North Bar

Actually my all time favourite bar, anywhere, ever

07 Dec 07, 11:21 Beyond expectations

North Bar, North Bar, how do I count the reasons why I love you?

1. It's the place that educated me, and much of Leeds, to learn about the world beyond bland lager. They stock all sorts of interesting beers sourced from small breweries in Belgium, Germany, the US and elsewhere and are always able to recommend things.

2. On one of my last visits, a Morris dance troupe came in for a drink, each with their own special tankard that they had filled up with ale. Truly a mixed crowd in here from young arty types to hearty ale drinkers.

3. It's one of the few bars as opposed to pubs that wins CAMRA awards, with regularly changing and well kept guest ales from independent breweries always available.

4. The staff are dead friendly.

5. The annual joy of the Christmas beer Gluhkriek - spiced cherry beer served warm!

6. Non-beer drinkers will also find that the bar knows its spirits too - all the booze is well chosen.

7. Meat, bread and cheese on the side, like in Holland.

8. It deservedly won the Observer Food Monthly annual award for best place to drink in the whole country last year.

9. Charming paraphernalia is dotted around the bar, especially if you like Belgian cycling souvenirs and hit and miss art exhibitions.

10. It's relaxed, unpretentious, cosy and cool. Are rare combination.

Really, aside from seeing my parents, this is the main attraction for me in heading back to my home county of Yorkshire, and it makes me feel homesick. It's frequently the first place my husband and I head to as soon as we're off the train. I heartily recommend it to anyone who prefers their boozers not to be bland or pretentious.

Great Selection of Beers

13 Nov 07, 21:40 Above expectations

The North Bar on New Briggate has a great selection beers behind the bar. Probably the best selection in the centre of leeds and probably one of the biggest I've seen outside of London. Because of this wide variety the place has developed a bit of a following and is busy pretty much of the time. It certainly gives the place an atmosphere driven by the buzz of young groups of people meeting up to socialize here. I think everyone who lives or visits leeds should come here at least once and see that places outside the captial can have something about them without seeming fake.

Northern Culture

21 Oct 07, 12:03 Above expectations

Home of the hip and trendy of Leeds North bar offers a plethora of continental ales, lagers, stouts and wines to the fashionista crowd of Yorkshire's cosmopoitan hub. At first entry you could be forgiven for thinking very differently. The long room and bar frequently crowded conditions, basic decor and sixth form canteen style tables and chairs hint at a more grubby market. It is this lack of pretention, in the building at least which is most likeable about the North, though on the same token irritating at 11:45 on a Friday night, as you duck in and out from one ridiculous hair cut to another. With around 70 Draught and bottled Beers, global wines and a wide array of different spirits there are many quirky and excellent ways for the casual or heardened drinker to relax, or get off their head. Though a night's drinking does not come cheap. Chuck in DJ sets and events like the annual Oktober Fest, and you're on to a winner!