The reason bar owners are excited about the new additions to this Sheffield suburb

Nicki and Joe Glover opened Early Bar on the main road in Crookes on March 5 last year, with the aim of creating an establishment that would offer more choice for women and would be a “destination for people to go out.”

33-year-old Joe says he remembers hearing comments from True North boss Kane Yeardley when his firm took over The Punch Bowl about making Crookes a great location for a night out, like it was in the 1970s, 80s and 90s; and wanted their bar to be part of the area’s food and drink renaissance.

Despite only being open for a matter of days before the first national lockdown forced them to close, Early Bar’s wide-ranging cocktail menu, selection of premium ales and craft beers meant that by the time the pubs reopened in the summer they already had a loyal customer base.

"We knew we weren’t going to be able to compete with £2.50 a pint, but we knew we could offer something different and people really responded to it,” said Joe.

The city’s dormant hospitality industry was revived earlier this month when the latest raft of Covid-19 restrictions were lifted, allowing venues to reopen outside.

Crookes in particular has begun to see shoots of growth with a number of new additions planned for the area, including a new branch of Portuguse café Lisboa, a new Italian restaurant called Paesani planned for the former As Thyme Goes By café site, a new eatery planned for the former Hercule café site and True North are also set to create a beer garden terrace at the Old Grindstone.

Nicki, 66, said she and Joe, who live in the area, are welcoming the plans for Crookes, and believes it benefits everyone when businesses flock to an area.

"We want Crookes to be as nice as town, but cheaper, and to feel like you can come here to go out out,” she said.

Joe added: “I don’t think anyone should look upon new businesses coming to an area as a negative thing.”

Early Bar has enjoyed a good trade since reopening earlier this month, with customers mainly ordering draught beer and cocktails.

Customers are advised to book, but Nicki and Joe say they will also accept walk-ins.

For more information please visit their Facebook page here.

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