Sheffield: the ultimate reader’s guide to the city

Sheffield is a city with a wealth of possibilities to offer, from culture, food and superb northern accents to The Sheffield Feminist Book Club- of course! There’s some great places to eat, drink and party, but also great spots you can bring a book and simply take in the good vibes.

Where to eat and drink

Domo

Domo has been a favourite in Little Kelham, the area’s newest neighbourhood, since its conception. The old building is tucked away out of sight, serving Sardinian soul food and cocktails to match.

Whether you nip in for an Aperol spritz or a full three-course meal, the atmosphere never fails - especially in the summer when you can sit outside on the patio. 

Depot

Depot has two locations in the city - plus serving their bread and baked goods in other spots, too.

The Hillsborough Park location has a more extensive menu, serving everything brunch and lunch throughout the week and weekends. Their bread and cakes are legendary and make the perfect addition to a walk in the park. 

Eve Kitchen

There’s hardly anything more wholesome in Sheffield than a walk down Sharrowvale Road, other than nipping into Eve Kitchen to grab a donut and a coffee whilst you’re there.

Eve Kitchen serves beautiful donuts in a rotating range of flavours - and their hot chocolate is other worldly. They also have a space selling ceramics and homeware next door.

Lovely Rita’s Bakehouse

Lovely Rita’s started as a stall selling all-vegan baked goods before moving into premises in Stag Works, just off London Road. They make everything from bread to pastries to donuts - special mention goes to their pistachio croissants and potato gratin danish. 

ELM

ELM, on Glossop Road, serves great coffee and baked goods - plus wine and running evening sessions once a month. It’s also a lovely place to hang out and watch the world go by with cosy and relaxing vibes. It’s easy to take a book, get a coffee and a cinnamon roll and spend a couple of hours there. 

Marmadukes

There’s three branches of Marmadukes in Sheffield - Norfolk Row, which is their original, The Moor and The Old Sorting Office on Ecclesall Road.

Each one offers something slightly different, but always the guarantee of great coffee and food. My favourite is The Old Sorting Office for the beautiful interior and goods you can buy to take home.

Pearl at Park Hill

The Pearl at Park Hill opened last year in the retail space under - you guessed it - Sheffield’s iconic Park Hill flats.

They serve really great wine, beer and cocktails plus excellent and unique bar food. The views of the city are also unmatched and it’s a non-intimidating place to go and have a glass of wine alone if you wanted. The owners also have another venue in Nether Edge, Bench, another fab wine bar and dining experience.

Sheffielders are spoilt for choice when it comes to places to eat and drink

Where to get your culture fix

Peddler Market

Peddler started in Sheffield to showcase the great food and drink we have here and has now spread out to other cities.

It’s a night market running on the first Friday and Saturday of every month, plus the occasional extra event thrown in for good measure. There’s food, drink, nice stuff and good music - with the opportunity for a bit of dancing. 

The Millenium Gallery

The Millenium Gallery has a range of special exhibitions and more general insight on Sheffield’s history, plus maker’s shops and art spaces on rotation. It’s also right next to the beautiful Winter Gardens. 

Weston Park Museum

A city icon in its own right, Weston Park Museum offers simple yet fantastic exhibitions and a great opportunity to learn more about Sheffield’s history. It’s a great place to entertain children for a couple of hours which boasts a nice cafe to sit with a good book- always a win!

The Leadmill

Sheffield would simply not be Sheffield without The Leadmill. The iconic nightclub and venue is a five minute walk from the station and host to many an excellent gig or night out. They host live music and comedy nights, plus the incomparable Leadmill discos where you’re obliged to sing at the top of your voice all the words to Arctic Monkeys and Pulp.

Pete McKee Gallery

You can’t think of Sheffield without thinking of Pete McKee - from ‘The Snog’ on the side of Fagan’s to his iconic prints of Sheffield’s skylines, people and of course, some cheeky dogs. A new shop is about to open in Leah’s Yard, and they’ll soon be neighbours of our good friends La Biblioteka!

Gut Level

Gut Level is a queer-led DIY and event space in Sheffield, offering platforms to those who are underrepresented in the arts. They offer a range of workshops and club nights, and you can book tickets to go along if you join as a member to support them (which as standard is an annual payment of £6, with enhanced or cheaper options if you need). 

Tramlines Festival

If you live in Sheffield, it’s near impossible to not be involved in Tramlines somehow even if you don’t want to pay for tickets. There’s a plethora of fringe events on around the city away from Hillsborough Park - and even if you choose to just go for a drink, the atmosphere soaks into the surrounding areas all weekend. The organisers bag great acts and the event itself generally feels safe, mostly family friendly and clean. 

The Showroom Cinema

Whether it’s seeing a film or meeting my friends in the bar, the Showroom has a lovely, friendly atmosphere and shows a range of classic films and new blockbusters. Tickets are reasonably priced and their screens range from average sized to extremely cosy. 

Hathersage Lido

There may be no open air pools in the city centre, but luckily Hathersage, which is a short drive or train ride away from the city, has you covered. Its lido is heated, though it’s still quite brisk when you’re in it any time other than summer! You need to book a slot and operates seasonal hours and is well worth a visit.  

South Street Park Amphitheatre 

South Street Park Amphitheatre is the most perfect place to spend a sunny day. It does what it says on the tin: an amphitheater-shaped arrangement of stone steps and grass, but on a high point behind the station which gives brilliant views of the city and peak district behind. The perfect place to take a date!

The Botanical Gardens, situated next to the Millennium Gallery

The best reading spots

Meersbrook Park

The trek to the top of Meersbrook Park is well worth the view (and the endorphins) when you get up there. The views are incredible and it’s the perfect spot to sit in the sun, lost in a good book.

Bole Hill

Another hill yes, but worth the view, we promise! A fab spot in Crookes to get back to nature, relax and get stuck into a novel in the great outdoors.

Hagglers Corner

There are many reasons to visit Haggler’s Corner, not least the excellent food and coffee at Corner Jammers. Their courtyard / tree house layout has been compared with ruin bars in Budapest, but on a smaller scale. There’s plenty of space to sit with a drink and a book, and it’s usually not very buy during the day.

La Biblioteka

Look no further for your indie book needs than La Biblioteka, which soon to be based at Leah’s Yard in the centre of the city. You can also order online but why not go and have a look in to support a physical shop existing in the city? It’s such a lovely venue and a Sheffield Feminist Book Club favourite, as that’s where we host our lovely events!

We’d like to say a big thank you to book club member Helen for writing this beautiful blog post! If you would like to write a blog for us, please submit your idea to: thefeministbookclubcic@gmail.com 

If you’d like to join Sheffield Feminist Book Club, email sheffieldfembookclub@gmail.com.