The 18 best bars in Leeds

From the secret garden vibe of the courtyard to summer BBQs on the roof, the setting alone would make Roland’s a memorable drinking experience. But it just so happens that they also serve up some of the best cocktails in the whole country. You’ll find a range of drinks here that vary from classic cocktails to wildly experimental mixology – and there are non-alcoholic cocktails, too, for those who prefer the experience without the buzz.

Belgrave is a bit of a one-stop shop. It’s a place where you can grab a tasty slice of pizza courtesy of DoughBoys, chow down on a burger from Patty Smith’s, catch any number of bands, artists and DJs that come through the building or simply chill and drink in a lively, student-friendly atmosphere. And, when summer comes around, Belgrave boasts one of Leeds’s finest roof terraces, making it a covetable central drinking spot.  

Handily located next to Belgrave Music Hall (and an ever-growing range of upmarket student accommodation), Blind Tyger offers a low-lit-drinking-den vibe with a borderline-speakeasy feel, the kind of venue where it’s easy to lose track of the hour. The cocktails may well be a big part of that; the ‘Wake ‘N Bake’, an Espresso Martini with sherry, bananas and chocolate, is sweet indulgence with a grown-up edge, the kind of drink you want to savour lest it knock you out too fast. 

With its wide rooftop patio and Kardashians-style fire pit, Green Room is a buzzy new addition to Leeds city centre – the kind of after-work drinks venue that seems tailor-made to entertain corporate high-flyers. Though its roof terrace and nighttime DJ roster may feel city-slick, its burgeoning status as a laidback daytime brunch spot also makes it popular with students, lending it a welcoming versatility. The drinks menu changes with the seasons, but the watermelon martini is one worth bookmarking.

The oldest pub in Leeds, this spectacular place has history going all the way back to 1715. The former marketman’s pub has a beautiful old wooden bar, and the stained glass windows really take you back in time. There are not many of these kinds of pubs around any more, so if you want to get a feel for the rich history of Leeds while drinking a delicious local ale – Whitelock’s has been included in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide for 41 out of the 47 years – then this is the place for you.

You can’t get much more quintessentially Yorkshire than Wapentake. Locality is the key focus of everything here; they are heavily stocked with northern craft and cask beers and the food produce is all sourced from their neighbours in Kirkgate Market. The tea and coffee is from Yorkshire, as are the spirits they serve, work by local artists is displayed and they even have a Yorkshire-themed playlist pumping through the speakers. The Sunday roast is also the stuff of Leeds legend. You simply can’t beat a good dose of regional pride.

This place was voted one of the top 50 cocktail bars in the entire country, so you’re quite literally drinking some of the finest cocktails it’s possible to taste. That said, Below Stairs is in no way stuffy or pretentious; you can still grab a beer or a wine, and the friendly staff will just as happily whip you up a mojito as they will one of their more seasonal, experimental cocktails. No matter what time of year you go, you’re always going to get something different and unique.

North Bar in Upper Briggate describes itself as ‘one of the original pioneers of the Leeds bar boom’. It serves an upmarket range of imported craft beers and is a good place to escape the monotony of the same-old industrial brews. It’s a winning formula; their range is something to behold, with a constantly changing selection of nearly 130 bottles, keeping it ahead of the curve in an increasingly crowded marketplace.

In the heart of the Leeds cultural district, Kino is one for the theatre crowd: the perfect venue to debrief from a show or enjoy a light bite before doors open. Showcasing independent beers, wines and cocktails, the bar’s atmosphere is refined and stylish, with a rotating kitchen of innovative pop-up cuisines that tie in with the city’s bustling independent scene. Even if you only grab an aperol spritz and some olives, it’s easy to feel like the star of the show. 

If you want to enjoy Leeds’s beautiful canal while taking in a sunshine beer, this is the place for you. This waterfront-bar-meets-garden is run by the same team behind Headrow House and Belgrave Music Hall, promising similar stylish decor and good bar food. If you’re a dog owner, this place is especially pooch-friendly – every year they host an annual Scruffs event to showcase their four-legged clientele.

Tucked away underneath the railway arches, The Shed is lovingly rough and ready. The soundtrack here is mainly rock and indie, a fact made very clear from the moment you step inside. The walls are adorned with posters and records from the likes of Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix, giving it an almost record-store feel. Like the bar’s musical influences, it certainly knows how to play the hits: a pleasingly variety of nostalgic, feel-good music and drink.

Everything about the Sky Lounge is informal and relaxed, yet it retains an unmistakably upmarket feel. While The Botanist and Angelica at the Trinity shopping precinct may be thought of as the go-to rooftop bars, Sky Lounge, sitting atop the Doubletree by Hilton near the canal, still offers unrivalled views of Leeds. The decor is bright, minimalist and breezy, and if you venture on to the spacious balcony, you can peer down at Bridgewater Place and the canals below.