Voted ‘Best Traditional Pub’ in Sheffield by Exposed readers, lauded by Guinness as one of the top 10 pubs in the UK and now the only place in the city to serve the renowned Irish ‘Spice Bag’, we went to find out what makes The Dog & Partridge on Trippet Lane such a beloved local boozer.
Let’s start with some trivia, shall we? When it comes to the perfect traditional pub, it’s always advantageous for the building in question to be enriched with a sufficient amount of history – a story to tell. Incredibly, The Dog & Partridge has been pulling pints for the good people of Sheffield since a public house was first recorded on the site in 1797, making it the longest continuously serving pub in the city.
“I think it’s important to have that timeless feel to traditional pubs,” says landlord Conor Smith. “Of course, things are going to change over the years, but it still needs that essence of tradition, somewhere you can feel and see the history around you.” Fittingly, we’re sat in the pièce de résistance of all top-tier traditional pubs – a cosy, characterful snug featuring a handy drinks hatch connecting the bar. “As well as the look of the place, the hospitality is another essential part of any traditional pub. We view customers as guests in mine and Sarah’s home, so the whole team work under that philosophy,” he adds.
Two years of freedom as a fully independent free house have allowed them to make their stamp on the local beer scene, carefully picking a rotating selection of traditional ales, craft beers and ciders while keeping prices for all – including their much-coveted Guinness – competitively priced. (Conor is a proud Dubliner and takes this matter very seriously).
The pub’s commitment to traditional drinks extends beyond beer. Almost exclusively for Sheffield, The Dog offers a wide selection of Irish whiskey. “I have one American whiskey, one Scotch whiskey, and 20 Irish whiskeys,” he proudly states. This handpicked selection caters to a range of tastes and budgets, from standard options to the valuable Midleton Very Rare, which some consider the greatest whiskey on the planet.
It’s not just about drinks; the pub boasts a recently launched menu rich in comfort food with an Irish twist. Signature dishes include Boxty (a traditional Irish pancake with savoury toppings), West Cork poutine and their infamous Chips o’ Doom for anyone who thinks they’re up for the challenge.
An inspired addition to the Béilí’Beaga bar snacks menu is the Spice Basket. It’s an eat-in version of the Irish Spice Bag, a beloved takeaway dish originating from Chinese restaurants in Ireland, featuring crispy fried chicken pieces combined with salt and pepper chips and tossed with sliced peppers and onions, all seasoned with a blend of Chinese five-spice, chilli powder and other flavourful spices. The final trick: a pot of thick curry sauce to lather over the top.
“It’s the perfect food pairing for pub drinks, so it makes a lot of sense,” laughs Conor. “I’m not aware of anyone else doing it at the moment, certainly not in the proper Irish spice bag way, so we’re looking forward to seeing people’s reactions.”
The events calendar has been filling up nicely with weekly quizzes, games nights, darts tournaments, acoustic jams, and special events like Dog Fest – their annual mini music festival featuring local acts and a full day of entertainment for patrons. The latter will be taking place on 28 September, with a wide range of musicians playing 30 to 45-minute sets throughout the day.
The pub also hosts a monthly Bluegrass session, a popular event that draws musicians and music lovers alike. Every Tuesday, they host a quiz night followed by Irish bingo, a card game version of bingo that’s both straightforward and fun. “It’s dead simple, great fun and we usually have a couple of rounds and more than a couple of drinks,” the owner notes. “There are bar tabs and cash prizes to be won, and we find that people don’t need much more incentive than that!”
In terms of clientele, Conor explains that The Dog prides itself on being an inclusive, community-oriented pub for all. “We’re committed to providing an inclusive, bigotry-free space for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community or someone visiting on their own, we want to ensure that this is a safe haven where you get a warm welcome from the team and feel looked after throughout.”
That commitment to community is also evident in the fundraising efforts for local charities close to the pub’s heart. Last month’s ‘Pack Up and F*** Off’ party, organised by landlady Sarah, celebrated the outgoing Tory government by raising over £1,600 for S6 Foodbank, a charity they remain as a collection point for throughout the year, with visitors encouraged to drop off a donation at the bar if they can spare it. “It just felt like the right thing to do,” says Conor of the event. “Let’s be honest, it’s been a shite time for a lot of people under that last lot, so we wanted to do our bit. Things feel a bit more positive now, so we’ll see how that goes.”
It’s clear that for the team at The Dog, a traditional pub means more than just aesthetic appeal; it’s in the quality of the drinks, the friendly service and creating a space that not only provides somewhere for people to unwind but actively gives back to the community in the process.
We’ll certainly drink to that!
