Thanks to Micropub Adventures (Scott Sinclair) and Sheffield with Pubs (Niall Green), for joining several of us on a recent guided Pub Heritage walk. We took the Neepsend route (as in our walk-booklet) before going, via the New Barrack, into Hillsborough. The booklet is available from our website with paper copies obtainable at several local outlets.
We were very impressed by both the range and quality of the available beers, but also, by the many bar-staff we encounted – polite, professional and enthusiastic: an excellent advertisement for the city. Thanks for looking after us.
Neepsend pubs visited were: Church – Temple of Fun, The Old Workshop, Alder, Forest, Heist Brew Co. and the Gardeners Rest. We also passed the ruins of both Stones Cannon and Deardens High House Breweries. In addition, I played bar billiards for the first time in about twenty years, and managed to rack up over 1000 points. In all, an excellent afternoon.
A new micropub, the Tram Stop Tavern, is proposed in Hillsborough and is currently going through the process of gaining planning permission. This will see the owners of Pro Property convert their shop unit into a bar. The location is at the outbound Hillsborough Park tram stop, opposite Pangolin craft beer bar/shop and just up from the Beekeeper micropub.
Little John Hotel in Hathersage closed for refurbishment following a change of management there. It has now relaunched looking rather smart inside and out, the table football has gone but there is still a pool table! This pub with rooms is now part of the Northern Collective who run a number of other venues including the Bank House in Hathersage and the Cross Scythes in Totley. The bar features three cask ales among its offering.
Dog & Partridge in Sheffield City Centre are celebrating their Sheffield City Centre Pub of the Year award with a special beer in collaboration with Abbeydale Brewery. “Hair of the Dog” is a 4.3% ABV pale ale brewed with Galaxy, Simcoe and Idaho 7 hops and 10p from the sale of every pint will be donated to the Rain Rescue charity.
Red Deer on Pitt Street, in Sheffield City Centre, is under new management and is running a cask club promotion on Thursdays (2pm to 11pm) with real ales priced at £3.50 a pint.
Cricket Inn at Totley have refurbished their parlour room.
Anchor near Tideswell has introduced a beer collector card – get it stamped each time you buy a pint of Robinson’s Trooper, Unicorn or Dizzy Blonde and when you collect eight stamps you can exchange the card for a free pint!
Trippets on Trippet Lane, a bar offering live jazz music, wine & spirits and dining have announced they are closing on 18 April due to significantly rising costs (including business rates and rent) and unpredictable trade making it unviable.
White Swan at Greenhill and Sportsman at Norton Lees have recently had a change of management.
Greene King are advertising for a new tenant to take on the Shepley Spitfire in Totley as one of their Hive franchises. Lesley, Louise and Nicole’s last day running the pub was Thursday 16 April.
Bridge Inn opposite Rotherham Central station, which is currently closed and empty following a change of ownership, has been added to a local heritage list.
Eyam Brewery Tap & Shop in Tideswell reopened Easter weekend. They now have planning permission to convert the industrial unit into a tap room, shop and kitchen although a condition the Peak Park authority have included is that anyone arriving by car has to have their details logged! They are still trading on temporary events notices so only opening at weekends. Now they have planning permission they have been able to go through the licence application process which once obtained will see building work begin to install an open kitchen and be able to offer food. Until then there will be occasional pop ups from traders like Sunshine Pizza and TJ Smash Burgers. If you fancy a trip there buses 65 and 173 stop on the main road nearby.
The current management at the Olde Bowling Green Inn in Bradwell has signed a 5 year lease on the pub.
Mount Pleasant in Norton Lees is temporarily closing for its long awaited refurbishment.
Sportsman Inn in Norton Lees has closed with the management there moving on to turn around a failing pubco venue elsewhere. Real ale had been successfully reintroduced here as well as being host to various social and community groups. The pub is to be refurbished for a new tenant.
Cross Scythes at Norton Lees has seen some internal changes to make it feel multi roomed and cosy and also now has a food offering. The same manager has now also taken on the Old Crown on London Road, still no real ale available here at present though.
Albionon London Road, Stancill’s brewery tap, has a new manager.
Pubs around the Kelham Island area including Shakespeares and Harlequin report being incredibly busy over the Easter weekend due to Kelham Festival and Sheffield Folk Music Sessions Festival taking place in the area. Other upcoming events in the area include Get Together Festival (16 May) and Kelham Pride (20 June).
Devonshire Arms in Dore reopened as planned under new management following a refurbishment.
Cherry Tree Inn on Carterknowle Avenue in Millhouses, now has four regularly changing cask ales including Abbeydale’s Daily Bread bitter at a reasonable £3.70 per pint.
The newly opened Pig & Whistle at Gleadless Townend has now established itself and proving popular. It has a regularly changing range of craft beers including two cask ales alongside some more mainstream options and has a regular program of events including street food pop ups, quiz nights, live entertainment and tasting evenings. They are also planning to start offering coffee and cake too!
Beer Central in the Moor indoor market has ceased trading. We’re sorry to see them go and thank them for their support over the years. Other specialist beer shops available around Sheffield to satisfy your quality home drinking needs include Hop Hideout, The Dram Shop in Walkley, La Di Da in Chapeltown, Archer Road Beer Stop in Millhouses and Mitchells at Meadowhead.
The relatively recently relaunched Boddingtons cask Bitter, brewed by JW Lees under licence, has been spotted on this side of the Pennines at the Ranmoor Inn, Bath Hotel and Beer House S6.
White Hart Inn at Bradwell celebrates being 350 years old this year and will be holding a party later in the summer. Obviously it hasn’t been under the same management that long of course and is currently operated by Bradfield Brewery.
Garry Scott, landlord of the Red Lionon Charles Street in Sheffield City Centre, recently celebrated 40 years in the business with a bit of a do in his pub on 17 April featuring a DJ and buffet.
Big Tree on Woodseats, a Greene King pub, has been closed for refurbishment and the grand reopening is planned for 1 May after which we are promised it’ll be “bigger, better and louder than ever” with live entertainment and big sports atmosphere on the reopening weekend.
The owner of the Tunnel Tap micropub at Totley Rise has handed over full responsibility for ordering beer to manager Jess who is now enjoying getting some of her favourite craft beers on the guest taps and handpump alongside the four Thornbridge beers. There is also a change being made to their pie offering, this used to be a Friday night thing with a tray of freshly baked pies delivered and available that weekend until they sell out (usually fairly quickly), in the future a wider range of pies will be delivered frozen and heated up in an air fryer when ordered, this will mean more variety and availability every day they are open.
George Inn in Tideswell, which is now operated by Atlantik Inns (leased from Greene King), has the kitchen and hotel rooms back up and running as well as a diary of events planned for the year ahead. The food is billed as proper pub food done right and is served from midday until 8pm on weekdays, midday to 6pm Saturdays and Sundays. Three cask ales are on the bar, all usually well known brands like Timothy Taylor’s Landlord, Theakston Old Peculiar and Greene King Old Speckled Hen.
Fuggle Bunny Brew House continue with their programme of tap room openings every Friday plus the last Saturday of the month. The Fridays are just like a local pub whilst the Saturdays are something a bit more special, usually featuring a street food trader and entertainment. The 25 April event is open 3-9pm with hot pork sandwiches available and live music at 5pm provided by Sean Stevens.
Commercial in Chapeltown is running a European beer & food festival during May.
The opening date of the Watt Bar on Charles Street in Sheffield City Centre has been announced – Friday 27 March at midday. You’ll find it between the Red Lion and Rutland Arms in a former electricity sub station and they plan on opening all day, serving coffee and brunch in the morning from 9am with food continuing through the afternoon up to 9pm with Creole inspired dishes and DJs on in the evening.
The Beer Engine on Cemetery Road no longer serves food with the rising cost of operation making it unviable. They continue to open serving beer Tuesday to Saturday.
The Devonshire Arms in Dore has had a change of management. It initially closed for a refurbishment, reopening at 5pm on 20 March. and is now the third pub leased by Tom South and his team, who also operate the Castle Inn at Bradway.
The proposed JD Wetherspoons branch at Valley Centertainment has been given planning permission by Sheffield City Council. This will see the former Chiquito restaurant converted into a pub.
A little more about the new owners of the Green Room bar on Devonshire Street in Sheffield City Centre – it is the Waterbear music college and the venue will be rebranded as the WaterBear Green Room. In the daytime it will operate as a rehearsal space for students then open to the public in the evening as a live music bar. The venue had been run by Patrick Flynn for 23 years who is selling up in order to retire!
The annual Sheffield Folk Music Sessions festival takes place over the Easter weekend from 3 to 5 April spread across a number of pubs. At the time of going to press the programme and venues hadn’t been announced but usually involves places like the Dog & Partridge, Fagan’s, Perch, Shakespeares, Kelham Island Tavern, Harlequin, Gardeners Rest and Forest.
The Broadfield on Abbeydale Road are giving their outdoor area a bit of a fettle and we can apparently expect BBQ events in the garden over the summer!
The Queen Anne in Great Hucklow, which is up for sale as a result of the long standing licencees retiring, was due to close after 1 March but “due to popular demand” will be continuing to trade on reduced hours until it sells. The opening hours at time of going to press are Thursday to Saturday from 5pm and Sundays from midday. If you fancy a trip to visit this pub buses 65 (Sheffield to Buxton) and 173 (Castleton to Bakewell) pass the front door!
The Anchor Inn at Tideswell saw their tractor space in the car park make the news again with a local young farmer and his date turn up for a valentines meal there in his tractor!
Greene King brewery are looking for new tenants to take on the lease of the Woodroffe Arms in Hope.
The Cow Shed Cafe at Beltonville Farm in Millers Dale are hosting a beer & music festival on 23/24 May and 29/30 August. Advance tickets are advisable and camping is available.
Over the last three months we’ve featured guides to Peak District pubs in our branch area that can be easily reached by bus or train.
Key public transport links include the Hope Valley railway line, bus 65 (Sheffield to Buxton, bus 173 (Castleton to Bakewell), bus 218 (Sheffield to Bakewell direct via Owler Bar) bus 257 (Sheffield to Bakewell via Eyam) and bus 272 (Sheffield to Castleton). Timetables and maps available online at travelderbyshire.co.uk.
This month we fill in the gaps with the pubs that are in our branch area but not served by public transport, although if you fancy a country walk that may be a good opportunity to try them!
Grouse Inn, Longshaw (nearest buses – Fox House, routes 65 and 272)
In the same family for over 50 year, this free house stands in isolation on bleak moorland southwest of Sheffield, and is a welcome refuge for walkers as well as climbers from the nearby Froggatt Edge. The comfortable lounge and bar are at the front with separate room at the rear reached through the conservatory in which vines manage to grow. No food Monday evenings. Well known for their excellent steak pie. Both children and dogs are welcome and a children’s menu available.
Country inn with seven ensuite guest rooms. On the main road below Froggatt Edge. Has a very attractive beer garden melding into the wooded hillside. Up market food menu. Three changing cask ales from Peak Ales, Bradfield Brewery in Sheffield, Thornbridge Brewery, and Stancill Brewery.
Eyre Arms, Hassop (nearest bus Great Longstone, route 173)
300-year-old country pub with two comfortably furnished rooms and small snug squeezed between, watched over by an imposing grandfather clock. The impressive Eyre family arms are displayed above the fireplace. Open fires in the winter. There are up to six real ales available at weekends and three during the week. Excellent, good value home cooked food using locally-sourced ingredients. Bar snacks served 4pm-6pm between normal meal times. Friendly personal service. A superb, little unspoilt pub.
Barrel Inn, Bretton (nearest bus Foolow, route 65)
This remote former farm house, which at 1250 ft. (380 m), is the highest inn in Derbyshire. It boasts a good whisky selection, stunning views from its doorstep and a busy food trade.
An inn since the 1770s based on much older buildings dating back to the 13th century. A quaint traditional country pub with plenty of brassware. The entrance lobby opens into a large central bar, the room thought to date to Elizabethan times, with a large stone fireplace. Additional bar areas are to the left and right of the main bar. Large outside parking area with several picnic benches offering glorious views over the moors and Strines reservoir.
Technically Strines is served by bus – service 87, however this runs once a week on a Wednesday with buses passing the pub at 10:29am and 1:21pm!
THE OTHER DERBYSHIRE PEAK DISTRICT PUBS IN OUR BRANCH AREAWITH CASK ALE
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Here is a summary of events that were confirmed at the time of writing to offer an idea of what to expect – many more will be added after we’ve gone to press, check their website for the latest information – sheffieldbeerweek.co.uk.
If you fancy nipping between a number of venues by bus or tram then an all day travel pass from Travelmaster such as the Citywide ticket may prove good value. Public transport information can be found online at travelsouthyorkshire.com.
5 March, Fagan’s: 4pm – Kelham Island (Thornbridge) launch their Irish red ale (4%, cask) collab with Fagan’s at the pub. 7pm they’ll be playing the War Child Records Help (2) album, then from 9pm it’s their charity quiz with big prizes (VIP tickets for Tramlines and Kendal Calling).
6-15 March, Two Thirds Beer Co.: a Copenhagen-style taproom for one week, featuring four beers from Denmark’s Warpigs brewery. The selection ranges from a crisp Czech-style lager to full-flavoured IPAs.
6-15 March, Kapital Beer Hall: Czechtoberfest, featuring six different Czech beers on tap from independent breweries. A limited amount of Budvar Reserve (7.5%) will also be available using a traditional Czech side pour tap, rarely seen on UK taps.
7-15 March, Harlequin: The Art of Beer – exhibition of pump clips from local breweries from 2002 onwards curated by Richard Hough.
9-15 March, Aux Bon Vivant (27a Campo Lane. S1 2EG): Beer & Food Celebration – this French-focused cafe & deli have finally brought some Sheffield beers into the house, including Little Mesters IPA and Stout. Pierre will be creating the weekly menu with the beers in mind, pairing dishes to match each one.
13 March, Pangolin: Duration Brewing Great Farmhouse Expo – from 1pm they will have 7 lines of beer from this range including juicy pales on cask, a grisette and even a barrel aged lager!
13 March: Guided Pub Heritage Walk – Little Chicago, 4pm. Advance tickets required.
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The Hope Valley train is the popular local train service operated by Northern between Sheffield and Manchester Piccadilly that stops at stations in villages down the Hope Valley including Grindleford, Hathersage, Bamford, Hope and Edale within our branch area. Also within Sheffield it calls at Dore & Totley station. The service is generally hourly and runs all day every day except for Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
The 272 bus, operated jointly by First bus and High Peak, runs on a roughly hourly frequency in the daytime with a couple of evening journeys provided too. It sets off from Sheffield Interchange and heads out the city via Ecclesall Road and Whirlow to Fox House and Surprise Corner before dropping down into the valley at Hathersage and then parrallels the railway though Bamford and Hope before continuing up to Castleton with some journeys branching off to do a double run down to Bradwell, where it does a loop around the village via the infamous “Bradwell Gap”.
As well as the country pubs featured below the 272 bus passes Intrepid Brewery in Brough (keep an eye on their social media for occasional open days held over the summer with a pop up bar and food truck) and the High Peak Wine & Beer shop in Castleton if you want cans or bottles to take home.
On bus 272 and other local buses the maximum single fare is still £3 per ride or a Derbyshire wayfarer pass offers all day unlimited travel for £9. There is also a train inclusive Wayfarer option for £17. A return train ticket from Sheffield to Edale currently costs £11.50 after 9am and allows break of journey on route (prices correct at time of going to press).
The pubs in Castleton were previously featured in our guide to bus route 173 (Castleton to Bakewell) so descriptions aren’t repeated here.
In the summer a “Peak Sightseer” open top bus service usually operates in the area as well, a separate tour ticket is required for this, look out for an announcement from Stagecoach regarding their plans for the 2026 season.
The Fox House is something of a landmark at the Sheffield boundary on the edge of the Peak District and is part of the Mitchell & Butler owned “Vintage Inns” chain offering beer, dining, rooms and a beer garden with views over the moors!
A venue run by the Longbow group, a small local chain. This is primarily a hotel and regularly hosts weddings – however the bar and restaurant is normally open to the public. It is located at the end of the station drive, a short distance outside the village.
Restaurant & Bar. Formerly a historic bank, now an award winning contemporary restaurant and cocktail bar nestling in the heart of the Peak District National Park. Bank House offers fresh locally sourced seasonal produce and the finest tipples from Europe including 1 cask ale, usually from Abbeydale.
A smart bar, restaurant and hotel with patio area at rear operated by Longbow Venues Group who also have venues in Grindleford, Owler Bar, Ashford in the Water, Rowsley and Bakewell. The cask ale choice includes a house badged beer from Thornbridge.
A long, thin, L-shaped pub with food and hotel rooms, this has recently seen a change of management and a refurbishment that has given it a much smarter feel. All moods are catered for, whether it’s a pint and game of pool or a spot of lunch! 3 cask ales are available.
The only pub left in the village and is community owned but leased out to a local company to operate. A recent refurbishment has cleverly divided the pub into sections to give the feel of tap room, games room, lounge and restaurant. The cask ale range features local beers, usually from Intrepid and Eyam, alongside a well known brand. The pub shares the building with a post office and tea room and there is an outdoor drinking area alongside the car park. The pub is a 1 mile uphill walk from the railway station and 272 bus, the 257 bus will take you there.
Large roadside pub, open plan but with distinct areas around the island bar. There is a big screen showing sporting events and pool table. Dogs and walkers welcome.
Welcoming village inn traditionally decorated with multiple drinking areas including a pool room and area laid out for good value food. French windows overlook the large beer garden. Walkers and dogs welcome.
Imposing roadside pub opposite the village church. A spacious interior includes two large open plan areas either side of the bar, one area a comfortable lounge, and the other a tap room including traditional pub games.
Exposed low beams and stone walls lend a rustic feel to this quiet relaxed village local, dating from 1676 and just uphill from the village green. A popular community pub offering a very diverse range of entertainments, complemented by a choice of cask ales from Bradfield Brewery.
Historical pub with bar, restaurant, hotel rooms and an attached tea room. The pub bit is spread across two rooms, both with a fire lit in winter! A range of traditional cask ales can be found on the bar along with an extensive Scotch whisky collection. Beer festivals are held most bank holiday weekends in a marquee on the car park.
A cosy country inn dating from 1578 with an open plan bar area and a smaller room at a lower level that was probably originally used to house animals, but now is mainly used as a dining area. Home cooked meals using local produce are served lunchtimes and evenings. 4 cask ales are available and the pub also offers accommodation.
A pub and hotel located next to the railway station surrounded by hills! The range of cask ales usually includes choices from Abbeydale and Torrside among others and a food menu of pub classics is offered.
Located in the part of the village up the hill from the railway station and at the start of the Pennine Way footpath, this classic old pub offers beer, food and accommodation with outdoor seating at the rear.
Following a £1m interior renovation, the Fargate opened on 22nd October 2025. The venue brings together the storied elegance of a large former bank with a carefully designed pub interior (SCC planning application: 24/02165/FUL). Located in the Sheffield City Centre Conservation Area, this new pub is part of the regeneration of Fargate: the road was pedestrianised back in 1973, revitalisation commencing in 2022.
On the ground floor (2680 ft.2), brass accents, chandeliers, curated artwork, dark polished wood, elegant leather seating and herringbone floors create the impression of a bar that could have been built in Victorian times. This level also features screened booths, a snug, banquette seating, and full-height glazing to the front, offering a light and inviting space. The striking horseshoe bar serves ten cask beers and sixteen keg lines. The cask offering tends to be six from the extensive, and well-regarded, Thornbridge range complimented by four interesting guest beers.
The original spiral staircase leads to the first floor (2017 ft.2). 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 bright contemporary setting. Now used for storage, the basement includes the original strong rooms.
Branded, ‘Thornbridge & Co,’ the two-storey pub is a joint venture from Peak District-based Thornbridge Brewery and York-based importer and distributor, Pivovar. The other pubs in the chain are:
Banker’s Cat: Leeds (opened 2019)
Colmore: Birmingham (2019)
Market Cat: York (2018)
Wild Swan: City of London (expected to open in Spring 2026)
In the 1880s, the directors of the Yorkshire Penny Bank (previously the West Riding of Yorkshire Penny Savings Bank) bought the land to erect a new bank. Leeds-based architects Henry Perkin and George Bertram Bulmer took on the task. The corner stones were laid on 18th January 1888 by builders Armitage and Hodgson of Leeds and the building was officially opened by the president of the bank, Lord Lascelles, on 25th July 1889. It is late-Gothic design, with five-storeys and a long curved Holmfirth stone front.
The Bank occupied two floors. The basement contained the strong-room: ground level was the large banking hall, fitted out in polished wainscot oak with a mosaic-tiled floor.
The upper floors became a restaurant and high quality hotel. It was initially leased by Sheffield Café Company, formed in 1877 as part of a growing movement of temperance houses: their Albany Hotel opened in September with electric light throughout, a restaurant, billiard room, coffee and smoking rooms, private dining rooms and 40 bedrooms. By the 1920s, the Company was struggling financially, ceasing trading in 1922. Their assets were bought by Sheffield Refreshment Houses, who operated the hotel until closure in 1958.
In its centenary year, 1959, the Yorkshire Penny Bank became the Yorkshire Bank Ltd. The ex-hotel was converted into offices: Yorkshire Bank Chambers. The bank closed in August 2020. The external appearance remains relatively unchanged, with carved winged lions, medieval figures, shields and gargoyles on the outside of the building. Gabled dormers, lofty chimneys and a crenelated parapet were sacrificed during the 1960s.
As for the pub, following a pre-Christmas visit, respected beer bloggers Boak & Bailey stated: ‘the quality of the service, and the presentation of the staff, was impeccable. Despite the scrum at the bar we were served within seconds by a calm, polite, smartly-dressed young man. He was one of many people gliding about behind the counter and we got the sense that our expensive pints were covering the cost of proper levels of staffing for the season.’
I totally agree with their comments: the Fargate is not a cheap pub, but, as always, you get what you pay for. It’s also a welcome addition to local beer attractions.
The pub is located on the corner of Fargate and Surrey Street, Sheffield City Centre, S1 1LL. The nearest tram stop is Cathedral and there are numerous bus routes close by on High Street and Arundel Gate along with the free City Centre Connect bus SC1 on Leopold Street.
We are very concerned by the increasing number of retrospective planning applications which have been submitted to Sheffield City Council.
The law is clear: to change the use of a building (‘a material change of use’) from that of a pub (use class ‘sui generis’) requires planning permission.
Recent local examples of such changes, without prior planning permission, include: the Big Gun, the Highcliffe Club, the Royal Oak (Mosborough) and the Royal Standard.Two of these examples have involved closing the pub, trashing the interior and, later, applying for retrospective planning permission.
The application for the Royal Standard is currently in progress whereas the application for the Big Gun was recently approved (‘Grant Conditionally,’ reference: 25/03230/FUL). On expiry of the lease, this pub closed in September 2023: the historic interior was gutted and, over two years later, planning permission has been obtained. This is despite flawed documentation, which included several errors. For example, the Big Gun was not ‘a former’ public house and its use class was not E(b). These, and other, errors should have invalidated this recent application.
At the time of closure, the Big Gun had many historical features. For example, the right-hand side of the snug had two bays of unique Victorian fixed seating with decorative bench ends that resembled a (acanthus) leaf. This heritage is lost forever.
For this, and other, retrospective applications, we would expect a rigorous reaction from the planning authorities: a response which makes it clear that this is potentially a serious breach of the law, not a simple administrative error: a response which clearly references Sheffield as one of the best beer cities in the world, a city which cares about its pubs!
Councillor Ben Miskell, chairman of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “Pubs and working men’s clubs are a vital part of our shared heritage and community life, and every effort needs to be made to keep them open for the benefit of the community they serve.
“In the incredibly unfortunate event of one closing, it is vitally important that the new owners follow the correct process when planning permission is required, breaking planning rules will lead to the council taking a robust approach and use all the powers available to us.
“We also work closely with residents across the city to protect valued community buildings from village shops and community centres to local pubs – including by registering them as Assets of Community Value. Developers must respect Sheffield’s heritage, including the importance of our public houses.”
Mount Pleasant at Norton Woodseats has a refurbishment planned in February.
Pig & Whistle micropub at Gleadless Townend opened on 7 February in premised on White Lane that used to be a vets.It has 2 real ales available which on the opening weekend were from Abbeydale and Ossett breweries but will regularly change, there are also 8 keg taps including some craft options on rotation. Look out for live entertainment here at weekends.
A planning application has been made to open another micropub in Sharrow Vale. The unit is the former Roney’s butchers shop at 276 Sharrow Vale Road, that has since been used as a gluten free cafe. It isn’t far from No.3 Sharrow and Beer House micropubs; combined with the Lescar Hotel, Porter Cottage and Porter Brook adds another link to quite a circuit locally!
Shakespeares are doing a set of collaborations with local breweries to produce special beers that will be on the bar during Sheffield Beer Week.
Old Hall Hotel in Hope made a shameless attempt at luring in folk doing “Dry January” with their “Pie January” relaunch of an ongoing menu item there – Steak & Old Peculiar Ale pie. It is now an individually pressed pie, but still served with beef dripping cooked chips, seasonal vegetables and gravy!
Chequers Inn at Froggatt Edge is up for sale. It has been owned by Jonathan and Joanne Tindall for nearly 25 years.
Queen Anne in Great Hucklow is another Peak District pub where a long standing management is selling up and retiring, this time after 19 years at the helm. The last day of trading will be 1 March.
Castle Inn at Bakewell hosted a charity darts tournament on 31 January.
Blue Bell Inn at Harthill was closed from 25 to 29 January for a change of management. They are running a pie night every Wednesday.
The 2026 edition of Woodseats Live, a community music festival that sees a number of pubs team up hosting live music on the same day, will be taking place on 28 March. As well as venues along the main Chesterfield Road the Cross Scythes up the hill on Derbyshire Lane is also taking part.
Among the Sheffield venues in Heineken Star Pub company portfolio currently available to lease is the Red Deer, where a refurbishment is proposed for whoever the new management is.
Saw Grinders Union at Shalesmoor is having a refurbishment and refocus featuring a turkish culinery concept and new cocktail list.
There are changes on the food front at the Old Grindstone in Crookes with Forge Bakehouse taking over the kitchen.
Sad news from the Pioneer Club in Dronfield which is run by husband and wife team Tony and Alison Hartigan – it has been announced that Tony has recently passed away following a long illness. Tony was a very friendly, helpful guy and was very supportive of local CAMRA initiatives including the new Dronfield & District branch when it was formed. RIP.
The new management at the Shepley Spitfire in Totley held their relaunch at the start of February with a new menu and two cask ales on the bar – Greene King IPA and Timothy Taylors Landlord.
The Benjamin Huntsman (JD Wetherspoon) in Sheffield City Centre was closed for a refurbishment 9 to 13 February.
The Heeley Tap is now open and has three handpumps on the bar for cask ale.
The Dog & Partridge in Sheffield City Centre seems to be enjoying a lot of limelight and popularity at the moment – hot on the heels of winning our Sheffield City Centre Pub of the Year it was named Pub of the Year by the Great British Pub Crawl Vlog! The pub is a fantastic all rounder with a choice of cask ales plus a range of keg beers of both the craft and mainstream variety, Irish bar food menu, quiz night on Tuesdays and a live music programme including the occasional “Dogfest”, the most recent of which was held on 7 February.
At the time of going to press, Abbeydale Brewery were teasing on social media about a new Beerworks taproom opening but with the location yet to be revealed!
The Shoulder of Mutton in Bradwell has returned to the normal Saturday opening time of midday after three weeks in January/February where it had been altered to 3pm.
The Hyde Park Inn at Dronfield Hill Top now has a pool table.
The Green Room bar in Sheffield City Centre will be closing in its current guise on 25 May after nearly 23 years. It has however been sold to a company that will be reopening it as a bar with live music and it will be trading again in time for Tramlines weekend!
Wenue6, previously the Forum, in Wincobank looks set for redevelopment with a car home planned for the site. The nearest alternative pub for local residents is the Steel Foundry Wetherspoons in the Meadowhall shopping centre.
Lance Worthington took over the Portland House on Ecclesall Road from Wellbeck Abbey in 2017. The bar offers two rotating cask options – these have recently included Osset’s ‘Rat’ range, Triple Point and Neepsend. Also on offer are 4 rotating craft keg beers and other beers.
When he took it over Lance put his own stamp on the bar – he turned his design and carpentry skills to the pub’s furniture needs, making the pub’s tables and reupholstering all the seating. Outside he installed a canopy, created windowed screens and attached bench seating to the frontage – all of which all folds up and neatly locks away each night. In late 2025 he went a step further by designing and making what might be Sheffield’s first sofa that transforms into a stage! This is used to host open mic events most Sundays, and other music events which can be found on the bar’s socials.
Lance takes commissions for his furniture and can be contacted through his Instagram account (@lanceworthingtonphotography).
He is also the main organiser of ‘Eccyfest’, the now twice annual event involving a changing cast of Ecclesall Road’s bars. The next of these is 3-5 April 2026 with another planned for the first weekend of October. Details of participating venues can be found on Eccyfest’s Facebook feed as well as the individual bars’ social media pages.
