Anyone tried the freshly re-opened NELSON pub at the top of the Moor opp Macdonalds? Last time it was called the NELSON was back in the 1980's and it has been many many things since, inclusing an irish bar and cabaret bar. It is now a rock bar again like it was in the 80's......refreshing to have something from the "old school" of pub themes back with uis again and not another chrome and glass alcopop paradise.

Check it out, only the top floor is open and I cant see it making a fortune, but someones dream must have come true here.

I wish them well. This pub has changed hands sooooo many times over the last couple of years it is hard to keep track. I've seen men in drag there and even a speed dating regular night.

Not had a chance to check out the rock pub. I can't say I've heard any of my regulars say anything about it either. It just appeared, didn't it? I heard nothing about the place being up for sale or rent.

It's a pub company pub and the rent is very high as well as the barrellage. I'll be interested to see how long this one lasts (trying not to be too cynical here, but I've got a passionate hatred for pub companies and the way they ruin livelihoods through their greed).

Originally posted by Classic Rock
I wish them well. This pub has changed hands sooooo many times over the last couple of years it is hard to keep track. I've seen men in drag there and even a speed dating regular night.

Not had a chance to check out the rock pub. I can't say I've heard any of my regulars say anything about it either. It just appeared, didn't it? I heard nothing about the place being up for sale or rent.

It's a pub company pub and the rent is very high as well as the barrellage. I'll be interested to see how long this one lasts (trying not to be too cynical here, but I've got a passionate hatred for pub companies and the way they ruin livelihoods through their greed).

I did not know about until Saturday night when I got text message from a friend who had just found it. Apparently its been open about 2 weeks or so already, but no one seems to know anything. I was dubious about going, as last time I walked past it was full of transvestites wearing stockings and suspenders singing to Black Lace CD..........rather not my 'thing' actually.

I looked at this place myself with a view to opening something similar but the price WAS high for its size. It was available to rent last year after being the Irish bar for some time, then it became the cabaret (gay) bar, then something else, and then just was resold very quickly.

I cant understand how they managed to open it up again without providing disabled access...that was I was TOLD by the Council when I approached them re Licensing issues, as I knew it has steep steps both up and down and no ground floor level. Seems like they have found a way around this......

However, only upstairs small bar is open. They have a live DJ and someone called TIM is running it but I dont know who he is. A few classic rockers from the SPORTSMAN were in, and I would say it had about 40 customers and looked busy......great potential if they open downstairs for bands and stuff, and great location all things considered.

I suspect they got a very knock down price deal from the compnay after all the failed attempts to run theme bars there over the last 5 years.

BTW CRB what is your status re new venue? Are u staying or still looking to move?

PS Know what u mean about Pub companies....are they greedy ******* or what?

Still looking...the 'help me find a pub' continues. Free house only. Will not consider pub companies.

CRB can I ask what your budget is? PM me if you like.......tell me to mind my own business if appro......I have some working capital to invest in such a venture myself but cant find a venue either....

Actually soooooo ****** off as just been pipped at the post for a property on West Street..........the bids were going through the roof for the freehold so I changed my mind...(the current leaseholders dont know of the freehold sale yet which says a lot of the attitude of the owners so cant say which property for legal reasons)..a certain faceless pub companyy will be opening ANOTHER bland bar there this Summer!!!

The Mulberry Tavern starts to look inviting again....insanity.

Budget would depend on the premises we'd consider. We wouldnt pay silly money for West Street! The CRB is a destination pub for live music and wouldn't necessarily be ideally placed on Designer Bar row.

Originally posted by Classic Rock
Budget would depend on the premises we'd consider. We wouldnt pay silly money for West Street! The CRB is a destination pub for live music and wouldn't necessarily be ideally placed on Designer Bar row.

I would not pay SILLY money it was just so cheap to start with before the big boys found out about it. It was priced rediculously low and has not been advertised. Ubnfortunately word got around TOOO quickly in the big boy circles wyho started writing their famous blank cheques.......

Would you consider a joint venture?

'Fraid not, sorry. We've always worked on our own with our own methods and prefer it that way. Nothing personal.

How did you find out about a pub before it was advertised to the others?

I get all the trade magazines for all the breweries, pub co's and relevant specialist licensed property estate agents, plus, relevant to this case, have a contact on the inside of a certain faceless pub Company who appear to be trying to take over every pub in Sheffield by very underhand and bullying methods. I hope they DONT succeed.....

No offence taken re joint venture offer, just struck me as something to suggest, and I am sure Sheffield is big enough to cope with more independant rock bars......someone must do something against these big companies turning all of this City into faceless glass and chrome.....

Anyone else checked this re-opened place yet? I bet its very very dead in the week.....but then its not on any bar circuit these days.

Originally posted by Classic Rock
Budget would depend on the premises we'd consider. We wouldnt pay silly money for West Street! The CRB is a destination pub for live music and wouldn't necessarily be ideally placed on Designer Bar row.

I hope you find somewhere to relocate to, as I still think the city centre is crying out for a dedicated rock bar.

The Corporation used to have a "pre-club" bar called the Other Side which became quite popular, but since the Corps moved premises I think there is a gap in the market. The location is very important though - I don't think people are willing to walk too far from the town centre. Thats just my personal observation.

Somewhere around the Devonshire Green or even down High Street would be great.

Well Sass, who was the DJ at the Other Side now runs the Classic Rock Bar with me, and we are only the other side (pardon the pun) of Devonshire Green. We attract a lot of people from the centre of town as we are a dedicated rock bar with rock bands and non stop rock disco playing all the time. If people love their rock music that much then an extra five minute walk onto the journey doesnt really matter to them.

Originally posted by Classic Rock
Well Sass, who was the DJ at the Other Side now runs the Classic Rock Bar with me, and we are only the other side (pardon the pun) of Devonshire Green. We attract a lot of people from the centre of town as we are a dedicated rock bar with rock bands and non stop rock disco playing all the time. If people love their rock music that much then an extra five minute walk onto the journey doesnt really matter to them.

I didn't know that the DJ from the Other Side runs the CRB with you. Thats good to know. I haven't been down to the CRB although we have discussed going there, but the main obstacle for us is still the location. Yep, it might well be lazyness, but I think people like their night out to involve as little walking as possible.

I do love my rock music, and so my mates, but when many people go into town for a night out there are often other considerations to take into account, such as where to meet friends (usually somewhere in the city centre), bus stops, other being entertainment close by etc.

If a rock bar opened actually IN the city centre, I'm sure it would attract yet more people. As I said, thats just my observation......

Originally posted by Classic Rock
Well Sass, who was the DJ at the Other Side now runs the Classic Rock Bar with me, and we are only the other side (pardon the pun) of Devonshire Green. We attract a lot of people from the centre of town as we are a dedicated rock bar with rock bands and non stop rock disco playing all the time. If people love their rock music that much then an extra five minute walk onto the journey doesnt really matter to them.

I agree, its not far to walk really. it juyt seems like it is a long way off as the MSC building is in the way and the top of the Moor seems to strecth for miles down to the bottom, when it doesnt really. I think though if you are drinking in the Sportsman most cant be bothered to walk down the Moor and cross over the subways to Eccy road......I think its called laziness as its only a 10 minute trot at the very most.

CRB is well placed in some respects as once you are there, its far too much trouble to walk back to town again so you end up staying all night.

Its not just city centres u find rock bars though....last SUmmer we came across a fab little place in Cornwall some way up the coast from Newquay going towards Boscastle, forgot the name of the village but it was about 2 miles inland from the cliffs and some way from the nearest town, and there was an isolated little thatched style pub with a rock jukebox and a clientele of bikers and metal fans, old school bearded types with Jethro Tull 1980's tour shirts, etc. . It was really odd as it looks just like a typical rural pub on the outside, but the car park full of large bikes gave us a clue something was heavier than it appeared. I bet I never find it again though.....we were lost at the time and had run off the edge of the road map we had. ANd they sold Newcastle brown which is not common down there at all.......

Just in addition to the point made above, I wouldn't feel as safeasking my girlfriend to meet me in the CRB as I would if she were to meet me in, say, the Sportsman (even though the CRB may well be much better than the Sportsman). I don't fancy the thought of her walking through areas where there are less people about, and not as well lit and/or little police presence on a friday/saturday night.

This is just an example, but it shows how people can be deterred by a location, even if the the place is 10 mins walk.

I agree the subways at the bott of the Moor are well dodgy, or you can risk jumping across the roundabout or taking a much longer way round. best to go in pairs down there, the burberry cap brigade can be seen hanging around at times. I walk down there myself but then I can look mean when required.....

Originally posted by goldenfleece
I agree the subways at the bott of the Moor are well dodgy, or you can risk jumping across the roundabout or taking a much longer way round. best to go in pairs down there, the burberry cap brigade can be seen hanging around at times. I walk down there myself but then I can look mean when required.....

hehe....so can my girlfriend.... ;o)

A rock bar on Division Street would pretty much advertise itself too - many of the rock/alternative people congregate down there shopping in the Forum and Rocky Horrors etc. On a Friday and Saturday night I'm sure they wouldn't be able to resist popping into a really nicely styled and themed new rock/metal bar. On any night for that matter....it would be great!

Oh come on! Ecclesall Road is a busy main road, all the roads leading to it are very well lit. Sheffield Forum meet there and nobody has ever commented to me that they've ever felt uneasy in this area. We are not a dark and shifty shady back street bar. We're across from luxury flats, near Safeway and its one of the most welcoming pubs in the city! But as you've said, you've never been, so you are just guessing and haven't a clue really, eh?

If your girlfriend is too scared to walk into a pub on Ecclesall Road, near a bus stop and next to a petrol station, then there's something very wrong there.

I can't even imagine where you've got this imagery from. It's not even though it's a stereotype, as one doesn't exist. :mad:

Originally posted by Leviathan
hehe....so can my girlfriend.... ;o)

A rock bar on Division Street would pretty much advertise itself too - many of the rock/alternative people congregate down there shopping in the Forum and Rocky Horrors etc. On a Friday and Saturday night I'm sure they wouldn't be able to resist popping into a really nicely styled and themed new rock/metal bar. On any night for that matter....it would be great!

Would be good, but nobody is selling up, moving on and the prices are so high round the centre that to make a profit becomes increasingly hard. We ran the Yorkshireman's Arms before the pub owner sold out to the wine bar image. Tax and rent on the building was sky high. Then, as it was a pub company, it was silly money to buy beer again.

I'm in business to succeed and not throw any profits at pub companies, council tax or greedy landowners wanting silly rents.

Originally posted by Classic Rock
Oh come on! Ecclesall Road is a busy main road, all the roads leading to it are very well lit. Sheffield Forum meet there and nobody has ever commented to me that they've ever felt uneasy in this area. We are not a dark and shifty shady back street bar. We're across from luxury flats, near Safeway and its one of the most welcoming pubs in the city! But as you've said, you've never been, so you are just guessing and haven't a clue really, eh?

If your girlfriend is too scared to walk into a pub on Ecclesall Road, near a bus stop and next to a petrol station, then there's something very wrong there.

I can't even imagine where you've got this imagery from. It's not even though it's a stereotype, as one doesn't exist. :mad:

First off, get off your soapbox and just accept what I clearly stated as an observation. I'm not claiming that its a fact, stereotype, or anything like that. It is simply an observation.

I know precisely where the CRB is, and I know the route that I and many others would take to walk to it from town. I pass the CRB every day to work. So in that respect, yes, I do have a clue. Ecclesall road is a busy road, but thats once you are actually outside the bar. That is not the route from town to the bar. The route from town to the bar can often be quiet, and not particularly well lit (as mentioned by GoldenFleece). The fact the I haven't been inside is largely irrelevant since I am not making any comments about the quality of the place itself.

My girlfriend is not scared to walk there - I merely stated that I personally (not her) wouldnt feel to great about her walking there alone. I made no comments about you being a shady back street bar, but you are more awkward to access than bars in the city centre. I am hardly guessing here, am I?

With regards to moving into the city centre and the high cost - thats fine. Do what you like. I was merely expressing an opinion about your current location, and ease of access.

Calm down. Depending on the route that you take, you can follow well lit routes. For example if you cut through via Staples (not through a subway) and walk the main pathway crossing London Road to Safeway then you are passing students and other pedestrians at all hours. We are just across the road from there. I often walk through the subway at the back of Wickes which always has lots of people walking through it and is never isolated and very open plan so as a woman walking alone at night which I often do, I never feel uncomfortable there. It is also well lit.

Subways can be dingy and grafittied which doesn't inspire confidence. Nevertheless we are a busy pub most nights of the week so not everyone is put off by a short walk - especially if the route is carefully thought out.

I'm glad you're busy most nights of the week - as I said earlier, I like rock and metal and would like venues such as yours to give the town centre a bit of individuality.

I understand what you're saying about the route past Staples, but to take that route means a significant detour from fargate, barkers pool and division street which (judging by the numbers milling around) most people tend to gravitate towards.

Would a greater number of people through the doors not offset the increased cost of running a bar on Division Street? If you openend somewhere that was very different in theme and style to the other "trendy" bars on Division Street, would it still be tough to make a profit with increased numbers through the door?

Not sufficiently. Most of the big pubs are chains who are able to bulk purchase for their group of companies so get the beer even cheaper, they then hire staff to run the place for them. The drinks are then sold at competetive prices to keep up with the neighbouring pubs.

We get full to capacity many nights of the week and have done better as a free house than as a pub company (which is the most expensive way to take on a pub). Those who take on pubs through pub companies start off with good plans and gimmicks to get the customers in but are quickly bitten by the high prices charged. This is why pubs such as The Nelson (the thread this originally started with), the Earl of Arundel and so on, change hands so often because the owners struggle to pay all the bills as the rent and beer prices are set so high. This can all be read on the Publican's website.

To take on a pub on Division Street would mean either being a manager of one of the big ones, but then any profit made goes in the Fat Cat's pockets and you're just paid a wage, or fork out a small fortune for the lease on a free house. I think Ice and Orchis was a million for the lease and then on top of that there was further rent to be paid each month. The Halcyon was demanding about a quarter of a million and it is only small.

It would take years to get the money back - there's only so many people you can fit into a pub at any one time and during the week the pubs on Division Street aren't exactly rammed.

I'd like to find a larger pub to move my live band operation to - central would be great, but due to the costs, probably not profitable....at least with bands you can be fairly sure they bring a crowd of drinkers with them! This post is now in danger of being merged with the 'help me find a pub' thread, so lets redirect it back towards the Nelson.

If it's being run by Tim, then I believe the last venture was run by someone called Tim. We popped in once and talked to him about his operation and moaned about pub companies with him. He wasn't really a rock fan but we wished each other the best and went our seperate ways. I wonder if it's the same Tim that is now trying to make the pub a rock bar.....

I have to say that from outside the Classic Rock Bar looks very rough, and can believe many men would be scared to walk in let alone women, so I can see where that point came from.

However once you are in, despite being full of slightly scary looking leather clad bikers and rockers, is actually a very friendly place, and good times are pretty much guaranteed.

Never judge a book by it's cover huh?!

Have to say Classic that i am glad i don't come down on my own and am usually dubious about parking the car round there. Although it is all nice and friendly once inside had no problems.
Not a place i would wander on my own, maybe i'm a wimp. Mind u i don't like wandering town either.

It's a really friendly area around there, I've never ever had a problem at night there. I've often gone dog walking at night and never had any odd encounters. Cars are safe. It's not really a car crime area. Mine and those in the car park have always been fine.

The trouble is that the flats nearby are old fashioned, old socialist style blocks that make the area look dated - this gives the impression that it's rough, when it really isn't. You get young lads as you do anywhere, but it has never proved a problem at our site as most are students in the area.

Back in 1982, a historical note here, the CRB was the JOLLY BUFFER in its first incarnation....then it was freshly opened and was a respectable trendy pub. It was then full of 'New romantics' (remember them??) and the short sleeved shirt lager drinkers, girls with handbags and skirts, etc.I remember going there when it first opened and feeling out of place in a leather jacket and long hair.......how times have changed!!!!

I've been to the Nelson a couple of times since it re-opened as a rock bar and it's pretty cool. Nice people, nice atmosphere. Good drinks - recommend the cocktails and the mudshakes! You get a free shot with the mudshakes!

PS my friend did the chalkboards for the Nelson so if anyone is looking for an established artist to do chalkboards let me know and I'll give you his number.

is it just rock music all the time or does it have different nights? not far away from casbah to.

Originally posted by f_g
is it just rock music all the time or does it have different nights? not far away from casbah to.

It's rock all the time from what I've seen. It was Goth night last thursday and when I went in there on saturday it was a mixture of old and new rock.

Re: Not safe to go to CRB

Even my mother has been there, admittedly not on an evening but she did campain for the music licence. I never feel threatened there, but there again I am 6 ft 2 and a proper lardy lad so what do I expect! My girlfriend is more afraid of driving round the Safeway roundabout than picking me up from there! As I said earlier I'm a Lardy lad and I wouldn't think much of walking anywhere but The Sportsman to CRB isn't any distance.

Is the Classic Rock Bar, ever going to re-open, i was so devasted when it got knocked down :(

Is the Classic Rock Bar, ever going to re-open, i was so devasted when it got knocked down :(

The closest thing you will get to the old CRB in Sheffield will be the Dove and Rainbow from November 3rd, which will be re-opening as a rock & live music bar, playing a healthy mix of pure classic rock, blended with some newer rock/metal. We will be featuring regular bands and live acts in due course, so together with the classic rock, its actually going to be a fairly similar format, although with its own unique flavour, and ideally positioned right in the heart of the City.

Check out the website, it will be taking shape over the next week and will have more information appearing as things take shape. :)

The closest thing you will get to the old CRB in Sheffield will be the Dove and Rainbow from November 3rd, which will be re-opening as a rock & live music bar, playing a healthy mix of pure classic rock, blended with some newer rock/metal. We will be featuring regular bands and live acts in due course, so together with the classic rock, its actually going to be a fairly similar format, although with its own unique flavour, and ideally positioned right in the heart of the City.

Check out the website, it will be taking shape over the next week and will have more information appearing as things take shape. :)

will you be looking for bands then to play? whats going to be new? will you still be running the DnR Live under the boardwalk or is that with the old DnR?

i havent beent to the DnR in ages, quite a few months, not since we had a gig booked and it went awry, just due to a communication breakdown between the band booking it and DnR, anyway! lol.

will you be looking for bands then to play? whats going to be new? will you still be running the DnR Live under the boardwalk or is that with the old DnR?

i havent beent to the DnR in ages, quite a few months, not since we had a gig booked and it went awry, just due to a communication breakdown between the band booking it and DnR, anyway! lol.

Firstly, the DnR Bar is no longer connected with the old Dove and Rainbow pub. Both the old Dove and Rainbow 'tribe' and DnR Live have fused together to form the DnR Bar, both venues in one, located at the former Bar 101 opp Mulberry Tavern. Everyone seems confused about that, but the Dove and Rainbow is no longer 'DnR', if you see what I mean:huh:

Yes will be looking for bands once we get things sorted. We hope to have bands Monday to Thursday, with odd weekend gigs as well, and hope to start booking bands to play commencing in a few weeks or so. So PM me with your contact details, etc.....and indeed any other bands you know on the circuit looking for gigs. Spread the word! Sorting out a a full in-house band PA, plus there will be an actual stage area in place soon.

Firstly, the DnR Bar is no longer connected with the old Dove and Rainbow pub. Both the old Dove and Rainbow 'tribe' and DnR Live have fused together to form the DnR Bar, both venues in one, located at the former Bar 101 opp Mulberry Tavern. Everyone seems confused about that

so its exactly where it used to be? :S behind argos?

im actually quite confused.

so...

DnR Live on Snigg Hill no longer exists as a music venue?

DnR Live and the DnR are now one?

my band have just broken up, its just i know some bands that are looking for gigs, so i can pass the word around, have you got the PA Backline?

so its exactly where it used to be? :S behind argos?

im actually quite confused.
DnR Live on Snigg Hill no longer exists as a music venue?
DnR Live and the DnR are now one?
my band have just broken up, its just i know some bands that are looking for gigs, so i can pass the word around, have you got the PA Backline?
Confused? So am I, I think I need a drink!! :hihi: The DOVE AND RAINBOW pub has NOT physically moved, only the previous Management have moved and formed the DnR bar and DnR live AS ONE venue in the former Bar 101 building on 2 levels.

www.dnrbar.co.uk
if you want details.....

the old DnR Live venue on Snig Hill is now empty.....

The in-house PA will be fairly standard layout, and will be sorted in a few weeks......a few other jobs to do first....

Confused? So am I, I think I need a drink!! :hihi: The DOVE AND RAINBOW pub has NOT physically moved, only the previous Management have moved and formed the DnR bar and DnR live AS ONE venue in the former Bar 101 building on 2 levels.

www.dnrbar.co.uk
if you want details.....

the old DnR Live venue on Snig Hill is now empty.....

The in-house PA will be fairly standard layout, and will be sorted in a few weeks......a few other jobs to do first....

SCORE, i know what you mean

Same building as old DnR pub, but upstairs is now where DnR live is, and its now under thew new management,.

sorted?

no......not same building as the Dove and Rainbow pub behind Argos....its a different building opp old Mulberry Tavern....run by the previous Dove and Rainbow management.......

no......not same building as the Dove and Rainbow pub behind Argos....its a different building opp old Mulberry Tavern....run by the previous Dove and Rainbow management.......

is the mulberry tavern the one thats on arundel gate thats closed down?
oposite that agency work place?

whats the adress of where the DnR now, so i can search google maps :P

address is on their web site

www.dnrbar.co.uk

Blimey, my head hurts! Here's a simplifier...

DOVE AND RAINBOW, Hartshead Square (behind Argos/Bankers Draft/Pizza Hut)
This pub is under new management and reopens this weekend following refurbishment.

D'n'R LIVE, Snig Hill (previously Under the Boardwalk)
This bar has closed down

D'n'R' BAR, Arundel Gate (previously Bar 101)
The people who previously ran the Dove and Rainbow and D'n'R Live have now moved here, and turned the old closed down Bar 101 into a new venue, on two floors. The main bar is on the ground floor, with live music upstairs from time to time. The bar is aimed at the same alternative crowd the Dove and Rainbow used to be.

MULBERRY TAVERN, Arundel Gate
Still closed down and has been for some time.

Thats put it nice and plainly, for everyone to understand....I must admit it got ME confused reading some earlier posts.....

Oh Congratulations Goldenfleece on your new business ( sorry I am obviously months behind on this news).

I really wish you well and if I can ever get a babysitter we will check your new venture out and I hope it is hugely successful.

Oh Congratulations Goldenfleece on your new business ( sorry I am obviously months behind on this news).
I really wish you well and if I can ever get a babysitter we will check your new venture out and I hope it is hugely successful.

cheers:) You will be most welcome......Actually this thread belongs to the Nelson really, even though I started it some time ago, so dont want to hijack it too much..will start a new thread shortly......