Shakespeares re-opened on the 20th July 2011, just in time for the Tramlines Music Festival, after an 18 month period of closure after the well known live music venue was closed by Punch Taverns in early 2010. The pub was rescued by Real Ale & Music fan William Wagstaff, of The New Beehive Inn in Bradford and extensively refurbished and restored to its former glory as a Georgian Coaching Inn. In the first six months after reopening the doors the pub had served over 300 different real ales from near and far, always featuring LocAle on the bar from Sheffield's excellent breweries as well as new and rare beers from across the UK. The Pub Managers are passionate about providing the highest quality no matter what your choice of tipple and the staff are happy to offer advice and recommendations. Shakespeares other major string in its bow is Live Music. The Bards Bar upstairs frequently hosts up and coming live acts from Sheffield and beyond and there is regular folk music downstairs in the pub, including Reg & Friends open folk session every Wednesday and Crazy Crow Traditional Gaelic Folk every other Tuesday. See the Live Music Section of the website for full listings. The Bard's Bar is also available to hire for private parties. Shakespeares always provides a friendly welcome, whether you're here for the beer, the music, weekly events such as the Thursday Night Quiz, featuring the infamous Shakespeare Round, a social gathering or a quiet drink.