Work hard. Play hard. When the day is done, there is always time for a quick beverage on the way back to station. You don’t want to be on a crowded train after a frantic Friday at the office, so we’ve rounded up the five best places to grab a drink before the commute back home.

 

The Brew Society (2 minutes)

 

Just a two-minute walk from Leeds station, The Brew Society serves coffee and cake for your journey into work and then welcomes you back with a range of craft beers, pilsners, wines, and spirits after a long day at the office. Whether it’s the Monday blues that have you thirsty, or you’re celebrating the end of the week, The Brew Society has the perfect drink for the occasion with beers on tap from a range of suppliers including the likes of Northern Powerhouse and Huddersfield’s Magic Rock as well as Veltins Pilsner and Weissbier. Currently on tap is the Northern Powerhouse West Coast IPA whose tropical flavours will have you salivating – it’s probably for the best that it doesn’t come in pints though, as at 7.4%, it’s wise not to have too much too quickly! The bar also has its back room for hire, so if you have a business meeting that you’d like a less formal venue for, or you’re celebrating a birthday, give The Brew Society a shout. Having only opened in February this year, this new independent is going from strength to strength thanks to its knowledgeable staff headed up by Andy, the friendliest bar manager in town.

 

Friends of Ham (2 minutes)

 

Two minutes in the opposite direction from The Brew Society lies Friends of Ham. Opening in 2012, Friends of Ham has become a staple in the craft beer scene in Leeds. The long banqueting tables make it the perfect space to meet new friends over a pint before your commute home from the city and you can grab a bite to eat from their charcuterie range and cheese selection. If you’re unsure of which drink tickles your fancy, you can always grab a flight to sample what they have on offer – six half pints to share with friends and get the conversation going, or to keep to yourself if you’re feeling brave.

Bundobust (2 minutes)

 

If you’re on a day trip to the city and  cheese and charcuterie aren’t your thing, move to the next street over and find Bundobust on Mill Hill for a spot of lunch where they serve nothing but vegetarian and vegan deliciousness. Bundobust is a sensational fusion between Prashad (based in Drighlington), and The Sparrow, a craft beer bar in Bradford. The restaurant cemented its position in the heart of Leeds in 2014 and has received rave reviews from a plethora of newspapers, including being in The Sunday Times Top 25 Vegetarian Restaurants in the country, and being included in the Michelin Guide. Serving Indian street food with craft beers and local ales, it is a simple, straight forward concept that cannot go wrong. Bench seating in the yard makes Bundobust one of the most relaxed places to eat and drink in the city centre where pretence if left at the door. Each of the beers on tap complement the food and if you can’t decide on what to have, ask a member of staff who have a great depth of knowledge about everything they serve. I went for the Bombay Dazzler which went down all too easily with the Vegan Combo for two which when supplemented with two portions of rice was more than enough for three of us.

 

The Head of Steam (2 minutes)

 

Just over the road from Bundobust stands The Head of Steam. A more typical pub than other bars in this list, The Head of Steam has comfy seating to relax in as you enjoy one of the many craft beers, lagers, or spirits on offer. Being like any other pub, The Head of Steam has a familiarity to it, it feels like home, and the familiarity doesn’t just end with the surroundings. More so than any other bar on this list, The Head of Steam offers a range of lagers you’ll be accustomed to, from San Miguel and Amstel, to Brooklyn and Veltins Pilsner. I suggest trying the Blonde Star from Anarchy Brew Co in Newcastle which went down all too quickly; a nice, light blonde with citrus flavours which are perfect for the summer weather.

North Brewing Co. (4 minutes)

 

A little further out than the others, North Brewing Co. opened its city centre tap room following the success of its brewery tap in the north of the city, and its flagship bar North Bar which launched in 1997. The city centre tap room is located in Sovereign Square near Chaophraya and Bibi’s so is the perfect pace to hit if you’re on your way home from south of the station. North Brewing Co. serves a full range of twenty-four different craft beers that are either self-brewed or supplied by other local independent breweries, and with such an extensive range, it’s near impossible to choose what to order. Sputnik is great choice if you’re unsure where to begin – a smooth pale ale that sits nicely and whose taste isn’t overwhelmingly hoppy.

With all that being said, there seems no other suitable option than to grab a nice cold one. Oh, and you’re welcome!