We all love a good beer garden, but never has that love been so profound as now. After months of another lockdown, the reopening of the beer garden in 2021 represented an escape much needed. It is no surprise that millions of people flocked to their favourite pubs for that taste of freedom in an ice cold beer.
For the thousands of those people who were in Leeds, the search for the city’s best outdoor drinking spots came a little sooner and a lot keener than in a normal year. Chillier perhaps, and with more chance of spring showers, but that was never going to dampen our spirits.
Undoubtedly, the cities’ venues are providing handsomely. From famous rooftop terraces, through collective street seating, to inventive new spaces, the bars and pubs of Leeds are rising to the occasion with an eclectic array of outdoor areas to sit down in and sup up at. Here are a few of the many great options…
The rooftop terrace…
For the past decade there has been a rising influx of rooftop bars looking out over the skyline of Leeds. Joining long-time rooftop sites at The Dry Dock and Parkside Tavern are swanky showstoppers such as Angelica, Sky Lounge and Issho, and hip hangouts at East Parade Social and Headrow House. And the latter’s older sibling Belgrave Music Hall continues to attract the crowds to its stylish terrace for chilled sunny days and vibrant soundtracked nights.
Down by the riverside…
Leeds may not be blessed with oceans of water, but there is still a choice of beer gardens idyllically positioned next to the cities’ canal. In the centre at neighbours Aire Bar and Calls Landing, or out of town to Kirkstall Bridge and The Fleece in Otley. Perhaps the most aptly named is Water Lane Boathouse, a fine spot to sit out and lay back at beside the scenic Canal Wharf.
Seat on the street…
The streets of Leeds city centre are being transformed in parts by pedestrianisation. Starting on Merrion Street in 2014, this row of bars and restaurants, including Mojo, Roxy, Verve and Manahatta, now form a collective outdoor seating area providing an appealing social vibe. Greek Street followed last year and Call Lane is now doing the same, at least temporarily, so the likes of Roland’s, Oporto, Neon Cactus and Northern Guitars can safely seat out front.
The traditional beer garden…
There remain a good choice of traditional pubs in Leeds city centre, and a few with space for a relaxing beer garden. The Duck and Drake typifies this as a proper boozer with ample benches in its back courtyard, and The Palace offers similarly. Veering off Briggate, old-timers Whitelocks, The Angel, The Ship and The Pack Horse fit plenty of seating into their narrow alleyways. And more modern alehouses and ale makers, such as The Midnight Bell, The Cross Keys, North Brewing Co. and Northern Monk serve up quality beers in comfortable spacious outdoor areas.
Out of town…
In suburbs all over Leeds are a host of local pubs serving their communities in splendid beer gardens. In Headingley, famous student hotspot The Original Oak fills a vast and lively grassed garden. Even more expanse is found at family-friendly The Mustard Pot in Chapel Allerton. Further out, it’s hard to find a better spot than outside The Chevin Inn and The Cow and Calf, overlooking Otley Chevin and Ilkley Moor respectively. Country pubs across the outskirts of Leeds have some stunning outlooks too, from The Bingley Arms to The Calverley Arms, plus dozens more.
Seek them out, from centre to suburb to countryside. Because what better way to explore all of Leeds than from its beer gardens?
Images: Headrow House, The Cow And Calf, East Parade Social
