Day 1: Pulp, Arctic Monkeys and The Human League

This central car park serves as the perfect base from which to explore the city. Park up, and let's get exploring...

Our first stop is an inconspicuous one at first glance. But delve a little deeper, and a piece of Sheffield musical history is sitting just beneath the surface.
The building that houses this laser quest was once home to The Boardwalk; a famous Sheffield venue that hosted the Arctic Monkeys' earliest and most raucous gigs. It even inspired the name of their debut collection of demos - Beneath the Boardwalk.
As you look at the entrance to laser quest, the original entrance to the Boardwalk lies just to the right. Here's a picture of the Arctic Monkeys posing outside of it, many moons ago.

Just up the road from the old site of the Boardwalk is the former site of another famous Sheffield venue: the gloriously-named Crazy Daisy.
Although the dome-shaped structure looks like the entrance, it was actually located a couple of doors down - most recently home to a Sainsbury's Local.
It was in the Crazy Daisy in 1980 that Phil Oakey, lead singer of The Human League, spotted two girls on the dancefloor together: Susan Ann Sulley and Joanne Catherall. Oakey asked them to join the band on the spot and they agreed to join - despite having no singing experience. They remain members of The Human League more than 40 years later.

After checking out Cole's Corner you should head straight up Fargate, which is one of Sheffield's main shopping streets. At the top of here you'll come to Barker's Pool, where Sheffield City Hall will appear on your right.
This famous old venue has hosted the likes of The Beatles, Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen over the course of its illustrious history, and its neo-classical architecture is well worth a look alone.

After you pass by the City Hall and down Division Street you'll arrive at another seemingly-innocuous landmark: a flower shop. So what's the significance here?
Well, if you look a little closer at the shopfront you'll notice a little blue plaque in the window. It marks the spot where Jarvis Cocker fell out of the window and broke his leg whilst trying to impress a girl. He had several gigs in the next months with this band, Pulp, whilst still on crutches.
Now that's commitment to the arts.

Time for lunch!
And what better place to have it than at the Frog & Parrott? This pub-cum-venue has hosted Sheffield's latest and greatest bands over the years, and its walls are covered head to toe in Sheffield music memorabilia.
So sit back, relax and enjoy some traditional pub grub whilst you bask in the sounds of classic Sheffield music from years gone by. Perfect!

You've just got enough time to check out one of Sheffield's many record shops - and Bear Tree Records is probably the finest of all of them.
They have an excellent mix of new and old releases with a packed events calendar all-year round. Take your time, browse the aisles, and maybe even come away with a vinyl bargain from this record-lover's paradise.
Note that the shop is closed on Sundays.

Sheffield is said to be the Real Ale Capital of the World, and Fagans is one of the epicentres of this yeast-powered revolution.
But aside from its excellent selection of ales, Fagans is also notable for being a popular hangout spot for Sheffield's most famous musical patrons. Richard Hawley has been known to sup here from time-to-time, whilst the pub's snug room even inspired a famous painting from local artist Pete McKee.

A traditional pub in the heart of Sheffield, The Grapes has also long been a breeding ground for Sheffield's latest wave of emerging artists.
It was in the pub's upstairs room, in 2002, that the Arctic Monkeys played their first ever gig.
So take a seat, have a pint, and take in the storied history of this legendary Sheffield landmark.

This intimate city centre venue is a mainstay of Sheffield's live music scene, hosting up-and-coming artists from across the musical spectrum throughout the week.

Before you grab some grub, it's worth checking out Devonshire Green, which is directly across the road from The Green Room. This green space has hosted a stage at Sheffield's Tramlines Festival every year since the festival began in 2009.

Before setting yourself up for your evening entertainment it's time to make a quick pit-stop for some snap (that's Sheffield-speak for food).
The Street Food Chef is quick, simple and absolutely bloody delicious, serving banging burritos and tasty tacos from a central location.
Be aware that Street Food Chef is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
It's the perfect prep for the main event of the evening...

The Leadmill is a Sheffield, nay, national institution. Since opening in 1980 it has hosted the UK's finest musical talent. Artists of all shapes and sizes have passed through these famous doors over the years, and The Leadmill has built up a reputation that has almost outgrown the city itself.
Check out a gig here, and if you're feeling brave, then you could even hang around for one of the many club nights that take place here afterwards.
Dance, and drink, and screw because there's nothing else to do.

The Three Cranes is a nearby hotel with everything you need for a comfortable night's sleep after the day's exertions.