Owners of The Old Shoe (a new city-centre bar in the former Orchard Square Schuh unit – geddit?) have announced they officially throw open the its doors (and bifold!) today, 12th July.
The bar boasts one of the UK’s most diverse drinks lists, with a constantly rotating selection of 20 draft lines and two cask lines of both craft beer and cider alongside an equal number of by-the-glass options: artisan ciders; unorthodox wines from natural producers and overlooked regions; and fruit wines fermented from unexpected ingredients like rhubarb and cherries.
Mike Pomranz, who runs The Cider Hole, Sheffield’s only dedicated ciderhouse and tap room; and Matt Beety, who owns popular Abbeydale Road micro pub The Bear, announced the plans back in April.
Since then, they have taken on in-house sommelier Tom Claxton, who handcrafts his own non-alcoholic drinks – think colas, shrubs, and juices – that double as mixers for the bar’s small, but carefully-curated collection of spirits.
Filter coffee is available from a rotating cast of independent roasters including Sheffield’s own Foundry. And the bar is the new home of the city’s only cider brand, Exemption Ciderhouse, which is produced on-site using local apples sourced from residential gardens.
Perhaps intimidating on first look, the vast selection was built with the customer in mind. General manager Nath Hehir, a veteran of many of Sheffield’s most beloved pubs, explains: “We have a big range of drinks to make sure we can help find the perfect one for you,”
Additionally, The Old Shoe has four fridges stocked with beers, ciders, wines, and more ready for takeaway. It’s part of the bar’s retail section which also sells the vinyl records spun throughout the day, glassware, artwork, streetwear… anything really.
Plus, expect regular events including meet the brewers, wine tastings, comedy nights, movie screenings, and who knows what else. Details will be posted on theoldshoebar.com and @theoldsheobar on Instagram.
“At The Old Shoe we are combining accessibility with bravery,” says co-owner Matt Beety, a lifelong Sheffielder who made his mark on the city’s beer scene after opening The Bear on Abbeydale Rd two years ago. “We also have the team to enthusiastically guide you to make the right choice: people with an interest in all types of drinks who want you to try new things, find new favourites, and overall, enjoy your experience at The Shoe.”
Expanding consumers’ horizons has long been the vision of co-owner Mike Pomranz, including at his previous bar, The Cider Hole, which shuttered in May after an acclaimed two-year run.
“Looking at our opening day menu, I am excited about every single one of these drinks,” said Pomranz, who doubles as the in-house cidermaker and personally imports many of the beverages sold.
“I’m even more excited for the next day, and the day after that, and every day we print a new menu with new drinks on it. I love these drinks. I love the people who make them – many of whom I’ve been lucky enough to meet. And I love everyone who walks in the door looking to try something weird and wonderful and support passionate producers.”
The Old Shoe will be open five days a week: Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11am – 11pm, Fridays and Saturdays, 11am – 1am, Sundays, 1pm – 8pm. The venue is dog-friendly and kid-friendly. Outdoor seating in Orchard Square is available. For bookings and private event enquiries, contact info@theoldshoebar.com. For more deets, head over to their insta.
