Tucked away in the Stag Works courtyard on John Street, Poco is the latest venture from the team behind Kelham Island favourite, piña. Opened in June, Poco maintains its sister bar’s Mexican influences but brings a more intimate bar experience to the table, offering a relaxed yet refined space to enjoy expertly crafted drinks and nibbles.
As owner Joe Cribley explains to Exposed, “Poco means ‘little’ or ‘little bit’ and the concept reflects that – a smaller, more elevated version of what we do at piña, with a focus on quality and a laid-back atmosphere.”
Poco’s expertly curated cocktail menu is divided into seven categories, offering something for every palate – from inventive margarita variations to a fresh take on the classic Negroni. While South American spirits like tequila and mezcal continue to take centre stage, the menu also explores beyond these, ensuring a diverse range of flavours and a more rounded experience.
“We wanted to create a balanced menu, so no matter your taste, there’s always an option,” says Joe.
“We’ll keep mixing thing up to keep it seasonal, so we’ll have a new menu launching in October. We also work with local suppliers like Starmore Boss to curate a wine list that complements our snacks perfectly.”
On that note, Poco’s food menu keeps things simple, offering a small selection of bar snacks. “We’ve got focaccia baked fresh from our friends at Lovely Rita’s bakery next door, plus olives and nuts,” Joe adds. “Montaditos and more elaborate options will be available for private hire events, where we have time to prepare in advance.”
The pedestrianised courtyard inside Stag Works adds to Poco’s charm, with outdoor seating and ambient lighting creating a laid-back vibe amongst the growing community of independents that includes music bar Zephyr’s, Lovely Rita’s Bakehouse, fashion brand Mamnick’s LOFT store, slow-made clothing specialists Nyoo and a number of creative enterprises ranging from stonemasonry to animation studios.
“We want to provide a cosy place for people to come and enjoy a nice drink around this part of town,” Joe explains. “With New Era Square around the corner, new openings nearby and the growing foot traffic here, we feel like we’re in the right place at the right time. Historically, this area was known as ‘Little Sheffield’ and Poco’s tagline is ‘Our Little Bar in Little Sheffield’. We’re hoping to build on that and hopefully see the area grow in profile – much like the rise of Kelham Island.”
Looking ahead, Joe is keen to utilise their beautifully designed space and branch out into small private events. “It’s the perfect space for intimate gatherings – around 40 to 60 people – and we’re getting a lot of requests for private hires,” he says. With Christmas around the corner, they are already taking bookings for festive parties.
Find out more about the little bar making big waves in Little Sheffield by following @poco.sheffield on socials.