Hideout Pudsey review: What I made of my visit to a charming Leeds bar with a pub feel

The plan was a pretty simple one. Eat at Italian restaurant Gigi’s, have a quiet drink in the bar two doors down, and then head home.

Wednesday nights in Pudsey are hardly the stuff of legend and I had even pondered the possibility of us being the only punters on a chilly midweek night. That certainly wasn’t the case.

Stuffed full of pizza and pasta, I rolled myself into Hideout for a post-tea pint and was pleasantly surprised to see the place buzzing. There were people celebrating birthdays, people having catch-ups and people watching the football through their hands.

It may have been busy, but getting a pint couldn’t have been easy. There was only one member of staff behind the bar but she was a miracle-worker, serving people with impressive efficiency while remaining friendly. I’ve seen bars manned by four people get pints out slower and it made it easy to stay a lot longer than planned.

Hideout is an intimate space in which atmosphere is easy to create, providing a living room feel. It may be small but the drink selection is extensive, with all tastes catered for.

I rotated between Veltins Pilsner, a refreshingly crisp number, and Kirkstall Brewery’s flagship IPA Virtuous, a fruity and hoppy delight. A round consisting of a pint of Veltins, an Aperol Spritz and a double vodka and lemonade came to £22 - which I thought was incredibly reasonable.

The atmosphere hit the sweet spot between lively and relaxed, and the comfortable nature of the venue does make you forget you’re not in the comfort of your own home. Decor is subtle in its style, with tasteful prints adorning walls.

It is located handily on Lidgett Hill, a short walk away from Pudsey’s heart and the other watering holes it has to offer. However, in all honesty, you could spent an entire evening pitched up at Hideout and a have a great time - we certainly did.

I think a lot of Hideout’s appeal is within its simplicity. They quite simply nail all the basics. The place itself is smart and spotless, the drinks are fantastic and the people are friendly. Sometimes, that is all you need.

I didn’t leave Hideout thinking they needed a shuffleboard table or a huge array of neon signs blinding you as you run your eyes over the draught options. It’s a cracking bar that feels very much like a cross between a bar, pub and living room - and I’ll be back.

Factfile

Address: 57 Lidget Hill, Pudsey LS28 7LJ

Telephone: N/A

Opening hours: Wednesday and Thursday: 5-11:30pm, Friday: 4-11:30pm, Saturday: 1-11:30pm, Sunday: 1-9pm.

Website: N/A

Scores

Drinks: 9/10

Value: 8/10

Atmosphere: 9/10

Service: 9/10

Total: 8.75/10