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Detail Pages
The Blake Hotel, Walkley, Sheffield
Sheffield
S6 3JQ
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8½ of 10) see review guidelines
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Blake Hotel
I try to plan pub crawls as efficiently as possible. But it's inevitable that something will go wrong at some point. I seem to recall the publicans at the New Barrack Tavern saying that the Blake Hotel was slightly uphill. They did have a sense of humour and I now know that their comment was very much tongue in cheek. I certainly wasn't expecting a road with railings along the pavement to help you haul yourself up (and down)!
On a cold winter's evening, I walked into the Blake Hotel dripping with sweat. They didn't seem too peturbed at the bar. Maybe this is the state that most customers walk in like.
Behind the bar, a youngish barman was showing an even younger barman the ropes on what was a quiet Thursday evening for trade. The landlady appeared and wanted to discuss how the experienced barman would pay the younger one at the end of the night. For some unknown reason, she amusingly tried to communicate it in French so that the younger one wouldn't understand. The older one certainly didn't understand and the younger one looked on perplexed. It was all a bit cringeworthy.
On the real ale front, Neepsend Blonde is the regular beer. Guests were Neepsend Alphito & Callirius, Blue Bee Bessemer Blonde, Jolly Sailor Selby American Pale & Whim Hartington Bitter. Craft beers were Neepsend Stout, Alcito & Alcis & Kirkstall Virtuous Grapefruit. I opted for the Callirius, billed as a hazelnut stout. The barman did question my choice as he said it was a bit of an acquired taste. He also offered me a taster, but I was only having a half. In the event, I could see why people wouldn't like it, but found it quite palateable.
Once I'd recovered from the climb up the hill, the French linguistics and the beer choice, we could settle down and appreciate this pub a little more. It certainly does have a bit of character. Worth a visit if you are able to get up the hill, or perhaps I should have done it immediately after the Blind Monkey earlier in my crawl.
On 1st February 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2466 recommendations about 2465 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Blake Hotel
If you visit this pub by walking up Blake Street you fully deserve your pint,it's a challenging climb yielding great views over Sheffield.The pub is wonderfully traditional with sections both sides of the entrance door and a comfortable higher area to the right with it's own serving hatch.Lots of authentic features and a very good display of brewery ephemera .
Owned by Neepsend Brewery and on my Sunday lunchtime visit there was a choice of their Chulupa,Blonde and Chrysus (NBSS 4.5) with guests Milestone Maid Marion and Bridgehouse Porter along with a real cider.A very decent line up with a mix of styles and friendly beer advice from behind the bar.
If you like traditional pubs this is a great example,I would always include it on any ale visit of this fine,drinking city. A must visit.
On 6th February 2023
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2730 recommendations about 2730 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Blake Hotel
Side-street pub on a corner atop a steep hill, but fortunately this was in my favour as I returned to the city centre afterwards (having approached from a different direction). Unfussy, traditional interior. Good range of real ales in a range of styles from Neepsend and various guest breweries (and although I failed to note what I had, it was certainly in excellent shape). Must revisit for a proper look...
On 6th April 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Blake Hotel
Sat at the top of Blake Street there is a very challenging climb to reach it from the bottom of the street, even more mentally challenging when you arrive at 11.40 and find out it currently doesn't open till 3.pm. However I returned at the correct time to find a very pleasant traditional pub as Will describes it below, a pint of Neepsend Karpo quenched my thirst. It was quiet while we were there , possibly due to the location but more likely the time of day, I imagine when a little busier this pub would have a very good feel about it.
On 14th September 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1875 recommendations about 1848 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about The Blake Hotel
Almost nine years since the Blake reopened and it hasn't changed very much, if at all. Maybe a few craft keg beers to supplement the cask, but there are still six hand pumps for real ale, plus one for cider. Prices have gone up a little, but not a lot, and it's still 15 minutes to walk there for me. Lucky me. Neepsend Blonde is always on, with occasional guests from the same brewery. Three others on today's visit were from Coniston, Anarchy and Pictish. I've never had a beer here in anything less than excellent condition. I thought about giving this pub a 9 again, justified by being at the top of a ridiculously steep hill so that I can't get here as often as I would like, but then I thought that's daft, so it gets a well deserved ten.
On 7th July 2019
- rating: 10
[User has posted 3748 recommendations about 3484 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about The Blake Hotel
If you've read any of my other reviews with their grudging 6's and 7's you may wonder why I've given this recently reopened pub a 9. Please read on.
The Blake is in the hilliest part of a hilly city, so new owner James Birkett may be putting his neck on the block in trying to attract a drinking crowd to this old Stones house on the edge of Ruskin Park. His track record at the New Barrack Tavern and the Sheaf View suggests otherwise. If you've been to either of those pubs, you know the quality to expect.
The Blake is a much smaller pub than the other two, with a friendly atmosphere engendered by the staff and customers, with no music or machines. The compact bar is in the centre as you enter, with rooms either side and a garden to the rear - this has a tremendous view over the city, and the decking and benches are sure to attract a crowd in the summer. At this time of year even the purpose-built smoking shelter was deserted, though whether because of the freezing conditions or because there were no smokers in attendance I couldn't say.
There are six beers on hand pump, plus a real cider and various top quality continental lagers. Beers range from £2 to £2.60 and the cider (at 7%) is £3. Local beers are well represented, and the variety is as you'd expect if you've been to the Barracks or the Sheaf.
Getting there might be a problem for some - it's just a fifteen minute walk from home for me! The 95 bus from the city centre to Walkley will probably suit most. Ask the driver for Fulton Road, and simply drop down the hill and bear right when you get to Ruskin Park - about five minutes. Getting back it's probably best to head down Daniel Hill Street, right at Sherde Road then left at Fox Lane. This brings you to Whitehouse Lane near where it debouches onto Infirmary Road, conveniently close to tram and bus stops (not to mention the Hillsborough Hotel). More energetic types can simply head back up Fulton Road for a 95 into the city.
On 25th November 2010
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3748 recommendations about 3484 pubs]