Sharkeys closed today guys. I'm sure there may be a full explanation at a later date from the manager.

I'd like to say that the staff there are awesome, it was a pleasure working with them and I hope they all get work in places that deserve them soon.

I'll miss the place and i'm sure many more will also. Thanks to all there for making it an ace bar. Shame it couldn't last.

good luck for the future guys.

Nooooo, where will i now be able to get a 'sugar daddy' cocktail!!

Nice cherry cola depth charges too. Only good side to this (and HONESTLY no offence to the nice bar staff looking for jobs now) is it was the fave haunt of my ex and her new fella......so this news will really pee her off.

Its happened so fast I can't believe it...a real shame.
the only place in the city centre to be consistently different from the norm IMO....their approach and attitude was refreshing.

Gutted

gutted......the lime and mint cocktail that began with M was my favourite cocktail of all time

Gutted.com

Sharkeys has closed? :confused: :rant:

has it fully closed now? i know its started to only open at night coz it wasnt making much during the day but i dont understand why it would close down completely! a friend went past this afternoon and said it was shut but she could see some of the barmen inside - i still have hope!

Is this 100% official? Can anyone say for certain that Sharkeys has closed for good and its not for a re-furb or slow business.

Slinky

I used to do/used to do tuesdays there - only found out last night - I was gob smacked - it didn't seem to be struggling that much - the odd quiet night when theres no students around - but thats just sheffield - seems drastic to sack it off completely - but as far as I know it is 100% official - spoke to Mikey J last night!!!

Is it just the Sheffield bar or are all the Sharkeys venues closing? Hope its not the latter.

damn, just as they were getting some really decent alternative nights there with Opus15, Dexter and Quantic Soul Orchestra people :(

Yep very sad to hear about this
(a) cos they were some of the nicest staff we've ever worked for. From manager thru to bar and door staff.

(b) cos they genuinely tried to do something different re: music policy and weren't afraid to take chances and stick their neck out. Something very few bars in a competitive marketplace are willing to do.

We did Common ground there on friday upstairs and had some very good nights. Plus 2 excellent NYE's........Will be missed.

Reliably informed.... the Shark will be back.

The word on the street is that Sharkeys will be reopening with a new management team better than ever!

Wow, what was wrong with the old management team????

More info please asap !!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope it continues, its a fab bar and no mistake. The only thing it could do with is a good clean behind the bars.

Slinky

I used to work in Sharkeys and unfortunately it is true.

I was very lucky and came out it a hell of a lot better than most as I haev a full time job anyway. Still gutted though, best bunch of people to work with ever and easily the best bar in Sheffield. Shame that all the good places go under and the generic crap manages to continue.

Ah well, life will throw us these little balls of crap won't it!

Very much hope all the guys find work soon, they deserve it.

P.S. I anyone knows anywhere that would like to hold a noWax - iPod DJing night on the 15th Feb PM me! It was gonna be Sharkeys :(

Reliably informed.... the Shark will be back.

The word on the street is that Sharkeys will be reopening with a new management team better than ever!

You seem to know more than me and I work(ed) there. What's the deal?

Yeah same here - it looked pretty final when we went in yesterday to pick up any belongings left and most of the stuff had already gone!!

Sharkeys RIP......thank god!
Overbearing bouncers, awful ambiance and V&T with no ice or lemon!
It wont be missed by many!

Sharkeys RIP......thank god!
Overbearing bouncers,
It wont be missed by many!
Incorrect...

If it wasn't down to lack of trade it could be a good buy.

:cool:

sharkeys was the BEST bar in sheffield without competition.

REOPEN YA ********!

Had a look in the windows today, looks pretty terminal. If someone does buy it, it can be re-opened straight away I would think, after a thourough clean that is.

And please, whoever does buy it, change the bloody name, its awful!!!

Slinky

Ok, time for some impartial comments I feel. (several above from those connected in some way)

Went in three times.

Visit one , about two weeks after it opened.

Went to bar with bro in law ordered 4 cocktails one being a cookies and cream.

Sorry, we dont have any cookies or ice cream.

Oh ok then, Ordered something else. The barmaid then took an age to make the first cocktail, all the while doing that dreadful dip a straw in and taste it routine which looked pathetic.

Got it wrong, slung it down the sink, made it again, wrong again, slung it down the sink.

At this point my jaw fell open. We'd probably of drank them anyway but no, she just swatted them.

No exaggeration at all here, 15 minutes later we sat down, the cocktails were rank.

Visit 2

Cookies and cream please (its the wifes favourite)

Sorry we dont have any cookies or ice cream. Can you see a theme developing here?

Enter the duty manager rat arsed behind the bar holding a pint. He was shouting to his two friends who were leaving that if they stayed he'd give them more free drinks, he then prodded me and asked me to stop them.

I replied in words of one syllable.

The doormen actually looked embarrassed to be witnessing/working with this jerk.

We left.

Visit 3 (you'd of thought i would know better by now)

Cookies and cream please.

Sorry we dont have any......

Have you ever tried nipping to Budgens or Tesco???? There are 5 of you standing here t@*sing it off.

We left.

And that my friends is why it is now closed. Badly run by people who obviously didn't have the ability or the motivation to make it what it could of been.

Go to any of the bars adjacent and you'd receive vastly superior service probably because they are branded and tasked on such things. Oh and dont talk to me about atmosphere, you need people to have an atmosphere and that was something it always lacked.

Yet another case of someone thinking its easy to make money from a bar and not really having a clue. Maybe the guy who opened the original Sharkeys should have given the Sheffield version a lot more attention. We aren't mugs who are attracted solely by attractive decor and trendy music.

The barmaid then took an age to make the first cocktail, all the while doing that dreadful dip a straw in and taste it routine which looked pathetic.

Got it wrong, slung it down the sink, made it again, wrong again, slung it down the sink.

At this point my jaw fell open. We'd probably of drank them anyway but no, she just swatted them.

No exaggeration at all here, 15 minutes later we sat down, the cocktails were rank.

I don't work at Sharkeys, and I've been in on rare occasions, so I'm pretty impartial myself but as somebody who both works behind a bar and manages a bar I think you're way on these few points.

Firstly you will always get occasions when somebody orders a cocktail and doesn't like it. I love a mojito yet there are some bars in Sheffield that I'd never order one because it doesn't suit my tastes. Bars are given specs (often by people like me who choose their favourite incarnation) and that is how they make it every time. It may be different to the bar next door or the bar in New York, but in theory everytime you go into that bar the cocktail will taste the same.

That's why people taste the drinks. I always taste the drinks I've made, and people working for me should always do the same. If it doesn't taste right, chuck it, make it again. I'd much rather the staff had to make a drink two or three times to get it right than had to send out a cocktail that wasn't near the spec. Maybe you didn't like the cocktail, but if she made the cocktail several times and finally decided it was right, then that IMO was the right thing to do.

If you aren't prepared to wait for a cocktail you shouldn't be ordering them. Generally most cocktails I make take between 3 and 5 minutes, and I've been making (and creating) cocktails for nearly 5 years now. That's how you achieve a quality, that is worthy of paying twice as much as a vodka and coke. If you ordered 4 cocktails I'd expect to wait at least 10 minutes for those, 15 minutes certainly wouldn't be out of the ordinary ESPECIALLY if it is only one person making them.

On the occasions I've been in Sharkeys I've had nothing but great service, and from all the other comments I've heard throughout the trade (including from some of the reps who supply bars in sheffeld) they've all been positive. The only thing I can agree with you in the post is that I've sometimes heard it banded about that staff were drinking at work etc. That clearly isn't a bright idea!

However it's a big shame for the Sheffield bar scene to lose something like Sharkeys. They were a great indepedent bar doing some good work!

I will miss Sharkeys, even though I wasn't that much of a regular.

Whilst there were some problems with slow service in the early days I admit, they got over that and it was a fairly good bar to go to, with friendly staff and no attitude. They also tended to do something a little bit different with the music.

What a shame!! I can't believe it's closing. Maybe it's due to Sinclairs being about six months behind with opening their new building?!?!?

There only seem to be about four blokes there everyday...

But it may well be symptomatic of the fact that Sheffield is too dependent on its student population, and doesn't have enough high earners to support the sort of massive and varied bar scene that not only Leeds and Manchester, but Nottingham as well can support.

But it may well be symptomatic of the fact that Sheffield is too dependent on its student population, and doesn't have enough high earners to support the sort of massive and varied bar scene that not only Leeds and Manchester, but Nottingham as well can support.

More like all the 'high earners' would prefer to stay home because of the lack of classy bars.

Although Sheffield is getting better with bars like boho, runaway girl etc.

Oh no! Whaddabout Jungle Juice on a Wednesday?!

Ditto about great vibe, staff, music and drinks.

no more bass bar,or jungle juice.

the music was ace,the cocktails were great and the staff were the soundest staff in sheffield.

hey bit of a long shot but just in case anyone who used to work at sharkey's is up for a bit of work at lights down low we are short one cloakroom person this saturday, PM me for details. or actually you could call the shop might be quicker 0114 2669433

as far as the bar shutting it seems like a real shame, the people in there were always dead sound when i went in and it did have some of the best nights in sheffield there, with wicked underground music. it will be missed for sure cos whats the alternative to places like that? not much really.

peas out - chris

Anyone know who owns the building sharkey's occupied?
Telephone number would be great :D

More like all the 'high earners' would prefer to stay home because of the lack of classy bars.

Although Sheffield is getting better with bars like boho, runaway girl etc.
Or the high earners head for the trains.

Anyone know if the afforemention rumours of it re-opening are going anywhere? Just that there's a work colleague of mine has (sorry HAD) her daughters 21st booked for the end of this month and is obviously in a bit of a pickle now. Failing that, anyone know of anywhere that can hire out a room for Sat 25th Feb? :help:

real shame - used to dj @ bass bar every once in a while
great people and great rum cocktails
i will miss it

Ok, time for some impartial comments I feel. (several above from those connected in some way)

And that my friends is why it is now closed. Badly run by people who obviously didn't have the ability or the motivation to make it what it could of been.

Go to any of the bars adjacent and you'd receive vastly superior service probably because they are branded and tasked on such things. Oh and dont talk to me about atmosphere, you need people to have an atmosphere and that was something it always lacked.

Yet another case of someone thinking its easy to make money from a bar and not really having a clue. Maybe the guy who opened the original Sharkeys should have given the Sheffield version a lot more attention. We aren't mugs who are attracted solely by attractive decor and trendy music.

I'm afraid you must just have been very very unlucky.

I have been a frequent visitor to Sharkeys (mainly Thursday nights and W/Es) and have found it to be excellent.

I would say the bar staff are some of the best in Sheffield. Yes they take a while to make a drink but that's coz everything is done with such flourish and flair. They had seriously skillfull cocktail makers and even taking the cap off a bottle of Cus Quen Ya (?) was done with panache.

The drinks were all about as cheap as anywhere else and the atmosphere was far friendlier that the likes of Rev. Muse BRB etc.

Music was always excellent and Mike played a really interesting selection to say the least (although one of my friends would have preferred something a little more "popie"!) New Bohemia was great as was NYE 05 - if not a little underpriced!

I will definately miss it and there will be quite a few of us struggling to find somewhere as good to start the weekend early like we used to.

I hope all the staff find something soon for the sake of many Sheffield drinkers and music lovers as well as their own.

Sharkeys is closed?! Had the top room booked saturday week, where am I going to find a venue for 70+ people at this short notice?!

Hello,

Has anyone got any news on whats happening to the old Sharkeys building?

Thanks

Slinky

Just found out about this - really gutted - was one of the best, friendliest little bars in Sheffield. Hopefully it will re-open soon!

Just found out about this - really gutted - was one of the best, friendliest little bars in Sheffield. Hopefully it will re-open soon!

if it re-opens mate it won't be with the same staff or music policy i bet. it's gone gone gone i tells ya. *sniff*

I only live around the corner, but have avoided the place because it appeared to be a neon nightmare... Having read the posts though, it seems that I was given the wrong impresion.

Maybe if it reopened and projected a less Blackpool/80's seedy backstreet nightclub image it could do better. Being where it is it needs to have a massive attraction, and however great it may be inside you've got to get people through the door.

It looks cheap and nasty from outside so hopefully the management/owners have realised this and will employ an designer to create the correct image for a top class cocktail bar where people expect to have to wait for the most amazing Cosmopolitain they have ever tasted!

I only live around the corner, but have avoided the place because it appeared to be a neon nightmare... Having read the posts though, it seems that I was given the wrong impresion.

Maybe if it reopened and projected a less Blackpool/80's seedy backstreet nightclub image it could do better. Being where it is it needs to have a massive attraction, and however great it may be inside you've got to get people through the door.

It looks cheap and nasty from outside so hopefully the management/owners have realised this and will employ an designer to create the correct image for a top class cocktail bar where people expect to have to wait for the most amazing Cosmopolitain they have ever tasted!

Are you having a laugh?? Clearly having not been and probably not even walked past, probably due to lack of information.

Few questions though, have you ever been to Blackpool? For one theres not one nightclub down a backstreet and how on earth would Sharkeys with its huge glass window front look anything like a nightclub or seedy??

And for your last remark, it wasnt an elitist bar where people went to pay top dollar and 'wait for the most amazing Cosmopolitan they have ever tasted'. That kinda venue, in my opinion, would sink quicker than a side managed by Mick McCarthy in Sheffield, as has been discussed over and over on this forum. Sharkeys offered top drinks at very reasonable prices in an intimate venue also putting on music that no other bar in the city dares.

In my humble opinion, Sharkeys was a great place, however 2 things contributed to its downfall. Wasteage and freebies. There is no way a bar like that could have been profitable with the amount of drink that never went through the till but went over the counter or down the sink. Its a shame but there you go.

It also had poor hygene standards, the back of bar was poorly cleaned and maintained.

Again, a big shame cos I liked the place.

Slinky

Are you having a laugh?? Clearly having not been and probably not even walked past, probably due to lack of information.

Few questions though, have you ever been to Blackpool? For one theres not one nightclub down a backstreet and how on earth would Sharkeys with its huge glass window front look anything like a nightclub or seedy??

And for your last remark, it wasnt an elitist bar where people went to pay top dollar and 'wait for the most amazing Cosmopolitan they have ever tasted'. That kinda venue, in my opinion, would sink quicker than a side managed by Mick McCarthy in Sheffield, as has been discussed over and over on this forum. Sharkeys offered top drinks at very reasonable prices in an intimate venue also putting on music that no other bar in the city dares.

Sharkeys was a bit misleading though what with its dodgy name, cheap-looking interior and somewhat tacky lighting. The first time I went in there I was expecting a standard student/local cheese bar then was pleasantly surprised by the music playing.

I'd just like to bring this back up for anyone who misses Sharkeys..
I was duty manager there and have now been hired as bar manager of DQ underneath cha-chas.. I'll be putting on some of the nights from Sharkeys with me (and some of the cocktails and staff..don't worry I have permission) I'm looking for anyone with a history of putting on good alternative nights to please get in touch me via email or pop in and see me cos I want to keep the spirit alive.. Cheers..

Easy Matt

Its neal (used to do tuesdays) am now at bia hoi on that night and have got summat at forum too but am always up for more gigs especially if its the sharkeys styleee! let me know.

Have sent you a PM man.. I like the cut of your speedy jib :)