Just thought I would give this a plug for any Irish or otherwise people in Sheffield ...

I was walking past the Alexandria pub last night and I noticed it was decked out in ballonns and flags and was having a low key "opening" as an Irish pub - no not a sham Irish-themed bar - but a real Irish community pub with new laminated dance area, juke box featuring Irish and rock music, new youngish bar staff, flags, balloons etc.

I believe it is a new venture for the landlady Betty and they plan to host musicians etc and have a "proper" opening night and events soon ...

So please suppost this and keep it going ... its about time that Britains 4th largest city had a central focal point for its Irish community .... the D&P whilst a good "unofficial" irish pub never really fulfilled that need ...

Ack, I like the dog and partridge...fagans is pretty good too

Excuse my ignorance, but where is the Alexandra?

Originally posted by boyface
Ack, I like the dog and partridge...fagans is pretty good too

Excuse my ignorance, but where is the Alexandra?

excused - here (http://sheffpub.sheffnet.co.uk/pubs/pubseeker.asp?pubid=183) is the place - i think;)

Yes they are good too - bit difficult to describle its location as I dont know the street name but its down past the castle markets on the road which is opposite the Royal Victoria/Holiday Inn. Nearby is the IBIS hotel and the Norfolk Arms pub... the pub has an old style front to it and is quite big so you cant miss it ...

ah right, I know it by sight...always assumed it was a tad dodgy, but that's my fault I guess.....same could be said for loads of pubs I go in.

I'll check it out, cheers :)

They'll have an uphill struggle with that location, all the pubs have got a reputation for being a bit rough!

However as Patrick2000 said, if the landlady is trying something different and making an effort with the pub she should be supported.

Geting a little bit off thread here but did you know the Alexandra is supposed to be haunted. Apparently a woman was murdered in one of the bedrooms, there was a programme on TV about it several years ago.

Originally posted by Patrick2000
.... the D&P whilst a good "unofficial" irish pub never really fulfilled that need ...

I disagree, I would consider the D&P to be the Irish pub of Sheffield and it's not very professional to criticise other publican's premises if you are in the trade yourself. If a new theme pub is to be created then that's great, nothing against it and friendly competition is healthy, but the D&P probably has more Irish people visiting it than any other pub in Sheffield and is run by an Irish woman. Define "unofficial Irish pub"? You don't become 'official' simply by stating that you are. It's history thing.

Build your trade on the assets and entertainment you plan to offer. You won't become an Irish pub attended by Irish people if you get their backs up. They have a lot of respect for the D&P.

the alexsanda is a irish pub/community centre.
betty has been running a lunch club for many elderly people of sheffield for years, but has never had a base to call her own, thats why they have bought the pubthey have
used grants and funding so that the irish community have a centre to call there own.
(betty use to use my community centre on a thursday for her lunch club)

Originally posted by officegirl
the alexsanda is a irish pub/community centre.
betty has been running a lunch club for many elderly people of sheffield for years, but has never had a base to call her own, thats why they have bought the pubthey have
used grants and funding so that the irish community have a centre to call there own.
(betty use to use my community centre on a thursday for her lunch club)

are you sure your not confusing tramps with the irish:confused:

tramps have been moved out, irish community have moved in, they have cleaned the building as it was a pit before

It's on my daily walk to work. It's been nice to see them gradually transform the place from a complete hole to a promising pub. Looked like it was incredibly hard work too - months of cleaning and sorting, so best of luck. I'll pop in on the way home one evening :)

Originally posted by officegirl
tramps have been moved out, irish community have moved in, they have cleaned the building as it was a pit before I bet no one noticed the change over:D

So have they bought the pub or is it a pub company pub? I noticed the sign 'Bass Taverns' outside it, which makes me think that it's still a pub company pub and they'll have either bought the tenancy or the lease. If it'd been up for sale I'd have known about it (see 'Help me find a pub' thread)

The Alexandra is the new Irish Centre in Sheffield. A very inadequate position it lays in. Not central or easy to get to really. The Dog and Partridge is probably the only REAL irish pub in sheffield. It has many an irishman/woman regulars plus irish music, irish teenages, irish landlady. What more can you ask for. The pub has been run by Ann and her family for many many years. Her husband, sadly no longer with us, before that. she has raised her family in a traditional irish way even though living in sheffield.

The pub also boasts history of michael collins and co from many many years ago. Traditionally irish from the start. No other pub can be more irish!!!!

Good luck to them. The Alexandra was indeed a hole inside, but quite a nice old bulding. It once had a fine pint of hand-pulled Stones in there not that long ago. If they get some decent cask ale back then people will definitely seek it out. Also when the road-building is complete the traffic between it and the canal basin should be lessened (so they tell us) and it could help the whole area.

The D&P and Fagan's are great but there is room for more choice. Will it be known as 'Sheffield Irish Centre' in the manner of Leeds, Manchester and other cities? Could be a good live venue.

Not big enough to compete with the Irish Centre in Leeds. Extremely small in comparison. Dog and Partridge also serve irish finest Guiness!!!

Being a regular musician in the dog, I've got to say that Anne (the landlady) is one of the nicest people you could ever wish to meet. I see a huge cross section of Sheffields public in there, NEVER any bother and the best pint of Guinness outside of Dublin!!! I dont think the fact that its an 'Irish' pub has owt to do with it.....its a good atmosphere, good ale and varied music!!

Good luck to the Alexandra, there's always room for more pubs of that ilk, but my spiritual home is the back room of the dog, especially on Tues and Fridays!! ;) :heyhey:

Being a regular musician in the dog, I've got to say that Anne (the landlady) is one of the nicest people you could ever wish to meet.


you must know maurice and his band of merry men then! such characters. Tony Kelly holding the bar up for the last cenury it seems.

Originally posted by sezemeseeds

you must know maurice and his band of merry men then! such characters. Tony Kelly holding the bar up for the last cenury it seems.

Dont run into Maurice that much as he's more Sat and Sun dinnertime, but I've seen him play .........its an experience!!:bigsmile: Tony always comes and sits and watch us play, he is indeed a legend!!

Poor Tony been quite ill of late. but hopefully full of steam again. Will be with the Guiness!!!! Dog and PArtridge truly a very comfortable pub. Quite popular too with everyone of all ages and backgrounds. Anne has it just right. A friendly pub it is. :thumbsup: :bigsmile:

Where is this place?? I've never heard of castlegate, is it miles away from crookes? I'd make the trek if i knew they served Harp Lager in the Alexandra, makes me feel like im back home again!!

It was opened officially on 3rd /4th Spetember and we've now started getting sessions in (3rd Tuesday and last Friday). An awful lot of hard work has gone into it and the aim is to provide a very wide range of things to all the Irish community. As for location its still much better than where the old Irish Centre used to be.

Anyone want to know anything else just contact me. I've not used this site before is it ok to post e-mail addresses ?

J

Hiya,

Is the the Alexandra that's at the bottom of Exchange Street, next to the Transport Executive Head Office?

I used to be a regular there about 15 years ago! :)

I'm working again at the PTE, so perhaps I should pop my head in sometime.

jfother - feel free to post an e-mail address or URL - we advise folks to be careful posting phone numbers on teh threads 'cos the pages all turn up on Google eventually!

Joe

have you been to Karaoke night lately?

That's the place. Do feel free to drop in and Betty will rustle up some food! She does a very reasonable priced cheese sandwich. The dukebox is OK as well.

Any queries, especially on the music side contact jf_seinneadair@yahoo.co.uk

I am assuming that the Karaoke question isn't aimed at me. I've got real musicians to sing with (or at!).

Just to be unpartisan about all these pubs. I'm off down to the Dog for a session

J

Yes the Dog is great, my favourite music sessions anywhere have been in there. Well anywhere in UK (just thinking of some Irish ones). :thumbsup:

The Alex is also the place to watch Celtic matches.

Sounds like the perfect pub will try it out this week its nice to see the Irish in Sheffield are well catered for..

Yes the Dog is great

Best pub in Sheffield bar none. Although Fagins is an extremely close second...

do you get any english people goin in to fagans because often pased and thought about dropin in

Plenty, wouldn't say it's an Irish pub at all. Also does the best food in town...

*edit* though does it matter who goes in? :rolleyes:

The Alexandra is the new Irish Centre in Sheffield. A very inadequate position it lays in. Not central or easy to get to really. The Dog and Partridge is probably the only REAL irish pub in sheffield. It has many an irishman/woman regulars plus irish music, irish teenages, irish landlady. What more can you ask for. The pub has been run by Ann and her family for many many years. Her husband, sadly no longer with us, before that. she has raised her family in a traditional irish way even though living in sheffield.

The pub also boasts history of michael collins and co from many many years ago. Traditionally irish from the start. No other pub can be more irish!!!!

Lets hope they know who Michael Collins was ?????

The Dog and Partridge is OK, the sessions are great, the beer is OK (Not Great).
Fagans is OK, the beer is better, the sessions are great.
The Alexandra is OK, the Friday night music is great (Acoustic), Saterday nights are dance night for those who enjoy waltzing. The crowd is very friendly both nights, no rough types. The beer is OK, not great, but the prices are reasonable.

My partner has been involved with the music at all three pubs and we know the licenced owners of all three. The Alexandra is now the Irish Centre as the Irish centre up at Burngreave shut down a few years ago.

For those who are wandering where Old Tony has gotten too, he died a few weeks ago. Miserable Ba***d that he could be, I do miss him and his stories.
God rest his soul.

The Dog and Partridge is OK, the beer is OK (Not Great).
Fagans is OK,

If anybody just heard an amazingly loud bang it was me falling off my chair. :surprised :shocked: :surprised :shocked: :surprised :shocked: :surprised

For those who are wandering where Old Tony has gotten too, he died a few weeks ago. Miserable Ba***d that he could be, I do miss him and his stories.
God rest his soul.Is that Tony who was often at the bar in the Dog?

Yes thats the Tony in question. Although he gone he will be missed. specially in the Dog.

For those who are wandering where Old Tony has gotten too, he died a few weeks ago. Miserable Ba***d that he could be, I do miss him and his stories.
God rest his soul.

You're kidding me, Tony Kelly has gone to the brewery in the sky? I wouldn't say he was miserable, more cantankerous ....... aw, Jeez ....... good boxer in his time too ...... shows how long it is since I went to the D&P ........

Please someone say it ain't true ......

Yes thats the Tony in question. Although he gone he will be missed. specially in the Dog.

SF brings the news again, May God be with you Tony :)

My God shocked at news on Tony - yes he could be crotchety but sometimes he chatted away if he knew you were Irish and was in the mood to talk .....

Where is this place?? I've never heard of castlegate, is it miles away from crookes? I'd make the trek if i knew they served Harp Lager in the Alexandra, makes me feel like im back home again!!

Good to hear of another Belfastian in West Sheffield ;)

My God shocked at news on Tony - yes he could be crotchety but sometimes he chatted away if he knew you were Irish and was in the mood to talk .....

Not many, the man was a legend ...... I remember him being in the D&P one day just before we played Switzerland a few years ago. So I hung my Tricolour by the TV in the corner of the front lounge (as I always bring it out on match days). We heroically lost, and as I went to get my flag back, a pipe was ferociously waved in my direction.

"You leave dat flag dere, young man!" said Tony

"Tony, it's MY Tricolour! I put it there, like every other match ......"

"Oooooohhhhhh, it's you! I forgot! Good t'see ya supportin' the Boys In Green though, well you would ......."

He couldn't half talk, but blimey O'Reilly, did he have a few tales to tell!

Cheer up Stevey Staunton :cool:

Cheer up Stevey Staunton :cool:

Why should he, or we :shakes:

Anyway, like the sig :hihi:

Hi, Just logging back onto Sheffield Forum after a long absence!

I was intrigued by the 'New Irish Pub' title of the thread, because although 'Irish' theme pubs were all the rage about 10-5 years ago, it appears that one by one, most of those in Sheffield have been transformed into some other incarnation -e. g. the 'Wig and Pen'! Ironically, some of those former 'Irish' pubs have gone through subsequent identities including 'Gay bars', such as 'Bar Miles', now the Nelson -I generally now go to gay bars, as I sing at cabarets, etc.

No shortage of Irish bars where I am at present, though! I'm sending this email from the heart of Dublin, having just had a wonderful Halloween weekend!!!:hihi: