Honestly the worst place ive ever eaten because its just rubbish the mash was lumpy the burger had…read morean ear in it and my sausage was made out of human fingers

Good food and lots of it. Its a family run pub and they treat you like part of the family. Pub is a…read morelittle squashed when busy and is usually busy! Kids are always welcome. Home from home. Love it

There are so many levels at which I've fallen in love with this fabulous new bar. From the…read moreprohibition-style hidden entrance, obvious only to those in the know or savvy passers-by, to the classy, simply attired interior, to the fantastic staff, who offer up cocktails of the highest order. It almost feels like the 'bar'(wo)man's bar, since every detail in the drinks are so meticulous - they take obvious pride in what they provide, and that alone is commendable. (And also worlds apart from some of the other 'cocktail' orientated places you can find.) If you've not been along yet, expect tea cups attached to glass stems, Victorian perfumery bottles enveloping absinthe, blowtorches and flammable powders, alongside a back bar of cocktail dreams, a multitude of fruit and a selection of damned good beers. I've been back several times since the opening night and have enjoyed every last drop of liquid that I've consumed within. The music was fantastic as well, with a more electronica-infused soundtrack from the DJ on the Friday, and a lively 80s mix on the Saturday. (Think Chaka Khan, "Ain't Nobody".) Of course, mention must be made of the fantastic staff that serve their libations until 4am. (Not every night, I don't think, but that's their licence.) Every one of them has been fantastic; friendly, full of banter, expert at mixing up the drinks and each and every one of them looks ruddy dapper to boot. It's a class act. Essentially, don't just take my word for it. Check 'em out for yourselves. Most of the cocktails on the list will set you back about £7, which might be steep for some, but once you get a taste you'll know why you came.

I first heard about The Maven, which opened just a month ago, through a friend of mine who works at…read moreMilo bar over the road. In fact, apart from the lucky few people who got invited to the launch party, it seemed a pretty well kept secret. You could pass the stairway on the street and not notice the sign, and with the bar being off street level, it's not somewhere that would attract random passers by 'drawn in' by the atmosphere. Therefore, it needs to be good.... Well it's in a great location for a start. Bars seemed to have opened in every crack in the pavement on Call Lane, and just when you think there's no space left, The Maven start from the next level up. I went in on a Tuesday night with a couple of friends at about 9pm and we were the only ones in the bar at this point (although not for long). We weren't even sure it was open at first as the doors upstairs were closed but as we pushed our way in, the barman was welcoming and we grabbed a seat while he got us a menu. I'm a big fan of candlelight and table service in bars, and I wasn't disappointed here. We ordered a bottle of wine and our glasses were topped up for us without this being intrusive. I hope for his sake he wasn't listening to our conversation too closely anyway... There is an extensive cocktail list and I noticed some delicious sounding sharing platters on the menu (mmmm cheese). They even run a quiz night on the first Monday of the month. As the venue is brand new, everything is looking fresh and clean. I'd be interested to see what it's like when it's busier, and if it keeps the relaxed vibe as well as great drinks and great service. All in all, an impressive addition to Call Lane. I hope it does well!

I do adore visiting the Town Hall. Whilst it's true, for most of the concerts I've attended folks…read moremy age have been diluted about 50:1 with the older generation, but this doesn't mean an excellent time can be had. In fact, I'd urge more people in my bracket getting out and seeing some of our Leeds local talent. The last visit saw me checking out Leeds Youth Orchestra, for a fantastic evening of music, which went well beyond just the classics. The drum kit, for example, even appeared to have a Grolsch bottle. Exciting times. The space, much like The Grand, is a stunner. You could sit and take in the ceiling detail alone for a good hour, with the gorgeous detail and exquisite colour. I've always been intrigued by the curious and slightly socialist style statements painted high on the walls, and loved exploring the holding cells every light night. Here's hoping there's something special on again this year. In any case, being situated around a number of excellent bars and eateries, it's the perfect spot to check out some fantastic music from the International Concert Season programme, and then nip across town for a post-event sup. If you've still not managed to check it out, go have a goosey gander. It's one of our local treasures!

Leeds Beer Festival!!! Bloody brilliant…read more I truly think that there could have been scope for a huge amount of music but there wasn't! I also think that the booklet was vastly under informative. There was a fantastic list of breweries and he beers they sold. But there was no specific and accurate detail of where hey actually were. But the company made this beer Fest for me. Roweena was funny and amazing but Tori was an absolute Angel who kept us all together. From drinking to sing songs and back to drinking. This was an amazing event made so much more better because of the friends who were there. Fist bump anyone??

Yes its a Wetherspoon pub. In any other town in England this wouldn't be at all interesting but in…read morePontefract its big news. As far as Wetherspoon pubs go its not a bad one, reasonably cozy atmosphere rather the sterile atmosphere you get at some. With regard to food, drink, and prices; they're exactly as you'd expect. Good beer, very cheap, standard chain-pub food (read "not very good"), again, very cheap. Far too busy on a Friday or Saturday night but if you fancy a cheap quiet drink on a weekday it beats the pants off everywhere else in Pontefract.

A large Wetherspoons, usual food and drink. When crowded is very noisy. Smallish beer garden at the…read morerear. Lacks atmosphere at quiet times.

When descending the pebble dashed staircase into the depths of Aire Bar, the cave-like bar is a…read morewelcoming sight. I have spent many a happy night here, whiling away the hours and the slightly musty odour is homely and endearing to me. The bar is split into different compartments, giving it the feel of a warren. There is a place to play pool, some over sized tables to sit around with a group and a seating area next to a television. It is one of the more respectable places in town to watch live football. This is something to remember if it interests you, as the alternatives in town are severely lacking. There is always a good selection of ales and lagers on draught. Regularly, Black Sheep, Staropramen and Hoegaarden make a brilliantly refreshing after work tipple. During the Summer months (and for smokers throughout the year), the balcony is a lovely place to relax. It overlooks Leeds canal and makes a pretty view. My Other Half and I spent a gorgeous day last year in blazing hot sunshine, sitting on the veranda sipping thirst quenching chilled lager, watching the canal boats and swans parade up and down the water. I can't wait to repeat it this year. Hurry up Summer!

A little bit out of town, Aire Bar's a nice little spot away from the hustle and bustle of the city…read morecentre. While it's only a stones throw away, it's a lot more chilled than the fast-paced bars you can find in the city. You can drink and eat outside, looking across the river and it's a popular spot for lunch for those working in and around the Calls. We popped in for a few beers and a bite to eat as a starting point for what eventually constituted a dale (day + all day ale = dale). The beer isn't cheap, but it's nice - with a wide range of continental beers on tap and a bar full of spirits and bottled liquids, to cater for all. It was a busy Saturday, so it took us a while to find somewhere to seat - but when we did the faux-leather seating is comfortable. And slouch friendly. It'd been a big night the night before, so this was certainly appreciated. As for the grub, you can find a full menu on their website. The credit crunch idea is a brilliant one and while you might be able to find cheaper deals elsewhere, a fiver isn't bad for the tasty dishes on offer. I definitely had a case of dinner envy, plumping for one of the sandwiches (it was pretty standard) where as my pal's chicken kebabs looked absolutely gorgeous. Sports fans, there are bigger screens and better atmospheres elsewhere. Go here for a few beers, maybe a bite to eat, then crack on into the city centre.

Being in an area that's best described as 'a bit dodgy' and looking grubby, dark and possibly…read moreclosed down from the outside, you'd understand if the Primrose quietly slipped into obscurity. The owners and regulars, however, have no intention of letting that happen and instead work and drink hard to make this place lively if not exactly friendly, and an altogether agreeable place to spend an evening. There are regular live music nights featuring both local and touring bands, the beer is cheap and the décor's not as shabby as you might imagine from the outside. It can get a little rowdy, and some of the punters have been known to be a little on the aggressive side, but as long as you take everything with a pinch of salt and don't make any rash announcements like "Harley's are rubbish" you should be fine.

A little bit derelict looking surrounded (apart from the student abodes near by) close to similar…read morelooking beyond-repair type buildings, this pub hosts an array of open-mic nights for up and coming performers from Leeds as well as bands on tour. It's intimidating, only-for-locals looking facade keeps the clientele to a nice level of people there to enjoy the music however, cheap booze will always result in a certain amount of aggression from some people. If you are searching for an unpretentious evening out this is a good place to go.

Just had lunch with a colleague from Vancouver a city that has the best eating places in the world…read moreso was interested in his views as well as my own. Service was excellant and attentive , the food was freshly made and cooked in house. The taste of my haddock was great, the batter outstanding, the hand cooked chips just as they should be fluffy on the inside, brown and not too crisp on the outside, obviously blanched, part fried andthen deep fried to order, the tartare sauce home made and excellant. My colleague` s steak and ale pie was full of trimmed pieces of meat with a lovely light pastry. What a surprise great foof service and sensible prices , I will return and so will he next time he is over from Vancouver ... and that is some accolade Try it !

Another one of those 'destination' pubs a little out of town with publicity that seems to urge you…read moreto come and spend the day, the Needless Inn is a decent family friendly pub with nice views of the countryside that's a good spot for Sunday lunch or a midweek evening meal. The menu features typical pub grub of the bangers and mash and pie and chips ilk, with few concessions to gastropub trends aside from the odd dash of goat's cheese here and there, and they run special menus for things like Valentine's Day and Burns' Night, which is a nice touch. There also seems to be a lot of stuff going on, with everything from a Halloween party to Greek and Italian themed weeks advertised on their website, although every time I've visited it's been nicely quiet; calm and relaxed without being devoid of atmosphere. It seems to liven up as it gets later, though, and I get the impression that this is a popular pub with locals of a Friday and Saturday night.

Back in the late eighties this was the pub to be in as a teenager…read more Times have changed and it is now more of a family pub. People in there were a little clickish, but the staff were very polite and helpful.