18 of the Best Bars in Leeds

18 of the Best Bars in Leeds

Leeds is a melting pot of indie bars, pubs and clubs that really bring the city into its own. With tons of innovative ideas from creatives and cocktail connoisseurs alike. Scattered amongst period architecture, railway bridges and speakeasy hideaways lie some of the best bars in Leeds, filled with some of the finest northern charms to welcome you in.

Below Stairs

Topping the list of our best bars in Leeds is Below Stairs. As soon as you slip into this sultry booze cavern, you’re greeted with a complimentary drink to kick off your night. Specialising in cocktails, choose from a house mixed favourite or even an off the menu classic. Below Stairs specialises in storytelling through the art of mixology, so expect a tall tale as you sip something incredible that stirs your imagination. There are also 6 draught lines of the best craft beers and a range of small vineyard produced wines for those who prefer the more simple of pleasures.

12 S Parade, Leeds LS1 5QS – 07810 177836

Friends of Ham

This award-winning bar and charcuterie in Leeds is a mecca for lovers of great food, superb drinks and a warm and friendly atmosphere. The perfect spot to nibble on their unbelievably tasty small plates and sharing boards while sinking a few glasses of wine or craft ales. Downstairs their Underbelly basement bar serves a selection of classic cocktails and Underbelly twists to start or end, the night in style.

4-8 New Station St, Leeds LS1 5DL – 0113 242 0275

Mojo

In the heart of Merrion street beats Mojo, a lively bar bursting with colour and music. Mojo’s extensive drinks menu will have you dancing on the tables to their killer playlist. They also host one of the best cocktail masterclasses in Leeds, hire events and space for dancing. Sip on something such as the Sandi Margarita, Twisted Melon, or the Honolulu Juicer, all promising to bring your Mojo back.

18 Merrion St, Leeds LS1 6PQ – 0113 360 4810

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The Lost & Found

Get lost in a cocktail wonderland, with expertly crafted drinks you could’ve sworn you were at an English garden tea party. Fancy a martini served in a mini terrarium, or a bubble-filled gin concoction? Sit amongst the collection of foliage and flora inside the Lost and Found which will make you never want to leave. Their list of ‘Lost Cocktails’ puts a twist on much-loved classics, including Picante Margarita, Pineapple & Ginger Mojito, Saronno Bramble and more.

12 Greek St, Leeds LS1 5RN – 0113 493 1061

3 Albion Place, Leeds LS1 6JL – 0113 493 1450

Flight Club

Ever wanted to drink out of a trophy? Well here’s your chance at Flight Club, Leeds’ very first social darts experience bar. Taste what glory feels like with the humongous sharing goblets filled with a choice of two delicious cocktails. If it’s not the breakfast of champions you’re after then choose between a variety of cocktails, adult slushies and beers, with characters such as Mother of all Mules, All night Negroni and toffee apple Old Fashioned to fight off the hair of the dog. It’s a no brainer that Flight Club is one of the best bars in Leeds.

Sovereign House, 1-2 S Parade, Leeds LS1 5QL – 0113 733 0770

Belgrave Music Hall

As Belgrave tends to be the epicentre of trendiness, it’s no surprise it is on the best bars in Leeds list. Three floors of industrial decor, neon lights and the most amazing roof terrace in Leeds with plenty of outdoor seating. As well as beers and ales on tap, Belgrave is home to Dough Boys, the ultimate pizza experience (Queen Brie is a personal fave) and Patty Smiths burgers where you can enjoy loaded fries and more to your table. Experience the cultural hub of live music, comedy, film and art markets.

Cross Belgrave St, Leeds LS2 8JP – 0113 242 2066

Roland’s

A relaxed vibe in the brick-hemmed courtyard underneath the railway bridge is Roland’s. At the quieter end of Call Lane, Roland’s offers a roof terrace and inside space for that Euro-cosmopolitan atmosphere. With bottled and canned beers, cocktails, gins, whiskeys, wines, G and T’s, shots and more, there’s something for everyone. You can even order one for the road. Cheers!

39 Call Ln, Leeds LS1 7BT – 0113 318 2964

Blind Tyger

This drinking den is steeped in ye olde decor, bringing you right back to the prohibition (minus the no alcohol bit). With some curious cocktail ingredients crafted by the experts, this is an experience your tastebuds won’t forget. Take ‘Tropic of Santiago’, a twisted Tiki drink, ‘Point Break’ a dry coconut martini, or even ‘Gods Own Cocktail’ in Gods own Country. A true Leeds gem and one of the best bars in Leeds.

5 Cross Belgrave St, Leeds LS2 8JP – 0113 246 0770

Distrikt

Head down the cobbles just round the corner from Briggate to find this cirque-inspired basement bar and their extensive list of some serious cocktails. Distrikt has live DJs to compliment the club setting too, so if it’s not their cocktails that get you dancing, the music and vibe most definitely will. Distrikt showcases some of the world’s best DJs and don’t even charge a penny on the door. You haven’t been to Leeds without a night at this legendary venue, known to locals as one of the best bars in Leeds.

7 Duncan St, Leeds LS1 6DQ – 0113 243 3674

Water Lane Boathouse

The ultimate hang out spot for a sunny weekender and a great place to eat in Leeds. Plentiful outdoor seating outdoors next to the River Aire Canal, watching longboats cruise by. The menu is just as good as the view, with a great selection of local beers, wines, and canal-side nibbles like pizza, burgers, salads and more. The perfect location to meet with friends in one of the best bars in Leeds and soak up some glorious northern sunshine.

Canal Wharf, Holbeck, Leeds LS11 5PS – 0113 246 0985

Headrow House

The five-story bar and bierkeller hosts live music on one floor, a cocktail lounge on the other, and at the top of five flights of stairs is the hugely popular roof terrace, adorned with massive neon sign – a favourite spot for those instagrammers. Cosy up in a heated terrace booth and watch the sunset over the Leeds skyline.

19a The Headrow, Leeds LS1 6PU – 0113 245 9370

Alchemist

With powerful potions and creative concoctions, everyone’s favourite bar Alchemist occupies a corner of Trinity shopping centre as well as a location on Greek Street. Offering smoky and bubbling chemistry experiments such as colour changing vodka, bath bomb gin and smoking stiff ones served in a lightbulb for those eureka moments, this is truly a mad scientists lab to be buzzed about.

Greek St & Level 1 Trinity Shopping Centre – 0113 246 0540

The East Village

In the heart of Hyde Park, enjoy great cocktails and a cosy space to cuddle up to some fellow dive bar natives. Occasionally known to throw on live music, The East Village is the perfect spot to while away an evening in LS6. It wouldn’t be the best bars in Leeds list if it didn’t have some local favourites, which makes East Village one not to be missed.

47-49 Brudenell Grove, Leeds LS6 1HR – 0113 226 3898

Angelica

On top of the bustling Trinity shopping centre sits Angelica. Bright and breezy seating leads onto a stunning terrace, where you can enjoy a great view of the city rooftops and live DJ events on weekends. This is a fancy spot to enjoy a cocktail or two on those sunny weekend evenings. It’s the perfect location to experience new flavours and tastes from all over the world, so why not try ‘The Great Houdini’, ‘Bronte Legacy’ or ‘Oxaca Sour’ to start the night right.

Level 6, Trinity, 70 Boar Ln, Leeds LS1 6HW – 0113 897 0099

Turk’s Head

Tucked away in the secret back alleys of the aptly named Turks Head Yard is a sleepy drinking spot. Laced with garden lights and plants, this courtyard-style hangout offers Indie beers of all kinds, spirits and a sprinkling of cocktails. A proper British spot is one of the best bars in Leeds, where the locals come to let off some steam and sip on some equally great local beers.

6-8 Turk’s Head Yard, Leeds LS1 6HB – 0113 245 3950

The Maven

Hidden away on Call Lane behind the Leeds Corn Exchange is one of the best bars in Leeds, The Maven, a must-visit speakeasy bar that’s a real hidden gem. This cool and sophisticated bar gives you an unrivalled experience, offering a twist on classic cocktails all within their 1920s charming decor. Where chic meets roaring Gatsby-style, you can sip on a selection of spirits or cocktails made by their award-winning mixologists.

1 Call Lane, Leeds LS1 7DH – 0113 242 3966

Green Room

The Green Room only a few steps away from Leeds train station is a vibrant bar, social space and roof terrace that’s perfect for days in the summer months. Gather with your friends or family and enjoy a spot of day drinking or dance the night away to a curated line-up of DJs. All set within an impressive old building, the rooftop terrace is the place to be in the summer. Dance the night away in one of the best bars in Leeds.

36 Wellington St, Leeds LS1 2DE 

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