For the benefit of those of you who are new to Sheffield, here is our mini guide to real ale venues in Sheffield City Centre.
All are walkable, however all are also easily accessible by bus or tram! Where possible a link to the
Whatpub entry has been provided for more details and a map.
Bankers Draft (JD Wetherspoon) – Castle Square tram stop
Typical Wetherspoon pub with very affordably priced real ales, standard food menu and down to earth clientele over two floors.
Get there: all tram routes stop outside, various buses nearby.
Bath Hotel – Victoria Street
Classic two room art deco back street boozer featuring a selection of ales. Simple bar snacks available, dart board, occasional music nights. Listed on the CAMRA National Inventory of pub interiors.
Get there: University tram stop or buses 6,51,52,52a,95,95a,120,271
Beehive – West Street
City Centre bar owned by Stonegate with well known beers, sports TV and affordable pub grub. Now one of their Craft Union venues.
Get there: West Street tram stop or buses 6,51,52,52a,95,95a,120,271
Benjamin Huntsman (JD Wetherspoon)
Modern Wetherspoon bar on two floors, beer range, prices and food menu as you would expect from this chain.
Get there: City Hall tram stop
Bessemer – Leopold Street
By day and night the Bessemer is two very different animals… in the daytime like many pubs in the Stonegate chain it serves value for money food to tables in various cosy corners and real ale is available – generally a mix of national and local brands. However Friday and Saturday night the pub is open until 2am with a DJ playing golden oldies, attracting a very mixed crowd! Pub is owned by Stonegate.
Get there: City Hall tram stop, buses to West Street.
Brown Bear – Norfolk Street
Classic two room pub owned by Samuel Smiths Brewery exclusively serving their products. Obey the Smith’s old fashioned values of no swearing or electronic devices such as mobile phones and you will be rewarded with very affordable beer prices!
Get there: Castle Square tram stop or Arundel Gate bus stops.
Cavells – High Street
Unpretentious cafe bar
Get there – Castle Square tram stop, buses on High Street/Arundel Gate.
Church House – St James Street
Gothic looking pub next to the Cathedral, owned by Heineken Star Bars but independently operated, relaxed atmosphere during the daytime then livelier at night with the pub featuring live bands at the weekend, usually leaning towards the classic rock genre.
Get there – Cathedral tram stop or any buses on High Street/Church Street
Common Room – Devonshire Street
American Pool Lounge, sports bar and diner owned by True North Brewery
Get there – West Street tram stop or any bus on West Street
Dog & Partridge – Trippet Lane
Traditional multi roomed pub with a range of real ales. Classically part of the ‘Irish Triangle’ of three Sheffield pubs (others being Grapes and Fagans) that for many years have had Irish ex pat landlords and customers. Sporting events are regularly shown on TV, the pub hosts a quiz night and classic video games night. Also check out the old fashioned snug room, which thankfully remained unspoilt when the pub was refurbished.
Get there – City Hall tram stop. Sheffield Connect minibus stops close by.
Dorothy Pax – Victoria Quays
Great little canal side drinking venue located in a railway arch with a bar made from an old boat. Choice of real ales, regular live music events. Friendly and relaxed, when the weather is good you can enjoy sitting outside by the water observing boats moored in the canal basin and trams passing over the viaduct in the distance! If going in the evening check their event programme as some gigs are ticketed.
Get there – Fitzalan Square tram stop across bridge, various buses to the Wicker or 24/25 to Broad Street/Blast Lane.
Dove & Rainbow – Hartshead Square
It certainly isn’t posh or smart and the limit of the bar food menu is a Pot Noodle, the Dove has been a home to the rock and alternative crowd for many years with a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Real Ale, Cider, Pool Table, music, pinball and murals feature here.
Get there – Castle Square tram stop, buses to High Street/Arundel Gate/Angel Street
Fagan’s – Broad Lane
It may be described as a reyt proper pub and a Sheffield institution. It has recently changed hands after the retirement of the long standing licensees however it is still a traditional pub with folk music.
Frog & Parrot – Division Street
Landmark corner pub owned by Greene King featuring their beers plus local guests and their usual food menu. The pub is quite music orientated both with the decor and occasional live entertainment.
Get there – West Street tram stop
Foresters – Division Street
Recently refurbished and made into a laid back traditional pub that looks reasonably smart. Cask Ales usually from Thornbridge/Kelham Island. Food served. Outdoor drinking area at the rear.
Getting there: West Street tram stop.
Grapes – Trippet Lane
Classic multi roomed heritage pub that has been Irish owned and operated by the same family for many years.
Get there – City Hall tram stop
Head of Steam – Norfolk Street
Large venue with island bar in a building that was once a bank, part of a chain owned by Cameron’s brewery offering and extensive range of craft beer, real ales, European beers, food and more.
Get there – Castle Square tram stop, any bus to Arundel Gate
Howard – Howard Street
Comfortable pub owned by Marstons Brewery by the rail station and Hallam University campus.
Get there – buses to Sheffield Interchange, trains and trams at Sheffield Station.
Industry Tap – Sidney Street
Craft beer bar opened by local experimental brewers Lost Industry but now independent, serving an extensive beer range served on a 21 line keg tap wall and bar snacks in a new build development on the site of the old Niche nightclub.
Get there: buses to Moorfoot or Shoreham Street, nearest tram stop is Granville Road
(Note – keg only bar, craft beers may or may not be real ale depending on range featured)
Lord Nelson – Arundel Street
Typical friendly old fashioned local boozer. 4 handpumps for real ale, sport on TV.
Museum – Orchard Street
Compact but comfortable Greene King pub attached to Orchard Square shopping courtyard. Local guest beers available and food served.
Get there: Cathedral tram stop or any buses on Leopold Street/Church Street.
Old Queens Head – Pond Street
A Thwaites pub attached to the Sheffield Interchange bus station, the original part of the pub is one of the oldest commercial buildings in the City and is now used as the dining area with the more modern parts of the pub offering a comfortable place to relax with a beer or bite to eat. On the bar the real ales are mostly from Thwaites, however there are two guest pumps, one of which is always usually something interesting from a local brewery. The food menu leans towards traditional pub grub with some cheaper lunchtime deals.
Get there: any bus to Sheffield Interchange or tram/train to rail station over the road.
Old Shoe – Orchard Square
A City Centre bar and shop where cider is made on the premises and served alongside a range of bottled ciders from the UK and beyond along with a wide range of craft beer served from keg, cask, bottle and can. They also feature natural wines and other artisan drinks.
Get there: Cathedral tram stop; buses to Church Street or Arundel Gate.
Perch – Garden Street
A modern bar that in its previous life was the base for Sheffield City Council’s parking enforcement officers! Perch is the tap for Dead Parrot Brewery with a range of their beers on handpump. The brewery is next door alongside the sheltered outdoor drinking area at the rear of the venue which hosts special events from time to time. A food menu of good quality burgers and pizzas is offered along with snacks such as chicken wings.
Red Deer – Pitt Street
Classic ex Tetleys pub popular with University staff that feels like a country pub in the heart of the City. Range of real ales and fresh food served, regular events including quiz nights and music, small beer patio at rear.
Get there: West Street tram stop, various buses.
Red Lion – Charles Street
Traditional multi room pub with snug and conservatory, pool table and lunchtime food.
Get there: buses to Arundel Gate, Castle Square or Sheffield Station tram stop
Roebuck – Charles Street
A fairly traditional pub located in the heart of the City Centre with real ale and food.
Get there: any bus to Arundel Gate. Nearest tram stops: Castle Square or City Hall.
Rutland Arms – Brown Street
Classic traditional street corner boozer that has been around the Sheffield real ale scene for years, however look beyond the heritage building and the interior that is a bit scruffy around the edges there is a little bit of a modern punk attitude – the pub offers a great range of real ales, some quite interesting craft beers on the keg lines, bistro standard fresh food cooking (as well as chip butties) from the kitchen and an extensive selection of top shelf spirits. They also have a beer garden. Keep an eye on their social media for special events planned including tap takeovers and themed parties, keep an eye on the walls for examples of staff humour and customer politics too!
Get there – buses to Brown Street or Arundel Gate, nearest tram stop Sheffield Station.
Sheffield Tap – Sheaf Street
The Tap is located on platform 1b of Sheffield Station in a building that was previously a derelict storage area – although long before that it was the old first class refreshment rooms, buffet and station masters accommodation. It has all been restored and opened as a craft beer bar with its own on site brewery – Tapped Brew Co. Listed on the CAMRA National Inventory of pub interiors.
Get there: tram or train to Sheffield Station, any bus to Sheffield Interchange.
Showroom Cafe Bar – Paternoster Row
Part of the independent cinema complex, this is a large single room with some art deco features.
Get there: Sheffield Station (train and tram) & Sheffield bus Interchange is just around the corner.
Three Tuns – Silver Street Head
Fairly unique wedge shaped pub building, traditional and comfortable interior with friendly bar service and a choice of classic ales from breweries on the Heineken list such as Theakstons. Entertainment at the weekend including disco and karaoke on Friday/Saturday and a drag queen on some Sundays.
Get there: Cathedral tram stop
Triple Point Brewery + Bar – Shoreham Street
Modern brewery and bar in a converted building. Enjoy a range of cask and keg beers brewed on site plus the occasional guest beer. Many of the beers tend to be classic English or European styles with a subtle twist. The bar is also home to the Twisted Burger Company.
Get there: buses 1,1a,11,24,25. Nearest tram stop is Granville Road.
Two & Six Micropub – Snig Hill
Friendly little bar offering a range of cask ales, craft beers on keg and cider. There is also an attached gallery room next door which occasionally hosts exhibitions as well as meetings of the local Laurel & Hardy appreciation group, Sons of the Desert (Sheffield Tent)!
Get there: tram to Castle Square or various buses on Snig Hill, Angel Street and Castle Street.
University Arms – Brook Hill
Formerly the University staff club and originally a vicarage, this slightly gothic looking building is now a pub open to all offering a timeless environment to enjoy beer and food inside and a proper beer garden outside.It also has a number of function rooms upstairs well used by University societies.
Get there: University of Sheffield tram stop or buses 51,52,52a
Vocation & Co – Devonshire Street
Small but perfectly formed bar originally opened by True North Brewery as the Old House, now a branch of Vocation & Co which launched on 14 April 2023 with 5 cask ales and 22 keg lines featuring beer from Vocation and guests. Food is described as upmarket burgers and subs.
Get there: West Street tram stop or any buses on West Street.
Washington – Fitzwilliam Street
Traditional pub building with imposing doorway and two rooms – one a comfy lounge, the other more basic seating/tables with DJ box, dance floor and stage. The pub is very music orientated with DJ and live music nights and a decent soundtrack the rest of the time. The pub also has a great outdoor drinking area. 4 real ales are available – Black Sheep Bitter and Abbeydale Moonshine on the regular pumps and two local guest ales. Open until 3am most nights and welcomes a wonderfully eclectic crowd.
Get there: West Street tram stop, buses to Moorfoot or West Street.
Waterworks (JD Wetherspoon)
Originally converted from offices into a bar as a Lloyds No1 venue, this has since become a Wetherspoons pub with the usual reasonably priced ales and chain pub food menu that you come to expect.
Get there: City Hall tram stop
Yates – Cambridge Street
A chain that probably needs no introduction. By day it operates as a pub with reasonably priced beer, basic pub food menu and sports news on the TV whilst at night it becomes a party venue with a DJ playing mainly latest pop hits (and I now feel really old writing those words).
Get there: City Hall tram stop or any bus to West Street or Pinstone Street/Leopold Street 
