Piglove by the River, Climate Innovation District

Founded in 2019 by Venezuelan friends Marcos Ramirez and Jesus Moreno, Piglove is a brewery like no other. The company’s tagline is ‘brave brewing with eccentric taste’ and their imaginative brews are brimming with unexpected and exotic flavours. Try their Phantasticum Universe, described as an amazonic sour IPA with a fruity punch of Tamarind, a smoky hint of Chapulin Grasshopper Salts and a woody aftertaste of Chuchuhuasi. There’s also the Qaawa series, which includes the Hypermnesia White Ale with pineapple notes and flavours of citrus and achiote (annatto) – an ancient Amazonian symbol of divinity and power. You can visit Piglove’s Taproom on Call Lane or head to the Climate Innovation District to enjoy a pint outdoors in their lively riverside beer garden.

The Mustard Pot, Chapel Allerton

Situated on Stainbeck Lane in the village-like suburb of Chapel Allerton, The Mustard Pot is a beautiful Grade II listed Georgian pub that dates back to 1750. The pub used to host the Mustard Stock music festival in its grounds and you’ll find lots of outdoor space here to enjoy in summer. To the front of the pub, there’s a large lawned beer garden with picnic tables and a covered pergola to provide shade on sunnier days. The Mustard Pot serves a menu of elevated traditional pub fare, made with high quality, locally-sourced ingredients. On their drinks list, you’ll find refreshing spritzes in a variety of flavours, including passionfruit and white grape and apricot. There are also plenty of wines, bellinis and gin copas to enjoy, such as their own ‘The Mustard Pot’ – a delightful blend of Gordon’s gin and homemade raspberry lemonade. The pub’s real ale selection showcases breweries from across the country – including Jennings, Wychwood and Banks – and their cask ales are kept on rotation, allowing for some great seasonal offerings. For those who are teetotal, non-alcoholic alternatives include a range of soft drinks, chilled no-jitos or Warsteiner low alcohol beer.

Beck and Call, Chapel Allerton

Also located on Stainbeck Road, Beck and Call is a relaxed gastro pub serving a menu of reasonably-priced British classics. You can tuck into a hearty pie here, or vegetarian choices such as vegan fish and chips made with battered tofu. The building used to be the ‘True Briton’ pub prior to its renovation and now boasts a smart and colourful interior with Art Deco wallpaper. Beck and Call may reside in a popular part of Leeds but its tranquil gardens have a rural feel. There’s a large dining area and playground to the back of the pub, as well as a front terrace that’s shaded by hanging vines. The pub has its own community with a weekly quiz, bingo and art workshops to get involved in. Live sports can also be watched here. Beck and Call sells at least ten draught beers, alongside two casks ales and a varied selection of bottles and cans, with some alcohol-free beers and ciders. Other drinks sold here include cocktails and goblets of fruit flavoured gin.

The Old Kings Arms, Horsforth

Looking out over Horsforth Green, the Old Kings Arms describes itself as ‘a thoroughly modern pub’. The food here is provided by pop-ups, with the current offering being burgers and loaded fries from Slap & Pickle, made with Swaledale meat. If you’re not a carnivore, never fear. There are some enticing options for vegans and vegetarians too – like the vegan ‘duck’ fries with hoisin sauce and Moving Mountains burgers. The Old Kings Arms serves coffee from North Star and you’ll also find a good range of craft beers for sale here. The pub has a friendly, welcoming feel with regular events such as pub quizzes and live music to enjoy. You can even sip a frozen margarita while relaxing in its pretty courtyard beer garden.

Myrtle Tavern, Meanwood

Located in Meanwood, the Myrtle Tavern is a country-style pub with a recently updated interior. The tavern boasts a secluded beer garden surrounded by woodland, which appears in The Yorkshire Post’s list of the top ten beer gardens in Leeds. A trip to the Myrtle makes for a different kind of dining experience. The beer garden offers drinks only, as it is too large for food service to be practical. You are, however, welcome to bring your own picnic with you or order a takeaway to be delivered – so you can tuck into whichever cuisine you fancy while keeping your drinks topped up at the bar. The garden is green and leafy with a central shrubbery that comes to life in the spring and summer. There’s also a play area to keep younger guests entertained. If you want to sample some of the Myrtle’s own delicious food, you can order this to eat on the tavern’s front terrace. The food menu here features sharing platters and tapas, with dishes such as chorizo in a sherry glaze, or mussels in a Thai broth to follow with a choice of delightful desserts. On the drinks list, you’ll find a rotating selection of cask ales on tap, including the likes of Blue Moon, Timothy Taylor’s Boltmaker, Kirkstall Brewery’s Three Swords and Ossett Yorkshire Blonde. You can also choose from a range of gins with mixers, from Slingsby Gooseberry Gin or Alcohol-Free Tanqueray to Liverpool Gin’s Valencian Orange or Gordons Sloe Gin.

Kirkstall Bridge Inn, Kirkstall

The Kirkstall Bridge Inn sits on the edge of the River Aire, offering wonderful views of the water and surrounding fields from its terraces. The inn is almost on the Grade II listed Kirkstall Bridge and is located close to the Hollybush Conservation Centre in a scenic part of the city that’s popular with walkers. There are many comforting favourites on the menu here, including sausage and chips, pizza and homemade burgers, as well as a highly-rated Sunday lunch. The Kirkstall Bridge Inn has a traditional interior and its outside area is shaded by trees and has a real garden feel. As you would expect, you can enjoy many great local beers here, including those made by Kirkstall Brewery.

Photos: Kirkstall Bridge Inn, Piglove, The Mustard Pot