just drove past it today (where abbeydale road becomes london road area)

that place is huge and could be a great live venue but again like so many buildings it seems to becoming pretty dilapidated.

since im new to sheffield does anyone know what that place was like etc?

Abbeydale cinema is a nice building and a major landmark, it's a shame it's going to fall to bits slowly until it's so unsafe they have to demolish it.

They are using it. A theatre group are putting on plays there.
In the downstairs bar you can hire it for about 75 quid and get an extension until 1am but it tends to be used for engagements, birthdays ect.
I've done a couple of gigs there this year but the place has not got a full PEL so you cannot charge on the door or advertise the gigs.
It did use to be a good venue a few years ago.