I sipped cocktails on one of Leeds' best rooftop terraces - and they were worth splashing out on

With endless sunshine and World Cup fever, this has felt like one of the best summers in years - bar Wednesday's heartbreak.

And what better way to spend a balmy Sunday evening in Leeds than at a rooftop bar? A friend was visiting, so we decided to treat ourselves to a pre-dinner cocktail at CrowdedHouse, the multi-level bar and restaurant perched on the top floor of Trinity Leeds.

It was my first visit to the venue since it was opened last year by the team behind Three’s A Crowd. I was a big fan of its predecessor, Angelica, and while the layout is largely unchanged, the interiors have been refreshed with more pops of colour and contemporary artwork.

We were invited to take our pick of the tables on the dreamy rooftop terrace and browsed the drinks menu while we soaked up the sunshine. There's a well-curated wine list featuring bottles from around the world, alongside a good selection of spirits and a handful of draught and bottled beers and ciders.

Sign up today for all of the latest news stories and more with our daily newsletter on everything Leeds

But the signature cocktails are the main attraction. I picked The Herbalist (£15), a short cocktail made with Hendrick’s gin, cucumber, rose and lemon. It was tangy and refreshing, with plenty of lemon and a nice hint of rose, which added an interesting flavour without overpowering the drink. At the bottom of the glass were lemon pearls, similar to those found in bubble tea, which added an extra burst of citrus.

My friend went for the Coconut Corsair (£14), another signature cocktail with two rums - Koko Kanu and Gosling 151 - poured with apple, Kahlua and topped with coconut foam. The bitterness of the coffee liqueur balanced the sweeter flavours beautifully, making for another refreshing choice on a hot summer's evening.

Service was a little slow, and while our server was friendly, she launched into a lengthy complaint about the heat. Given the temperatures, it was understandable, but perhaps not quite the polished service you'd expect from a venue positioning itself at the higher end of the market.

The signature cocktails range from £13 to £20, putting them at the pricier end of Leeds' bar scene, and enough to make us think twice about ordering a second round.

But the setting is hard to beat if you’re looking for a special occasion spot or a treat in the sunshine. With polished cocktails, panoramic city views and one of the city's best rooftop terraces, it feels like a little slice of summer above the bustle of the streets below.

Factfile

Address: Level 5 & 6, Leeds Trinity, 70 Boar Lane, Leeds, LS1 6HW

Telephone: 0113 518 0100

Opening hours: Mon-Thur, noon-midnight; Fri-Sat, noon-2am; Sun, noon-11pm

Website: www.thecrowdedhouse.co.uk

Scores

Drinks: 9/10

Value: 7/10

Atmosphere: 9/10

Service: 6/10