I came here for drinks with my boyfriend because it was suggested by his friends (and we love…read morecocktails cos who doesn't!) and we wanted to try something new. Took us a while to find it actually! But when we got there it was worth it!! They have so many drinks on offer and they make them sooo well. The staff are friendly and it has a great atmosphere (tip: they have board games in the corner, such a great idea! Drunk connect 4 went down a treat!) My favourite cocktail was something to do with strawberries (it was the last one I had... Can you tell?!) the lychee mojito was insane as well! It's a kitschy, edgy and cosy place all at the same time and we had an amazing evening. Plus the cocktails are relatively inexpensive! Winners all round :)

From the owner: The East Village specialises in high end drinks in a relaxed atmosphere. Transporting you straight…read moreacross the pond to the Lower East Side of Manhattan.

I'm visiting from America and my friends brought me here for some drinks and we had the BEST time!…read moreThe atmosphere was exciting and fun, the drinks were delicious and everyone was up dancing and singing to the music! I wish we had places like this at home, it would be my go to place anytime I want to party! Thank you for a memorable experience!!

Viva Cuba is a brilliant Tapas bar, far and away the best in Leeds in my book…read more It's easily missed really, inside an ordinary looking building that looks more like it should house a bank than a funky restaurant. Because of this, I had gone past it on Kirkstall Road for years, without really ever noticing it, but a group of my friends have been eating there every week for the last few months, and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about, so I joined them a few weeks back. It's the sort of place with that has an effortlessly cool decor and atmosphere - the dark wooden interior and loud (but not too loud) music are the main reason that the place has such an informal, relaxed atmosphere. Onto the food - I've eaten tapas in Spain a fair few times, and I have to say, this place recreates the real thing better than anywhere else I've eaten at, including a few places IN Spain. The usual dishes are present, but they all seem elevated to a higher level than other tapas bars - particularly the chorizo and the olive bread. Oh my. In short, it's authentic, it's cheap, it has an amazing atmosphere and attracts amazing people, and it should be tried by anyone remotely interested in tapas.

Been here a few times now and the food is always well cooked and service is spot on…read more The only small negative is, that despite asking our waitress if it would be possible to bring our 13 separate dishes to our table not all at the same time, as has happened before, she totally ignored our request. As I said earlier the food is delicious but with 4 people on a table with 13 dishes, you feel really cramped and a lot of food is cold when you finally get round to eating it. Surely it would make more sense to bring out 3 or 4 dishes at a time.

My favourite music venue in Leeds. Need I say more? As a hopefully esteemed Yelp scout, I guess I…read moreshould. The Brudenell is a small, intimate venue that has played host to some of the city, county and country's greatest bands. It was where Leeds favourites The Cribs chose to host Cribsmas, a special three-gig event where they played each of their albums in full with b-sides forming the encore. The support acts - Kaiser Chiefs, Franz Ferdinand and Kate Nash - sum up the attraction and character that the Headingley venue boasts. A number of bands - including the Kaisers - have lent their support to the Brudenell, which very nearly closed a few years ago. Thankfully it didn't and it remains one of the most charismatic concert halls that Leeds has to offer, hosting breaking acts including the likes of Girls (go listen) and Johnny Flynn (same again) in the next couple of months. For full listings, go to brudenellsocialclub.co.uk. In the meantime, just pop in for a pint. They always taste nice at the Brudenell.

The best sound system in Leeds. I love live music and constantly get frustrated by the poor sound…read morein almost every venue I go to. I saw Wooden Shjips here in April 2010 and it was fantastic. What's more, despite being sold out, it wasn't over-crowded, the bar staff were efficient and prices were reasonable. Plus there is another bar so you can get away from the loud music if you want to. There's also a cab firm close by so it's not too hard to get home. Highly recommended! Updated Just to add a few further words of praise. This venue consistently stands out as the best I know of in the UK. As other reviewers have said all the people who work here are really friendly and are a lot of fun. I've never seen any trouble inside and it made me realise that I've never seen a bouncer in there either although I'm sure they know how to cope if things do get heated. At the end of the headline band's set there is no hassle to leave like so many paces (O2 Academy, Cockpit). If you fancy another drink they are relaxed and that's cool. What a refreshing attitude. I've seen so many bands here and it's easily my favourite venue anywhere - so many great memories! The thing that says it all is that if I am hesitant about seeing a band but then discover they are playing at the Brudenell my mind is immediately made up and I go. Wish it was within walking distance of my house!

I personally think that The Royal Park gets a bit of a bum rap. It's not bad for a local pub, it's…read morefairly cheap and the entertainments pretty good - although unfortunately that seems to peter out when the students go home for the summer. Personally, I love a pub quiz, and the pub quiz at The Royal Park is good. It has changed recently and I was devastated to find out that there is no prize for best team name (after a particular good effort on my part), but it's still run by Will who is one of my favourite quiz masters, and is a bona fide Egg Head winner. The pubs boasts the smallest music venue in Leeds - The Royal Park Cellars, which receives some good lesser known alternative bands in, reminiscent of the smaller, darker venues you went to as a teenager which let you let loose to loud music, it is a particularly good space for catching a punk or metal band. As for the bad smell and the bad pints - I've not really noticed this myself, but then I'm not much of a connoisseur. It's not a beauty, it's just an honest, low market Mitchells and Butler pub. It's a great place for groups, especially in the summer as there's a large enclosed beer garden. Recently it's started to feel a bit like a sinking ship, and I think that's because of the ever increasing popularity of the Brudenell Social Club next door. But if you're looking for something a bit less densely populated than the Brude and you're in the area then it's worth a shot.

Ok, I'm a little torn on this one because on the one hand I would say that the royal park is one of…read moremy least favourite pubs in the area, on the other it apparently hosts high quality music events in the cellar (which I have never been to) and that must elevate it over the other crappy pubs in some way. Here's the thing, the beer is bad, the atmosphere is bad and the place smells pretty bad. It is quite crowded with students, which isn't always a bad thing but in this case I am referring to "that kind of student" you know, the over enthusiastic about the ideas of alcohol and being allowed to go out kind. The kind that make you wonder if those freedoms have been so wisely given. So all in all, even entering this pub involves picking your way past vomiting teenagers and people stapling each others scrotums to various items of lawn furniture. Alright, I admit it. I'm exaggerating a little but to be honest I don't see why anyone would drink here when the brudnell social is next door. As I said at the beginning I feel I should give some credit to them for offering music events but having never been I won't be that generous. Again the brudnell does music and events VERY well so I can't imagine this hateful place winning me over. I don't think that I have ever sounded old and grumpy before. Oh well I'm off to a 'proper pub' to drink mild and talk about the war and how young folks don't know they're born. grumblegrumblegrumble

As Cardigan Fields' resident public house, the pun-heavy Aire of the Dog does a solid job of…read moreproviding a place to booze within what is basically a family entertainment park. My only experience here was when me and a gang on friends went here because the film we were going to see at the neighbouring cinema was sold out and we had to wait an hour for the next showing. So we ventured in here, not expecting to come, and not expecting such a well rounded pub experience in such a family orientated place. We were served quickly despite it being quite busy inside, and two of my mates decided to fill the hour's wait by ordering pub grub from the two for £10 offer. I expected their food to be of the poor quality that you often get in these pub meal deals, but when their plates came, the portions were huge, and while the food looked basic, it was gorgeous (I finished my mate's burger off, wimp). The atmosphere was friendly inside, and we all left feeling rather glad that our film-viewing had been delayed an hour.

There is something about cinema complexes that brings out the worst in food. I'm not sure why, it…read morejust does. You've probably guessed then that I'm not really a fan of chain tasteless joints or fast food outlets. That's why it's nice to actually have a pub near the Vue complex on Kirkstall Road . Don't get me wrong, when I first went past it I never ventured in. Why would it be any good? However, when trying to kill 30 minutes before meeting my friends I chanced it and I was pleasantly surprised. It's a decent pub, hoorah! Yes, it really is. Nice booze selection, helpful staff and nice inside. A perfect stop off point before a film. In summer, the beer garden claims to sit 50 people and inside you'll get all your live sport and usual mod con bonus'. The added bonus is the food looks tasty as well and with all the promotions they have on is a real goer on the old purse. Maybe mass entertainment factories such as Kirkstall won't be the death of good food, real pints and the like. Good form and a cheeky little name too.

What else can I say about this fabulous tiny bar of joy? I can say that I've been back several…read moretimes and consistently enjoyed it. I can say that every member of bar staff I've interacted with has been great, they give good banter and know their beer for sure. I can say that I've enjoyed every tipple, albeit as pricey as it can be. And I can say that I'm still a fan of the odd and random décor. I wish they'd open a little later, but hey, one can't have it all. Even so, if you're wandering Meanwood of a Sunday and want a paper and a pint, this should be on your list. Bringing nothing but more North Bar joy to the area, this is a great spot and I'm well chuffed they're a part of this area in town. But as Devlin mentioned, watch out and ask before you buy - there's a few that'll set you back more than a couple of quid.

Forever on the hunt for decent beer, called in for a few whilst passing with a m8, part of the…read morenorth bar, Schneider Weisse on tap is getting harder to find, it was spot on and cold, girls behind bar was very nice and as there was only us in, we had waitress service, also good to see where beer prices displayed, £14.90 for one of them may be a shock if you order willy nilly..

This is a tough review…read more Not because I'm unsure if I like the pub or not but simply because I fear that my review might attract people to the place and I love it just the way it is. The Chemic Tavern is in the Woodhouse area of Leeds. Woodhouse is not known for it's excellent pubs and neither is neighbouring Hyde Park. They both mainly consist of student pubs with no soul and flat Carlsberg. Not good. The good people at The Chemic Tavern have managed to remove themselves from these other kinds of pubs and have created something bloody lovely. First things first - the beer. They always have a great selection of ales on. Timothy Taylor's Landlord is always there and then usually two or three others. You then have a selection of decent lagers, wines and cocktails - all reasonably priced and well maintained. It's just nice to walk in to a pub, stroll over to the bar, look at the options and not think to yourself 'ahh bugger. .' but instead think 'ooh, what shall I have first?'. The staff are legendary. It seems all to often nowadays that being polite and having a friendly chat with your customers is a bit too difficult for a lot of places. Not with The Chemic. On every visit I have been made to feel like a returning friend and I love that. You instantly feel welcome and relaxed. It appears The Chemic only hire nice, chatty people. This is a very clever move - albeit a very obvious one. The music is always good too. There's no jukebox but you will often hear Motown, Blues and good Indie tunes. They have live music nights there as well, come to think of it. Ska nights, Irish nights and other things will go on in the back room that also features a darts board and an array of board games (if you fancy a geeky night down the pub, playing Trivial Pursuits). The other really nice thing about the place is that everyone who drinks in there appears to be very happy. I think this is because they're all aware that it's the best pub in miles. The Chemic appears to only attract people (and lots of them at the weekend) who are there to have a nice, enjoyable drink (or six) with their mates. I could go on and on but I fear it would just end up sounding like that I was considering proposing marriage to the pub. Which is obviously a ridiculous idea. . . isn't it? Yes, of course it is. How would I fit The Chemic in a church for a start? So I will end this review by adding that the pub has an amazing fish and chip shop (Arkwright's) next door and you're allowed to buy food from there and eat it inside the pub. Good stuff. So if you haven't been here before and you like proper pubs, I urge you to check this place out. Not too many of you, mind. .

The Chemic Tavern is a proper pub. Not a bar. Or a bar masquerading as a pub. No, none of that…read more This comforts me as all too often I walk into a pub only for it to sneakily reveal itself to be a bar after I've ordered a pint. Bars are devious like that. Anyway, I digress. The Chemic is a wonderful place that somehow manages to make local and student live together in perfect harmony. Or at least be agreeable to each other. This is done through its selections of ales, bottled beers and snacks. No food, other than snacks, is served here though you're welcome to bring in food from the chippie next door. Or the take-aways down the road. It also has a great live music, open mics and Irish sessions and a great selection of board games including a pack of cards. Additionally it has a general pub quiz and a more specific music quiz to test your useless fact proficiency. All in all, a great, relaxed atmosphere, nice staff and thoroughly enjoyable evenings to be had. Oh and it's got one of the best pub names I've come across. Seriously? The Chemic Tavern. What a peach.

It's really no surprise that North Bar was voted by the Observer Food Monthly as the 'Best place to…read moredrink in the UK'. They're not wrong. North Bar covers every single base. If you like your beer, well they've had over a 1000 on tap since opening twelve years ago. Not forgetting the 100000 various bottled beers. Got beer then, have they? Check. Don't like beer? Well how about one of cider, rum, whisky, bourbon, brandy, wine. They've got them all. And not only have they got them all, they've got the best of them all. Teetotal? Well, then, how about a coffee in the one of the funkiest interiors the Leeds bar scene has to offer? There's new art installed seeminly every month, with exhibitions from different local talent. Music? If it's good, it gets played. NOT BEEN HERE? GO. NOW.

OK, so it may be a bit bizarre to update over a non-alcoholic drink, but North Bar wins again. With…read moreBottomless Coffee. Oh yes, that's the good stuff right there. It mightn't be a specialist brew, but for two pounds you can refill to your hearts content, pop out and back in again and still get more coffee, all the while enjoying the usage of their free wifi. There's even a table next to some power points in which you can plug your laptop in. Amazing. Whilst the likes of Brooklyn lager will cost you practically a fiver, which is a little more than I like to pay, they still offer a fantastic selection of drinks and the space itself is both large and inviting. The art on the walls is regularly renewed, offering the best in local artistry, and the staff are always full of cheer and chat. I can only hope that the newly opened Meanwood sister bar offers such delights as these! Want to escape the noise of the city? Check in for a coffee. You'll be warmly welcomed. In all, there's not much more can be said that hasn't already been penned, but if you're into your beers, music and banter you must give this place a visit.

Having been back once again to a warm reception, great beer selection and friendly locals I feel…read morethe need to reinstate my love for this fantastic pub. There's not much more to add to what's already been declared, except that even on a Saturday night this is the loveliest place you hope to grab a pint. No louts, no fancy dress Otley runners, no hassle - just a fabulous place in which to consume your favourite tipples. If you need advice on what to sup, these guys are expert in here, even the odd person propping up the bar might chime in. Love it. Yet again, props to the wonderful bar staff who always patiently allow me to finish my beer at almost 11.30pm - it's always appreciated. Got to check out their Monday quiz sometime, I'm sure it'll be one of the best around!

Before I was of drinking age, I barely noticed Arcadia, and any notice I did pay to the place left…read moreme thinking it was a cafe for some reason. To be fair, on first glance, it does look to be more of a cafe than a classy wine bar, with its simple exterior and location amongst run-of-the-mill shops such as Wilkinsons and Sainsbury's. Once you realise it's actually a watering hole and go in, however, you are rewarded - music plays quietly, old connoisseurs and occasionally wealthy students alike sample the various continental beers (the best of which is Erdinger) and wines, a few lone readers and writers sit about with papers or notebooks, and a couple play one of the many free board games on offer. Arcadia is different from anywhere else in Headingley in terms of it's atmosphere, it's booze, and what it offers. However, it's rates are similar to some places in Headingley - the pricey ones.