Social club with over 100 years of history wins Sheffield CAMRA Club of the Year

Crookes Social Club on Mulehouse Road has been awarded the Sheffield CAMRA Club of the Year award, despite having to ‘spend cash reserves’ to stay active during the pandemic and keep to social distancing rules and regulations.

The Campaign for Real Ale award celebrates venues in Sheffield that focus on serving the best, and most well kept, selection of beers and real ales.

Glyn Mansell, chair of Sheffield CAMRA said: “Walking around the Crookes Social Club I noticed a 1928 carved date stone but have been informed the club is over 100 years old.

"Maurice, the manager, suggests the Covid-19 pandemic is the most serious situation the club has faced and has had to spend cash reserves earmarked for a refurbishment on adapting to operate in a Covid-Secure manner and creating a large outdoor social space.

Despite this the team at the club continue to work hard to offer something for everyone. As well as a bar, the club offers activities from bowls to dancing, has two snooker tables and a pool table and participates in local leagues.

“There is a separate concert room that hosts live music gigs, dance and fitness events.

“Non members are welcome to drop in for a drink or attend gigs. Two well kept locally sourced real ales are available on the bar, currently from Bradfield Brewery.

“Congratulations on being voted Sheffield Club of the Year by local CAMRA members.”

General manager Maurice Champeau said in a video produced by CAMRA: “It is lovely to be recognised for this. It is something we have worked very hard on, improving the real ale offering and the general beer quality that is coming through the club.

“It is very important as a club to do an offering of this type, so to receive a recommendation like this is great.”

To stay afloat during the pandemic, the team behind Crookes Social Club came up with an inventive idea to turn The Mulehouse Road club’s bowling green into what they believe is the biggest beer garden in Sheffield.