The Brothers Arms hold their Oktoberfest party on Saturday 4 October with live music from 2pm onwards, concluding with a DJ set by Tink & Annala. Bratwursts from Worrall Foods will be available too.
The Green Room in Sheffield City Centre now once again has cask ale on the bar after a long spell with no craft beer of any description. On the newly installed handpump is Abbeydale Moonshine and they now also have a couple of Abbeydale beers on the keg taps too. The bar has an open mic night on Mondays, DJs at the weekend and a back room filled with retro video games!
The JD Wetherspoons chain hold one of their regular real ale festivals from 1 to 12 October which involves a number of international collaborations. At the Rawson Spring in Hillsborough they are hosting a special preview day on 30 September with beer tastings, festival ales at just £2.15 a pint and a special 20% discount on food for CAMRA members that day. You can download a copy of the festival beer list from their website or pick up a printed copy in their pubs.
The Canary, Waverley – photo by Richard Allen
A new bar called the Canary opened on the Waverley estate on 12 September. It’s located at Olive Lane, the new shopping area. It has 3 cask ales on handpump along with a number of other craft beers on tap.
The Canary, Waverley, opening night! photo – Stuart Mathers
As usual for the time of year, a number of venues are hosting German themed Oktoberfest celebrations. This includes the Red Lion in Litton 26-27 September, Triple Point Brewing in Sheffield City Centre 3-4 October, Oxbow in Woodhouse Mill 20 September, The Beer Stop in Dronfield 25 September and the Broadfield from 20 September to 5 October.
The Sheaf View in Heeley are holding their annual Winter Ales festival 21-23 November.
There is a proposal to adapt a cafe in Greenhill to operate as a micropub in the evening. Sara’s Kitchen would morph into the “Greenhill Tap” come the evening, however the licence application has attracted a number of objections from local residents worried about noise and disturbance.
The Bath Hotel hosted a Titanic Brewery tap takeover on 12 September.
The King & Miller in Deepcar reopened following refurbishment on 22 August. The pub is run by Bradfield Brewery.
Abbeydale Ballroom, located in the basement of the old Abbeydale Picture House (previously known as Picture House Social) is being refurbished by True North and is due to open on 2 October. It is billed as offering cocktails, food, pool, live sport and a late night buzz.
Shakespeares Ale & Cider House hosted a Duration Brewery tap takeover on 13 September as part of their Ducks in a Row beer launch.
The Angel Inn in Holmesfield is now back open and serving food.
The Manor House Hotel bar in Dronfield has increased their food offering beyond breakfasts and cakes and is now doing bottomless brunches and Sunday lunches.
The Broomhill Tavern is hosting a Timothy Taylors tap takeover 25-28 September.
The Grouse at Longshaw reopened on 12 September following a period of temporary closure caused by issues with their water supply.
The Washington in Sheffield City Centre is one of the venues for Float Along Festival on 27 September and also as ever continues with their programme of free entry gigs. Upcoming events advertised so far inculdes Slackr and Hunchpower on 30 October, providing an evening of pop punk. The pub stays open until 3am every night (2am on Sunday nights) with a rotating roster of DJs keeping the dance floor going!
Jo Doyle, currently assistant manager at the Old Nag’s Head in Edale, is moving down the hill with husband Chris to run the Rambler Inn, which is under the same ownership. There will be some changes to the cask ale range with Abbeydale Deception introduced as a regular gluten free option alongside Timothy Taylors Landlord, Theakston Kinder Downfall (XB rebadged for the Edale area!) and rotating local guest beers. A traditional cider will also continue to be available. Occasional special events are planned such as whisky tastings, a monthly pub quiz and a summer beer festival in the garden. The Rambler is conveniently located right next to the railway station.
Bear on Abbeydale Road now has a permanent cask line! For the Abbeydale Road beer festival the beer was from Weekend Project, however it is expected that the usual brewery on the handpump will be Two by Two.
Mount Pleasant at Norton Lees reopened under new management on Friday 1 August, although cask ale wasn’t immediately available awaiting the delivery from the Heineken Star Pub Company who it is leased from, however they are now regularly available with a range including Bradfield Farmers Blonde, Timothy Taylors Landlord and Tetley Bitter. Wednesday 20 August saw a food trader, Curbside Cravings, at the pub with a view of making it a weekly event if popular.
Old Red Lionin Grenoside is hosting ‘Top Red 12 Years On’ family festival on Saturday 13 September 2-8pm with live music & DJ, food, kids games, bouncy castle and market stalls.
King & Millerin Deepcar closed for a week from 11 August for a bit of a refurbishment and the instillation of a new kitchen.
Old Shoeare to host ‘Oldshoeberfest’, their take on Oktoberfest, on 26 and 27 September.
Sheaf Viewin Heeley are hosting their final live music event of the summer on Saturday 30 August dubbed ‘Last of the Summer Music’ with a programme of 8 different artists performing at the pub from 3pm onwards.
Sportsman Inn at Lodge Moor was expected to reopen over the August bank holiday weekend. The pub jas been taken on by the same management as the Ship Inn.
Fat Cat in Kelham Island held their 44th birthday beer festival on 21 August.
Old Nag’s Headin Edale held a beer festival over the weekend of 15-17 August with a ‘Sheffield versus Manchester’ theme, along with live entertainment.
Miners Armsin Eyam held a beer festival and hog roast on the Sunday of the August bank holiday weekend.
DRONFIELD
Blue Stoops in Dronfield closed from 18 August for a refurbishment representing an investment by Chilled Pub Co of nearly a million pounds which they say will better bring out the natural charm and warmth of the old building!
The 29 and 30 August sees a final farewell weekend for Tom & Vee at the Hyde Park Inn at Dronfield Hill Top after which they are retiring from the pub trade. They have been running this pub for the last 11 years and feel part of the community but between them have 40 and 38 years experience in the industry. Tom is going on to be a bus driver and Stonegate pub company are advertising the Hyde Park’s lease for a new tenant to take it over.
ROTHERHAM
Blue Bellat Harthill is hosting Hartfest on 6 September with gates opening at 2pm and music kicking off from 3pm. Entry is £10 with the event raising funds for Harthill Football Club to restore the former Spens field pitch so they have somewhere in the village to play their home games.
Over in the Brecks area of Rotherham a new venture called Barrel & Bean is planning to open towards the end of September. It is a combined coffee shop and micropub where you can go in the morning for coffee and cakes or in the afternoon for beers on both cask and keg. They are having 4 handpumps installed with a range of three cask beers on rotation. Buses X1/X2, X11 and 19/19a go there.
The Brothers Arms have announced details of their “Summer Bash”. It is taking place on Saturday 30 August from 2pm to 1am with a musical line up of 6 live acts plus DJs Tink and Mojo.
The Old Shoe opened their Speakeasy wine bar “Not Open, Don’t Come” on 28 June. It is open every Friday and Saturday night from 7pm to 2am. The entrance is around the corner from the Old Shoe via what used to be a fire exit door in the red wall!
The Heeley Artisan bar is a new opening on Chesterfield Road in Heeley in a former restaurant premises. It is brought to you buy the same people as Mesters Tap in Woodseats and of course Little Mesters Brewing. A range of both mainstream and craft keg beers are available along with bar snacks including loaded wedges and burgers. The bar has a handpump installed with cask ale from Little Mesters new brewery in Attercliffe, the first being “Mesters Mate”, a hazy session pale ale.
Jabbarwocky on London Road in Highfield has had a change of ownership with a leaving party held over the weekend of 11/12 July followed by a week of being closed for a bit of a spruce up before relaunching in time for Tramlines festival fringe!
The Cremorne, also on London Road in Highfield, are proud of their hand painted A-Board produced by Greg of @ayup.art!
The Coach House Cafe in Hillsborough Park have withdrawn their planning application for an outside drinks kiosk.
The Bessemer in Sheffield City Centre has been closed for a refurbishment and was due to reopen on 18 July.
The Crown in Totley is celebrating the current management’s 10th anniversary on bank holiday Monday 25 August with festivities including live music, food truck, bouncy castle and kids games.
The new management, Dan & Casper, are now in at the White Lion in Great Longstone and the pub is open serving food and drink.
The Scotsman’s Pack in Hathersage hold their annual beer festival on Saturday 9 August. Then later on in the month on the bank holiday weekend the Old Hall Hotel in Hope hold one of their regular Hope Valley Beer & Cider festivals.
The Hathersage gala took place over a week at the beginning of July. This involves scarecrows being displayed around the village, numerous events and finally on the Saturday a carnival parade through the village and stalls on the football field. The Millstone, located in the hills above the village near Surprise Corner got involved too and did appear down in the village at events with a cask of Stancill Stainless!
The Anglers Rest in Bamford has introduced Friday ABC – Anglers Beer Club. This offers 20% off drinks between 4pm and 6pm each Friday. Meanwhile there have been some changes on the food side of things for the summer with a new country tapas menu introduced whilst the traditional roasts continue to be available on Sundays. Pizzas are available for the quiz night on Wednesdays until 9pm.
The Angel in Holmesfield should have reopened by the end of July following a minor refurbishment with Stonegate pub company running it themselves until a new tenant can be signed up.
The George & Dragon in Holmesfield, which is now run by Boston Brewery, has been presented the Summer of the Season award by the Dronfield & District CAMRA branch. They normally have 5 or more of their cask ales on the bar and on Wednesdays they are available for a bargain £3 a pint. Tuesday is quiz night.
The Wharncliffe Arms at Wharncliffe Side reopened on 23rd May 2025 after closure for almost two years. Extensively renovated by the owners, Bradfield Brewery, with wood half-panelling and leather covered seating: both armchairs and wall-mounted. The one L-shaped room is sensitively split by the use of panelling. Outside drinking areas at both front and rear, with the rear sloping over a grassed area to the River Don.
At the Devonshire Arms in Dore Cath & David are celebrating 10 years there on Sunday 15 June from 3pm.
The Brothers Arms in Heeley is hosting “One Mole for the Road” on Saturday 5 July, this is an annual music festival celebrating a legend – Adrian “Mole” Price. The afternoon starts with DJ Tink from 2pm with bands on from 3pm – The Yons, SPG, Rockett 88 and Kingfisher Blue.
June saw Craftworks in Mosborough celebrate their 4th anniversary. This is a micropub that is open all day catering for all moods – you can enjoy a coffee and cake in the morning, quiet pint in the afternoon or a more lively evening with quiz nights, live acoustic music performances, comedy and more taking place from time to time. A range of real ales and other craft beers are available here. Another small venue celebrating 4 years is the Bear on Abbeydale Road who marked the occasion with a birthday weekend from 20 to 22 June featuring a special one off beer, music and pop up food traders. On a normal day this is basically a specialist beer shop with a number of craft beer keg taps offering the option to drink in as well as taking cans and bottles home.
The Bulls Head in Ranmoor has reopened under new management, who previously ran the Rivelin Hotel. Food is available including classic pub dishes, burgers, steaks and pasta plus of course Sunday roasts.
The Castle in Hillsborough is expected to reopen on 4 July following new management taking on the lease. It is owned by the Stonegate pub company.
The Sheffield Half Pint Marathon initiative is taking place again this year during September. This sees a special charity beer brewed that is on sale across 13 venues including True North’s pubs and others and the idea is you visit all 13 venues and have a half of the special beer at each one, raising money for charity and potentially winning a prize for doing so!
Dog & Partridge food menu
The Dog & Partridge in Sheffield City Centre now has its kitchen open again with a menu of Irish snacks including the Dublin Spice Bags!
The Church House in Sheffield City Centre (near Cathedral tram stop), has started doing food again with a weekly special served Thursdays 4pm to 8pm and Friday to Sunday midday to 8:30pm. At the weekend if you are going there to see the band at night you can now get down there earlier, bag a table and have a bite to eat first!
The Red Lion in Litton took part in Wakes Week celebrations and on Saturday 21 June they not only hosted a weekend beer festival but was also a venue for the steam engine rally.
The Calver Arms is hosting an evening with retired footballer Bruce Grobbelaar on 4 September for £60 per person. This includes a two course meal and welcome drink and there will also be a memorabilia raffle and auction.
The courtyard drinking area at the George in Tideswell, on a rainy day!
The George Inn at Tideswell is now open again under the new management of Sarah as part of Rick Ellison’s Atlantik Inns group. The pub is leased from Greene King brewery and has 3 real ales on the bar, a games room with darts and pool table and a smart courtyard drinking area outside. At some point soon the kitchen is to be opened and the pub has a lounge shaped in a way that naturally lends itself to having a separate dining area. Longer term projects potentially include reopening the hotel rooms and function room upstairs and renovating the other buildings around the courtyard that come with the pub but need work to be brought back into use.
Heeley City Farm’s festival on 21 June will feature a beer tent.
The Wharncliffe Arms, a Bradfield Brewery pub, reopens on 23 May at 5pm and will have an exclusive nettle ale on the bar.
Festival bar at the Old Nags Head, hosted by Jo Doyle who had personally collected many of the beers!
The Old Nag’s Head in Edale held their inaugural beer festival over the weekend of 25 to 27 April to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Pennine Way being mapped. The festival took place behind the pub next to the beer garden with a real ale & cider bar, BBQ stall and live entertainment featuring. The beer list ran to around 30 ales sourced from breweries along the route of the Pennine Way.
Chicken kebab from the festival BBQ menu at the Nags Headfestival bar at the Old Hall Hotel, Hope
The Easter weekend and May Day bank holiday weekend also saw the return of the regular Hope Valley beer & cider festivals at the Old Hall Hotel in Hope, which take place each bank holiday weekend with a marquee appearing in the car park featuring a festival bar, food stalls, live music and DJs. Most of the beers are sourced locally from around Derbyshire although Fyne Ales of Scotland also made an appearance at the Easter event! Activity in the festival tent generally run from midday to 9pm with the festivities moving into the pub for the late evening as it drops colder outside!
Also at the Old Hall Hotel, landlord Rick Ellison (who runs Atlantik Inns group which also operates a number of other leased Peak District pubs) celebrated 15 years there on 26 April with a live rock covers band performing. Other events at the pub include a quiz night every Tuesday.
The new management (Tom and Claire) at the Anglers Rest in Bamford continue to make small tweaks reflecting experience and customer feedback. The pub is now open midday to 11pm every day except Monday when it is closed (except bank holidays) and a new pub food menu has launched. The tea room is open every day 8am to 4pm serving cooked breakfasts until midday then lunch and light bight options in the afternoon. The beer range at the bar sees up to 6 real ales including 4 local beers – usually from Eyam and Intrepid – along with Theakston Old Peculiar and another well known beer such as Timothy Taylor Landlord. There is now a quiz night every Wednesday at 8:30pm and other events are being planned for over the summer too.
The Old Eyre Arms in Hassop has reopened, now under the ownership of Alistair Myers from the Rafters Restaurant group. As you’d expect they are making an effort with the food, which is traditional British, with Charlie Curran in the kitchen. He has previously been the chef at Peppercorn in Sheffield and the (now closed) Samuel Fox Country Inn at Bradwell. There are three dining areas in the pub and families are welcome. There is also a tap room for drinkers so if you just fancy popping in for a pint of ale and maybe a game of dominoes you are still welcome!
The Ladybower Inn at Yorkshire Bridge, near Bamford, reopened under its current management back in December and seems to be going strong! It is owned by Batemans Brewery of Wainfleet, Lincolnshire.
Fireplace in the front room at the Three Stags Head
Visits to the legendary Three Stags’ Heads at Wardlow Mires, now under the stewardship of Andy & Cath since 2019 – before the passing of long time owners Geoff & Pat – have confirmed all the expected character of the place hasn’t changed! A historical building, open fires, great characters among the regulars, dogs, good ale, banter and a no nonsense attitude all present and correct! The Abbeydale Lurcher which has been a long term fixture on the bar is still available and joined by some local beers from breweries such as Eyam. There have been some subtle changes such as an increased range of spirits and they even do Baby Guinness shots – but still no draught lager (don’t ask, a punch in the gob often offends as pointed out on the sign above the bar!).
Blackboard by the bar at the Three Stags HeadRed Lion, Litton
Another Derbyshire pub in our area that seems to be as good as ever under new management is the Red Lion at Litton. This pub under its previous management won our District Pub of the Year award and featured in the national Good Beer Guide. It is a country cottage style pub with lots of cosy little areas to sit, home cooked food, real ales and friendly service. They also have rooms available upstairs if you want to stay the night! Kristina, Tomas and their staff now run the pub and high standards have been maintained – as well as putting their own stamp on the place which continues to be popular!
The Wisewood Inn, at Wisewood and home of Loxley Brewery, have announced the dates for their 2025 beer festival. This will take place 20 to 22 June featuring beer, cider, food, music and a brewery merchandise stall.
The Coach House Cafe in Hillsborough Park have applied for planning permission to create an outdoor bar in their courtyard with drinks served from a kiosk fashioned from an old shipping container which will be clad with wood to fit in with the surroundings.
Handpumps at the George & Dragon, Holmesfield, featuring Boston beers. Photo: Nick Wheat.
The George & Dragon in Holmesfield, near Dronfield, is under the new management of Boston Brewery (the Derbyshire one, not the more famous American one!) and now operates as one of their taps with a range of their beers available across 6 handpumps and 2 keg taps. A refurbishment is planned with a bar food menu to be introduced.
The Dog & Partridge in Sheffield City Centre hosted “Dog Fest 3” on the Saturday of Mayday bank holiday weekend featuring a programme of live music from 3:30pm onwards. Meanwhile down the road in Dronfield the warm weather saw the Manor House Hotel bar move their Friday DJ night outdoors and the Green Dragon hosted a weekend of DJs and live entertainment.
The Dog & Partridge in Sheffield City Centre won the award for best traditional pub at Exposed Magazine’s annual Sheffield awards ceremony whilst the Old Shoe, also in the City Centre, won best bar. Talking of the Old Shoe they are planning a beer festival for 16 August.
The Saturday of Easter weekend saw a number of venues along Abbeydale Road take part in Abbeydale Live with a busy programme of music to enjoy. This saw a great turn out with bars such as the Two Thirds Beer Co. and the Broadfield very busy!
Tramlines music festival takes place in Hillsborough park over the weekend of 25-27 July and as usual many venues around the City Centre, including some that serve real ale, are taking part in a fringe festival with live music and DJs featuring, mostly with free entry.
The Robin Hood at Millhouses runs a cask club promotion with discount beer prices every Thursday. This pub is part of the Ember Inns chain.
The Mount Pleasant in Norton Lees is organising “MountFest” on Sunday 13th July with live entertainment from midday onwards. Tickets cost £10 for adults with ticket holders able to bring up to two children free of charge.
The new management at the Three Tuns in Sheffield City Centre are introducing a new programme of events at the pub including DJ sessions, supper clubs and a quiz night.
The Mayday bank holiday weekend saw the return of the Snack Shack in the beer garden of the Raven in Walkley. This opens at weekends selling pizzas, burgers and fries.
The George Inn in Tideswell has reopened and is now another Peak District pub operated by Atlantik Inns! It opened just in time for the village’s food festival on 3 May. The new publican here is Sarah.
Real Ale in Woodhouse – The Angel Inn has Marstons Wainwright Gold whilst the Royal Hotel has Adnams Ghost Ship.
Fagan’s on the edge of Sheffield City Centre have modified their opening hours. Monday to Thursday it’s now 4pm to midnight, Friday and Saturday is midday to 2:30am whilst Sunday is midday to midnight. They have two quiz nights a week, on Thursday and Sunday, with live music regularly occurring at the pub on other days.
The British Oak in Mosborough, run by True North brewery, hosted a family fun day on 26 May – but the big one is of course their annual Oakstock festival which takes place on 4 and 5 July with live music, outside bar, food and kids entertainment.
The Punchbowl in Crookes, run by True North Brewery, is currently offering a 10% discount on pints of cask ale for CAMRA members, show your membership card when ordering.
The Castle Inn at Bradway has launched a new food menu and is now opening at 9am to serve breakfast.
The Maynard Hotel in Grindleford is hosting live music in the garden on Sunday afternoons, weather permitting.
The former Royal Standard pub, with (possibly unauthorised) conversion work underway
The former Royal Standard pub in Sheffield City Centre has been converted into a Harlem House fast food diner. As far as we can tell no planning permission has been sought for change of use from a pub, we’ve asked Sheffield City Council to check this.
Bal Fashions bar/venue on Exchange Street in Sheffield City Centre has become Panke Bar, an electronic music venue owned by the same people as Berlin Calling in Crookes. No real ale is available but the keg taps do feature local beers from Abbeydale and Triple Point.
Sheffield Beer Week saw the wooden pin make another appearance at Hop Hideout in Leah’s Yard, Sheffield City Centre, providing a cask ale option. This time the beer from the wood was Abbeydale Moonshine.
By the time this issue of Beer Matters hits the street, the Mount Pleasant in Norton Lees should have reopened under new management.
The Clubhouse on London Road has announced they aren’t renewing the lease and it is likely to be closing in March. In an announcement they stated it was a heartbreaking decision but times are tough and all the bills are getting extortionate and they simply can’t do it anymore. The Steel City derby match unusually wasn’t screened there as the direct debit to Sky Sports had already been cancelled ahead of them closing – it was costing them £3,000 a month!
Two of the Dronfield town centre pubs taking part in the One Valley Festival on 7 June have announced their plans. The Manor House Hotel are doing pretty much the same as last year with the car park closed off and filled with two outside bars – one of which will feature cask ale from Abbeydale Brewery along with Pellizco’s mexican food trailer. Live music will be provided by The Britpop Rockers at 4pm and 6pm then DJ Brad Gee will keep the party going from 7:30pm until late. Meanwhile down the road at the Green Dragon are also keeping a similarly tried and tested formula with the car park closed off and live music on the back of a wagon, DJ Higz playing the tunes between and after the bands and a fish & trip trailer to keep everyone fed. There will also be two outside bars supplementing the normal pub bar with real ales, shots and bottles available outside.
The Cross Scythes in Totley has now reopened under its new management following refurbishment and is offering “elevated pub dining”.
The Chapeltown Tap is hosting a Triple Point Brewing tap takeover and meet the brewer event on 30 April. Tickets (£15) need to be booked in advance and include a third pint taster of 6 different beers and nibbles from a ploughmans food tray.
Pub blogger “Micropub Adventures” has launched a promotion for visiting beer venues between Sheffield and Retford by train. In Retford this includes the Idle Valley Tap, Brew Shed and Beer Under the Clock then of course on Worksop station is the Mallard, which hosts regular beer festivals. A short walk from Shireoaks railway station is the Ticking Clock Brewery’s tap room which opens at weekends then close to Kiveton Bridge station is the Kiveton Tap. The next offering towards Sheffield is the Oxbow at Woodhouse Mill before finishing at the Sheffield Tap. For the leg between Kiveton and Sheffield the X5 bus offers a more convenient alternative to the train, stopping close to the Oxbow!
Thanks to John Clarke of Stockport CAMRA (editor of Opening Times magazine), who posted some scans of an old real ale booklet from 1975 on X, we can look back at pubs serving real ale in Sheffield City Centre that year. There were 11 pubs listed and of those 6 still survive – Dog & Partridge, Globe, Grapes, Norfolk Arms, Red Deer and Washington. Back then all those pubs could be split into two camps – those serving Tetleys Bitter and those serving Stones. Two of the pubs are now part of Stonegate’s “Craft Union” chain with no cask ale but the rest still serve the real deal! The lost pubs are Peacock Inn (Fitzwillam Street), Old Red Lion (Holly Street), Red House (Solly Street), Royal Oak (Hollis Croft) and Sportsman Inn (Cambridge Street). Of course whilst we have lost those 5 pubs over the years, we certainly now have a much bigger choice of real ale and craft beer venues around the City Centre than we did then!
The Victoria at Heeley Green now has cask ale available following a cellar and bar refit.
The Cross Scythes at Totley has been closed for a refurbishment following a change of management – the new operating company (Northern Collective) also run bars and restaurants in places like Dore and Hathersage.
The Old Hall Hotel in Hope has announced the 2025 dates for their Hope Valley Beer & Cider Festival, which takes place most bank holiday weekends. See our festival listings page for details.
The Woodseats Palace (Wetherspoons) is hosting a tap takeover with Welbeck Abbey brewery on 20 March, from 7pm. This will see them pouring up to 5 of their cask ales including some one off specials.
Celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the mapping of the Pennine Way take place this year and sitting next to it is the Old Nag’s Head in Edale, which as you’d expect is joining in! They are hosting a music night on 19 March from 7:30pm as part of the celebrations.
The Beer House S6, located on the inbound tram platform at Hillsborough, have updated their midweek event programme. Monday is pool league, Wednesday is quiz night an Thursday is games league.
The Victoria Hotel in Heeley has reopened. The new management is Dan, who has previously worked at the Fox & Duck, Blind Monkey and Cremorne. There is currently no real ale but there is a hope that will change when the pub company, Punch Taverns, get the bar & cellar refit done.
The Castle Inn at Bradway has reopened after the previous business operating the pub, which is leased from Stonegate, ceased trading. The new management, who are also involved with the Millhouses, have returned it to being a community local rather than a gastropub, although they are serving food. They have also introduced entertainment, including a retro music & quiz night. Real ale continues to be available.
In the run up to Christmas, the reopened Harlequin on Nursery Street, near Kelham Island, recorded their 100th different cask ale on the bar.
The Mount Pleasant in Norton Lees has been run by the same family for a fair few years now and has remains a friendly and traditional multi room community local with real ale. Unfortunately in recent times the pub has been losing money and the keys are being handed back to its owner – Heineken Star Pubs – at the end of the current lease period in February.
The Ship Inn at Shalesmoor is another leased pub where the keys got handed back to the pub company – this time Admiral Taverns – as the previous management no longer considered it viable with increased costs. It isn’t all bad news though – the pub has now reopened under new management with two real ales on the bar and live entertainment planned.
The Peacock at Owler Bar is no longer part of the Chef & Brewer chain, having been taken over by Longbow, the Peak District based hospitality venue operator. Other venues they run include the George in Hathersage, Maynard in Grindleford and Ashford Arms in Ashford-in-the-Water. They are describing the Peacock as a pub that ramblers, families, foodies, and locals alike can call their own serving exceptional food without the faff, championing locally-sourced ingredients and pouring perfectly-crafted drinks with a smile. Cask beer from local breweries including Thornbridge is on the bar.
The Cross Scythes on Derbyshire Lane, Norton Lees, is welcoming back live music on the last Saturday of every month during 2025. They also host a regular acoustic jam session on Thursdays (7.30pm prompt!) and an American Blue Grass jam on the last Wednesday of the month.
The Rose & Crownin Wadsley has reopened with the lease taken on by Lisa who was previously assistant manager of the Cross Scythes in Norton Lees! The pub is dog friendly and Real Ale is available on the bar – usually Bradfield Farmers Blonde plus another beer on the Heineken list such as Timothy Taylors Landlord or something from Theakstons. Food traders have been outside the pub for some special events but in the future the plan is for food offering to be provided by a third party caterer renting the pub kitchen.
The Rutland Arms in Sheffield City Centre closed for 2 weeks at the start of January for a refurbishment. This involved new floor, carpet and toilets.
The Rutland Arms bar, post refurbishment
The Old Nag’s Head in Edale closed between 6 and 22 January for maintenance.
The Red Deerin Sheffield City Centre closed 6-8 January for a cellar refurbishment. The pub is leased from Heineken’s Star Pub company.
The Railwayat Wadsley Bridge closed from 6 to 19 January for maintenance.
The Boston Arms in Woodseats closed from 6 to 9 January for painting, fixing and cleaning.
The Dog & Partridge in Sheffield City Centre closed 18 to 24 January to get the painters & decorators in.
The Tunnel Tap micropub in Totley now serves pies on Fridays and shows movies on the first Sunday of the month.
The Old Shoe in Orchard Square, Sheffield City Centre, has applied for a licence for the upstairs space to convert it from a staff/storage area into a second bar. We assume that it will be used for special ticketed events such as private tastings and meet the brewer/producer sessions.
When Guinness announced that despite producing industrial volumes of the stuff there was a shortage of keg beer available to export to the UK with UK customers rationed, it sounded like a PR stunt that was announced every year just before Christmas, however things got real at the Dog & Partridge, an irish pub in Sheffield City Centre, with no Guinness available on tap on New Years Eve and landlord Conor describing the ordering process having similar vibes to trying to get tickets for Glastonbury festival! Those wanting a dark beer didn’t go short though as craft brewers came to the rescue – on keg was a nitro stout from Whiplash brewery in Dublin as well as an Irish style stout from Abbeydale Brewery whilst on cask a porter was available.
GloryHoles adult minigolf & bar on Sheffield High Street appears to have closed down. It is unclear whether this is permanent or for a refurbishment.
Olivia’s Townhouse on West Street closed down but is expected to reopen in a new guise.
The Botanist in Leopold Square has closed, although the Furnace restaurant at Charter Square (which is run by the same company) is reportedly to be converted into a branch of Botanist to replace it.
The Commercial in Chapeltown hosted a beer launch with the “Ale & Audio” podcast. As the audience for the podcast is principally people that drink in their own “pub shed” at home, they recorded an episode in the shed in the pub’s garden that is a distillery! The beer was brewed by Overtone and was called “Gimme Some”. Meanwhile on a more routine basis at the Commercial, the weekly chip butty nights and monthly whisky tasting events continue and they also now have a pie night on Thursdays – plus as ever a great range of ales!
A new micropub has been proposed in Neepsend in a former gaol building more recently used as an electricity substation on the junction of Burton Road and Hicks Street (near the Old Workshop bar). The planning application is from Tribeka Developments and the working name of the bar is Burton & Hicks.
Loxley Brewery’s third associated venue has now opened on Sharrow Vale Road. This time it is a modern microbar rather than a traditional pub but has 3 of their cask ales on the bar plus craft beer from guest breweries on the keg taps. The name of the bar is quite simple and descriptive of the new opening – No3-Sharrow!
ThePeacock Inn at Stannington, which is leased from Thwaites brewery, has won the brewery’s warm hospitality award.
Craft & Berryon Ecclesall Road recently celebrated their 5th anniversary with a festival of sours!
The Three Tuns in Sheffield City Centre reopened under new management after a few days of closure for a handover. It is pretty much business as usual with a quiz & bingo on Wednesdays at 6pm then karaoke & disco Friday and Saturday nights 8pm to 1am plus the occasional live entertainment. The real ale selection continues to be from the Heineken list such as Dark Star Hophead, Robinsons Unicorn and Titanic Plum Porter.
TheCastle Inn at Bradway is expected to reopen by early December under new management, we understand the new lease has been taken by the same people that run the Millhouses. The expectation is it will continue to serve food but feel more pub like with locals dropping in the tap room for a pint in the evening and in the daytime those enjoying the local woodland walks popping in for a coffee or maybe something stronger!
The Norton at Meadowhead has been closed for a refurbishment and is expected to reopen by December. It will continue to operate under the “Sizzling Pub Co” brand.
The Harlequin on Nursery Street, near Kelham Island, has now introduced food. There are two menus – the lunch menu is served 12-3pm with a range of hot and cold sandwiches along with a soup of the day whilst the evening menu is served 5-8:30pm with a range of main meals including fish & chips, burger, sausage & mash, three bean chilli and curry served with rice and flatbread. During both food service times they also serve chip butties with a choice of sauces/sides! Food is served every day except Sunday.
The Dove & Rainbowin Sheffield City Centre normally see a whole bunch of metalheads pop in during the last weekend in November when the HRH Viking music festival takes place at the O2 Academy, just a few minutes away. Unfortunately with that venue closed until all the dodgy concrete is replaced, the festival isn’t happening, but the Dove is putting their own event on Friday 29 November regardless with their DJ playing viking metal and the bar serving beer, rum, mead and all the rest – bring your own drinking horn!
Hop Hideout , now located at Leah’s Yard in Sheffield City Centre,celebrated their 11th birthday over the week of 13-17 November. On the beer front a 7.8% ABV West Coast DIPA hit the taps, this was brewed as a collaboration between Round Corner Brewing and community focused group Women in Beer. Following up on that theme the second South Yorkshire Beer Girls Social was hosted on the Sunday. Alongside that another Thornbridge beer in a wooden pin was on the bar, this time filled with Rattlesnake, a 6.5% West Coast IPA. The beer from the wood programme at Hop Hideout is planned to continue until the end of 2024 and is expected to happen at roughly fortnightly intervals (as the pin will need to be cleaned and refilled at the brewery in-between each outing!).
Planning has started on Sheffield Beer Week 2025, an initiative launched and coordinated by Jules from Hop Hideout. The dates are 10-16 March, if you run a pub, bar, restaurant, brewery or suchlike and would like to take part by putting on an event please contact Jules via sheffieldbeerweek@gmail.com.
Winter has arrived at the Washingtonin Sheffield City Centre with mulled Old Rosie Cider and Mulled Buckfast available alongside the cask ales!
The Eyre Arms in Calver has now been renamed to the Calver Arms Sports Bar & Pub Kitchen. They’ve launched a new menu in collaboration with the kitchen team from the Barrel Inn at Bretton. The bar menu includes snacks in a basket, pot pies, stone baked pizzas and burgers. On Sundays they offer a carvery, served in “Ronnie’s”, the newly refurbished function room.
The community owned Anglers Rest pub, cafe and post office in Bamford have declared they are struggling with rising costs and other factors and are appealing for help to save the pub a second time (since they bought the pub being offloaded by a big pub company in 2013). They are looking for help in three ways – new shareholders to join the board running the enterprise, volunteers to help out with a few things and donations via their crowdfunding scheme. You can contact them by email – bamfordcommunitysociety@outlook.com or visit their Facebook page.
The Gypsy Queen at Beighton is due to close for refurbishment and rebrand in March 2025. It is currently part of Greene King brewery’s Hungry Horse chain and is to be converted into a “Hickory Smokehouse” bar and restaurant.
Craftworks in Mosborough has had a refurbishment of the bar itself with a new, branded bar top and new handpumps!
Dorothy Pax has new opening hours for autumn. The bar is closed on Mondays, Tuesday to Thursday it’s open 4-9pm, Friday and Saturday midday to late and Sunday 12-9pm. These hours may vary when gigs are on.
The Yellow Broom micropub in Bramley, Rotherham (bus X2 from Sheffield), recently marked their 300th different beer on the bar which was Azvex Boltzmann Brain, a 6.5% ABV dry hopped IPA featuring the Idaho 7, Mosaic and Motueka hop varieties.
Hop Hideout in Sheffield City Centre hold their first ticketed tasting event at the new location of Leah’s Yard and it is in conjunction with Thornbridge brewery on Friday 25 October on the theme of beer from the wood.
The Old Shoe is hosting a Sunday Session beer and cheese tasting event on 17 November in partnership with the Weekend Project and Homage 2 Fromage, set to a vinyl soundtrack! Tickets cost £40 and available on their website.
Lost & Found on Ecclesall Road is reportedly being sold by Marstons via auction.
Work is now taking place to refurbish and reopen the Norfolk Arms in Grenoside.
The Grennel Mower at Lowedges has closed and has a to let board up. It is owned by Admiral Taverns.
The Cross Scythes in Totley is now being leased out by Stonegate pub company to a new management who also run the Bank House in Hathersage and the Dore Grill restaurant.
The Boston Arms in Woodseats have expanded their repertoire with the introduction of a cocktail menu!
Bradfield charity tractor run takes place on Sunday 15 December with Oughtibridge brass band also involved, the Blue Ball Inn at Worrall is offering the opportunity to watch from the pub with a beer from 4:30pm.
The current owners of the Barrel Inn at Bretton – Phil and Diane Cone are close to their 30th anniversary there, having run the pub since 1996.
