A First Date in Sheffield

Sheffield’s demographic is heavilyStreet for a wide variety of choices for eating
weighted towards the 18-24 year old age group.and drinking. The Golden Mile on Ecclesall Road is
The large population of young people in Sheffieldalso has great eating and drinking spots. If you
are fortunate to have a city and businesses morewant to get away from the city, little spots in the
than willing to provide venues for activities theycountryside can be found for dining and drinking.
are interested in. In fact, the options forChequers at Froggat Edge, Fox House, The
entertainment for all ages are wide open.Moorlands at Owler Bar, and several others fit the
Let’s look at some possible first datebill nicely.
scenarios within the city of Sheffield.If you want to impress your date with how
First of all, the young people of Sheffield are acultured you are, the well known Tudor Square
little different than young people in many othertheatre complex is the largest in the country
places of the world. They may be slightly betteroutside of London. The Crucible Theatre may do
educated because of the outstanding universitiesit for you with a production from the Sheffield
in the city, and they may be just a bit moreTheatre Group. If you go on a good night
liberal because of Sheffield’s standinghowever, they also host sporting events, the
as a training ground for the popular musicWorld Snooker Championships is a must see. The
business. Other than that, they are going to beLyceum Theatre is in a great old building. It is the
normal 18-24 year olds, and we all know what islast of the Edwardian auditoriums in Sheffield, and
on their minds.the only theatre outside London designed by the
A first date so breathtaking it makes both youfamous architect W.G.R. Sprague.
forget about everything else in the world for anYou can also show how refined you are by
evening is just what they’ll be lookingproposing a stroll through Sheffield’s
for. Of course in Sheffield, the first choice may beWinter Gardens, and the Peace Gardens. Once
live music at one of many great venues aroundrestoration is complete on the Botanical Gardens,
the city.it too will also make for a romantic walk. The
For Sheffield youngsters, the most impressivemany museums and listed buildings make a great
offer for a first date may be a ticket to an upplace to walk, talk, and look at things your date
and coming band, or an already popular band.may find interesting.
They come along quite often here, so there areMaybe your date would like a sporting event.
some very good opportunities. Prices seem to beFootball, Rugby, Basketball, Ice Hockey, can all be
quite reasonable for tickets to these events. Theseen at one of the wonderful stadiums built to
Leadmill is probably the best chance to catch ahost the World Student Games in the early
hot up and coming band, but there are other1990’s. Don Valley Stadium and
opportunities around the city. Corporation is aSheffield Arena are just two places where many
non-mainstream club that has more alternativetypes of sporting events can be viewed. Sheffield
bands. You can go to the Boardwalk for Blues, orhosts about thirty five championship events for
Folk Music. The Green Room also has Folk Music,many different sports during a year, so planning a
along with some jazz. More Jazz and Folk Musiccouple of weeks could have you seeing the best
can be found at Trippets, a smoky wine bar.athletes ply their trade. Sheffield’s
Other choices include The Grapes, a great placeparks and countryside host four hundred events
to catch up and coming local talent, and theannually, which means there is something to do
Casbah for rock and roll with local bands andalmost every day.
DJ’s.If you would prefer to be involved in a sport, the
Music and drinks not what you’recity is near many places for rock climbing and
looking for? O.K., the music is optional, but try andhiking. Peak District National Park is about five
keep the drinks in if you can. For students,miles out of town, and there are two indoor
Sheffield University actually has clubs in theclimbing spots in the city. Sheffield Ski Village has
Student Union. You may not have to go anymany activities besides skiing and snow boarding.
further than Bar One, or The Raynor Lounge. TheIf you want to be involved but are not in great
Fox & Duck is also operated by the Studentphysical shape, go to the dog track. You can still
Union and is located in Broomhill. If you take abe involved by betting on races, without the
date there between 11:00 am and 7:00 pm, youexertion of competing in one. The Owlerton
can bring your own food, and not have to buyExperience can be very classy with a dinner in
dinner. They even provide the condiments andThe Panorama Restaurant at the racetrack.
cutlery, but you must buy a drink. You wereI’m not one to give dating advice, but
going to anyway, so this is a perfect spot for ahere’s a trick that few men know.
date.Show your date just how brave you are, and bet
Another way to go, and probably a better one,all of your money for the evening on the first
would find you on Division Street and Westrace.