 (Andy C)
 (Alan)
There is a great choice of cask ales, mainly from Timothy Taylors, lagers include Warsteiner as well as the usual suspects. The beer was good. Clientele are mainly down to earth locals and regulars.Food not normally available (other than crisps, nuts, pickled cockles, pickled eggs, chocolate etc). Imagine if that classic TV series Cheers was set in an industral area rather than downtown Boston and you get the idea. One of only 2 pubs in Sheffield with bar billiards. Live music on Thursdays and Sundays. - Andy C Alan Sanderson writes: ![4 moos]()
The Gardeners Rest from the outside appears to be a poorly maintained building surrounded by similar works, and upon entering the decor inside is equally as dissapointing. The pub boasts an impressive array of real ales although the staff who serve them are the opposite.
Smoking is permitted in designated areas (small room and a conservatory) and upon lighting up you get the feeling you are not welcome inside. Swearing is also not permitted in a pub tailered to suit the local works (welders, bricklayers etc) and the occasional inevitable expletive results in an uncomfortable atmosphere.
Food is also not served but this can only be a godsend judging by the cleanliness the pub offers. To summice beer ok, atmosphere - uncomfortable, decor - 1960's, food - none (thank god), music - live events only, entertainment - none unless you include the useless billiard table no one uses or knows how to play!!
Dont waste your time and money, jumping into the polluted river don behind the pub is much more appealing!!
 Lin
I can't believe the inaccuracies of some of the negative comments made about the Gardeners on this site! I am a big fan of traditional pubs were you can get a bloody good pint, hear yourself think and there's a friendly welcome. For these reasons and many others the Gardeners is my favourite pub. Pat and Eddie couldn't be friendlier, the art exhibitions are fabulous, I love the bar games, library etc etc. Ignore the rubbish said previously here and check it out for yourself. You won't be disappointed! stevieB
Found this on the forum and just had to pay a visit.What a dissapointment,deep dark and dingy place with no atmosphere at all,only saving grace beer was not bad.Ended up going just up the road to the Forest what a differece a five minute walk can make Toby
Dr - I was merely stating the positives in an area which I live in. I am proud of the work myslef and other members of the community have contributed to the area. The gardeners rest is central to this, and as such supports local groups etc. For an indiviual to come in and make comments such as Alan has, certainly shows an opinion - but an opinion which I feel he has reached without the relevant facts. BBC South Yorkshire
We certainly would not advocate putting bleach in anyone's eyes and have edited the offending comment.
Please note that the purpose of the Greedy Cow comments system is to give a balanced review of pubs and restaurants that may be useful to other readers. The general environment of the establishment does play a part in that.
However, if you wish to discuss a particular area and issues such as crime and regeneration in-depth, you should go to the BBC South Yorkshire message boardDr Mathieson
I am appalled by Toby's review and feel it is wholly irresponsible by him and the BBC to suggest bleaching ones eyes is acceptable behaviour. It is also unacceptable to attempt to suppress a persons views in a democratic country we should all be proud of. Negative reviews cannot be described as "polluted" but praised for a persons honesty, and to give an overall perspective of an establishment. As with your further irresponsible and inaccurate comments, i am familier with this area and Alans depiction is spot on. This in the heart of the red light district and surrounded by dilapidated works. Attemps are being made to revitalise the area with further high-rise development although much work is required to turn around one of Sheffields "dark" areas. My suggestion to you Toby is to think about possible catastrophic consequences, before offering your somewhat ill advised medical opinion. Eddie 'The Stoat' ' O'Sullivan
Being a green fingered cabbage fondler and real ale enthusiast myself, I've lapped up these reviews much like a crazed wildebeest might lap at a waterhole following a long drought on the African veldt. Infact, I'm somewhat surprised to find that a wildebeest hasn't been sighted alongside the otters, kingfishers and flying pigs which seem to dance and sing in the paradise that is the River Don. The 'catalogue of inaccuracies' spoken of by my old mucker Meaksy, infact turned out to be a 'pamphlet of home truths'. Well done Alan for having the gumption to make comment on an establishment which clearly needs to go the way of so many other buildings in the area, - under the evil glare of the wrecking ball. Toby
River - not polluted full of wildlife. Beer - great. Decor - traditional. Staff - friendly, passionate about conservation. I can't believe what rubbish Alan wrote. Anyone who's read it should wash their eyes out ! Alan - if you're going to write a review make sure you do your research on the area first. I live across the river and see kingfishes etc everyday. Polluted? the only pollution here is your negative review. Jennifer
Eddie the landlord is a well respected individual within sheffield environmental association dedicated to preserving the river don and Kelham island. Which brings me on the the 'polluted' river don. Numerous daily sighting of KINGFISHERS, OTTERS, SNIPE, HERON, GEESE. Paul C
I am in the Gardeners' every tuesday, we use it for our theatre group rehearsals. yes the decor is old and faded, but that is what adds to the charm.. I also work there from time to time, and find that the regulars seem to enjoy the chatty atmosphere. In fact, the pub is used by the Sheffield City Morris team, Apex Drama Group, a chess team. WHat'sa good pub? Is it somewhere to have a decent drink and a good chat, or be deafened by loud music, loutish behaviour and drink the slops from the drip trays! Roy the Boy
Thanks for your suggestion Larry. I indeed went to my local tip and found it to be cleaner and more frendly than this hovel. I regularly go up there now and share a beer or two. I also have a cracking fridge freezer - it's amazing what some people will throw away. Larry Kent Jnr
I can't agree more with Alan. No matter how you wrap it up this place is a dump. When Meaks says 'SMALL no smoking room' he isn't kidding. I'm not one for commercial pubs and like a good beer more traditional surroundings but if i had to choose between the most commercial pub in Sheffield and here, it definately wouldn't be here.
The place seemed to be unclean and had more flys as regulars than people, when i came out i felt dirty and more like going home for a wash rather than finding somewhere else for a pint.
In my opinion you should find somewhere cleaner and more friendly, like your local tip!
Dave
Overall good pub bit of a bare environment beer is of a consistent quality ,beer garden over looking the river (not too many shopping trolleys) Meaks
As a regular drinker at the Gardeners I must correct the catalogue of inaccuracies that is Alan Sanderson's review.
Firstly there is one small non-smoking room. Smoking is permitted throughout the rest of the pub, except for at the bar (which is the same in most of the nearby real ale pubs).
This is a drinkers pub for doing just that - music is replaced by conversation and fortunately the atmosphere is not ruined by people dining. That is what restaurants are for. A good range of snacks however is available, including mini salami bites, cockles and "Ploughman's Lunches".
While berating the "disappointing" decor Alan forgets to mention the monthly art exhibitions that adorn the walls - photography, paintings and other artwork and more recently a local history display in the conservatory. The Gardeners is also a true community pub - various groups meet there including runners & walkers, chess, Neepsend Community and all are welcomed and mix well with the regulars. Combine all this with the Good Beer Guide listed real ales, Belgian beer selection, the Sunday night quiz, live music and annual beer festival and you have an excellent backstreet boozer. If all you want is Fosters and piped music, I suggest you try Hillsborough corner. Chris Barber
You forgot to mention that there is a traditional Irish music session on the first Tuesday of every month. Come along and play or just listen Winston Redmile
I find the gardeners rest to be a superb pub especially as I am a keen gardener and go there for a relaxing pint after a hard day tending to my cabbages in my allotment. I am a huge fan of the hand pulled real ale it goes down a treat after a hard day out in the sun. 
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