We visited the Cross Gates bar locals love - and it’s great value for money
This friendly local bar is well worth the visit
Cross Gates has been enjoying something of a renaissance in recent years, with a growing number of independent bars and restaurants giving the east Leeds suburb a new lease of life.
Among them is Out Out, a laidback neighbourhood bar on Austhorpe Road that has been welcoming locals since 2019.
We popped down on Bank Holiday Monday to see what makes this bar such a popular spot.
When we arrived, the atmosphere was relaxed and friendly - the bar is run by a local owner and staffed by a local team. There were solo customers chatting away at the bar, friends catching up and some very cute furry friends, as the bar is dog friendly.
We were greeted by a very friendly bartender who knew the drinks menu inside out and was happy to talk us through the options.
There’s a good range of beers and ales, including offerings from local breweries such as Wensleydale Brewery, alongside a decent selection of wines.
For a relatively small bar, the spirits selection is particularly impressive, with plenty of gins to choose from – including bottles from Leeds brand Wolfe Bros.
My friend opted for a Wolfe Bros Yorkshire Rhubarb Gin with tonic, while I was tempted by the Orancello Spritz. It’s two-for-£12 which is a fabulous offer.
The cocktail is made using Wolfe Bros’ zero-waste Orancello, which uses waste product from its gins along with orange husks from its bars, topped with prosecco and soda.
Spritzes can sometimes err on the watery side, but this one certainly didn’t. Out Out uses two shots of liquor and a generous amount of prosecco, making for a refreshing but deliciously boozy drink.
There’s a popular outdoor area that is always packed on a sunny day, but alas, the Bank Holiday weather let us down after one of the driest and hottest summers on record.
The decor inside is simple, but it’s brought to life by a mural that covers the largest wall - full of local landmarks and nods to Cross Gates’ history.
There’s plenty going on beyond the regular drinks offering, too. Out Out hosts live music nights, and it showed England’s World Cup action over the summer.
Out Out is a proper local bar, friendly and relaxed, and with a total bill of £13.30 for two drinks, it’s great value for money, too.
If you’re in Cross Gates and fancy a few drinks with a warm welcome, it’s well worth a visit.
Factfile
Address: 7 Austhorpe Road, Cross Gates, LS15 8QR
Opening hours: Sun-Weds, noon-10pm; Thurs, noon-11pm; Fri-Sat, noon-11.30pm
Scores
Drinks: 8/10
Value: 9/10
Atmosphere: 7/10
Service: 8/10