Palm’s VIP launch brings a taste of the tropics to Kelham Island

VIP guests included ’90s supermodel Heather Stewart-Whyte (right) and the newly crowned Miss South Yorkshire, Whitney Dsane (second from right).

placeholder image — VIP guests included ’90s supermodel Heather Stewart-Whyte (right) and the newly crowned Miss South Yorkshire, Whitney Dsane (second from right).

Sheffield’s first Caribbean Garden Bar opened to a full house last week with a packed VIP launch that drew a roll-call of sporting, media and business names.

’90s supermodel Heather Stewart-Whyte, former Sheffield Wednesday/Leeds United defender Jon Newsome and newly crowned Miss South Yorkshire, Whitney Dsane, were among those who turned out to experience the city’s latest £500,000 investment in Kelham Island.

They were treated to an immersive preview of tropical décor, handcrafted cocktails and Caribbean-inspired dishes.

Stuart Jones, Palm manager, said: “The opening was everything we hoped for. We wanted to create somewhere that feels like an escape — warm, welcoming and full of character — and the reaction from guests showed just how ready Sheffield is for something different on the nightlife scene.”

It was a busy night for the VIP launch of Palm

The VIP night offered an early glimpse of what the venue is bringing to Kelham Island. It opened to the public for the first time at the weekend.

Designed as a blend of Caribbean vibrancy and Sheffield’s industrial heritage, it aims to set a new benchmark for destination venues in the city.

Palm takes the familiar idea of a Tiki bar and raises it to a new level – combining designer drinks, island-inspired décor and authentic Caribbean cooking. It also offers its own Caribbean take on bottomless brunch

Guests can enjoy classic dishes such as jerk chicken and rice and peas, given a Sheffield twist by Ascent’s executive chef Tom Wells-Lomas, working alongside a Caribbean chef to ensure genuine island authenticity.