Summer is in full swing. And this week, the Leeds Summer Served campaign is exploring the city’s many excellent pubs and bars.
Over 10 weeks, we’re shining a spotlight on the city’s incredible hospitality scene, from acclaimed restaurants to speakeasies and pubs putting the city on the map.
This week, we’ve compiled a list of 13 must-visit cocktail bars in Leeds - from long-running institutions to newcomers making their mark on the city.
1. Below Stairs
Having previously won Best Bar at the Oliver Awards in 2022, Below Stairs is perhaps one of Leeds' worst kept secrets. The cocktail bar is a favourite with locals and rarely fails to impress those who find it accidentally on a night out. | Iconic Media
2. Farrands
At Farrands, there's always something new to try. The Swinegate venue is known for themed cocktails, wine selection, and grazing menus to match. | Iconic Media Photo: Simon Hulme
3. Smokestack
A funk and soul speakeasy on Lower Briggate, Smokestack is a cool cocktail bar with great drinks, live music, and DJs every night. | Iconic Media Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe
4. Tailors Gin
A tailors in the day and a jazz and a gin bar at night, Tailors in Grand Arcade is a must-visit in the city centre. | Iconic Media Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe
5. CrowdedHouse
Perched on top of Trinity Leeds, CrowdedHouse offers excellent cocktails and tasty bites while also boasting far reaching city centre views. | Trinity Leeds
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6. Tabula Rasa
This award-winning cocktail bar on Eastgate in the city centre is so popular that walk-ins on the weekend sometimes feel impossible. But it's popular for a reason, and well worth visiting if you're after some of the city's best drinks. | Tabula Rasa