Spirit of Sheffield, one of the few explicitly queer-friendly spaces in the city centre, will close its doors for the last time on February 8th.
Rising costs mean the café bar, situated on Cumberland Street at the bottom of The Moor, is no longer financially viable. The venue opened in December 2019, just months before covid sent the UK into lockdown and, although the hospitality industry was hard-hit, Spirit’s owner John Conway was determined not to be beaten. By running an online food delivery service from the bar during the pandemic, Spirit developed a loyal clientele who supported John’s vision of a safe space for all at the heart of the city centre; turning up in numbers when the doors reopened to enjoy the venue’s now-legendary Sunday roasts (and fuss over resident Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Charlie and Eddie).
Over the past three years Spirit of Sheffield has hosted events including LGBTQ+ salsa classes, karaoke nights, watchalong parties for RuPaul’s Drag Race, fancy dress Halloween Spooktaculars and an LGBTQ+ book group. John is especially proud of the partnerships formed between the bar and other local LGBTQ+ organisations: as well as raising money for youth charity SAYiT, Spirit of Sheffield became the home of Rainbow Blades, the Official Sheffield United LGBTQ+ and Allies Supporter Group, with the pre-match meet-ups becoming a social event that attracted allies as well as Rainbow Blades.
There will be one last hoorah as the bar hosts a closing party on Saturday 4th, giving Sheffield’s LGBTQ+ community the perfect opportunity to come together to celebrate a one-of-a-kind venue that will be sorely missed.
John would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank his staff team and everyone who has supported Spirit of Sheffield.
