By Andy
With darkness arriving, we headed to Ecclesall Road, and jumped in The Prince of Wales.
The pub has reinvented itself several times over the years, and in many ways the venue's fortunes tell the story of Sheffield itself.
In 1983 the pub rebranded as an American diner, and announced plans to recruit 50 members of staff. At a time of industrial decline, approximately 1500 applicants queued for over two hours in an attempt to secure a job. The scene also attracted acclaimed photographer Martin Jenkinson, and the image has since been displayed in exhibitions of his work across the country.
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| For more information on Martin Jenkinson's work, see this article. |
In the 1990s the 'Woodstock Diner' reverted back to The Prince of Wales, and by the 2000s I became a frequent visitor myself (as a nearby sixth-form student, whiling away free periods with a game of cards in one of the pub's many offshoot rooms).
In the early-2010s it got a bit ahead of itself, and morphed into a fancy restaurant chasing Michelin stars – skint teenagers buying the odd pint of lager clearly wasn't bringing in the cash. However, everyone promptly stopped going, and thankfully a middle ground was found – the pub still serves high-quality food, but you will no longer be sneered at if you turn up asking “just for drinks”.
On this occasion we did eat – an assorted collection of burgers and steaks – although as usual we forgot to take a photo of our food, so you will have to trust us when we say it was all very appetising.
To drink we selected Virtuous by Kirkstall Brewery, one of my favourite breweries. I play for a football team in Kirkstall and their offerings have nursed me through several injuries in the local pub afterwards – I normally find around four pints is enough to take the edge off any pain.
Excited to see Virtuous outside its natural habitat, I momentarily forgot that it wasn't my first-choice offering by the brewery. While Virtuous hits you over the head with its tropical flavours, I prefer the maltier tones of Kirkstall Pale Ale. That being said, both beers excel in their respective categories.
With tasty food and top-quality beers, I wonder if The Prince of Wales has finally – after several reincarnations – found the winning formula.
Pub:
The Prince of Wales (95 Ecclesall Road South, S11 9PH)
Rating:
7.5/10
Pint:
Virtuous
Brewery:
Kirkstall Brewery (Leeds)
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