Hiya!! I'm sorry I've been away for so long :( I'm attempting to catch up with everyone, but please ...
Hiya!! I'm sorry I've been away for so long :( I'm attempting to catch up with everyone, but please bear with me.... Thank you for all the lovely message! You're all stars!! Aimee xx
Member since:20.02.2003
Reviews:15
Members who trust:21
Hmmmm, Bankers Draft. I have probably frequented this pub more than all the others in Sheffield put together.
Situated in CastleSquare, it is a short walk from the bus interchange and the train station. There is also a tram stop opposite the building.
Well it's actually a bit dark and gloomy to be honest. You walk in through the main doors and you have to adjust your eyes, and accustom yourself to the smoky grimness. Once you have done that, you can then take in the surroundings.
On your left lies the bar, which takes up more than half of the floor. There is usually a big queue waiting to be served - no matter what time of day it is.
Just before you reach the bar, there is a disabled toilet. I've not actually
used it though, so I can't really tell you what it is like. Come to think of it ... I've never seen ANYONE use it!!
The floor plan from the doors to the end of the bar consists of high tables, accompanied by those horrible tall stools. I hate them!! I can never get on or off the things without totally making a fool of myself. This section of the floor is a smoking zone, and as a smoker I have no option BUT to sit there.
To the right there are a few fruit machines and I think there may be a quiz machine there too. Just past these are two sets of stairs - the first set leading downstairs to the toilets, and the second set leading upstairs to another bar.
At the back of the building, we have the no-smoking area, complete with nice comfy chairs, which take no effort to sit in. Typical! I've sat in this section a couple of times when it has been full in the smoking area, but it tends to be rather quiet and empty. Not many people for me to nosey at!! There is also another entrance/exit here, which leads out on to Hartshead Square.
So, then we have upstairs. For about a year, I didn't realise you could actually sit upstairs if you weren't ordering a meal. But you can, and the seats are a lot better. Normal height tables, with settees or comfy chairs. If only I'd realised sooner ... I would never have had to fight with those stools!
Straight ahead is the bar, although it doesn't appear to be as big as the one downstairs. That could just be my dodgy eyes playing tricks on me though!
To the left is the smoking area, and to the far left is another exit. I always see people coming and going through that door, but must confess I've never been through it and haven't the foggiest where it leads too.
To the right is a small step and then 3 tables, which are classed as still being in the smoking section. The baby high chairs are usually stored here though, so there's not a lot of room. Plus the door to the toilets is there too, so people are forever trying to squeeze past you. Up another step and we have the no-smoking area. Not actually sat in there, but from what I can see it looks pretty nice.
To get to the toilets (Unless you want to go back downstairs and then down the other set of stairs) you have a long trek. There are about three flights of stairs, which take you right to the top of the building. It's about the same distance as going back downstairs though, so you can't win either way. You either hike up all those stairs, or you cross your legs!
~*What drinks can I buy??*~
Practically everything really. All your usual lagers and beers, spirits, shots and alco-pops. With it being a Wetherspoon's pub, the drinks are a lot cheaper than elsewhere. The last time I went in (About a week and a half ago) they had bottles of Reef for 99p, which I thought was pretty good. There's usually a selection of guest ales on as well.
Hot drinks are served too and are reasonably cheap at less than £1. Soft drinks can be purchased and soda water is free.
~*And the food?*~
Brilliant! There's a wide selection of choices all at decent prices. Hot meals such as burger and chips, fish and chips, scampi etc ... Lighter bites such as baguettes and chicken wraps ... and a range of different salads. The portions are quite generous and usually fill me (Although all the lager inside me probably helps!!)
There are also sometimes promotions on, where you can get 2 meals for £5 or a curry and pint etc.
There aren't a lot of desserts to choose from, but the ones they do have are nice. I'm usually too full to have one, but I sometimes share one with a friend. The banana waffles are highly recommended ... Yum!!
~*The Clientele*~
As I mentioned before, I visit this place quite a lot. Whether it be a quick pint on returning from an away football match, a few hours with friends from out of town, or a night out with my mates. Over the past year or so, I've come to the conclusion that The 'Draft definitely seems to attract some weird people.
You can be sat there happily having a chat with your friends, when some old man will pull up a stool and join in the conversation. Bizarre! Or you can be approached by someone selling bottles of shampoo. It can be quite surreal sometimes ...
~*The Staff*~
They all seem very pleasant. I've seen a number of staff come and go over the past year and I can't say I've ever had a problem with any of them.
They all seem to get on and have a laugh and a joke behind the bar. It can be quite entertaining listening to them actually. Some of them pop by your table and have a chat etc, and certain ones end up knowing exactly what you're going to order when you go to the bar. You know you're a regular when they start pulling your pint as soon as you approach the bar!! Hee!
~*Overall*~
Despite the dinginess and the odd strange geezer, I really enjoying going to this pub. It's not the kind of place I'd go to every night, like my local, but it has a nice friendly atmosphere.
There is no music, which I thought was a bit of drag at first. But once you get settled and chatting to your friends, there is a loud enough rumble from the other drinkers, so you tend not to notice.
I'd definitely say that this pub wouldn't suit a lot of people. Certain types would find it too down-market and grotty.
I like it though ... and the cheap drinks more than make up for the things I've grumbled about.
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Mar 7th, 2003
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