December 2025. Sheffield.
Will had curated an itinerary for our mini-Sheffield Black Eye Friday crawl. As a southerner, he’d never actually ever heard of Black Eye Friday, but then unlike me he’s not slave to biblically-inspired Christmas rituals like dressing up as Santa and falling over.
Most of the Daily Mail’s pictures from the great day come from Nottingham and Leeds rather than Sheffield, which seems rather sedate in comparison.
Will’s next pic, the Red Deer, was pleasingly only lightly adorned with festive tat,
just a cosy back street pub beloved by students and lecturers, in fact the main reason I decided that James was coming to Sheffield University all those years ago.
Will recovered from the massive disappointment of no Black Sheep deliveries, a Citra and my first Belgian Blue of the season being good GBG quality in a cask-driven pub.
A pleasingly naff but non-seasonal soundtrack of “The Last Time” “Bittersweet Symphony”, and a mere smattering of tasteful Christmas jumpers.
In case you’re wondering, I don’t think Sheffield pubs are BYO yet.
But who knows ?
retiredmartin 
Never heard of Black Eye Friday, neither has Franc. Must join in it one day.
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I think it originated in Glasgow, or maybe Small Heath.
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Double like for that, Paul. You beat me to it !
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Do you live in another country, or just not get out much? 🫣
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I just don’t get out much.
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Not you, Lana.
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