May 2026. Sheffield.
Central Sheffield isn’t underpubbed,
but apply the cask ale filter and the area around West Street looks a little different.
I’ve lived here more than 5 years, I ought to have visited all the real ale pubs in Sheffield, but Cavell’s cafe bar had escaped me.
A local institution, probably, across from McDonald’s and yards from the scruffy Spoons,
one of those all day cafe bars that attract gentlefolk and loners, if not the CAMRA crowd who expect more than a lone handpump.
Greene King IPA as a guest in 2026 ? Blimey.
We played safe, 2 Hugo Spritz cocktails for £12,
and just a half of the cask, in case it was the nectar of the gods. It wasn’t, quite.
But Cavell’s is cosy,
and comfy and has cake,
and a soundtrack of the Stones and ELO and Black Country New Road at a good volume works for me.
retiredmartin 
* Black Country, New Road?
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They’re not new anymore, Komakino.
Jockstrap far better, too.
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Excited by the idea of rhubarb cider. Noted on my food & drink list. I had to look up Black Country, New Road.
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Well, twenty miles north and our writer would be in T’ Rhubarb Triangle.
I suppose that said drink might go OK with pastry stout (given enough custard)
Full marks for trying to find another use for the viciously acidic stuff though…
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Used to have it raw as a kid with a bowl of sugar for dipping the stick in.
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Yes, me too. Awful, wasn’t it?
Beat me to it, Etu.
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Yes, me too. Awful, wasn’t it?
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What’s the matter with rhubarb, lovely stuff. Rhubarb crumble, nom nom nom…
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Loads of flavoured ciders in pubs stocking boxed Lilley’s, Lana. Have a look at the display in this Blyth (Northumbria) pub.
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I can’t remember the last time I had Greene King IPA. Their nearest pubs to me are in the outskirts of Eastbourne. One of them is the Rodmill which is opposite Eastbourne Hospital so if I have an appointment there I’ll give it a try.
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I think I’ve seen it in a couple of Spoons lately, after a while just noting Ruddles, Abbot and Doom Bar as the “stock” beers. But it’s not selling half what it was a decade ago.
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Never thought to go in this place (a weird stretch of town imo) but doesn’t look too bad. Appreciate the Jockstrap shout out, too.
Is the food just standard cafe fare?
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Yes, with emphasis on fish. And cakes.
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