May 2024. Sheffield.
I do try to get round the Sheffield GBG entries if I can, and I always feel I never do the Harlequin justice, tucked away toward the Wicker (top right below),
just off the main Kelham Island run next to Aizlewood’s Mill and the New Testament Church of God, rather than the £400+k flats popping up next to the Fat Cat.
Look what I said 2 years ago,
but since then just a visit in 2023 to get mildly sloshed on their award winning cider range, and now Landlady of 14 years Liz is leaving, and I felt a little guilty not to give it more of my custom since moving North. It’s been an incredibly friendly and inclusive pub.
Time to make amends.
I wrote “This is an unassuming joy of a pub, the equivalent of the Angel in Manchester or the Live & Let Live in Cambridge“, though you wouldn’t get Dire Straits in the Angel.
I like the Harlequin’s “Top Hits of 83-85” soundtrack, running from Billy Jean to Purple Rain and beyond; it adds to the homely feel.
Yesterday was Liz’s last day, so I get a decent range, and go Headless. RedWillow beers pop up everywhere these days.
It’s a bit quiet for a Sunday afternoon, so I get to enjoy Leeds play-off failure on my phone (sorry Rich) while around me couples chat and a bloke reads a book. An actual book !
The Headless is cool and rich, a 3.5 typical of the Harlequin, and Sheffield.
Lacings never lie, as someone completely reliable once said.
I had a look on Untappd, where that very week someone called Martin (great name) has been drinking strong cans of RedWillow, probably in the very seat I’m sitting in now.
It’s clearly a sign, so I HAVE to follow suit.
As Olivia said before booking her gig at the Co-Op Arena, “Bad Idea, Right ?” And we know what comes next.
All the best, Liz.
retiredmartin 
Good for you, Martin. You always seem to find the best in pubs that I find disappointing.
I’ve only been three times in the last 18 months. First time the beers were ok (NBSS 3.5) but the atmosphere was lacking. I arranged to meet a friend there a few weeks later and it was dire: Laurel and Hardy film night. (The beer was Blue Bee American Five Hop which is on regularly at the Kelham Island Tavern, but it wasn’t as good at the Harlequin.) On the last occasion, last October, one the beers which I’d had a year earlier was now average (NBSS 2) and I formed the impression that they weren’t selling enough to keep it ticking over. Maybe just bad luck.
I had that RedWillow Headless Olicana a couple of weeks ago in Stockport, at the Petersgate Tap. In very good condition (NBSS 4) but I didn’t find it particularly interesting as a beer. Can’t wait until that Lure at the Farfield Inn opens up. If we mention it often enough it will come true, even if only online.
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Life is short, Will. I think folk will find I found the best in people, even Can Morrison whose “Bright side of the road” is currently playing in the Old Fourpenny Shop in Warwick.
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Is Can Morrison Van’s less talented brother?
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Be careful in Stockport, Will, it’s no place for a stranger.
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Perhaps I’m not strange enough, as I’ve never had any trouble in Stockport.
Unless you have information that I’m not privy to?
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You’re certainly strange enough for Stockport, Will.
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Definitely too quiet, Will, so I headed for the cans. Easy to take pubs like this for granted till it’s too late.
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Already too late if you’re heading for the cans.
And if it’s Can Morrison, it’s definitely too late.
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..to stop now.
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“you wouldn’t get Dire Straits in the Angel”.
No, but I got a dire chicken sandwich there in January 2019.
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I remember that.
But I think we should give the Angel another go if we do Manchester again.
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I might risk it, not sure when though.
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