Our reviewer visited Melodie 71, a pint-sized bar in the Kirkstall area of Leeds

At the side of Commercial Road in Kirkstall is a small-but-striking building.

Melodie 71 is a pint-sized watering hole but one that catches the eye with its bright orange exterior. It is difficult to gather much from the outside looking in, only than that you are sure to be serenaded by traffic if you sit in the beer garden.

I ambled in early on a Saturday afternoon, settling in for a few pints to whet the appetite for a gig down the road at Kirkstall Abbey.

They had not been open long but there was already a steady stream of punters - some fuelling for The Sunshine Underground’s grand return to Leeds and others simply relaxing and chatting.

The vibrancy of the exterior is reflected inside, as bright colours pair beautifully with the muted brown spread throughout. It is an inviting space and an undeniably cool one, decorated with records, books and artsy prints.

Melodie 71 is based on Commercial Road in Kirkstall, Leeds. | James Hardisty

placeholder image — Melodie 71 is based on Commercial Road in Kirkstall, Leeds. | James Hardisty

I made my way over to the bar to find a draught line-up that could well have been curated by my subsconscience. There was the Spanish lager Mahou as well as some intriguing craft offerings and everyone’s new favourite pint Guinness.

A pint of Mahou set me back £6.30 - a fairly reasonable price in the current climate, in my humble opinion. Service was warm and efficient, with the affable nature of the sole staff member behind the bar only adding to the homely vibe.

As endearing as the space was, I ventured outside to the beer garden to catch some of the July rays. It is a pretty simple beer garden set-up, with benches aplenty. The cars zooming past do not create a particularly relaxing ambience, but you do not expect one when you pitch up at the side of the road.

Melodie 71 left our reviewer impressed. | James Hardisty

From entrance to exit, it was a pretty flawless bar experience. The place was cool, the service was fantastic and the pints went down a treat.

Hoi Polloi Street Kitchen were serving food from the kitchen, although I later discovered they were doing so for the last time having landed a residency at Trinity Kitchen. I did actually order food but must have timed it poorly in a lunchtime rush. After waiting for 50 minutes, I did have to head over to the gig having not eaten.

However, it did not detract from a fantastic experience at a bar I look forward to returning to.