On Saturday 30 May, members of the Sheffield & District branch headed around the city and this year further out including parts of the Peak District to complete the Sheffield Pub Survey (Last one was done same time last year). The purpose of the event was to take a snapshot of the range and cost of real ales and hopefully confirm Sheffield’s rightful status as the Beer Capital of the UK.
Groups on various different routes set off at midday and met up at the Bath Hotel in the City Centre. From here, those that could still make it, headed out to other areas and pubs which had not yet been surveyed. For the third time in a row, we were blessed with great weather.
191 pubs were surveyed (33 more than last time), with a total of 629 beers recorded. From this data 376 unique beers were identified from 155 different breweries. As we surveyed a wider number of pubs this year we compared the number of beers on sale for the 109 pubs which were surveyed in 2025 AND 2026. This came up with a figure of 4.36 beers available per pub only slightly down from the 4.5 figure from 2025. We believe these figures maintain Sheffield’s claim to be the Beer Capital, offering the widest choice of cask ales.
Our comprehensive 2026 survey across 191 venues reveals that the headline average price for a pint of cask ale in our branch area now stands at £4.46 (an 8.0% increase over 2025). However, a quick breakdown by postcode area shows that surveying pubs further out of town played a massive role in pulling that headline figure up.
The inclusion of pubs in the Hope Valley and Peak District introduced a distinct “tourist premium”: S32 (Hathersage/Eyam) and S33 (Castleton/Hope) topped the scales with eye-watering averages of £5.69 and £5.35 respectively—with individual pints reaching as high as £6.95. Within Sheffield itself, S17 (Dore/Totley) led the city proper at £5.13, followed by the S7/S11 corridor at £4.76–£4.78, while traditional suburban strongholds like S6 (Hillsborough) and S8 (Woodseats) maintained more modest baselines around £4.25–£4.34. Clearly the days of the sub £4 pint in independent pubs will soon be behind us.
Looking strictly at established, urban Sheffield pubs returning from last year’s survey, the like-for-like picture is far more measured: prices across our core city estate rose by between 5.2% and 7.2% (an average rise of 23p to 29p a pint). While this still outpaces general UK CPI inflation (2.8%) as publicans contend with rising wage floors and operational overheads, high-volume national chains kept their increases to just 3.2% (averaging ~£2.60)—widening the gap between corporate value outlets and our independent trade. Beer is clearly going up in price at a far greater rate than general inflation.
As usual local breweries dominated the pumps with Abbeydale having 81 recorded beers, Thornbridge overtaking Bradfield with 45 beers vs Bradfield’s 41. This was no doubt driven by the opening of the Fargate Tap.
As for individual beers on sale the top spot this year was again Abbeydale’s Moonshine available in 41 of the pubs surveyed, Timothy Taylors’ Landlord (a Yorkshire brewed but less local beer) came in second on sale in 27 pubs, with Bradfield Farmer’s Blonde third in 24 pubs.
As ever a very special thanks to all the hard working volunteers who went out to venues and gathered the data to make this survey possible.
The Hallamshire House pub in Commonside has just been reunited with a long-lost sign last seen in the late 90’s.
It’s a fascinating story of how it happened, although how it disappeared in the first place is still a complete mystery.The pub was contacted by a couple from Leeds who were offering to return one of their old pub signs.
Landlord Doug Simpson was obviously intrigued, if somewhat baffled by the call, and keen to know more.
Apparently, the couple had lived in Brooklyn for many years, and around 25 years ago had visited a neighbour’s apartment where they were amazed to find the sign hanging on the wall.They instantly recognised the sign from their days as University Students in Sheffield in the late 1970’s.
The neighbour had bought it for a friend, as a wedding gift, but the wife didn’t like it, so he ended up getting it back! When the couple returned to Leeds in 2009, the neighbours kindly gave them the sign, where it sat for the next 17 years, leaning against a wall due to the weight!
After a recent house move, they decided the sign should return to its rightful home, and a call was made to the pub to see if they wanted it back.Doug jumped at the chance, and when the couple said they didn’t want anything for it, but would like a donation to charity, Thornbridge Brewery readily agreed and Sheffield Children’s Hospital was the happy recipient.
The sign is now on display in the pub, proudly hung over the fireplace in the back room.Of course, the question of how it got to New York in the first place is still unresolved so if anyone knows anything about it, The Hallamshire would be keen to talk to you.
The list of venues for the 2026 Half Pint Marathon has been published and it is quite a long one this time with 32 pubs, bars and taprooms taking part!
All of the venues will be serving at least one of the two special charity beers throughout September, which have been brewed by Triple Point and Abbeydale. It is expected that one will be cask and the other keg.
For every pint sold, 25p will go to Sheffield Mind, a local mental health charity which provides vital services, information and advocacy across the city, helping people access support when they need it most.
The event, co-ordinated by True North Brew Co, also celebrates Sheffield’s independent bars, pubs and taprooms encouraging drinkers to explore the city trying new places – you can do a bit of a crawl enjoying a half pint in each bar! Pick up a Half Pint Marathon card and get a stamp in each venue you order a half of the special beers and when you collect 13 stamps you can exchange the card for a limited edition print.
The Dove & Rainbow on Hartshead Square in Sheffield City Centre has an upcoming celebration of 20 years in its current guise as a rock and alternative bar run by Dawn Gunther. The event takes place on Friday 6 November from 8pm.
The Waterbear Green Room in Sheffield City Centre opened for the first time under the new ownership over Tramlines festival weekend and was one of the fringe venues, no real ale was available. This was just a temporary opening and work is still ongoing with regular opening expected to launch in September.
The Pig & Whistle at Gleadless Townend is holding a German Oktoberfest themed event from 25 to 27 September.
The Brothers Arms in Heeley held their summer bash music festival on 22 August.
True North have sold two of their pubs to other operators – the British Oak in Mosborough and the Old Grindstone in Crookes.
The Abbeydale Tap micropub is hosting a weekly cask club Tuesday to Friday between 5pm and 9pm with rotating beers available for just £3 a pint or 4 for a tenner.
The Fat Cat celebrated 45 years on 21 August with some special birthday beers on the bar.
The Hammer & Pincers at Bents Green offers discounted beer on Mondays.
Princess Royal at Crookes is saying goodbye to Jane, the landlady of 18 years, next April.
The Closed Shop at Commonside is now open and has cask ale.
The former Mesters Tap at Woodseats has had the decorators in and is due to reopen as The Counter Micropub.
John Coyle, the manager of the White Lion at Heeley, has announced he is leaving.
The Greenhill Tap on Westwick Crescent, Greenhill, has tried introducing a local cask ale at the weekend following customer requests, starting with Drone Valley Derbyshire Blonde, available Thursday to Saturday. The venue is a new small bar and tapas restaurant in premises that was previously “Sarah’s Kitchen”.
The reopening date for the Red Deer in Sheffield City Centre has been announced as 26 August. It is under new management and has had an internal refurbishment including a new kitchen, renovations to the outside of the building and some improvements to the outdoor drinking area too. The pub is leased from Heineken’s Star Pub Company.
Eyam Brewery‘s tap room in Tideswell is now also opening on Thursday evenings from 5pm to 9pm. There are plans to introduce a quiz night on Thursdays at some point. They continue to open 1pm to 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays, midday to 6pm on Sundays.
The Horse & Jockey in Tideswell hosted a Timothy Taylors tap takeover on 6 August. This saw 4 of their cask ales on the bar (Landlord, Boltmaker, Golden Best and Blonde), spin the wheel competition with merch to be won and a representative of the brewery around to answer questions. This was followed by their regular quiz night and was well attended.
Angela and Glyn have finally closed the doors and retired at the Queen Anne in Great Hucklow after 19 years there and 38 years in the trade.
The Mallard pub and cafe on Moorthorpe station, which was opened by Jolly Boys Brewery, is changing hands in September and will become a tap for Chin Chin Brewing Co.
The Canary bar on Waverley’s Olive Lane pedestrianised shopping street continues to host a regular programme of events including DJs, live music, quizes, game nights and street food pop ups as well as a regularly changing range of craft beers on both cask and keg.
The Blue Bell in Harthill is hosting “Hartfest” on Saturday 5 September. This sees an afternoon of live music from 3pm with food also available.
The Dronfield Arms celebrated 15 years under its current ownership over the weekend of 22-23 August with Abbeydale Moonshine reduced to just £2.50 a pint and on Sunday there was a guest food trader and live music.
Dann and Martha at St Mars of the Desert brewery held their annual SMOD fest over 4 weekends in July and August. Their Attercliffe taproom was full to bursting with advanced bookings essential to guarantee a seat.
The beer list was excellent with the usual Smodfest, Hopenfest and Smokeyfest beers plus an excellent ‘the dream’, a collaboration with Manchester based Blackjack brewery and Lukas from Thornbridge.
Jules of Hop Hideout fame supplied the food with her Camembert Volitaire cheese and savoury plates.
A great time was had by all with branch members Paul & Bev Manning, Dan Rowe and Dave Pickersgill all enjoying the festival.
Following the recent demise of Beer Central in Moor Market it looked like Sheffield had lost one of its longstanding bottle shops. However, ex-employee Vince Cooper has now taken over the premises and opened as Barrel & Anvil. We’re glad to say that Vince has been exceptionally busy since opening, but he found time to answer a few questions about setting up the business and his plans for the future.
First of all Vince, congratulations on opening Barrel & Anvil. Can you tell us a bit about your background?
I started at Pangolin in 2020 having never poured a pint and spent a year there whilst working for Morrisons. This was my job for 15 years, I spent more time down the beer aisle and hundreds of beers have been tried over the years. I did a little stint at Beer House S6 as manager which I loved. When Beer Central started looking for staff when reopening I got a job.
When did you first think of starting up?
As soon as the previous owners made myself and Ciara redundant I messaged the market team about taking on the unit myself. The seeds were planted before that as the owners were looking to sell and unfortunately for them we were way apart in terms of valuations.
Has anyone in particular been helpful whilst setting up that you would like to mention?
I guess the main person is Sean Clarke the original owner of Beer Central. He’s been very helpful the last 4 months, always there for me and still is. Debbie from Neepsend Brew Co has been a good ear too. Matt from The Bear also gave me some wise advice that’ll stay with me.
Why take over the Beer Central site, rather than looking for new premises?
The Moor Market still has fantastic footfall, there’s 70,000 students around the city centre, lots of city workers who are interested in beer, and the traditional ale fans flock to the market for their beer if supping at home.
Everyone was gutted when Beer Central closed its doors, you ask some of the other traders and one of the most popular questions was “will it reopen as a beer shop?”
I spoke to family and they were like ‘give it a shot’, so here we are.
What will you do differently to the previous owners?
Have beer on the shelves and try to cater to as many folks as possible. I’ll be doing it all myself mostly then come October time I’ll employ someone else for Saturday and just see where we go from there. I should hopefully have a fully functioning website by Xmas time. The socials interactions are great at the moment.
Hopefully it’ll be more like how it was when Sean was in charge but with my little spin on it.
Any particular suppliers or beers you want to mention?
Courier Brew Co have been fab, Thistly Cross Cider, Adam over at Track, the guys at Distant Lands have been fantastic. I’m excited to have Ashover Brew in the shop… the list is endless.
Will you be doing the box saves? It feels like half of Sheffield must have typed “One please Sean” at some point in the past, so we know it’s a popular option.
I’ve just started doing box saves. Once the website is up and running there should be an option to pay for products, build a box etc.
Great. So it’ll be ‘One please Vince’ in future!
Finally, what are your opening hours?
Currently Monday – Saturday 9am – 5.30pm. These may be subject to change, but we’ll announce it on our socials if they do.
Barrel & Anvil is located at Outlet MS3, The Moor Market, Sheffield, United Kingdom, S1 4PF. Visit www.facebook.com/barrelandanvilsheff for more details.
A disused Sheffield city centre pub is set to be re-opened as a live arts and community media centre following acquisition for Sheffield Live!, the city’s community radio and television operation. The neighbourhood is undergoing major renovation including plans for a new urban park to open next year.
The plan is for the former Tap and Barrel, (42 Waingate S3 8LB), to be renovated to accommodate radio, TV and podcasting studios, a public cafe and bar, and performance space for local artists and promoters. Sheffield Community Media, which hosts Sheffield Live! radio and TV, has purchased the former public house with the support of social investment lender, The Key Fund. It plans to raise further investment from a community shares issue to refurbish the bar and performance spaces.
Steve Buckley of Sheffield Community Media said: “Acquisition meets our long held ambition to find a space for live performance, community arts and social enterprise that can integrate with our broadcast media facilities. We are inviting people to get involved and we welcome expressions of interest in use of the space and contributing to the project.”
Sangita Basudev, co-founder of Sheffield Live! said: “We are excited to be moving to this iconic location, on the site of Sheffield’s former castle and opposite Lady’s Bridge, the first bridge across the River Don. With Castlegate now part of the city centre conservation area we look forward to developing our role in promoting local heritage and connecting communities.”
Sheffield Community Media has benefitted from support with concept design from the University of Sheffield School of Architecture and has been assisted by Co-ops UK in developing the investment model. It looks to build on these and other partnerships as the project progresses.
The pub has had several previous names: Boulogne Mouth, Bull and Mouth, Boulogne, Tap and Spile. Opened in 1790, it is believed that the original name was a reference to the town and harbour of Boulogne which was besieged by Henry VIII in 1544–1546. Over time, the name became the Bull and Mouth.
In March 1854 it was acquired by Sheffield brewery, Thomas Marrian & Co. Ltd. It was rebuilt in 1914, as the brewery tap for local brewery Duncan Gilmours. Plans show a multi-roomed pub with a Central Bar. The building retains a Gilmours doorstep and has the name, ‘Bull and Mouth,’ in the mosaic floor of the vestibule adjacent to Waingate. 1973 saw an opening out of the pub: the servery was moved to the right side, with the Hall, Public Bar and Smoke Room becoming a large Lounge. The Concert Room remains at the rear of the pub. The pub was refurbished in the early 1980s and again in 2015. It was renamed the Tap & Spile in early 1992. The Tap & Spile brand was launched in the mid 1980s by Allied Lyons (later Allied Domecq) as a traditional-style concept, focusing on cask ales. Interiors often had bare floorboards, sawdust on the floor and wooden benches. The pub became the Tap & Barrel in 1998, closing on 4 July 2023.
The former Beer Central shop at the Moor Market is making a comeback as “Barrel & Anvil” – and the founder of Beer Central, who sold up to become a business advisor, is the guy that offered the advice to the guy opening the new shop! That guy is Vince, who had been working at Beer Central prior to its closure as well as a stint at the Beer House in Hillsborough. His craft beer journey started when he worked in Morrisons way back when the supermarket stocking Brewdog and Meantime was an exciting, eye opening development!
The Tram Stop micropub at Hillsborough Park is now open and looking smart, although cask ale doesn’t feature. There are however some local beers on keg and in bottle.
The upstairs seating area at Hope Valley Tap & Bottle in Hope has now opened, adding a drink in option to the retail shop on the ground floor. A selection of local craft beers are available on keg as well as a wide range of bottles and cans.
The Old Queens Head by Sheffield bus Interchange continues to run a cask club promotion on Mondays.
The food shack outside the Raven Inn at Walkley is back in business for the summer with Freak Street Cafe taking a guest residency there serving their Himalayan inspired street food.
Following the closure of the “Av It Bar” in the premises on Wellington Street in Sheffield City Centre that was originally the Devonshire Cat, work is taking place to convert it into a new venue opening soon – Alura bar & bistro.
The Harlequin held a Shandy Fest on 18 July including all sorts of exotic and imaginative beer & pop combinations!
Chapeltown Tap are holding a “Pup in the Pub” event on 23 August combining a dog show with their usual bar offering.
The Castle Inn at Bradway has been closed for a refurbishment and reopened on the evening of 17 July.
The Red Deer on Pitt Street in Sheffield City Centre, a Georgian building dating back to 1825 owned by Heineken’s Star Pubs, has closed for refurbishment with work beginning on 20 July, It is due to reopen in late August with a new operator leasing the pub – Karl Seery and food once again available. The refurbishment work is to refresh the interior, upgrade the beer garden and renovate the building’s exterior.
The Royal at Woodhouse has reopened following refurbishment with 3 real ales available – Bradfield Farmers Blonde, Ossett White Rat and Timothy Taylors Landlord.
The Two & Six Micropub in Sheffield City Centre are celebrating their birthday on 5 August with a tap takeover from Wensleydale brewery and complimentary cheese pairing.
There are two free bus services that circle Sheffield City Centre during the daytime and of course there a number of pubs along the route! Buses run until 7pm Monday to Saturday and until 4pm on Sundays.
Bus SC1 starts from Sheffield Interchange and goes to Fitzalan Square, Cathedral, City Hall, Pounds Park and Moorfoot. This bus runs about every 10 minutes.Bus SC2 heads out Sheffield Interchange the other way to Moorfoot, Arundel Gate and Millsands. This bus runs every 20 minutes.
The Sheffield Connect buses are operated by South Pennine Community Transport with funding from Sheffield City Council. They are usually electric buses painted in a dedicated green livery although sometimes a minibus is used instead. Other buses and trams also operate in the City Centre but aren’t free!
We’ve handpicked a selection of pubs of interest that are close to the routes to inspire an afternoon trip around town, a more comprehensive pub guide is available on the camra.org.uk website.
Originally the hunting lodge for Sheffield Castle, this Tudor building (with modern extension) has a fascinating history. The U shapes lounge surrounds a central bar and adjoins a superb beamed dining room, upstairs function room for hire. Owned by Thwaites and the cask beer range is typically four of their regular ales.
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. 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.
Traditional pub now made into a single room. Exterior retains features of the now defunct Duncan Gilmour Brewery. There is also a beer garden at the rear. Real Ales selection always includes some from Blue Bee along with changing guest ales.
The food offering caters for all – whether it be chip butties or typical pub meals off the main menu or the bistro standard specials on the blackboard, all are freshly made by the Rutty’s kitchen team.
A juke box also features but beware – the staff humour extends to a forbidden music board, ignore at your peril!
Two roomed corner pub with a music orientation, with regular DJ nights (Wed-Sat) and live music. The larger room has basic seating and a dance floor/stage and DJ box whilst the smaller room is comfortable, quieter and more traditional. There is also a beer garden at the rear with some covered and heated smoking areas. The pub offers four mostly local cask beers. Very much a nightlife venue, remaining open until 3am most nights. Note it doesn’t open in the daytime midweek, only on Saturdays and Sundays.
A traditional style multi roomed pub with large beer offering, reopened in 2015 following a sympathetic refurbishment. The changing beer range is sourced mainly from local and regional micro breweries, with six cask beers and up to 11 craft keg beers. There is also a quality spirits offering. Hot food is not served, but cold tapas style small plates are available whenever the bar is open. The large beer garden has a heated, covered area.
Popularly known as Fanny’s after a former landlady, though much altered over the years, retains the feel of a traditional local. Three separate seating areas, one with pool, around a central bar and an upstairs function room. Popular with Sheffield United fans on matchdays and the items on display around the pub reflect this!
A large, tastefully decorated pub opposite the infamous ‘Cheese Grater’ car park, which can be admired from the popular beer terrace. Good value all day homemade food and at least four real ales mostly from local breweries.
A micropub offering up to four cask ales, real cider and craft keg alongside a lager and selected wines and spirits. Also included is an adjoining room used as an art gallery, which is available to hire as an exhibition and event space.
A one room pub devoted to rock and alternative music with a DJ or live music on most nights. Popular with all ages. Closing times may be later than those published if busy.
The Harlequin takes its name from another former Ward’s pub just round the corner, now demolished. The large open-plan interior features a central bar with seating on two levels. Kirkstall Bitter is the regular cask beer, plus up to five changing cask beers from far and wide with the emphasis on microbreweries. Also three real ciders on handpump as well as ciders in bag in box. A range of boutique bottled beers are also available. Occasional events include live music, quiz nights, tasting nights, games nights and tap takeovers. Good, simple food menu. Reached from the SC2 bus stop via a footbridge over the river Don.
A triangular shaped pub on a sharp corner with raised seating areas and lots of wooden and brass features (More character than Gerard Depardieu). The friendly staff serve up a choice of cask beers to an exclusively vinyl soundtrack.
Dating from 1796, a cosy multi-room Irish run dog friendly pub in the city centre. A menu of Irish bar food is available to soak up the range of mainly local cask ales, interesting craft beers and ‘the best Guinness outside Dublin’.Welcoming to anyone that brings a nice attitude, they host regular events including a quiz night, games night and folk music sessions.
Centred around a tiled corridor drinking area, the three rooms comprise a snug, lounge and pool room. Sign outside reads “Flynn’s” as a reference to the Flynn family who have owned the pub for over 40 years. A two star pub interior of outstanding national historic interest. Offers two cask beers, and bar food Monday to Saturday lunch times. Has live traditional Irish music in the back room six days a week, mainly folk sessions. Cash only, no Credit/Debit cards accepted.
Hop Hideout is an award winning speciality beer shop and tasting room, founded in 2013 as a ‘labour of beery love’ by Jules Gray. One of the first ‘drink in’ beer shops in the UK, they have a range of chilled beers available to browse, enjoy there and then or takeaway – including seven fresh rotating draught taps. In addition from time to time they have a beer in their own wooden pin, meaning gravity poured cask ale is offered (but check socials to see when this is on). Owner Jules has a penchant for wild ales, funky beers, natural wines and farmhouse cider and loves nothing more than helping you find something you love to drink. The current City Centre location in Leah’s Yard is the third, having originally opened on Abbeydale Road and since relocated.
Following a £1m interior renovation, the Fargate opened on 22nd October 2025. The pub is part of the regeneration of the street which saw three years of construction come to a close earlier in the year. Located in the City Centre Conservation Area, the venue brings together the storied elegance of the former bank with a carefully designed pub interior.
Dark polished wood, elegant leather seating, herringbone floors, brass accents, chandeliers, and curated artwork create the impression of a bar that could have stood here for more than a century. The striking horseshoe bar serves 10 cask beers and 16 keg lines. The ground floor also features screened booths, a snug, banquette seating, and full-height glazing to the front, offering a light and inviting space.
The original spiral staircase leads to the first floor. Here, a pizza kitchen with an Italian corner oven, is visible through glazed screens. The design combines reclaimed timber walls, decorated ceilings, and original architectural details to create a brighter, more contemporary setting.
Branded, ‘Thornbridge & Co,’ the two-storey pub is a joint venture from Peak District-based Thornbridge Brewery and York-based importer and distributor, Pivovar.
A pub in the heart of the city. Part of the areas social scene since 1828. Consists of one main room with partitioned seating, a beer garden and an upstairs meeting room.
There are seating areas either side of the entrance corridor leading into the main bar area. Five handpumps, a 22 line keg wall and a display fridge showcase the Vocation beer range. A menu of burgers, wings and loaded fries is available Tuesday to Saturday.
Tramlines music festival takes place in Hillsborough Park over the weekend of 24-26 July with a busy programme of music and comedy over several stages along with other attractions. However if you haven’t bought a ticket for this then you’ll be more interested in the Fringe @ Tramlines.
The centerpiece of the fringe is an outdoor stage on Devonshire Green in Sheffield City Centre hosting live music with free entry, however a huge number of pubs, bars, clubs and other venues also join in hosting live music and DJs, many of which offer free entry – just buy drinks!
You can see what events are scheduled on the Tramlines Fringe page of clashfinder.com, real ale venues confirmed as taking part at the time of going to press include the Frog & Parrot, Shakespeares, Alder bar, Harlequin, Head of Steam and Gardeners Rest.
