New Places for 2018

Happy New Year and welcome to 2018. Now is the time to set goals and try new experiences. With that in mind, we’d like to help you with your to-do list with a selection of Sheffield’s newest food and drink establishments to enjoy over the coming months. It’s really encouraging to see more than a generous handful of independents springing up in Sheffield. Don’t put off to tomorrow what you can do today. Get stuck in. There’s something here for everyone, whatever your taste. THE TREEHOUSE BOARD GAME CAFE 41 Boston Street, S2 4QF Website Opening its doors back in September, the Treehouse is Sheffield’s first board game cafe. To tell you more about what the Treehouse Cafe is, let’s begin with what it’s not. In their words: “The Treehouse is not, in fact, in a tree, although we agree that would be really cool.” What you will find is expert advice on which board games to play based on the size of your party, the age range and what you enjoy. There’s a choice of over 300 games, from classics to new releases. You just pay for a session (£5 per adult for four hours) and you can choose to enjoy some food and drink at the same time. The menu has a variety of bar snacks, cakes, tea and coffee from Frazer’s coffee roasters, bagels, sharing platters, Waterall’s pies and a range of beers, ciders and wines. The Treehouse is open until 11pm most nights and they are dog-friendly. THE GIN BAR AT VINTEDGE 444 Abbeydale Rd, S7 1FR Twitter The Gin Bar opened in November and can be found on Abbeydale Road in Sheffield’s Antiques Quarter, alongside the Hop Hideout and The Broadfield. Gin is a big thing right now, with Britons apparently setting a new record after buying 47 million bottles of it in 2017. Take the time to sit back and enjoy the Gin Bar’s vintage decor whilst deciding which gin to enjoy from their menu of around 50 or choose a treat from the gin-inspired cocktail menu. Keep an eye out for their gin masterclasses and afternoon teas, which are rumoured to be coming soon in the New Year... BIRDHOUSE TEA BAR AND KITCHEN Sidney Street, S1 4RG Website Birdhouse are expanding from their home at Nether Edge to open a tea bar and kitchen in the heart of Sheffield’s Cultural Industries Quarter. They’ll have their own blend of coffee, made in collaboration with Foundry Coffee Roasters, an extensive range of Birdhouse’s blended loose leaf teas, and a seasonal menu of salads, sharing platters, patisserie and cakes. There’s an outside courtyard area, where you can partake in alfresco tea-inspired cocktails or a leisurely afternoon tea during the warmer months. PUBLIC Surrey Street, S1 2LG Website Public is located in what can only be described as a ‘quirky space’ which was once the men’s toilets at Sheffield’s Town Hall. It’s been stylishly and sensitively renovated, keeping the original wall tiles, which contrast with a newly-installed polished concrete floor. A record player is set up to provide the vinyl-only playlist, with all music provided by Bear Tree Records. Public’s Instagram feed shows off the inventive and attractively presented cocktails you can look forward to with beautifully-shot photos by India Hobson. The small dishes menu is presented with the same care and attention, with pretty plates on handmade crockery, from pork and pistachio terrine and truffled pecorino toasties to Cornish seaweed and cider salami. THE ECCLESALL ALE CLUB 429 Ecclesall Road, S11 8PG Website The Brew Foundation brewery have established a reputation for decent beer which has seen their local brews, including Hops & Dreams and First Light, on the bar of many a local pub and shop shelf. In November, they opened their own micropub and bottle shop, The Ale Club, where you can take in cosy and traditional pub surroundings whilst enjoying a pint from their range of cask, keg and bottled beers. There’s over 100 to choose from and you can drink in or takeaway. If beer isn’t your thing, they have gin, wines and soft drinks on the menu and pub snacks including nuts, pork pies and scotch eggs. THE BLIND MONKEY 279 Whitehouse Lane, Walkley, S6 2WA Twitter The folks of Walkley can look forward to the arrival of a new gastro-pub in the spring called The Blind Monkey, located at what was the Firwood Cottage. The pub is currently undergoing extensive refurbishment to reinstate a 1920s look and feel, making the most of its heritage and history. Plans include offering a range of local cask ales, live music, a street food menu using as many products from Sheffield as possible, and a beer garden, which is always a winner. The new sign has gone up outside the pub and the Blind Monkey team have their Twitter feed up and running. Take a look to keep up to date with developments. nibblypig.co.uk Photo by India Hobson )