Red Deer, Sheffield

I went in this pub before its refurbishment but i thought this was a decent pub when i went in, the pub was on two levels i sat on the lower one the seating was comfortable and i thought the pub seemed quite smart there were six real ales on the bar i had a drink of Kelham Easy Rider and this was a very nice drink the other beers were Black Sheep bitter, Tetley bitter, Bombadier, Deuchars IPA and Abbot.

I was at university in Sheffield for three years, and to my shame never got around to visiting this place. So last sunday's visit had been a long time coming, given its listing in the 2010 GBG which I have in my possession. It has a simple, crisp interior of comfy seating and dark wood, plus a real fire which burns away to the left of the entrance. Ales available were Castle Rock Harvest Pale, TT Landlord, Tetley's Cask, Kelham Island Easy Rider, Black Sheep Bitter & Battledown Natural Selection. Food was available and appeared good value, complementing a decent ale selection. Not in the elite of Sheffield pubs but a solid option for a swift one when in town.

The Red Deer has new tenants!! My partner and I took over 8 weeks ago, and since then we have given this lovely little traditional pub a bit of a facelift. We have restored the old fireplaces to allow for real crackling open fires in the winter and given the whole place a lick of paint, as well as completely refurbishing the toilets! The front of the pub is now deep burgundy in colour, fresh and inviting. We have 9 hand pulls, serving 8 real ales (which rotate every week) from around the country and one pouring Westons Old Rosie. We have a large range of whisky to warm your cockles in the winter, and we will be serving mulled wine and hot winter Pimms. Our gin range will be growing in the summer to keep you cool and refreshed. We will be serving a full home cooked, traditional menu, starting Friday 15th October. We will be introducing music nights, comedy nights, movie nights, etc. Any suggestions of what you would like to see in the pub, please let us know.

At 4.50 pm on a Tuesday out of term-time I was the only customer – I guess this place must rely heavily on the student halls of residence opposite that tower over the rear of the building. This street-corner pub is spread over two levels with a functional smokers garden (check out the wall mural). Interior-wise, it's a straightforward 70's/80's décor, a little worn round the edges and feels in need of a facelift. Music on the stereo was provided by UB40's Greatest Hits – perhaps that explains the lack of custom…? The five ales available were fairly mainstream (Tetley Bitter, Adnams Broadside, Black Sheep, TT Landlord and Deuchars IPA); double-clipping of the pumps makes it seem like there's more on than there actually is to the casual observer. My Black Sheep was good though, no complaints there. The landlord was a good lad. If I was a student in the nearby digs, I'd certainly be grateful for this on my doorstep. As a pub-crawling city visitor I wouldn't put this near the top of the ‘must-do' list but it makes a decent reserve.