The former rehearsal spaces of Def Leppard, and home of 2Fly, the recording studio owned by Alan Smyth where the likes of Arctic Monkeys and Reverend and the Makers cut their chops on early demos, has welcomed a new live music space and bar.
Zephyr’s can be found in Stag Works on John Street, a former cutlery works which remains home to recording studios and band rehearsal spaces, as well as a hive of businesses including clothing brands Mamnick and Nyoo Store, Steve Roche Stone Masons and Lovely Rita’s Bakehouse.
The new venue is the work of two friends and Sheffield residents, Tom Grindle and Ross Holliman, who are both passionate music lovers and gig goers. At a loss of what to do through lockdown, they made the ambitious decision to combine their respective skillsets (by day Tom is a joiner, and Ross an electrician), creating a cracking new gig and bar space.
Zephry’s owners Ross Holliman (left) and Tom Grindle (right). Photo credit: Rachel Rae Photography @raewithphotos
As our pics show, the results of their graft have been well worth the effort, and they are now looking to invite bands, DJs and pretty much anyone who wants to hire the space out for a good time to get involved. They recently hosted a hugely well-received Metal Karaoke night and, being one of the closest bars to Bramall Lane, the space is also open on matchdays, serving United fans pre and post-match bevs.
“At the moment, we’ve only really been open on matchdays, because we’ve still got a bit of work to do,” explains Ross, “but the next step is to open up every Friday and Saturday night with live music. Because of where we are, we’re not expecting people to just walk by and come in when we open the doors, so we want to give people a reason to come.”
“Obviously, through lockdown we couldn’t watch any live music, so when we saw this place it was kind of a perfect little space for it.”
Photo credit: Rachel Rae Photography @raewithphotos
Tom, who has his own memories of recording at 2Fly, added: “We just popped our heads in one day and thought, ‘that’s a perfect space’. Two months later it was ours and it’s taken two years, chipping away on evenings and weekends to get it to this stage.
“It’s very music-orientated down here. We’re absolutely surrounded by music. There are bands coming out of every orifice of this building and you can usually hear a band screaming from somewhere, so we want to compliment and add to that. We’re more interested in having a purpose and a function with each time that we open and that will predominantly be gigs.
“What we’re looking for now is bookings more than anything. We’ll always be open on matchdays because that’s already working. One day we just put a post out on Facebook, thinking we’d get three or four people down, and it’s been full since then. We’ve kind of got regulars.”
Photo credit: Rachel Rae Photography @raewithphotos
The feedback the pair have received from the handful of openings so far has been hugely positive.
“Everyone loves it,” says Tom, “People can tell that the two of us behind the bar have built it all under our own steam and they can tell that we’re trying to make something special. They just want to support that. Musicians are the same, they all think it’s a brilliant idea to put a music venue in this location. It’s got so much scope and potential.
“The place has got musical heritage in Sheffield and people feel connected to it. It’s not like any other bar that might open on West Street or Division Street, it’s got more about it.”
Photo credit: Rachel Rae Photography @raewithphotos
Even the venue’s name is taken from a different, but no less intriguing, chapter of the building’s history. While attending an infamous rave called ‘Bongo Burts’, that regularly took place at the venue in the early noughties, Tom met an old hippie.
Tom’s new acquaintance explained that lived and worked at the site, fixing cars and motorbikes by day. As a result, he was nicknamed Zephyr, after the classic Ford car and famous Kawasaki bike of the same name. Rumour has it that he still has the top floor of the building, but we’re told no one has seen him for years.
Once the name was in place, they started to think about what they would want from a venue and another driving force behind the pair’s vision was the idea of being able to get a decent beer at a gig. Tom said: “One thing we’ve always noticed, while watching bands, is that you always get a rubbish, warm beer in plastic cup. Why can’t you have a good quality drink in a venue?”
Photo credit: Rachel Rae Photography @raewithphotos
With that in mind, they are offering a range of drinks options, from lagers and spirits to premium craft beers across their six lines, all at varying, but still reasonable prices.
It’s fair to say that it’s been a long road to get to where they are today. Doing bits on weekends and evenings, recycling materials from other jobs and drafting in the odd bit of help from mates has got them to a stage where they are now very optimistic about the future.
“I’m loving it.” says Ross, “I’m really enjoying chatting with people across the bar. Getting to meet new people. I’m really optimistic about it now. The pressure is off, a bit.”
Photo credit: Rachel Rae Photography @raewithphotos
“We wanted something to do,” adds Tom, “and what’s better than watching live music?”
Well, not much, Tom! We can’t wait to catch a gig or two down here in the coming months. See you at the bar, yeah?
The venue will, of course, be open throughout the World Cup, showing games on the big screen and the lads are now looking for promoters, bands and anyone who wants to put on a party or event, to get in touch and start filling the venue’s calendar with an exciting array of gigs and events. Get in touch via email zephyrsvenue@gmail.com and chuck them a like on socials here to get involved.
