Category: Pubs

AASheffield’s Cultural Industries Quarter is one of 11 designated city centre quarters designtaed by Sheffield City Council, each with its own distinctive characteristics. A roughly triangular area just to the southwest of the city centre bounded by Eyre Street, Howard Street, Suffolk Road and St Mary’s Road, its name was chosen in 1981 as part of a council initiative to attract new businesses to the run-down former factories that typified these streets. Nowadays the area has a new lease of life, with over 300 companies based there, plus a host of shops, cafés, flats and of course, pubs. There are currently seven venues within the Cultural Industries Quarter offering real ale, some more well-known than others. From beer-lovers’ meccas to cheap student favourites, the diverse pubs in the area offer something for everyone.

Showroom

15 Paternoster Row, S1 2BX This bar attached to the Showroom Cinema offers a much better pre-film drinking exprience than many cinemas, with a good range of locally-produced drinks available. There are up to two real ales on offer at any time, the regular Buxton Axe Edge plus a guest. The bar is also open to the non-film-watching public.

Howard

57 Howard St, S1 2LW This Marston’s-owned pub with its distinctive mock-Tudor frontage underwent extensive refurbishment a couple of years ago, giving the pub a more modern look and feel inside and out. There are four handpumps on the bar offering a range of real ales from the Marston’s list which are usually pretty well-kept but a little safe. Recently got a whole new food menu featuring the usual pub meals such as burgers and small plates.

Globe

54 Howard St, S1 2LX Very popular with students from Sheffield Hallam University next door, the Globe definitely isn’t known as a real ale pub but does nevertheless offer three cask beers, which often include something local from either Bradfield or Thornbridge. Sports lovers will find a big screen showing all the big matches, plus there’s a food range full of standard pub fare.

Red Lion

109 Charles St, S1 2ND A 19th century inn, once a ‘Palace of Varieties’ (with evidence on the walls) that retains some rare historical features. It now draws a varied crowd, including the more discerning students and staff from the nearby university.

Rutland Arms

86 Brown St, S1 2BS A pub that needs little introduction to Sheffield’s beer fanatics, the Rutland is known for its excellent range of cask and keg beers, delicious food, distinctive exterior and vibrant atmosphere. Following a recent bar upgrade, there are now seven handpumps installed; Blue Bee Reet Pale is the only regular, and guest ales usually include an interesting mix of smaller breweries from the local region and further afield. The keg lines offer an eclectic mix of big-name craft brewers and some rarer beers, with tap takeovers and themed evenings a regular occurence. It can sometimes feel a little cramped inside (some might say cosy!) but fortunately there’s a lovely beer garden out the back, weather permitting of course.

Lord Nelson

166 Arundel St, S1 4RE A long-time favourite of Sheffield United fans on their way to Bramall Lane, if it’s a quiet pint you’re after then it’s probably wise to check the Blades’ fixture list beforehand. Featuring a simple layout with three seating areas surrounding a central bar, this small corner pub offers up to four real ales.

Sentinel Brewhouse

178 Shoreham St, S1 4SQ This carpet showroom turned brewhouse opened in June 2016 and has been offering a range of cask ale and craft keg beers ever since. On our last visit, there were six handpumps in use, half featuring the brewery’s own beers and half guests from mainly Yorkshire breweries. There has to be something said for drinking fresh beer in the same building it was brewed in, and the clean and comfortable surroundings offer some shelter from the busy road outside. As well as the ale, there’s also a decent food offering and regular themed nights with food and beer pairings.

Two Stancill Brewery-owned pubs, the Albion on London Road and the Horse & Jockey in Wadsley, have recently seen changes of management. The new man at the helm of the Albion is Dan Herbert. Bringing with him nearly a decade of experience of the pubs industry, Dan previously worked as a Greene King relief manager at the Devonshire Arms and the Museum, before relocating to Barnsley to manage the Acorn Brewery tap, the Old No.7. Dan said: “I’ve worked in the pubs industry for much of my career and feel very honoured to have been given the chance to make my mark on The Albion. It’s a pub which is packed with character and since joining the Stancill team in April, I’ve been made to feel really welcome.” Since taking over, Dan has organised a number of events including the Funk and Soul-themed garden party which took place at the beginning of May. The Albion has also recently launched a new quiz night, which takes place every Tuesday evening, and regular music events are currently being planned. The pub’s happy hours have been extended to 2pm-7pm every day, and all day on Friday. During these times, all Stancill real ales are £2.00 per pint. Over in Wadsley, Joanne Young has been promoted to pub manager having worked at the Horse & Jockey since it reopened in 2016. Prior to joining the Stancill team at the Horse & Jockey, Joanne was assistant manager at an amusements arcade and briefly spent time producing surgical blades, before deciding to try her hand at working in the pubs industry. Now responsible for overseeing the running of the pub, she is also currently busy planning the return of Jock Fest – a special weekend of live entertainment which is due to take place in July. Joanne said: “If someone told me when I first joined the Horse & Jockey that I would one day become the manager of the venue, I’d never have believed them. I’ve enjoyed seeing the pub grow and develop over the past two years, but I don’t just want to rest on my laurels and I’m looking forward to the challenge of running the pub.” The Horse & Jockey runs a happy hour every day from 4pm-7pm where all real ales are only £2.00 per pint. As with all Stancill Brewery pubs, CAMRA members receive a 20% discount on all Stancill beers.

Bradfield Brewery have taken ownership of the King & Miller in Deepcar. Formerly owned by Admiral Taverns, an opportunity knocked for Bradfield when they saw the establishment had been placed on the market for sale. With contracts now exchanged, the brewery are keen to get the doors open and give a warm welcome to customers old and new. Shortly to become a Bradfield Brewery tap, the King & Miller will feature at least six cask ales from the brewery’s Farmers Ales range, as well as a selection of fine wines, spirits and soft drinks. With open fires, a pool table and a spacious, enclosed beer garden – the pub will endeavour to offer a warm and friendly atmosphere where everyone will be welcome. Operating a public house venue is not something new for Bradfield who have enjoyed a decade of success at their existing brewery tap, The Nags Head at Loxley. John Gill, Director at Bradfield Brewery, said of the acquisition: “We are excited at the opportunity to serve another local community with a traditional style public house which will offer great products in a friendly atmosphere. A traditional pub is something we believe should remain a part of our society and we are pleased to be bringing this offering to the local community of Deepcar and Stocksbridge”. An exact date of reopening is yet to be confirmed but should be sometime during the summer. Further updates will be made available as we get them.

The UK is now home to over 120 community-owned and community-run pubs and three of these are in the Sheffield CAMRA Branch area. Two – the Anglers Rest, Bamford and the Gardeners Rest, Neepsend – have attracted much publicity, but the third – the Miners Arms in Chapeltown – is less well known.

The pub occupies what were once three 18th-century cottages, converted to a pub in 1885. For many years it was tied to Tennents brewery but later passed to the Tom Cobleigh group and most of the attractive fittings date from that time. When that company sold up in 2003, the Blackburn brewer Thwaites took over, though the pub never prospered under their stewardship. Next door was another pub, the Thorncliffe Arms, owned by Enterprise Inns. Over the next ten years, both had their ups and downs, with the customary story of under-investment, regular changes of licensee and periods of closure. The Thorncliffe shut in 2013, was bought by developers and subsequently demolished. Then, Thwaites put the Miners on the market. Faced with the possibility of losing both their pubs, the community leapt into action. Thirteen locals formed a community interest company with the aim of buying the pub. Thwaites didn’t make it easy, giving them less than a month to raise the money and threatening to strip the building if they missed the deadline – but they managed it with twelve hours to spare and took over in October 2014.

Since then, the kitchen and bar areas have been re-floored and a new central heating boiler installed, along with other improvements like external lighting and kitchen upgrades. On a day-to-day basis, the pub is run by tenants Caroline and Julian. The interior has long been opened out but retains distinct areas – a small bar, a large dining room and a games room. On the two pumps, Bradfield Farmers Blonde is the regular ale, with a changing guest, often from another local brewery, on the other. Eighteen months ago, food arrived courtesy of Sam’s Kitchen. Sammie is a classically-trained chef and it shows. I’ve eaten there a couple of times and can vouch for the excellence of the grub. Dishes are a mix of pub favourites and more unusual offerings and prices are very reasonable. Food is served 5-9 Wed-Sat and Sunday lunchtimes. There’s generally a theme night the last Friday of the month – Thai, Italian and Mexican have all featured.

As you’d expect with a community-owned pub, this is very much a hub for local people as evidenced by the various events which take place – most recently a monthly coffee morning raising money for charity. Its location in Warren Lane on the edge of town means passing trade is minimal but it really does deserve to be better known. Why not give it a try – you’ll be assured of a warm welcome. Paul Ainsworth