The Sportsman
CHAIN bars and restaurants get a bad rep. They're normally referred to in heartfelt rants about community pubs being bought out, and often accused of being little more than soul-less clones. But The Sportsman is proof that big operations can get the winning pub formula right. Walking through the main entrance on a freezing Sheffield night, there was already a low buzz from customers gathered around tables and chairs in the pub's extensive dining area. The layout consists of a variety of quiet corners, allowing for a much more intimate atmosphere than you might expect from a pub of this size. The Sportsman is clearly run by bosses who are prepared to go the extra mile to make life easy for their customers. They serve good food until 10pm every night, as well as offering a host of drinks deals, two-for-one offers and regular menu changes.
Jen Foster


