About Kelham Island
Kelham Island is an area in Sheffield, around a 15-minute walk from the train station. It’s a manmade island, formed over 900 years ago, and was once one of Sheffield’s most important industrial areas, home to numerous cutlery and steel works, factories and workshops.
As Sheffield’s steel industry declined, many of the buildings became vacant and abandoned. But over the last few decades, the area has transformed, and it’s now home to numerous traditional pubs offering a wide range of craft beers from small and independent breweries.
We were recently in Sheffield for a gig so decided to spend an afternoon in Kelham Island. As it was a Wednesday afternoon, quite a few venues were closed, but we managed to visit three excellent pubs - Kelham Island Tavern, The Fat Cat, and Shakespeare’s.
Kelham Island Tavern
Outside Kelham Island Tavern
Our first stop was Kelham Island Tavern, which was the first pub to win CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year two years in a row.
The building was constructed in the 1830s as part of a terrace and was originally named The Sawmaker before becoming the White Hart, and eventually Kelham Island Tavern.
It closed in the 1990s but was reopened in 2002 with a focus on real ales. We counted 13 different beers on handpull, which is up there with the most cask ales we’ve ever seen available in one pub.
The bar area inside Kelham Island Tavern
What we drank…
Hop Me Baby One More Time from Blue Bee Brewery
Hop Me Baby One More Time by Blue Bee Brewery
West Coast Pale Ale 4.5%
We chose this mainly for the name (and because we like a West Coast Pale Ale). Plus, it was from a Sheffield-based brewery.
Brewer’s note: Zesty hoppy pale brewed for Kelham Pride 2026.
Brewer’s website: Blue Bee Brewery
The Fat Cat
The Fat Cat, Kelham Island, Sheffield
Just around the corner from the Kelham Island Tavern was our second stop - The Fat Cat.
The Fat Cat was built in 1850 and began life as a public house called ‘The Alma’ which later became a hotel.
In 1981, it was purchased by two guys who wanted to offer an alternative to the big breweries. They focused on offering beer from small independent breweries, and introduced the first guest beer policy in Sheffield.
Venue website: The Fat Cat | Sheffield's First Real Ale Pub
Lisa in The Fat Cat beer garden
The beer garden at The Fat Cat
What we drank…
Sepia Skies by Crafty Brewing
Sepia Skies by The Crafty Brewing Co
Brown Ale 4.2%
We’ve had a mixed relationship with brown ales, but we always like to give them a go, and we were pleased to find this was one of the better ones.
Brewer’s website: Crafty Brewing
Shakespeare’s
Shakespeare’s, Sheffield
After The Fat Cat, we tried two more venues, but both were closed, so we headed to Shakespeare’s. Luckily, this lovely traditional pub was open.
Built in the 1830s, it’s one of Sheffield’s oldest pubs. It has a quirky interior and a nice beer garden, with an excellent selection of real ales, wines and rums.
The beer menu at Shakespeare’s
Inside Shakespeare’s
The beer garden at Shakespeare's
Inside Shakespeare’s
The beer garden at Shakespeare's
Undercover area in the beer garden
What we drank…
Since two of the pubs we planned to visit were closed, we ended up having three beers here.
Stairway to Heaven by Burton Bridge Brewery
Stairway to Heaven by Burton Bridge Brewery
Pale Ale 5%
Brewer’s note: It was originally brewed under license, but Burton Bridge obtained the trademark in 2004 to brew 'Stairway' in it's own right.
Although 5% it drinks as easily as a 4.2% so beware. Hops used are Fuggles and Goldings.
Brewer’s website: Burton Bridge Brewery
Black Ice by Titanic Brewery
Black Ice by Titanic Brewery
Black IPA 4.1%
Brewer’s note: A powerfully hopped black IPA, expect strong citrus hops to cut through the initial dry roasted notes. A hoppy finish with subtle hints of chocolate.
Brewer’s website: Titanic Brewery
Kawauso by Tartarus
Kawauso by Tartarus
Stout 4.5%
Brewer’s note: Session stout boiled for three hours to produce a thick stout base recipe, conditioned on local coffee beans and chocolate.
Brewer’s website: Tartarus Beers
The bars we missed
As mentioned above, two of our planned stops (The Millowner’s Arms and Ship Inn) were closed, so we weren’t able to visit this time. Not to worry though, as the venues we did visit were great and it gives us a reason to go back again in the future.
The Millowner’s Arms
Ship Inn
We’d definitely recommend a visit to Kelham Island if you’re over in Sheffield. There are some lovely venues and lots of opportunities to try beers from independent breweries.
And if you need a break from the beer, there are plenty of coffee shops, or you could learn a bit more about the history of the area at the Kelham Island Museum.
Outside Kelham Island Museum
