You don’t need to spot the blue plaque denoting The Bath Hotel’s official status as a Heritage Inn to know that it’s the real deal. A proper pub, as your dad might call it, with a rare hint of approval in his voice. The Grade II listed building dates back to 1867, and The Bath Hotel has been a pub for at least a hundred years. Local ale maestros Thornbridge took it over in 2012, bringing the expertise they’d gained from running great pubs in the suburbs to the town centre.
All the key features of a cosy, atmospheric nightspot remain in tact: the stained-glass lettering on the windows, the historic photos and maps of Sheffield lining the walls, the chessboard floor tiles and luxurious wood panelling in the olive green main room, the plush leather seating that surrounds the fireplace in the snug royal blue side room.
There are pies to be eaten, board games to argue over, quizzes to compete in, and jazz, folk and literature nights to join in at. The selection of books piled in the various corners is especially eccentric, as you’re as likely to find yourself flicking through a hefty guide to curry houses as you are to start reading the poetry of John Hegley or a biography of Sinead O’Connor.
Naturally, there’s always a selection of Thornbridge Brewery’s finest beers available too, along with guest beers from other great breweries such as Manchester’s Blackjack and Sheffield’s own Neepsend. But The Bath isn’t just about quality beer: it’s about nailing every detail that makes a pub a special place to be.
- Words by
- Robert Cooke
- Images by
- Nigel Barker
