A Steel City Saturday: Sheffield Beer Festival, Historic Pubs & Micropubs

A Steel City Saturday: Sheffield Beer Festival, Historic Pubs & Micropubs

A Day Exploring Sheffield

Saturday 24 October 2026 was another lovely day out exploring Sheffield. I started at Sheffield Tap before heading to Kelham Island Museum for the 50th Steel City Beer & Cider Festival. It was great seeing the River Don Engine running, catching up with familiar faces and trying a few different beers. Afterwards, we explored the pubs around Heeley, Abbeydale Road and Sharrow, finishing at the Botanical Arms on Ecclesall Road. There was a brilliant mix of traditional pubs, independent bars and newer micropubs, along with a few former pubs to photograph. Plenty of walking, good company and interesting history made it a cracking day.

A Little History of Sheffield

Sheffield began as a small medieval market town, with a castle and a market established by the late 1200s. It became known for making knives and other cutlery long before its steelworks became famous. During the 1700s and 1800s, new ways of producing steel helped the town grow into a busy industrial centre, with workshops and factories spreading along its rivers. Sheffield’s reputation grew around the world, and in 1913 local metallurgist Harry Brearley developed an early form of stainless steel. Today, you can still spot reminders of that past in the old industrial buildings, streets and traditional pubs around the city.

Who I Met

I spent the day exploring Sheffield with Niall from From Sheffield With Pubs, along with Nigel and Danielle. We also bumped into Dave and Will at the 50th Steel City Beer & Cider Festival, which was a lovely chance to catch up. There was plenty of good conversation as we made our way around the pubs, and it was great to share another day out with people who enjoy discovering pub history as much as I do. Niall’s From Sheffield With Pubs page is well worth following, and there’s also a new Sheffield pub-history website section to explore, covering pubs still open as well as those that have closed over the years.

Stops on This Trip

Sheffield Tap
50th Steel City Beer & Cider Festival
Millowners Arms
Six Barrel Drafthouse
Vocation & Co
Brothers Arms
Sheaf View
White Lion
Heeley Tap
Broadfield
Abbeydale Beerworks
Bear
Cremorne
Albion
Beer Engine
No.3 Sharrow
Botanical Arms

🏛️ Historical Stops Along the Way
Sun Inn (Former Pub)
Moseley’s Arms (Former Pub)
Trippets Lounge Bar (Closed)
Bridge Inn (Closed)
Royal Hotel (Closed)

Sheffield Tap

My first visit of the day was to Sheffield Tap. Sheffield Tap sits inside the old Edwardian refreshment and dining rooms at Sheffield Station, right by Platform 1b. The rooms were built in 1904 and later fell out of use for many years before being carefully restored. In 2009, they reopened as Sheffield Tap, bringing this lovely Grade II listed space back to life as a pub. In 2013, the former first-class dining room was also brought back into use, with Tapped Brew Co brewing on site. Today, it’s one of Sheffield’s best-loved station pubs, mixing railway history, beautiful old features and a proper warm welcome.

Inside, Sheffield Tap is full of character, with many Edwardian features carefully restored or recreated. The high ceilings, decorative plasterwork, tiled walls and large arched windows give the pub a grand but welcoming feel. Its terrazzo floors, timber panelling and traditional furniture add to its classic railway pub atmosphere. The main room is bright and spacious, while the former first-class dining room provides extra seating with the same historic charm. Behind glass, you can also spot the small on-site brewery, adding another point of interest. It’s a relaxed place where history and modern beer come together beautifully.

There was a fantastic choice of cask and keg beers on offer, with a good mix of styles and strengths, alongside plenty more bottles and cans in the fridges behind the bar. For my first beer of the day, I went for Nothing Else Matters from Bang the Elephant Brewing Co, based in Langley Mill, Derbyshire. This 4.5% Extra Special Bitter is brewed using Brewers Gold and Chinook hops, bringing a slightly more modern touch to a traditional British beer style. A lovely choice to get the day underway.

50th Steel City Beer & Cider Festival

Next up was a visit to Kelham Island Museum for the 50th Steel City Beer & Cider Festival, organised by Sheffield & District CAMRA. The museum is a fascinating place, telling the story of Sheffield’s industrial past and its world-famous steelmaking industry. One of its biggest attractions is the River Don Engine, built in 1905 by Davy Brothers of Sheffield. This enormous steam engine weighs around 425 tonnes and was once used to power machinery rolling huge steel plates. I was lucky enough to see it running during my visit, and watching such a huge piece of machinery in action was quite something. The museum’s old industrial buildings also make a fantastic setting for a beer festival.

The festival itself was spread across several parts of the museum, with around 200 real ales available alongside craft beers, cider and perry. Upstairs in the large hall were long rows of casks offering a huge choice of beers from breweries across the country. Downstairs was a selection of guest brewery bars, while outside in the courtyard a large marquee housed even more real ales. There was also a separate KeyKeg bar offering a good range of craft beers, along with a dedicated cider bar with plenty of choice for cider and perry drinkers. With food stalls, historic machinery and plenty of different areas to explore, there was much more to see than just the beer. It was a really enjoyable visit, and I particularly liked how the festival made use of the museum’s industrial surroundings.

During my visit, I tried four different beers, starting with Wise Men Say from Vaux Brewery in Sunderland, a 4% session pale ale with refreshing citrus notes. Next was Dream This Night Away from Ticking Clock Brewing Co, a 4.3% pale ale offering grapefruit, tropical fruit and a gentle floral character. I also went for Golden Gate from Bridges Brewing Company in Derbyshire, a 4.8% West Coast pale ale with resinous hops and a balanced malty finish. My final choice was My Beautiful Ballroom from Sheffield’s AleChemist Brewery, a 4.2% hazy pale ale served from the KeyKeg bar rather than on cask. A lovely selection of beers from four different breweries, and a great chance to try something new.

Millowners Arms

The Millowners Arms is tucked away within the grounds of Kelham Island Museum, occupying a former storeroom rather than an old pub. It was transformed in 2013 as part of a £60,000 project funded by the River Don Millowners Association and opened by the Duke of Gloucester. Initially used for museum events and special functions, it became a fully operating public house in November 2019. The pub celebrates Sheffield’s brewing history, with displays recalling breweries from the city’s past. One particularly interesting feature is the 17th-century stone fireplace, rescued from the former Travellers pub at Wadsley Bridge.

Inside, the Millowners Arms has been carefully designed to look and feel like a traditional Sheffield pub from the 1970s. There’s plenty of dark wooden panelling, green button-backed bench seating, wooden tables and chairs, and warm lighting throughout. The large stone fireplace is a lovely feature, while the red-painted iron columns are a reminder of the building’s industrial past. Wooden partitions feature old brewery names including Stones, Ward’s, Tennant’s and Gilmore’s, alongside framed displays celebrating Sheffield’s brewing heritage. There’s a cosy little corner by the window, a traditional wooden bar and plenty of character wherever you look.

The Millowners Arms had two cask ales available alongside a selection of keg beers. I went for Farmers Brown Cow from Bradfield Brewery, based in High Bradfield on the outskirts of Sheffield. At 4.2%, this traditional brown ale has a deep chestnut colour and a smooth, creamy head. There’s a touch of citrus in the flavour, followed by a long, dry finish. A lovely local beer to enjoy in a pub that celebrates Sheffield’s brewing history.

Six Barrel Drafthouse

The Six Barrel Drafthouse sits on the corner of Division Street and Rockingham Street, where there has been a pub since 1828. Over the years, it has had several names, including the Foresters, the Yorick and, more recently, Gatsby. The Foresters name returned in 2023, but the pub closed again in August 2026. After a refurbishment costing nearly £300,000, it reopened as the Six Barrel Drafthouse in October 2026, run by the Pub People Company. It’s lovely to see another chapter beginning for a building that has been part of Sheffield’s pub scene for almost 200 years.

Inside, the Six Barrel Drafthouse has a lovely warm and welcoming feel, with plenty of different places to sit. There are exposed brick walls, patterned ceilings, wooden tables and comfortable green seating throughout. The hanging lights give everything a nice warm glow, while old signs and framed pictures add a bit of character. Large windows look out onto Division Street, with a long padded bench running along one wall. There are also a few quieter corners and larger tables for groups. Outside, there’s a courtyard with wooden benches, tables and barrel seating, making it a nice spot on warmer days.

There were six cask ales to choose from on my visit, alongside a wide range of keg beers. I went for Calmer Chameleon from Brew York, a brewery based in York. This 4.1% pale ale is brewed using Columbus, Mosaic, Simcoe and Idaho 7 hops, giving it a lovely mix of citrus, fruity and floral flavours with a gentle hint of pine. It’s a refreshing, easy-drinking beer with plenty of flavour without being too heavy. A nice choice for my first visit to the newly reopened pub.

Vocation & Co

Vocation & Co opened on Devonshire Street in April 2023, taking over the former Old House pub. The building had been a familiar drinking spot for years, with previous names including the Halcyon Bar and the Devonshire. True North had been involved with the venue since 1994, before handing it over to Hebden Bridge-based Vocation Brewery. The new bar opened on 14 April, bringing another chapter to this well-known Sheffield spot. Rather than opening somewhere completely new, Vocation gave an established city centre pub a fresh look while keeping it a place for people to meet and enjoy a drink.

Inside, Vocation & Co is bright, open and welcoming, with white walls, warm wooden floors and plenty of natural light coming through the large front window. A long black bar stretches across the back of the room, with bold white lettering and a wooden top. The seating is mostly made up of high wooden tables and stools, with a few lower tables and benches towards the front. Hanging lights add a lovely warm glow, and there are a few pictures and plants dotted around. There’s plenty of space to settle in, whether you’re popping in alone or with friends.

There were five cask ales to choose from during my visit, alongside an impressive 18 keg lines and a fridge stocked with cans. I went for Sweet Symphony from Vocation Brewery, based in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire. This 4.8% best bitter is a modern take on a traditional English beer, brewed using Fuggles and East Kent Goldings hops. It has a lovely smooth, malty character, with flavours of freshly baked bread, toffee and toasted biscuit, balanced by a gentle floral bitterness. A really enjoyable pint and a nice change from the pale ales I’d been drinking earlier in the day.

Brothers Arms

The Brothers Arms is a lovely old pub on Well Road in Heeley, with a history stretching back around 200 years. Over the years, it has had several names, including the Shakespeare Inn and Shakespeare Tavern, before becoming Ye Olde Shakespeare in 1953. The old name can still be seen across the front of the building, along with some lovely decorative stonework. It also appeared in the 1996 Sheffield film When Saturday Comes. In 2014, five members of local band The Everly Pregnant Brothers took over, renamed it the Brothers Arms and gave this historic pub a fresh start.

Inside, the Brothers Arms has a lovely traditional feel, with several cosy areas to sit and relax. There’s plenty of dark green wooden panelling, warm orange walls, wooden tables and chairs, and framed pictures, including artwork by Sheffield’s Pete McKee. One room has comfortable bench seating and a fireplace with a stove, while another has a brighter feel with colourful walls and wooden ceiling beams. The different seating areas give the pub plenty of character, with lots of interesting details throughout. Outside, there’s a spacious beer garden with picnic benches, a covered seating area and some lovely views across Heeley.

There were eight cask ales to choose from at the Brothers Arms, alongside a range of keg beers. I went for Endeavour from Pictish Brewing Company, a small independent brewery based in Rochdale, Lancashire. This 4.5% golden ale has a fruity, gently hoppy character, with a balanced finish. It was a nice choice to enjoy while looking around this lovely old Sheffield pub, which has so much history and character.

Sheaf View

The Sheaf View has been part of Heeley since 1879, when William Burley turned a former grocer’s shop into a small beerhouse. Back then, it had just three rooms, and around twenty customers would have filled the place. Over the years, the pub was extended and changed hands several times, eventually gaining a full licence in the 1960s. Sadly, it closed in 1997 and was left boarded up, with demolition a possibility. Thankfully, James Birkett stepped in and gave the building a new lease of life, reopening it on 24 May 2000. It’s since become a much-loved Sheffield pub.

Inside, the Sheaf View has plenty of charm, with wooden tables, green cushioned benches and framed brewery signs on the cream and red walls. The stained-glass panels and colourful striped curtains are lovely touches, while the different seating areas give you somewhere to settle down. One thing worth looking out for is the framed map showing where bombs fell across Sheffield during the Second World War. Towards the back, there’s a conservatory with a glass roof, while outside you’ll find a raised wooden deck with picnic tables and views across the valley. It’s a lovely, welcoming place to spend time.

The bomb map also gets a mention in a Sheffield Star interview with chef Brendan Barwise, who picked the Sheaf View as his favourite pub. Read the Sheffield Star article.

There were eight cask ales on offer at the Sheaf View, along with a still cider and a selection of keg beers. I went for Final Boss (Stage 2): Citra from Elusive Brewing, based in Finchampstead, Berkshire. This 5.5% American pale ale is brewed using four different forms of Citra hops, including whole cone, Cryo and concentrated hop extracts. It’s all about bringing out that lovely citrus character, with plenty of bright, fruity hop flavour. A cracking choice to enjoy in one of Sheffield’s much-loved traditional pubs.

White Lion

The White Lion is one of Heeley’s real historic treasures, with a pub recorded on the site as far back as 1781. The present building developed over the nineteenth century, with its frontage moved closer to London Road between 1877 and 1884. Sheffield brewers Duncan Gilmour & Co acquired the pub in 1900 and carried out major changes during the early twentieth century, leaving behind much of the wonderful decoration still seen today. It later became a Tetley pub and was recognised as one of the brewery’s Heritage Inns in 1989. The building is Grade II listed, reflecting its importance to Sheffield’s pub history.

Inside the White Lion, there’s plenty of lovely traditional detail to enjoy. A colourful tiled corridor runs through the pub, with beautiful blue and cream tiles, patterned wallpaper featuring birds and flowers, and dark wooden panelling. The smaller rooms are full of character, with comfortable patterned seating, wooden tables and colourful carpets. One cosy corner has mustard-coloured benches against deep red walls, while another has green walls and a dartboard. The beautiful stained-glass window is another lovely feature, although look closely and you’ll spot something rather unusual – the letter ‘N’ in ‘WINDSOR’ is actually the wrong way around! With glazed partitions and decorative glass throughout, it’s a wonderfully traditional pub.

There were five cask ales to choose from at the White Lion, alongside a selection of draught beers. I went for Abduction from Dancing Duck Brewery, based in Derby. This 5.5% IPA is packed with tropical fruit flavours, balanced by a gentle malty character and a pleasant hoppy bitterness. It has a lovely clean finish, making it an enjoyable pint despite being a little stronger than some of the other beers I’d tried during the day. A nice choice to enjoy while exploring all the historic rooms and beautiful details of this wonderful old Sheffield pub.

Heeley Tap

Heeley Tap is a recent addition to London Road, opening in 2025 as Heeley Artisan in a former restaurant at 631–633 London Road. It was set up by the people behind Mesters Tap in Woodseats and Little Mesters Brewing, bringing another small independent beer venue to Heeley. The bar later went through a short-lived change of ownership involving Boston Brewery, before returning to one of its original owners. By early 2026, it had taken on the Heeley Tap name. Although this isn’t an old pub, the building’s change from restaurant to bar adds another chapter to this busy stretch of London Road.

Inside Heeley Tap, there’s a lovely relaxed feel, with a mix of wooden tables, metal chairs and comfortable leather sofas. The main room is bright and welcoming, with white walls, framed artwork and large windows overlooking London Road. There’s a nice mix of smaller tables and higher seating, giving customers plenty of choice. Towards the back, a quieter seating area has more sofas, wooden coffee tables and a long counter with stools. The grey-painted wooden floors and warm lighting give the place a modern but cosy appearance. It’s a friendly little spot that feels quite different from the older pubs nearby.

There were three cask ales available at Heeley Tap, alongside a selection of draught beers. I went for Deception from Sheffield’s Abbeydale Brewery, a 4.1% New Zealand pale ale that has been brewed since 2008. It showcases Nelson Sauvin hops, giving it lovely citrus flavours with hints of gooseberry and white grape. Other hops, including Amarillo and Galaxy, help give it a refreshing, crisp and slightly bitter finish. It’s a popular local beer that has twice been named Champion Beer of Sheffield, and a lovely choice for my first visit to Heeley Tap.

Broadfield

The Broadfield is a handsome old pub dating from 1896, standing on Abbeydale Road with its attractive stone frontage. Originally associated with Sheffield brewers Tennants, the building was extended in 1906 with the addition of a billiards room. That space later became a lounge and then a concert room as the pub changed over the years. The interior has also undergone several alterations, with the old separate rooms eventually opened up into a much larger space. In 2011, the Broadfield became part of the local business now known as True North Brew Co, which has helped establish its reputation for food and real ale.

Inside the Broadfield, there’s a lovely mix of traditional pub character and a warm, welcoming feel. Dark wooden fittings, colourful stained glass, red walls and patterned carpets give the spacious interior plenty of character. One particularly interesting feature is the unusual ceiling light fitting, designed to resemble a railway map, with names of former Sheffield stations including Heeley, Victoria and Neepsend. It’s a lovely little nod to the city’s railway history. Outside, there’s a large courtyard beer garden filled with wooden picnic tables, along with a raised covered seating area. There’s certainly plenty of space to enjoy a drink!

There were five cask ales to choose from at the Broadfield, alongside a selection of draught beers. I went for Yella Belly Gold from Batemans Brewery in Lincolnshire, a 3.9% golden ale brewed using Chinook and Cascade hops. It’s a lovely light golden colour, with a floral aroma and refreshing citrus flavours, including a hint of grapefruit. There’s a gentle maltiness alongside the hops, leading to a pleasantly dry and slightly bitter finish. A really enjoyable, easy-drinking pint and a nice choice while taking in the character of this lovely old Sheffield pub.

Abbeydale Beerworks

Abbeydale Beerworks is a fairly new arrival, opening in May 2026 as the taproom for Sheffield’s Abbeydale Brewery. The brewery itself was established in 1996 and has become one of the city’s best-known independent brewers. Despite being based nearby for thirty years, it had never operated a dedicated public taproom until this one opened. The opportunity came when Turner’s Bottle & Tap closed, allowing Abbeydale to take over the premises and give them a fresh start. Situated just a short walk from the brewery, Beerworks finally gives visitors somewhere to enjoy Abbeydale’s beers in a venue run by the brewery itself.

Inside Abbeydale Beerworks, there’s a lovely warm and welcoming feel, with cream and blue walls, wooden floors and plenty of colourful touches. The bar sits to the left as you enter, while wooden tables and chairs with bright red and orange legs provide seating throughout. Framed brewery photographs, artwork and old posters decorate the walls, with a large archway leading through to more seating at the back. Near the front, exposed brickwork and large windows add plenty of character. Outside, there’s a lovely seating area at the front, with wooden tables, chairs and overhead lighting.

There were four cask ales and eight keg lines to choose from at Abbeydale Beerworks, with plenty of the brewery’s own beers on offer. I went for Royal Agave, a 4% pale ale from Abbeydale’s lithograph-inspired series. It’s brewed with Cashmere and Wai-Iti hops, bringing fresh lemon and lime flavours alongside softer, juicy melon notes. There’s a gentle bitterness and a lovely smooth finish, making it a really refreshing pint. It was nice to enjoy one of Abbeydale’s more recent beers in their own taproom, just a short walk from where it was brewed.

Bear

The Bear opened in June 2021, bringing another independent beer venue to Sheffield’s increasingly popular Abbeydale Road. The premises had previously been home to the Rude Shipyard café, before Matt Beety took over and transformed the space into a specialist beer shop and bar. After spending around twenty years working in education, Matt decided to follow his ambition of opening his own business. The original idea was mainly a bottle shop, but customers soon began staying for drinks, helping the business develop into the small bar it is today. The Bear quickly became a popular addition to Sheffield’s independent beer scene.

The Bear is a lovely little bar and bottle shop, with a compact interior that makes good use of the available space. It’s somewhere between a traditional beer shop and a small drinking venue, with seating for customers who would rather enjoy a drink inside. The room has a bar with several keg taps and a wide range of packaged beers available to take away. There’s a cosy, informal feel to the place, quite different from the larger pubs further along Abbeydale Road. It’s a good example of how a fairly small former shop or café can become a popular little drinking spot.

The Bear had six keg lines to choose from, alongside fridges packed with cans and bottles, not to mention a huge selection of crisps and snacks! I went for Never Odd or Even from Palindrome Brewing Co, a 6.6% hazy IPA. Brewed with Mosaic, Nelson Sauvin, Azacca and Strata hops, it brings plenty of juicy tropical fruit flavours, sweet berries and a lovely citrus sharpness, with hints of white grape. There’s a gentle sweetness and a smooth, velvety finish, making it a really enjoyable drink. A cracking choice at this lovely little independent bar.

Cremorne

The Cremorne is a traditional Sheffield pub with roots going back to the nineteenth century. Local beer guides describe it as an old street-corner pub, with the building possibly dating back to around 1833. The origin of its unusual name isn’t certain, although one suggestion is that it was named after Cremorne, the horse that won the Derby in 1872. Originally, the pub consisted of two smaller rooms, but major changes during the 1980s opened up the interior and extended it into the adjoining property. It later became one of Tetley’s Festival Ale Houses before developing into an independent free house, retaining its traditional character.

Inside the Cremorne, there’s a lovely traditional pub feel, with wooden floors, dark wood panelling and exposed brickwork giving the place plenty of character. Red leather seating runs along the walls, with small tables and green cushioned stools dotted around the different areas. The stained glass windows and colourful hanging lights add a nice touch, while the old fireplace makes a cosy little corner. There’s a mixture of smaller seating areas and more open spaces, all with their own character. Outside, there’s a covered drinking area with painted brick walls, wooden benches and barrel tables, offering somewhere else to settle down for a pint.

There were six cask ales to choose from at the Cremorne, alongside a selection of draught beers. I went for Daily Bread from Sheffield’s Abbeydale Brewery, a 3.8% traditional English bitter. It’s a lovely copper-coloured ale with gentle malty flavours and a little sweetness, balanced by a smooth, pleasantly bitter finish. British Fuggles hops give it a subtle earthy character, with Columbus and Bobek adding a delicate touch of spice. It was a nice change from some of the hoppier beers I’d enjoyed during the day, and a cracking pint to settle down with in this proper old Sheffield pub.

Albion

The Albion is a fascinating old building on London Road, with a history stretching back to the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Rather than being built as one large pub, it originally consisted of three houses which were later brought together to form the present premises. The building is Grade II listed, with its three-storey frontage, traditional sash windows and slate roofs reflecting its age. Over the years, the Albion has seen numerous changes, including alterations to its interior during the late twentieth century. In June 2026, it reopened following another refurbishment, bringing fresh life to this lovely historic Sheffield building.

Inside the Albion, there’s a lovely mix of traditional pub character and fresh decoration following its refurbishment in June 2026. Warm red walls, patterned carpets and wooden furniture give the different rooms a cosy, welcoming feel. There are comfortable benches tucked into the corners, along with smaller tables and stools dotted around. Nautical touches add a bit of character, including a ship’s wheel and unusual hanging lights. Towards the back, there’s a larger seating area with exposed brickwork. Outside, a spacious beer garden has plenty of picnic benches, covered seating and strings of lights, making it a great spot for warmer evenings.

There were three cask ales to choose from at the Albion, alongside a selection of draught beers. I went for Barnsley Bitter from Sheffield’s Stancill Brewery, a 3.8% traditional copper-coloured bitter. It was the first beer Stancill brewed in 2014, using the original yeast strain and recipe from the former Oakwell Brewery in Barnsley. It’s a lovely malty pint, with a gentle honey-like sweetness, an oaty aroma and a satisfying bitterness. First Gold, Fuggles and Goldings hops give it that classic English bitter character. A cracking choice to enjoy in this lovely historic Sheffield pub.

Beer Engine

The Beer Engine has a long history under several different names. Originally known as the Royal Oak, it was once a Tennants brewery pub before passing to Whitbread in 1962. In 1993, it became one of Whitbread’s Beer Festival pubs and took on the Beer Engine name for the first time. During the following years, it went through several changes, including periods trading as Mojo, Dulo and Delaney’s Music Bar. After another refurbishment, it reopened as the Beer Engine in April 2015, returning to a more traditional style. Today, it remains an independent free house with some lovely historic features still surviving inside.

Inside the Beer Engine, there’s a lovely mixture of cosy rooms and traditional pub features. The curved wooden bar sits to the left, with its dark green and cream panels, warm lighting and plenty of character. A passage leads through to several smaller rooms, each with wooden tables, chairs and benches. The green and cream walls are decorated with framed pictures, mirrors and traditional wall lights, giving everywhere a welcoming feel. There are some lovely little corners to settle into, away from the busier bar area. Outside, there’s also a spacious beer garden with covered seating.

There were five cask ales to choose from at the Beer Engine, along with still cider and a good selection of draught beers. I went for Three of a Kind from Derby Brewing Company, a family-run brewery in Derby that produces a mixture of traditional ales and seasonal brews. It was nice to come across something different on the bar, especially with so much choice throughout the day. The Beer Engine was another lovely stop, with plenty of cosy corners to settle into and enjoy a pint before continuing the Sheffield adventure.

No.3 Sharrow

No.3 Sharrow is one of Sheffield’s newer micropubs, opening on Sharrow Vale Road in November 2024. The building had previously been a shop, including a spell as a deli, before Loxley Brewery turned it into a cosy little place for a drink. It was opened by brewery owner Stephen Wesley and became the third pub in the Loxley family, following the Wisewood Inn in Loxley and the Raven Inn in Walkley. That’s where the name No.3 comes from, rather than its street number. It quickly found its feet and was named Sheffield CAMRA’s Pub of the Month in May 2026.

Inside No.3 Sharrow, it’s a lovely long, narrow space with wooden panels covering the walls and warm hanging lights giving everything a cosy feel. There are wooden tables and bench seats along the sides, with plenty of room to settle in for a chat. A bright beer sign, framed pictures and a colourful guitar add a bit of character, while the unusual animal heads certainly catch your eye. Around the bar, dried hops hang overhead, with colourful pump clips decorating the ceiling edges. It was busy when I visited, but still felt welcoming and relaxed, with a friendly atmosphere throughout.

There were three cask ales to choose from at No.3 Sharrow, alongside a selection of keg beers. I went for Pale Ale (Vol.3) Citra from Sheffield’s Loxley Brewery, which the brewery lists at 4.5%. As the name suggests, this pale ale showcases Citra hops, bringing lovely citrus flavours with hints of grapefruit and tropical fruit. It’s part of Loxley’s Pale Ale series, which highlights different hop varieties and their individual characters. With a refreshing finish and a pleasant hoppy bitterness, it was a lovely local choice to enjoy in this cosy little micropub.

Botanical Arms

Sheffield’s Botanical Arms is a new addition to Ecclesall Road, opening on 11 December 2025 in a former café at number 507. The name is a nod to the nearby Sheffield Botanical Gardens, just a short walk away. One of the people behind the pub is Richard Tims, who had previously worked at Sheffield FC. After leaving the club, he began looking for somewhere to open a friendly pub, eventually choosing this spot. With encouragement from his son, who works in brewing, and support from business partners, he turned the old café into a welcoming little micropub for the area.

Inside the Botanical Arms, it’s a lovely cosy space with soft green walls, dark wooden panelling and a warm wooden floor. Along one side is a brown leather sofa with patterned cushions, while the other has wooden bench seating and little round stools. Small dark wooden tables make it easy to settle in for a drink. There are plants dotted around, framed pictures on the walls and an old-fashioned lamp with a fringed shade. The wooden bar has a polished counter, with dark green panels above it. Fairy lights across the front windows add a lovely glow, especially after dark.

There were two cask ales to choose from at the Botanical Arms, alongside a selection of keg beers. I went for Pink Skies, a 4.8% IPA brewed by Bristol’s Wiper & True in collaboration with Sheffield’s Abbeydale Brewery. It’s an interesting beer, showcasing an experimental Pink hop from Jackson Farm, bringing lovely strawberry and melon aromas. Krush hops add more fruity flavours, while a little peppery rye spice gives it something different. There’s a clean, pleasantly bitter finish, making it an enjoyable pint. A lovely choice for my final stop of the day at this cosy new micropub on Ecclesall Road.