There aren’t many places in Sheff where you can grab a stacked vegan burger, catch a live band, take on your mates across a collection of retro arcade favourites, then end up at a ceramics workshop – all under one roof.
Eight years after opening inside the Grade II-listed Osborn Works, Church – Temple of Fun continues to evolve without losing the offbeat identity that’s made it one of the city’s most distinctive independent venues.
Brought to life by Bring Me The Horizon frontman Oli Sykes, Church has always occupied its own lane. Inspired by South American religious iconography – albeit with a decidedly twisted take – it’s a venue packed with hidden nooks and crannies, striking interiors and enough curious details to discover something new each time/
While plenty of venues wear several hats these days, Church manages to juggle a surprising amount without feeling scattered. At its core, it’s still a 100% vegan bar and restaurant, serving food from Wednesday through Sunday with a menu that’s constantly changing. Alongside the regular favourites, there’s a monthly special, rotating seasonal desserts (the cheesecakes are insane), guest beers and cocktail menus that shift throughout the year. Sundays bring the popular Sunday Service roast, with seasonal tweaks keeping things fresh.
“We’ve always been about more than one thing,” says general manager Liv Moseley. “People know us for the primarily for the vegan food or the gigs, but we’re always adding new reasons for people to come through the doors.”
Earlier this year saw the launch of The Catacombs, a private events space tucked away upstairs. Once an underused area, it’s now available for birthdays, celebrations and private parties, complete with its own bar, photo booth and plenty of opportunities to make the space your own. For larger gatherings, the whole upper level can be hired, with buffet options, personalised cocktails and even custom photo booth prints helping guests put their own stamp on the occasion.
“The Catacombs had been something Oli wanted to do for a while,” says Liv. “We had this unused space upstairs and it felt like a missed opportunity. Now it’s somewhere people can celebrate birthdays, host private events or just experience another side of the venue. It’s become a really versatile addition.”
Even when it’s not booked out, the upstairs remains part of the experience. Visitors can head up to try the venue’s interactive darts lanes, which can accommodate up to 12 players, or just find a new space to explore on a night out.
Local organisers regularly use the space for everything from dog life drawing and ceramics workshops to Sip & Paint evenings, while live music remains firmly woven into Church’s identity. The 220-capacity venue has hosted performances from Bring Me The Horizon, Deaf Havana, Static Dress and Mouth Culture over the years, while monthly jazz sessions offer a more laid-back soundtrack to Sunday lunch.
“We’re here for the community and always open to trying new things,” adds Liv. “If someone has an idea for an event, we’re always happy to have a conversation and see if we can make it work.”
More recently, the venue has also opened itself up to alternative wedding receptions. While legal ceremonies still need to happen elsewhere, couples can now celebrate everything afterwards at Church, whether that’s an intimate gathering in The Catacombs or a full venue takeover. Given the dramatic interiors and unconventional atmosphere, it feels like a natural fit for anyone looking to avoid the traditional hotel function room.
For a venue with eight years under its belt and the backing of one of Sheffield’s best-known musicians, Church could easily have coasted. Instead, it’s continued to do the Lord’s work: growing, adding new spaces and providing plenty more reasons to visit. The result is one of the city’s most original independents – and somewhere that rarely feels the same twice.
