I went back to The Tetley - and saw how Kirkstall Brewery has revived this historic Leeds site

Once home to the largest producer of cask beer in the world, The Tetley has been reinvigorated.

After closing its doors as a brewery in 2011, the historic Tetley building reinvented itself as a contemporary art gallery. But in recent years, its ground floor has been transformed and brought back to life as a thriving bar, run by Kirkstall Brewery.

The famous Grade II-listed site, once the headquarters of Joshua Tetley & Son, also now sits at the heart of the city’s South Bank regeneration project.

Arriving on the hottest day of the year so far, the beer garden represented the perfect opportunity to rest and replenish after a walk along the canal was cut short, although some much-needed shade was at a premium.

Heading inside to order, you are immediately struck by the classic feel of the place - the large pub floor features space with comfortable sofas for people wanting a pint and a separate spacious seating area for a meal.

Ordering our drinks, I settled for a pint of one of Kirkstall Brewery’s most popular pale ales - Judicious. Well-known for its tropical fruit profile, it didn’t disappoint. Meanwhile, my plus one settled on a pint of the brewery’s classic Bitter.

Keen not to down our pints too quickly, we topped this up with two bottles of Fentimans Mandarin & Seville fizzy orange, all of which came to a very reasonable £18.

After treating ourselves to some food from the bar’s extensive menu, a Tetley Burger and Vegan Falafel & Hummus Burger respectively, we finished off our visit, with my plus one this time opting for the Judicious, while I returned to an old personal favourite - a Virtuous IPA.

This wasn’t my first time visiting the revamped Tetley, since it reopened in 2024, and it certainly won’t be my last.

And with the nearby Aire Park project, which is projected to become the biggest new public park in the UK once completed, beginning to take shape - the future of the famed Tetley building appears to be secure.

Factfile

Address: The Tetley, Hunslet Rd, Leeds LS10 1JQ

Telephone: 07519 560310

Opening hours: Mon-Thurs, 12pm-10pm; Fri-Sat, 12pm-11pm; Sun, 12pm-9pm.

Website: https://thetetley.pub/

Scores

Drinks: 8/10

Value: 8/10

Atmosphere: 8/10

Service: 8/10