But it’s fair to say that some of the city’s boozers in days gone by had a less savoury reputation.
There’s a lot of debate about which pubs in Sheffield were the city’s roughest, where only the hardiest souls would dare to show their faces.
For every pub which people recall being particularly rough back in the day, there are always people who were once regulars there and will say its reputation was undeserved.
We’ve put together a list of some of Sheffield ‘roughest’ pubs, based on our readers’ suggestions, but we’re included the memories of those who have leapt to the defence of those establishments and recalled happy days spent drinking there.
At one of the pubs on our list, the landlord reportedly resorted to hiding upstairs when fighting broke out below, while others were supposedly frequented by shoplifters who would sell their wares to fellow punters.
But for each story about violence and criminality, there are those who remember a ‘buzzing’ place full of ‘genuine folk’, or, as one person put it, a ‘proper pub’.
Is your old local on our list, and do you think it deserves to be there, or is there another pub you think should be included in our rundown of Sheffield’s roughest pubs from years gone by?
9. Domino
The Domino pub on Egerton Street, Broomhall, Sheffield, is pictured here during the 1970s. It has since been demolished and replaced by student flats. One person recalled: “Saw a couple have a row, bloke hit over head with bottle. Toilets very scary.” | Picture Sheffield/Douglas Edward Axe/Brian Douglas Stevens Photo: Picture Sheffield/Douglas Edward Axe/Brian Douglas Stevens
10. Timbertop
The Timbertop pub, on Shirecliffe Road, Sheffield, is pictured here some time during the 1960s and 70s. Responding to a discussion about Sheffield's roughest pubs of the past, Ian Copley commented: "What about the Timbertop at Shirecliffe?" | Picture Sheffield/Douglas Axe/Brian Stevens Photo: Picture Sheffield/Douglas Axe/Brian Stevens
11. Elm Tree
The Elm Tree pub, on City Road, Manor Top, closed in 2009 and is pictured here two years later in 2011. Anton Walker recalled how there was 'always fighting' there and it was boarded up when he was younger. He added: "That was rough." | Picture Sheffield/Mr Cole Photo: Picture Sheffield/Mr Cole
12. Market Tavern
The old Market Tavern pub, on Exchange Street, Sheffield city centre, is pictured here in 1987. Marie Lee said: "The name was perfect cos literally the lifters would rob the markets, straight into Tavern and sold." | Picture Sheffield Photo: Picture Sheffield