An historic Sheffield pub and music venue reopened its doors last week offering a new space for artists and bands.
The Hallamshire Hotel, on West Street, saw a return to live music for the first time in decades, as the once popular pub returned to its roots.
The site most recently operated as a cocktail bar and restaurant but is now under new management from the team that runs another of Sheffield’s successful music venues, The Washington, on Fitzwilliam Street.
The pub’s new general manager, Will McMahon, said the Hallamshire was perfect for building a new space for live music in the city.
He said: “We’d checked out a few venues but nothing really suited us and then this popped up. We thought the location was great, the fact that it’s got a beer garden on West street, the bar looks amazing from the front and it’s amazing on the inside as well.”
During the 1980s and 90s The Hallamshire was a hotbed for musicians and artists, with acts such as Sheffield music scene staples Richard Hawley and Pulp, as well as 90s Irish rock band The Cranberries all performing on its stage.
The pub offers a large open space on the second floor and the new management have plans to convert it back into a gig room.
Mr McMahon said that while he is excited to potentially invite more successful bands to the venue, one of the main objectives is to showcase up and coming acts.
He said: “What we’re trying to do is be a space for people who are just starting out, for people who will one day be the next Pulp, or the next Cranberries or the next Richard Hawley.”
The pub’s new manager claimed that after suffering a post covid slump, Sheffield’s music scene is now thriving again and a new venue will give more acts the chance to perform.
“We’re seeing more new bands than ever, bands that are genuinely brilliant and we’re just really excited to be opening a place that, you know, one day potentially they can play here too,” he added.
Since its 80s and 90s heyday, The Hallamshire has remained a fond memory for many of its former patrons, and a Facebook group dedicated to its history is frequently used.
The venue’s packed opening night, which saw live music from funk and soul cover band Barry Krisp and The Bangers, and a brand new cocktail menu, was just the first of many planned for the new pub.
Mr McMahon said: “We have some big ideas in place, a live music room being a big part of it, and so this is phase one.
“We’ve got the doors open and a lick of paint, some a few fresh pieces of artwork, and then phase two and phase three and the bigger plans, they’ll come further down the line.”
