arms, business as usual will continue at the Dronfield Arms with her son Dan remaining in charge down there!

The Dronfield Arms’ downstairs restaurant has returned to its original format and is now once again known as ‘The Vault’. It reopened on 15 Nov and in charge is head chef Chris Pick, who was previously Executive Chef at the Mecure St Pauls Hotel and has years of experience cooking at award winning venues. The Vault serves food Thu-Sat evenings and Sunday lunchtime, access is via the pub and drinks can be ordered from the pub’s bar (including real ale). Booking advisable.

The Old (top) Red Lion in Grenoside is now run by the management of the GBG-listed, ‘Old Moor Tavern,’ (Dearne Valley). The Old Moor food menu is now available including the famed ‘Golden Moments’ lunch. Early reports suggest good food and lower prices. The Gardeners Rest at Neepsend is holding a Double Christmas Quiz Extravaganza on Sunday 15th December.

The Closed Shop at Commonside continues to push on with their weekly music events, and the third Wednesday is no exception. Indie-pop-singalong starts at 8.30pm, ‘repairing society with communal drinking and singing’. Anyone is welcome to pop down, have a few drinks, a few laughs, join in with some singing/playing or just watch on from afar. The team behind the Rutland Arms and The Closed Shop are very pleased and excited to have taken over the running of the Three Tuns on Silver Head Street, Sheffield City Centre. The beautifully shaped pub is well known to Andy and several of his colleagues from their time at the Wig & Pen and they are really enthused to be back in that area of the city. Initial plans are to restore the use of the 6 handpulls (with a selection of local, regional and national favourites), add a choice of real cider and rejig the product range. In January there are plans to enhance the food offering and extend the hours as well. Rumours even abound of a LEGO version.