please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I liked it ! Good little two-bar boozer next to the theatres and terrific value given its location. Sam Smith's Bitter was £1.80 a pint. Only the one beer but it was in good nick and you can't go wrong at that price. An older clientele on my visit but still chatty and busy. I will return.
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This is a great value, beautifully restored Victorian city centre boozer.
The only downside IMO is that it's exclusively Sam Smiths but that's OK by me (wouldn't suit everyone of course). At least it's not run by a pubco. Sam Smiths are uniquely independent and long may it remain so.
As to the comments re: clientele - it depends what time of the day you go in. I've certainly been entertained midday by the various drunks, but generally it's pensioners ekeing out their income in a very friendly, cosy little pub the like of which is just too uncommon these days. Evenings are in my experience very civilised at least pre-theatre. Whatever, I've never been troubled by anyone here.
I always pop in when in Sheffield.
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I remember this pub, for one thing, because it's one where many years back, I had no choice but to get into a bit of a scuffle.
It seemed to attract PTSD psychos back then, but has been done up, though remains a Sam Smiths' pub. I like that brewery. (I'm not sure if that's because I'm led to believe it's the only traditional one that has never contributed to the tory party or not).
Anyway, the surroundings have been improved, though I'm not sure if the clientele has to any great extent.
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Efficient service in a busy modern-ish (by Sam Smiths standards) two-room pub, the same central bar area providing service to either side. �2.01 for Taddy Lager (would never be �2 would it, but who's complaining!?) as against �3+ for the same in London. Generally a good mix of Saturday night drinkers, though by sheer bad luck we of course got collared by some sozzled old boy who wanted to tell us his life story and kindly 'pulled up a chair' to do so. Had to sup up and leave when his increasingly racist quips fell the wrong side of Jim Davidson as was becoming a bit unpleasant and just didn't want the hassle of asking him to cut that nonsense out. However, just bad luck that he wandered over to us, the pub were in no way responsible. Would definitely return.
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4 of us went in had 4 pints of OBB �6. Cant get 2 pints of London Pride in my local in South London for that. Good boozer and decent service
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This pub is full of session drinkers and drunks, and that's why I love it. Nipped in for a few pints on Tuesday and the pub was packed in the middle after the noon, the average each of each punter being at least 50 years old. Some top banter with Dave the landlord and other regulars, I felt at home here. The OBB has reached a staggering �1.50 a pint - at least this means you don't have to mess around carrying too much shrapnel. Pubs like this make me love the North.
Sharp - 10 Jun 2010 01:06 |
You can have any drink you like, so long as it's Sam Smiths. It's a lovely pub inside, but the limited choice of drinks means I have to move on after one pint.
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What a great proper pub in the heart of Sheffield - very nice pints of Sam Smiths Old Brewery Bitter - not had any of that for years.
Great to see a bar without Carling, Forster, Stella etc. etc. Ice-cold extra large beer fonts adorning the bar but instead Sam Smiths own larger on sale. So even if you are a die-hard "Larger Boy" give it a try you may discover some taste!
Well worth a visit and great value too!
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Archetypal Sam Smiths pub right in the centre of town, near the Winter Gardens and Crucible Theatre- the only traditional pub in this area. Simply but traditionally furnished with two main rooms off a central bar. Real fireplace but nothing lit on my visit. OBB as ever the only real ale, not bad but uninpsiring- not that I'm arguing at �1.39. Heaving with a mixed crowd, theatre visitors and old fellows and a few young uns. A decent pub but nothing remarkable.
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re : my previous review in aug,2007...
"bare and un-looked after. mucky with fly posters on the walls. jaw-dropping beer prices [sam smiths]. if you're a student, this is as good as it gets! rating = 2 [for the beer]".
FORGET IT COMPLETELY !!
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this is now a completely different pub, as I found when we called recently for a pre-theatre pint. [the bear, by the way, is extremely convenient for sheffield's theatre goers].
***
the structure remains the same, 2 smallish rooms either side of a central bar, but the place has been completely transformed.
It has had a total re-styling and re-furb, done in a traditional english-modern style, with open coal fire, soft lighting, wall-lit pictures, plush carpeting, etc.
***
the sam smith ales remain the same, with the cask and sovereign keg an excellent pint. also extremely well priced.
***
verdict:
a re-ranking of 2 to 7 from me.
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The Brown Bear has re-opened after refurbishment and is now much cleaner and welcoming than previously.
It has retained its real fire however and its perfect Sam Smiths hand pulled bitter which is both cheap and very pleasant.
If you are in the City Centre, then it certainly deserves a visit.
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Opened when visited Nov 01st, Good cheap pint of S Smith's too ;-) 7/10
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Apparently there is a new landlord and they are ironing out licensing issues.
Sharp - 30 Sep 2008 14:54 |
Walked past this 2 weeks ago on Sunday. It was 10.30pm, but was still disappointed to see it closed. Thought nothing of it until I went down on Monday. Closed. Must be permanent. Shame. Anyone got any news?
Sharp - 29 Sep 2008 15:35 |
Reasonable boozer although not brilliant. Good for a swift one when passing by. OBB is cask and is always in good form. �1.38 I think. Friendly staff.
Sharp - 16 Jun 2008 22:02 |
A pint of mild cost �1.25 and tasted fine. Unfortunately OB was off. Refurb OK but as you would expect, a pub selling beer at �1.25 attracts a certain type of clientele. ChrisP87 describes it perefectly.
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I love Samuel Smiths pubs and am particularly fond of consuming the Taddy Porter. Place looks so much better since the refurbishment. Alas, I have to agree with other posters about the poor quality of the core customer base.
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Nice refurb, still the, ahem, 'eclectic' mix of clientele (on last visit one customer was so off his face he collapsed right outside the door and paramedics had to be called) but just the place you want for a cheap pint.
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Newly refurbished, and as usual, Sam Smith's have made a nice job of it. Crowd seems to be much the same as before, and fortunately the prices are still very low.
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Currently closed. Being refurbished I think.
Sharp - 21 Dec 2007 11:32 |
bare and un-looked after. mucky with fly posters on the walls. jaw-dropping beer prices [sam smiths]. if you're a student, this is as good as it gets!
rating = 2 [for the beer]
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All i can say is �1.33 a pint. Fantastic. Clientele not the best mind but at �1.33 who gives a monkeys.
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The dirtiest,roughest,most unwelcoming pub I have ever been in.
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quality old world boozer that hasn't seen a duster for years. Appears to be held together by old posters and cigarette tar...... :o)
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Surprised to see that sam Smiths actually do a hand pull ale and even more surprised that it is drinkable (and cheap @ �1.33 a pint). Now for the bad news. This pub is filthy and sticky to boot (sticks to boots!). Drinking here was borderline hygenic, eating here, I feel, would be an altogether different microbiological struggle. 5/10 for not being a doot de dooh music pub.
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Always enjoy visit to the Brown Bear, top ales and simple food, perfect if you want a bite to eat and a pint before the theatre
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