Riverside Cafe Bar, Sheffield

...Sheffield, which is were the Riverside Pub is located. Years ago Neepsend was a dirty industrial area with lots of engineering work shops and forges. The river Don runs through this area and was once a dirty forgotten river. Over the past few years, the river has been cleaned up mainly due to the loss of engineering companies and forges. During the twilight hours, ladies of the night plied their trade, using the alleys and poorly light streets to ...
...A plotted History of the Riverside and the area -

The Riverside pub began life as the Brown Cow, and nestled in a small hamlet of cottages and shops then known as Bridgehouses, this was due to the wooden bridge which was built to allow access to and from Sheffield, the wood bridge was replaced in 1815 with an Iron one, again replaced by the Borough Bridge in 1851 when Corporation Street was opened, this bridge was washed away when ... more

Sheffield is under going massive development (new build & reclaimed apartments, a new ring road and new businesses moving in to run down buildings) at the moment especially around the Neepsend (once known as Bridgehouses) area of Sheffield, which is were the Riverside Pub is located. Years ago Neepsend was a dirty industrial area with lots of engineering work shops and forges. The river Don runs through this area and was once a dirty forgotten river. Over the past few years, the river has been cleaned up mainly due to the loss of engineering companies and forges. During the twilight hours, ladies of the night plied their trade, using the alleys and poorly light streets to slink away into. Neepsend has always had a good few bars, with dodgey reputations, but over the last few years many of these pubs have seen a steady growth in clientel of a different kind - the real ale drinker. The famous Kelham Island brewery is located in Neepsend along with the Fat Cat , Gardeners and the Kelham Island pub.

A plotted History of the Riverside and the area -

The Riverside pub began life as the Brown Cow, and nestled in a small hamlet of cottages and shops then known as Bridgehouses, this was due to the wooden bridge which was built to allow access to and from Sheffield, the wood bridge was replaced in 1815 with an Iron one, again replaced by the Borough Bridge in 1851 when Corporation Street was opened, this bridge was washed away when the Dale Dyke dam burst in 1864. Another Iron bridge was later built. A public bathing area was developed at the side of the Brown Cow, and now forms part of the beer garden at the Riverside.

A brewer by the name of John Smith made a claim for £15.10.9d for damages to the 'Old Brown Cow at Bridgehouses. The brewer had acquired the pub as Carters and Smith in November 1851. The Riverside was rebuilt as a residential hotel with staff being accomadated in the massive cellar system which comprised of 16 seperate cellars.

In 1890 SH ward & Co took over the pub were it remained in their estate until their demise in 1994, it then under went major changes both in ownership and name, renamed as Morriseys Riverside Pub. In 2002 the present management team took over and the Riverside Cafe bar was born.

Todays Riverside -

Todays Riverside cafe bar offers a good selection of food including a Sunday Carvery, which I havent yet had the pleasure of sampling. Thursday nights is Curry night. Saturday night plays host to local bands and admission is free(get in there as Sheffield as turned out some fantastic bands over the years)

The bar is bright and modern, uncluttered walls with a rustic feel. A large bar runs down the left side of the pub and along the back are long patio windows and doors leading out on to a decking area which over looks the River Don. As my visit was at the end of October, I carnt really begin to appreciate the decking as I would in Summer but think about it sat with cold beer, ploughmans lunch over looking a lovely river, and in the middle of a hustle bustle city.

Back in side there is an open fire with two armchairs either side which looks really cosy. The toliets are up stairs and are very clean and well presented.

The beers sold is a mix of handpull guest ales and mainstream lagers and beers. A very good selection of bottled everything from cider lager and beer to fruit juice and fizzy pops to alcho pops. Not too sure on prices as it wasnt my round. The bar staff are rather friendly too, the guy came to chat to us and even showed us out on to the deck area. The pub is very clean and not very smokey, however it wasnt very busy on the night I visited.

The only downside with the pub is its location, it isnt on any local pub crawl or in an area which you would want to be in late at night (specially for the females), it is serviced by bus routes from the city to shiregreen(47 and 48) and Ecclesfield (53), which all run quite regular, there is no off street parking and at the moment with all the road works and building, on street parking is limited.

The Riverside is a little gem of a pub, an unknown quantity to people living in Sheffield and I believe the Riverside has yet to reach its full potential, but with the ongoing development of the area, bringing city centre living to the Riversides door, it will become a fantastic local pub. Hopefully its charm will not be spoilt. If you are ever in Sheffield please dont be put off by its location, once inside you could very well be in any classy pub in any classy area of any town or city.

Thank you for reading my review  

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