When Victorian speculators started to build the little Sheffield enclave that is Nether Edge they clearly thought that a useful amenity would be a pub. Up went what is still named the Union Hotel and in an area steeped in local history, the building is now Grade II list Pub of the Week: The Union HotelWelcome100%Drinks selection80%Atmosphere100%Prices100%95%Overall ScoreReader Rating: (6 Votes)70%The Union Hotel truly is a little gem. The interior is crammed full of memorabilia and odd objects. Ancient typewriters on the window-sills, books on the shelves, stuffed animal heads on the walls. There is no television, no music and no children allowed. There are snugs if you want a more intimate conflab, larger rooms if you want to be more social. On the little terrace, two gentlemen of a certain age were swapping books and another couple were relaxing in the sunshine. The Abbeydale Brewery is favoured here and their Moonshine is a favourite. The fact that it is kept to perfection is clearly the reason why, and a couple of pints went down a treat. The “traditional pub” ethos is carried through into opening times. It opens at spot-on midday on weekdays, and closes at 2pm, reopening at 5.30pm. At the weekends, it is late afternoon when the door flings wide, and 10.30pm when it creaks shut. A good little menu is served with a smile – the burgers are particularly tempting – and the fact that our landlord has now been running things for well over two decades should tell you that this is a success story, and then some. Lucky are those to have the Union as their local. Lucky, lucky, lucky. The Union Hotel, Union Road, Sheffield, S11 9EF. 0114 255 0689. About The AuthorPhil PenfoldA journalist for over half century, Phil writes over a broad range of subjects, including food and drink. He has been a long-term CAMRA member and is a keen supporter of Yorkshire's many and varied markets and independent retailers. Let us know what you think comments
