Whether you’re staying in the University of Sheffield or Sheffield Hallam Uni student accommodation, finding the time to socialise with your favourite friends in a Sheffield gaming bar is an absolute must.
You might be surprised to learn that there are loads of modern and retro gaming bars within walking distance from your Sheffield student accommodation. These bars are great for either a Friday night tipsy competition or a regular local spot, and many places offer discounted memberships for regulars.
We have curated a list of the most buzzing established and up-and-coming gaming bars in Sheffield to maximise your Sheffield student life.
8 Best Gaming Bars in Sheffield
A night out doesn’t need to follow the status quo, so why not mix things up and try out one of these Sheffield-based gaming spots that mix drinks and games perfectly?
1. Extra Life Gaming Lounge
“Friendly service, great coffee, milkshakes and gaming”
Extra Life Gaming Lounge is a family-run business that perfectly merges milkshakes, burgers, and the odd beer with gaming. Here, you can find a range of Playstations, Xboxes, Wiis, board games, traditional consoles, and even arcade games. It really does have a form of gaming for everyone.
If you want to make Extra Life Gaming Lounge a more permanent fixture of your night-out routine, they run a members-only social evening on the last Saturday of every month. This means it’s a great place to meet like-minded gamers from around Sheffield!
If you love the atmosphere and feel like staying for more than the consoles, you can attempt (and likely fail) the £25 ‘platinum trophy challenge’, eating a massive burger, loaded fries and a milkshake in 25 minutes or less.
As an independent cafe, they can also offer tailored experiences, so if you have a degree celebration or birthday planned, why not hire out the spot with your mates for pizzas, PS5s and beer?
Rating: 4.8 stars on Google
Address: 24 Commercial Street, Sheffield S1 2AT
Opening Hours: Fri, Sat, Sun, Wed 10:00-20:00, Thurs 10:00-21:00, Mon-Tues Closed
2. Firepit Rocks
“Gaming and burgers!”
How do games, jazzy cocktails and a BBQ sound?
Firepit takes pride in delivering BBQ and cocktails to keep the good times rolling. Book one of their gaming booths to relive the golden era of gaming and play over 8,500 classic titles on their inbuilt consoles, with cocktails and chicken wings in hand. Even better, students get exclusive discounts to play their FIFA tournaments and have more Friday night fun more often.
And, if you don’t feel like retiring to a chilled booth, you can expect a legendary night out in Sheffield, as the dancefloor at Firepit welcomes all until the early hours of the morning.
This is one for gamers who want to experience a LAN party get-together, with great food and tasty cocktails!
Rating: 4.2 stars on Google
Address: 138 West Street, Sheffield S1 4ES
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 16:00-4:00, Sat 12:00-4:00, Sun 13:00-4:00
3. Gameshow Allstars
“An incredible gaming experience”
At Gameshow Allstars, you can find hi-tech mini-games inspired by classic game shows mixed with an activity bar. Battle it out with your uni friends and family with a cocktail in hand to find out who will become the ultimate game show champion!
This is less of a traditional gaming lounge and more of a game show simulator. “It’s like being on TV but with a pint”, so if you’re a budding performing arts student, you’ll love this one.
It’s just a 10-minute walk from the train station so your visiting friends can travel and meet you there, and students also enjoy discounted rates.
Rating: 4.9 stars on Google
Address: 7 Orchard Square, Leopold St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2FB
Opening Hours: Fri, Sat 10:00-23:00, Sun 10:00-22:00, Mon-Thurs 12:00-22:00
4. The Great Escape Game
“The escape room was fun. The staff were friendly. We all had a really good time! There’s free gaming, and it was the best birthday ever!”
The Great Escape Room offers the classic escape room experience with a twist; several of their rooms are horror-themed for a heart-racing thrill! Pick from a scary or scare-free room, from two to up to twelve players, or chill out in the gaming bar, which you can enjoy while eating from their artisan menu (and by artisan, we mean cheap and affordable freshly baked pizzas).
You can even combine your food and drinks with Mario Kart, which can be played against the rest of your team, or have a go on their classic arcade machines.
It’s only a short walk from the city centre, so your evening doesn’t have to end after the thrills of the rooms; head out into the rest of the city to keep the fun going and celebrate your escape!
Rating: 4.9 stars on Google
Address: St. James House, Vicar Ln, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2EX
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 9:00-23:00
5. Boom Battle Bar
“We went axe throwing. It was very entertaining and fun, added some games in too. Would definitely recommend”
At Boom Battle Bar you can battle it out against mates (or dates) all night. They have a ton of games on offer; try axe throwing, beer pong, augmented reality darts, crazy golf, pool, and shuffleboard. They even offer digital beer pong that includes a pitcher of beer or prosecco with the table.
However many people you want to bring, Boom Battle Bar can find you something to do. Each event is priced differently, but they’re all reasonable, so you can ditch the FOMO and share a night packed full of games with your mates without dropping your entire student loan.
Rating: 4.5 stars on Google
Address: Unit 4 & 5, 24 The Moor, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 4PA
Opening Hours: Sun-Thurs 12:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 12:00-00:00
6. Picture House Social
“Great vibe, friendly staff, amazing drinks selection”
Tucked away in a 1920s-built picture house’s underground ballroom, Picture House Social offers music, food, booze and entertainment in a classy and spacious atmosphere.
Their dedicated ping pong hall (which only gets more hilarious the more you drink, of course) earns PHS a place on our list of the best gaming bars in Sheffield, as you can get competitive with a cocktail in hand! Their sister company, Shuffle Stack, offers shuffleboard too, and is a great way to get to know your flatmates.
It’s considered one of Sheffield’s favourite hangouts for students and, especially those who enjoy a touch of the past.
Rating: 4.5 stars on Google
Address: 383 Abbeydale Road, S7 1FS
Opening Hours: Wed-Thurs 16:00-00:00, Fri 16:00-3:00, Sat 12:00-3:00, Sun 12:00 – 00:00
7. Golf Fang
“Fantastic Fun – never laughed so much”
Golf Fang offers is not your average golf course – it’s the ultimate mini-golf experience, with 18 holes in an environment surrounded by unique art. It’s a strictly 18+ venue, so expect something a little more adult than your standard crazy golf course. Each golf course is different in design, and it’s made better with a DJ and, of course, cocktails!
Their G.O.A.T experience is the go-to experience for a Saturday night and you can expect plenty of Instagram-worthy moments. Alternatively, take on ‘student golf’, which offers a similar experience but at a reduced price, for ‘future artists, lawyers and those who do not know if they’ll make it to second year’.
Rating: 4.7 stars on Google
Address: 100, 106 John St, Highfield, Sheffield S2 4QU
Opening Hours: Mon-Thurs 14:30-00:00, Fri 11:30-1:00, Sat 10:30-1:00, Sun 11:30–00:00
8. The National Video Game Museum Sheffield
“It’s more like an arcade, great for a gamer!”
The NVM is less of a night out spot, but more of a gaming enthusiast’s dream! You can find over 100 games and unique exhibitions from the history of gaming, and a free-to-play arcade with classics like Ms Pacman, Sonic the Hedgehog and Dance Stage Fusion.
This is definitely one for gaming purists. It’s only an 8-minute walk from the train station and has unique events each month, such as motion-controlled games. You can even play Minecraft with just your eyes!
Rating: 4.3 stars on Google
Address: Castle House, Angel St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S3 8LN
Opening Hours: Mon-Wed Closed, Thurs 13:00-16:00, Fri-Sun 10:00-13:00 then 14:00-17:00
Wrapping Up
Luckily for students, there are plenty of gaming bars in Sheffield to tempt you away from your studies. There are also a bunch of different eating options in Sheffield, with many vegan-friendly eateries too. Whether it’s cocktails and Catan or midweek Mario Kart, Sheffield has plenty of options for all kinds of game-enjoyers.
If you’re looking for student accommodation in Sheffield with close access to all these wonderful experiences, Mystudenthalls.com has options close to both the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University – check them out today!
