Part of the popular Ember Inns chain of gastro pubs, the Hammer and Pincers is a reasonably priced local pub which has a good selection of beers and serves food all day.

The Venue
On the outskirts of Ecclesall, The Hammer (as it is known to the locals), is situated on Ringinglow Road, on the main route heading out towards the Peak District. On first appearances, it has a familiar, homely appeal; sitting in a leafy suburb, this traditional old stone building looks cosy and inviting from the outside. If you head from the car park to the back entrance, a short path meanders through a lovely outdoor area, with well kept grass, pretty flowers and shaded seating at big wooden tables. Once inside however, you will find the decor rather bland and somewhat lacking in personality. It is pleasant enough though, with neutral tones and a polished-looking bar.

The People
Conveniently located with few other alternatives nearby, you will notice the Hammer attracts a predominantly local crowd, with some occasional passers by dropping in on their way back from the countryside. Ember Inns market themselves as pubs for grown-ups, meaning children are only permitted if they are over 14 and dining with an adult. So if you are seeking a relaxed pint, this is definitely a welcome benefit. However, when you consider that the pub is surrounded by schools and families, who moved to this catchment area, you may find yourself sitting in the beer garden with the eerie sense that the Pied Piper has been to town.

On the whole though, the Hammer benefits from a laid-back and comfortable vibe, although sadly you do get the feeling that the individual character of this typical British pub was dampened when the brewery took over.

Providing mid-week entertainment, with drink offers and discount meal deals, it’s worth trying the Hammer’s popular themed evenings which create a much livelier atmosphere than usual and include a curry night, a grill night and even a poker night. Most of the clientele are middle-aged suburbanites seeking a music and child-free zone, although the promotional nights and generally cheap prices also draw in younger customers.

In terms of service, you will notice the staff tend to be a bit slow at times, especially on quieter days when one person seems to be covering all three positions of chef, waiter and bartender. This perhaps also accounts for the inconsistency in food quality. You probably won’t mind too much though as the manager is welcoming and cheerful, and all the team are generally polite, pleasant and happy to help you.

The Food
Food at the Hammer and Pincers ranges from traditional pub grub to the usual contemporary menu staples, such as gourmet burgers and ciabatta sandwiches. However, as with many gastro pubs the vegetarian choice is limited, with only macaroni cheese and Thai curry flying the flag.

Starters and sides are available as individual portions, or in a larger size as a tapas-style sharing platter. The menu is available all day and the prices are very reasonable; a main course is under £5 and on Sundays the roast is available for around £7.75, with a pudding.

In addition the Hammer has some great deals in the week, such as the popular 2 meals for £7 before 5pm offer. The food however, can be a bit and miss and you may find that the quality varies depending on which day you go, or what you pick off the menu. The sandwiches are generally a safe bet; simple and delicious, they are made to order with fresh ingredients. Highly recommended is the BBQ chicken ciabatta, which combines succulent chicken breast with a robust barbeque sauce, in soft Italian-style bread, topped off with bacon and cheddar cheese. Considering it also comes with a mixed leaf salad and a decent portion of chips, it works out very good value for money. In complete contrast, avoid the Mexican style nachos which will leave you disappointed. The overly-salty nachos come with miserly portions of cheese and sour cream, vinegary jalapeños straight from the jar, and a sickly sweet tomato salsa, which tastes very artificial.

If you are a dessert lover you will be pleased to see there are a few good options to try. For instance, you could try the indulgent apple crumble tart, served with hot custard and completed with a helping of gooey caramel. You may find it a bit of a sugar-hit compared with regular crumble, but it will definitely appeal if you have a sweet-tooth.

The Drink
In the drinks department the Hammer and Pincers meets all the requirements of a basic good pub. It has a very reasonably priced range of beers on tap, including cask ales and favourite brands such as Adnams and Guinness. If you like your bitter, opt for a pint of Stones. Native to Sheffield, you should find it is generally a good smooth pint at the Hammer, although occasionally a little fizzy.

You will also find a good selection of both bottled beers (Becks, Budweiser etc) and popular draught lagers including Stella (£2.70) and Carling (£2.35). Alternatively you may want to sample one of the many guest beers. The staff will be happy to advise you on the current cask ales available. There is a particularly good range of soft drinks at the Hammer, including various flavours of J2O, fruit juices and cordials.

There’s also a decent selection of affordable wines on the menu, including popular brands Jacob’s Creek and Blossom Hill. In addition, you will see there is a cocktail menu (offering both alcoholic and non-alcoholic mixes), the usual collection of spirits, and a couple of ciders to pick from too - leaving all bases covered.

The Last Word
The Hammer and Pincers stands out as a purveyor of real ales, with plenty of choice, some great special offers and knowledgeable staff. The food is half-decent and fairly priced which makes up somewhat for the slow service and mediocre surroundings. For atmosphere though, you should head down on one of the theme nights.

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