University Arms, Sheffield

Official site of University Arms - withus.com

Official site of University Arms - withus.com

A summer closure allowed plenty of time for an extensive refurbishment, which now gives more of a pub-like feel to the main room, though this has been achieved while leaving all walls and other major structures intact. The biggest change is that the upstairs rooms, which were previously available for functions and private hire, are now overspill seating, plus a room each for darts and pool. I'm impressed that anyone even thought of bringing a pool table up here, never mind doing it successfully. The smell of new paint mingles with food, but this will dissipate soon, I'm sure. The beer selection and quality remains unchanged, though there is now a real cider too, and this is a popular venue for students, staff and people totally unconnected to the university (like me). Makes a handy little mini-circuit if combined with the Red Deer and the Bath Hotel.

This is a comfortable, traditional pub situated on what is, to all intents and purposes, part of the University campus ( there’s a slight clue in the name ) It’s only been a pub since January 2007, previously being the University Staff Club building and, based on my recent visit, it still effectively operates as such, being dominated by people who would appear to be lecturers, with the odd student group thrown in for good measure. It feels a bit like entering a hotel foyer as you go in through the lobby into the bar area straight ahead of you. The bar has a traditional feel with a wooden bar counter and a bar gantry with coloured stained glass inserts. It’s traditionally furnished, with a number of comfortable padded banquettes, supplemented by normal tables and chairs. It’s largely carpeted and exudes a warm welcoming feel. A conservatory leads out to a large attractive looking beer garden at the rear. Good value food is served – eg, fish, chips and mushy peas in decent portions at £ 5.95p. There’s something of a transient feel to the place with, on my lunchtime visit, lecturers and students coming in for a lunchtime pint and some food and then, presumably, returning to their classes. The young staff are friendly and enthusiastic and, unprompted, I was made aware of the existence of some form of loyalty card that could be used, not only in the pub, but in other places too. Outside, the Thornbridge Brewery logo, which I noted on my previous visit in 2009, is no longer there and, indeed, no Thornbridge beers were on during my visit. Beers on were Bradfield Farmers Blonde, Welbeck Abbey’s Red Feather, 2 beers from Acorn, plus one each from Kelham Island and Abbeydale. Beer quality was first rate on my visit. The pub is in the 2014 CAMRA Good Beer Guide. This is probably now my pub of choice in the University area of the City and it’s well worth calling in, but do note that it doesn’t do Sundays.