Scores of the city’s hottest ice hockey stars were out in force to celebrate the official arrival of Sheffield’s first bar devoted to the sport earlier this week.

Members of the Sheffield Steelers, Sutton Sting and the Sheffield Bears packed into FirePit Rocks on West Street to mark the occasion.

The bar – which first opened in July – has spent the past few weeks amassing an enviable amount of ice hockey-related memorabilia with large amounts of wall space devoted to the region’s long-standing association with the sport.

FirePit Rocks have also signed sponsorship arrangements with all three teams and are looking to screen regular ice-hockey matches in the future.

FirePit Rocks owner Rick Bailey said: “Ice hockey is a massive spectator sport in Sheffield and provides great family entertainment. We wanted to show our commitment to it and provide fans and players with their very own home from home.

“We’ve worked with teams to amass interesting and iconic memorabilia. The reaction has been fantastic so far.”

FirePit Rocks are now the official sponsor of Evan McGrath – the Canadian star player that recently joined the Sheffield Steelers team from German side EC Kassel Huskies.

James Holmes of the Sheffield Bears (left), Evan McGrath of the Sheffield Steelers (middle) and Bailey Templar of Sutton Sting (right). Photo by Glenn Ashley.

They have also sponsored rising star Bailey Templar of Sutton Sting – the Sutton-in-Ashfield based team that plays its matches at Ice Sheffield – and they are official sponsor of the Sheffield Bears. the university team that also play their matches at the same venue.

FirePit Rocks is thought to be the country’s first ‘dive bar’ outside of London.

The classic American concept is long-established in the States.

FirePit Rocks offers the welcoming feel of a local whilst entertaining its regulars with sports and an eclectic blend of indie, classic and college rock sounds.

It serves quality drinks and casual dining via the venue’s in-house smokers and passion for BBQ food.

FirePit Rocks is situated at 138 West Street, Sheffield S1 4ES. It is open midday until 2am Tuesday to Thursday and open from midday until 3am at the weekend. It is closed Sunday and Monday.

More information: www.firepit.rocks