Leeds is a city in West Yorkshire that is the central hub for connecting all of the major cities by train, including the capital, London. As a part of this, they have a massive history of trading with other cities and are quite well-known for their drinking culture, such as Otley Run. Now, a lot has changed with Leeds and its traditional pubs. Modern Leeds consists of a great mixture of classic-style pubs and modern bars. Let’s take you through the decades of Leeds and its fantastic pub scene that has had generations of people visiting.
The Early Taverns of Leeds
There is nothing that beats a traditional pub in the heart of a city centre, as it helps you escape the hustle and bustle of the high rises. One of the best things about these pubs is the longevity that they have been around for. Some of these include the Bingley Arms, The Palace, Whitelock’s, Templar Hotel and more. Yes, many of these have been renovated several times; however, they still have that very old tavern style that shows the history of the pub and how fantastic they are.
The Victorian Pub Boom
The Victorian era is when pubs officially became their best, and we saw some real classical pubs, some of which have already been mentioned. The Wrens, being one of those iconic pubs which opened in the Victorian era and the current design of the Grove Inn, which was from the late 1920s. These iconic pubs are still standing strong despite the difficult times for hospitality. Not to mention the railways helping these pubs through the darkest of times.
Post-War Pubs & the Working-Class Local
After the war, the country was recovering from financial ruin. Not to mention picking up the rubble from the damage that was caused. However, despite all of this, the 1950s to the 1970s brought pub culture back, especially in Leeds. Darts and dominoes become more common at the traditional pub, along with brewery-owned pubs and a much better selection of beers. Plus, due to lifestyle changes, the traditional pub changed.
Craft Beer Revolution
Craft beer has also risen in popularity, especially in Leeds. From the early 2000s, we have seen a significant rise in craft beers, especially in the North. These craft beers come in a variety of different flavours and tastes, and they suit the younger generation. Not to mention more and more non-alcoholic beers being released. On top of that, there are a number of craft breweries in Leeds, such as the Northern Monk, Kirkstall Brewery, North Brewing Co, Wilde Child Brewing Co and more. Some of these have even opened their taprooms and bars in the centre of Leeds.
The Rise of Modern Bars
We are now 25 years into the 21st century, and pubs/bars have changed quite a lot since the early 2000s. They are nothing like they used to be, although there are still many of the classics in central Leeds with most of them being pet-friendly.
Bars are certainly the go-to over pubs in Leeds, as they have fancy cocktail menus, industrial chic interiors, and their main design focuses solely on looking good for Instagram. That is because that is now their audience, the younger generation that spends more time on social media channels.
One of the bars that has combined the old with the new look is Headrow House. This has fantastic rooftop terraces, local craft beers, a fantastic cocktail menu and neon signs. That’s a lot of ticked boxes for the younger generation.
You also have other bars such as Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen, which offers pizza, street food and craft beers. Not to mention the speakeasy bar, The Domino Club, that offers live music under a barbershop, you can see how the modern bar has changed so much compared to those late 80s/90s bars that based their whole pub around darts, dominoes and pool.
A Fantastic Mixture of Old and New
In Leeds, it’s good to see that we haven’t lost that old-school type of bar, even if the younger generation is looking for something very different. Brunswick has a modern gastro look but keeps that community warmth. Then you have the Lamb & Flag, which is relatively new as it was built in 2015, it went for that historical look in a modern pub, selling local Leeds Brewery beers.
Another gastro pub that is worth mentioning is the Cut & Craft, and although this is a chain, it is a great example of mixing an old-looking style pub with modern design and gastropub. This one is located in Victoria Leeds and is the perfect place to break up your day.
Finally, you have the Whitelocks Ale House, which is a very classical house next door to its sister pub, The Turk’s House, which is the perfect spot for modern craft beers with an atmosphere that even introverts will enjoy.
Is Leeds Worth Visiting For Its Pubs?
If you’re a social butterfly who loves a good drink, you’re in luck! Leeds is filled with pubs and bars to suit every taste. Whether you’re looking for an old-school, Victorian-style pub with a pool table or a hidden speakeasy with a unique cocktail menu, you’re sure to find the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy a drink with friends.
For those who live outside of Leeds then this city is certainly worth a visit. Stay at one of the hotels and leave your car overnight in a car park in Leeds and enjoy this city’s fantastic pub scene.
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