Category: Pubs

The Bear

Posted on by Paul Crofts

The Bear on Abbeydale Road recently celebrated their first birthday. The bar has gone from strength to strength since winning last years’ Pints of Sheffield Battle of the Boozers, and already feels like a long-established venue on the Sheffield beer scene.

After a bit of a spruce up for the bar, everything was ready for a celebration weekend that included beer, food and music. A collaboration brew with Loxley Brewery, “On A Wing & A Bear” sold out in 6 hours, which pleased the brewery to such an extent they generously bought everyone a pint!

To keep everyone’s thirst going, food was provided at various times by Dough Truck Pizza, and Four Corners Canteen.

Matt has built up a loyal following in the area, with regular tap takeovers and Meet The Brewer sessions and they came out in force to celebrate with him. Here’s to another year.

Tramlines fringe

Posted on by Andy Cullen

The weekend of July 22-24 is when Tramlines music festival takes place in Hillsborough Park and is advertised as a sell out event. It is a festival we are pleased to report that has a bar that serves real ale too.

However if you haven’t got a ticket for the main event and still fancy a bit of a party in Sheffield that weekend with live music and good beer then don’t worry, there’s also a fringe where many venues around the City put on free gigs.

The heart of the fringe is the outdoor stages on Devonshire Green and in the Peace Gardens put on by Sheffield BID (Business Improvement District), however we’ll ignore them and look at those venues serving real ale or other craft beer all year round that usually offer live music of some description.

The Washington on Fitzwilliam Street (the road from West Street to Moorfoot) has already announced their line up of bands for the weekend with a pre-party on the Thursday then live music from 5pm Friday and from 2:30pm Saturday and Sunday until the DJs take over at 11pm to dance through until 3am. There will also be some afternoon DJ sets in the beer garden. At the time of writing the cask ales available included Abbeydale Moonshine and Black Mass plus Bradfield Farmers Blonde. There are also usually traditional bitters from Marstons and Black Sheep on the bar.

An audience at the Dorothy Pax

Another Sheffield stalwart of live music and real ale has been the Dorothy Pax at Victoria Quays where you can be inside the cosy railway arch venue seeing the live entertainment or head outside to the waterside to sit and enjoy your beer. Six handpumps here dispense cask ale and cider and there are also some craft beer options on the keg taps too. In the past for Tramlines weekend the boat was really pushed out (so to speak) with their “Canal Lines” event with a music stage outside, however this year they are taking their stage and outside bar to Heeley People’s Park to put on a festival there!

Also in the City Centre, Church House by the Cathedral have live music every weekend, usually classic rock tribute bands, but something a bit special is usually arranged for Tramlines fringe – keep an eye on their Facebook page for announcements.

The Green Room by Devonshire Green can be a little hit and miss on beer availability but is quite music orientated and never fails to put a show on for Tramlines weekend.

The Frog & Parrot on Division Street, owned by Greene King serving their beers plus local guests usually also put live music on over Tramlines weekend.

A newer and less well known venue is Perch, the bar attached to Dead Parrot Brewery on Garden Street. Every day you can go and enjoy their beers and bar food is available in the form of burgers and pizzas, however now and again live music events take place outside in the courtyard, keep an eye on their Facebook page for news of events taking place.

Shakespeares Ale & Cider House on Gibralter Street are known for their Tramlines Fringe event, although of course have gigs in the upstairs room all year round. For the festival weekend they have a busy programme of free entertainment alongside a great beer range and stay open until at least midnight.

Heist Brew Co. at Neepsend have announced their Tramlines fringe events already too – Beer Lines. Music, beer, rum and burgers are promised with Saturday featuring Dat Brass playing live from 6:30pm and the University of Sheffield DJ Society on the decks on Sunday from 2pm.

Finally, a mention for those pubs that don’t specifically do anything for Tramlines Fringe but have live music all year round such as the White Lion at Heeley and of course those that regularly do smaller scale music events including folk sessions – pubs such as the Dog & Partridge, Fagans and Gardeners Rest. Also not to forget the Dove & Rainbow who we’re sure will be looking after the alternative crowd in their usual style!

If you want to escape Sheffield for the evening to avoid the Tramlines crowds but still see some live music then options include jumping on a tram to Rotherham to a live music pub such as the Bridge Inn, Chantry Brewery Tap and Cutlers Arms or catch a bus to Chesterfield to somewhere like the Neptune Beer Emporium.

CONFIRMED VENUES (that have real ale or other craft beer)

For listings check out the Clashfinder website or the programme produced by Exposed magazine.

Inn Brief

Posted on by Andy Cullen

The Coach & Horses in Dronfield is holding a Real Ale & Roots event on Sunday 17 July featuring an outside bar, BBQ, live music and a kids corner featuring face painting and a bounce house. The event is to raise funds for CRY – Cardiac Risk in the Young. Bus 43 goes there.

Thornbridge Brewery have decided not to renew the lease on the Cross Scythes at Norton Lees and their last day running the pub will be 23 July. It is owned by a pub company and expected to reopen under the management of a new tenant.

New craft cider festival

Posted on by Guest

Sheffield has long been known as one of the best places for beer. Now, a forthcoming festival hopes to get the city as excited about its growing cider scene – teaming up with a brewery to lure in the cider-curious as well as cider lovers in general.

On Saturday 25th June, the Sheffield Craft Cider Festival will take place at the Heist Brew Co
taproom in Neepsend. The event – which will feature some of the best artisan cideries from
across the UK – is being curated by The Cider Hole, Sheffield’s only urban microcidery and bar,
home to the city’s only permanent cider brand, Exemption Ciderhouse.

“Sheffield has a great brewing history and today has many awesome breweries,” said Adam
France, owner and co-founder of Heist Brew Co. “What we haven’t had previously is great
cider. Now we do, courtesy of The Cider Hole, so we wanted to celebrate that and give rise to
the cider revolution.”

The free-to-enter festival – which runs from noon until late – will be pay-as-you-go with cideries
offering small pours, allowing attendees to experiment with a large range of different drinks.
Additionally, most tables will be run by the cidermakers themselves or representatives of the
brand so visitors can learn more about craft cider by meeting the people behind the products.
Cideries scheduled to attend include Blue Barrel, Butford Organics, Find & Foster, Galtres, Rebel
Root, Ross-on-Wye, Welsh Mountain, Wild West, and Wilding, along with Sheffield’s own
Exemption.

“At The Cider Hole, we offer over 60 craft ciders – but often times, guests haven’t heard of any
of them, despite representing some of the best cidermakers in the world!” explained Mike
Pomranz, the bar’s owner. “While craft breweries have become household names, equally
mind-blowing craft cideries often still languish in obscurity. By working with Heist Brew Co, I’m
hoping more drinkers will discover these two craft movements aren’t as different as they may
seem.”

Speaking of craft beer, Heist Brew Tap will be serving its entire selection of beer, wine, and
spirits, including its 30 draft lines, as usual. Additionally, Slap & Pickle will also be open as usual,
selling its beloved burgers, fries, and other items.

The Sheffield Craft Cider Festival will take place on Saturday 25 June, 2022, from noon until late
at the Heist Brew Co Tap, which is located at 107 Neepsend Lane, S3 8AT.
Entry is free. Children are welcome until 21:00. Dogs always welcome. For more info, go to
www.heistbrewco.com and www.istheciderholeopen.com.

Inn Brief

Posted on by Andy Cullen

The Sportsman Inn at Lodge Moor is holding Gillyfest on Saturday 30 July from midday to raise money for St Luke’s. It will feature live music throughout the day from the likes of Burnstones, 49’RS, Mam Tour, T-Rex, Ryan Young, Chris Poulton, Steve Delaney and Crafters along with a BBQ, kids ride, stalls and an outside bar. Admission is by charitable donation.

The Fox House closed for refurbishment at the end of April and is projected to reopen on 27 May.

True North Brewery are hosting a Jubilee street party on Saturday 2 June at the brewery on Eldon Street (by Devonshire Green, behind the Forum). A bar will be open in the brewery on the day and there will also be live music and street food.

The Porter Cottage at Sharrow Vale has had a change of ownership and is undergoing a major refurbishment, moving away from the current traditional style to be a bar with graffiti art, live music & DJs and football on the TV and is being rebranded as the Dirty Habit, part of a small chain of bars based mainly in the North East. The beer range is typically very mainstream but with a cask ale available, which at their other bars is from Anarchy Brewery.

The Boston Arms at Woodseats have announced their opening date – Friday 13 May at 4pm. By day it will operate as a coffee shop with the full micropub offering of beer, wines, spirits and cocktails available in the evening with the bar opening from 4pm. From the end of June bar snacks will also be available provided by Pellizco UK, who specialise in Mexican Street food and also have an outlet at Cutlery Works food hall.

The Tunnel Tap at Totley Rise is still on track for a summer opening, at the beginning of May the electrical work was the final part of the renovations to be completed with work moving on to painting and shopfitting.

The Bath Hotel in Sheffield City Centre has now reopened under old management.

The Devonshire Cat has been undergoing re-licencing ahead of being leased out to a new operator.

Mr Wilsons bar and Capone’s speakeasy is now open on West Street, no real ale or craft beer available. A new nightclub has opened at Moorfoot called Rehab, this is part of the Gay Quarter and run by the same people as Queer Junction club and Tafo takeaway, again no real ale or craft beer.

Blast from the past

Posted on by Guest

Former branch chairman, current Beer Matters distribution volunteer and general all round local legend John Beardshaw has provided this photograph from the archives showing him along with publicans Roy Tilney and Margaret plus the brewery area manager at a CAMRA pub of the month award presentation at the Meadow Street Hotel in October 1996. The photograph was featured in the Wards brewery staff magazine, Inn Sight.

Inn Brief

Posted on by Andy Cullen

Heist Brew Co. celebrated their fifth birthday over the weekend of 8/9 April with a bit of a party in the tap room. The bar featured a number of breweries from around the world alongside a number of collaborations across both cask and keg. There was also music and a 5% discount on food. The following weekend saw a couple of international brewery showcases featuring Browar Funky Fluid from Poland and Varvar from Ukraine.

Work continues converting a former shop and office unit at Totley Rise into the Tunnel Tap micropub, it is expected that renovations and plumbing etc should be complete by May after which work fitting it out as a bar will commence with opening expected in the summer.

Following the renovations and major refurbishment at the Anchor Inn, Tideswell, that we covered last month, the pub and restaurant has now reopened.

Restaurant area at the Anchor Inn, which can double up as a dancefloor at night if they have a disco event!

The former Royal Standard pub has now reopened as the Royal Lounge, a late bar with Lebanese food. No real ale or craft beer available.

Industry Hophouse bottle shop and bar on Leadmill Road is no more with the venue now housing two themed pop ups – Karen’s Diner (burger joint with rude staff) and The Alice Experience (cocktail making). The original Industry Tap is still open.

The Leadmill has hit the news recently as the long standing management’s lease comes to an end next year and the building’s owner are taking it back to run the venue themselves. It is expected to be refurbished and become Electric Sheffield, part of a chain.

The last day of Thornbridge Brewery running the Bath Hotel in Sheffield City Centre as 23 April, the pub will reopen after a short break run by a manager employed by the pub’s long time owner, so it should be in safe hands!

Ukraine benefit night

Posted on by Paul Crofts

The dreadful events unfolding in Ukraine have outraged all right-minded people and led to a huge desire amongst the public to help in whatever way they can. In typical style, the Dorothy Pax bar, situated on Victoria Quays in Sheffield recently leapt into action and organized a charity night to raise funds for War Child UK and the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal.

Casks of beer from locals brewers, Abbeydale Brewery, Blue Bee Brewery and Triple Point Brewery were donated free with every penny from the sales going directly to the charities. Music for the night was provided free by the Balkan Bandits, including a distinctive cover of I Will Survive, and a selection of Ukrainian food was on sale during the evening to boost the fund.

The evening concluded with a charity raffle. Prizes were donated by the likes of Honey Bee Blues Club, Sheffield United, Beer Metropolis, Lilley’s Cider, A&G Passenger Boats, and our own Steel City Beer Festival.

Overall, a fantastic evening was had by everyone, raising almost £9,000.                          

Further proof, if it were needed, that owners Richard and Simon have turned the Dorothy Pax into one of the best bars in the city for both beer lovers and music lovers alike.

Photos courtesy of Mal Whichelow Photography. Find him on Facebook, Instagram etc.

Summer of Pub

Posted on by Guest

CAMRA’s ‘Summer of Pub’ campaign is back this year to get as many people as possible enjoying the season of good – or at least better – weather by heading down to their local for a pint.

We will be celebrating how our nation’s pubs offer numerous benefits to people’s mental and social well-being and play an instrumental role in the communities they serve. After two years of lockdowns, restrictions and unprecedented pub closures, this is a time to celebrate being able to return to our locals and to recognise everything they have done throughout the pandemic.

Campaigning to support Britain’s pubs is something anyone can get involved in and can be as simple as stepping out the door and taking a stroll to a local. If you can encourage some friends or family to join you, then all the better. Drinking cheap supermarket booze at home does little to improve your life – but change that setting to the social environment of a pub and you can increase your happiness, make friends and connect with others in your local community, while still enjoying the tipple of your choice.

CAMRA’s National Chairman, Nik Antona, said: “We are kicking off on 2 May to coincide with the first Bank Holiday of the summer, and the celebrations will run until the last summer Bank Holiday on 29 August.

“This is the first time in two years that we’ve been able to come together and support pubs, clubs, brewers and cider makers in this way, and I urge everyone to make the most of this summer by joining in with Summer of Pub however they can.

“The financial aftershocks of the pandemic, combined with recent tax hikes mean that this is a difficult time for the trade. It is vital we give them all the support we can, so that we can continue to enjoy everything that makes our nation’s pubs so special for many summers to come.

“If your idea of a perfect summer involves a pint and a beer garden, then get involved, and start your Summer of Pub.”

As the season progresses, make sure to plan a pub visit for some of our key celebratory dates, whether it’s Pub Pride Day (27 May), the Jubilee Bank Holiday (3-5 June), Beer Day Britain, and Beer Day NI (15 June), the Women’s Euros (6-31 July), the return of the UK’s biggest beer festival at the Great British Beer Festival (4-8 August), or one of many others, leading up to the closing PUBlic Bank Holiday weekend (29 August).

So head down to the pub, make friends and memories, and – most importantly – shout about how much you love your local this Summer.

You can join the fun by supporting Summer of Pub on social media. Let us know how you’ll be celebrating by sharing photos of you and friends in the pub using the hashtag #SummerofPub. To find out more and see Summer of Pub events near you, visit camra.org.uk/summerofpub.

Itchy Pig 2

Posted on by Paul Crofts

The Itchy Pig at Broomhill has rapidly established itself as a real ale haven in the west of the city, winning CAMRA Sheffield West Pub Of The Year the last two years. The owner Ted Finley has now opened a second outlet, this time in Banner Cross. 

Keeping with the same styling (including a bar made with two pence pieces) and friendly atmosphere that has made the original so successful, The Itchy Pig 2 Banner Cross looks set to become a popular spot for locals, and anyone looking for a start point for an Ecclesall Road crawl. 

Richard Storey, one of the managers at Broomhill has transferred over to run the bar, which features six handpulls and 12 keg taps. In addition to an ever changing ranges of guest beers, often from local breweries, there will always be at least one low alcohol tap and one cider. 

The opening weekend was very busy with employees from a number of local breweries in attendance lending their support. It looks like the Itchy Pig Broomhill might have some competition for next year’s Sheffield West Pub of the Year award. Oh, and if you pay with cash, make sure there isn’t a 2p in with your change, if you drop it on the bar you might not find it again.