Once the beating heart of Sheffield’s thriving steel industry, Kelham Island is a man-made island near the city centre that was formed in the 1100’s. Today, despite being one of the city’s oldest manufacturing sites, it has become one of the most popular and hip areas for real ale and foodies. As industrial activity moved on, the area underwent huge transformation; while the remains of the cutlery and steel works, factories and workshops still remain, giving the island a distinct old-world charm, now the buildings house everything from trendy bars and restaurants to shopping arcades, microbreweries and galleries.
So, if you’re visiting Sheffield any time soon, be sure to head down to Kelham Island for a couple of drinks. To help you choose from the numerous independents that have popped up over the years, we’ve compiled a list of the very best Kelham Island bars and pubs. So, get scrolling and find your next bar in Kelham Island. Be sure to check out our guide to the best breakfast in Sheffield, too!
6 Best Pubs & Bars in Kelham Island, Sheffield 2023
Factory Floor
Housed within a former spring factory, Factory Floor is a Kelham Island bar that combines Sheffield’s industrial history with contemporary nightlife. This bar in Kelham Island utilises drip methodology, tank beer and cutting-edge acoustics to create a truly unique experience. There are two floors, each of which showcase contrasting sides of Factory Floor’s persona. Make your way to Area 1 if you’re after some of the best craft beers in the UK – both keg and tank fresh from the brewery next door. This is also where you’ll find their speciality drip-infused spirits and their homemade sodas. Alternatively, if you’re looking for something a little more intimate, head to Area 2 behind the curtain. This is their darker, quieter area, away from the hustle and bustle and where you can sample their more experimental menu bursting with creative concoctions.
Church: Temple of Fun
Set within the listed Osborn Works and the brainchild of Bring Me The Horizon frontman and local resident Oli Sykes, this Kelham Island bar in Sheffield offers something a little bit different and something for everyone. It takes inspiration from ‘barcades’ which are popular in Brazil (the home country of the owner’s wife), featuring an ultra-fun combo of classic retro arcade games and a bar serving beers from local and overseas microbreweries. Inside, this bar in Kelham Island really comes to life, with very churchesque decor; we’re talking stained glass windows and walls adorned with religious artifacts and paintings. As for the arcade games, you can enjoy the likes of PlayStation and pool tables while you drink.
With a fantastic craft beer selection, you can sample ales from local breweries like Sheffield’s Abbeydale and continental options such as Liefmans from Beligum and more. If beer’s not really to your taste, though, don’t worry; there’s also an extensive array of inventive and tasty cocktails, such as ‘Rasputin’, ‘Brandy Alexander’ and ‘Black Magic’. Feeling hungry? The food menu is 100% vegan and is truly delicious. So, if you’re looking to rock out in a unique setting, look no further than this trendy Kelham Island bar.
Find out more here.
The Fat Cat
Having opened way back in 1981, this pub in Kelham Island has become synonymous with the beer culture and history in Sheffield. the building that this Kelham Island pub is housed within actually dates back to 1850 when it started out as a public house called ‘The Alma’. Put up for auction in 1981, it was then purchased by Dave Wickett and Bruce Bentley and became The Fat Cat as it is known today. Nowadays, they still pride themselves on the quality of their beer, having three delightful permanent options on tap, including the award-winning ‘Kelham Best Bitter’, Kelham Island Pale Rider’, and Timothy Taylor’s ‘Landlord’. Alongside these regulars, there are also a range of always-changing guest ales on offer from all over the country. If you get peckish, you can expect to find traditional pub grub on the menu, such as pies and burgers. So, if you’re looking for a good ol’ northern Kelham Island pub, be sure to head down to The Fat Cat!
Find out more here.
Piña
If you’re looking to combine delicious drinks with delicious food and good vibes, be sure to try Pina, a Kelham Island bar serving tequila-based cocktails and Mexican street food everyday. Housed in a former warehouse this bar in Kelham Island, Sheffield, showcases a real passion for authentic but accessible Mexican cuisine. With a focus on tacos and tequila, their food and drink is served in a chill setting with original features of the warehouse, colourful booth seating and a tiled bar. The tortillas are freshly made in-house everyday and the traditional fish tacos are a must-try. Wash it all down with a tequila cocktail, whether it’s the Tommy’s Margarita or a fiery Picante. This bar in Kelham Island also serves up some fabulous ice cold frozen cocktails, from the rum-based frozen pina colada to the classic frozen Maragritas.
Find out more here.
Riverside
By far one of the coolest bars in Kelham Island, Riverside has become a renowned watering hole for the residents of Sheffield. With an envious location right next to the river, you can enjoy a drink or two (or three) in their twinkling fairy light-filled beer garden blanketed by plenty of patio heaters and with splendid views over the water. It’s the perfect Kelham Island bar for pitching up in sunny afternoons or catching up with friends on an evening, when it becomes arguably even more enchanting with the glow of overhead lights, paper lanterns and the iconic neon signage. At the bar, you’ll find an eclectic array of craft ales and real ales from both local and global breweries, as well as serving a great selection of cocktails and spirits for non-beer fans. So whether you’re looking to enjoy a G&T outside in the sun or a pint under the stars, this popular bar in Kelham Island has something to suit every taste and mood.
Find out more here.
The Gardener’s Rest
Put up for sale in 220116, the future of this Kelham Island pub looked very uncertain. But then a small number of regulars decided to establish the Gardener’s Rest Community Society (GRCS) with the aim to purchase the pub under community ownership. The group were successful and have managed to transform this pub in Kelham Island into a thriving establishment, popular with locals and visitors alike. Today, they pride themselves on the high quality of their beer selection and the regular arts and music events regularly held there. It offers a fine selection of local cask ales and is the tap for the local Sheffield Brewery, so is the best place to try a pint of the Five Rivers Pale or Sheffield Porter. Not much of a beer drinker? Don’t worry, this Kelham Island pub has a wide choice of spirits and soft drinks too.
Find out more here.
That rounds up our pick of the best Kelham Island bars and pubs in 2023. From traditional pubs that are perfect for a pint to trendy bars in Kelham Island that are perfect for a party, we’ve included something to suit all tastes and occasions. Be sure to check out our guide to the best bars in Hull, too!
Techno-Mads 