Having been back since the initial visit, it's time to spread some love for this secretive and…read moresecluded spot. You may or may not have realised, but Sandinista have a new and super little bar, and it's called Blind Tyger. As you approach Sandinista, you'll spot a thin hallway right next to the bar, leading up. In the growing popularity of such phenomena, it seems that Leeds has another secret, prohibition style bar. (I don't know if I count 51% any more, since it has lost that prohibition feel for me.) The bouncers will check you out before letting you go up, but what their criteria is I'm not sure. I was asked if I'd been there before, and on confirmation, was granted access. Perhaps that swung it. Or perhaps it was merely a quick test of my sobriety - since it's a classy affair. Once upstairs you'll find that there are but three or four tables, some in little booths, and a modest bar at the end. Basically, my guess is that the maximum capacity would be about 30, perhaps a few more, but not comfortably so. This means that of a Saturday, I can present to you: Leeds' next top spot for civilised Saturday drinks. You are a) Able to grab a seat most of the time. And b) Hear yourselves speak without strain. Wunderbar! The next point is the cocktails. Oh the cocktails! I don't consider myself a true connoisseur, but since becoming obsessed with daiquiris, I will say that the ones here are mighty fine. Go straight up, of course. The list boasts all kinds of in house treats, and all take a little wait, but the creations are lovingly and expertly made, so far as I can tell. One chap in particular was great, with plenty of banter, and he even discounted one round for our wait. I like that kind of service, especially when the average spend on one drink is £8-9. Lovely. The toilets are another thing. You must remember the door code if you don't want to land in purgatory, or somewhere hotter further down in Sandinista's busy Saturday-mayhem. To get in and out to the loos, keeping it pure-prohibition style, you'll need the door code to get back in. (Not that I'm saying Sandi's is hell - I rather like it, but the analogy kind of worked - especially since they've a devil as their mascot.) The conclusion is that I can see this being respite for me on many a manic weekend. You've got your classy drinks, your table space, your friendly staff, and your music at speaking volume. And now that I've passed it on, I beg you, don't go spoiling it and crowd in at once. That just wouldn't be cricket. If we all take turns, I'm sure I feel as though I can share. *Edit - It's called Blind Tyger after William Blake's poem, The Tyger.

Cocktails cocktails cocktails and very attentive staff…read more Excellent atmosphere and range of seating types for dates to group outings. Prices are relative and shouldn't put you off a visit to this delightful venue.

There are so many levels at which I've fallen in love with this fabulous new bar. From the…read moreprohibition-style hidden entrance, obvious only to those in the know or savvy passers-by, to the classy, simply attired interior, to the fantastic staff, who offer up cocktails of the highest order. It almost feels like the 'bar'(wo)man's bar, since every detail in the drinks are so meticulous - they take obvious pride in what they provide, and that alone is commendable. (And also worlds apart from some of the other 'cocktail' orientated places you can find.) If you've not been along yet, expect tea cups attached to glass stems, Victorian perfumery bottles enveloping absinthe, blowtorches and flammable powders, alongside a back bar of cocktail dreams, a multitude of fruit and a selection of damned good beers. I've been back several times since the opening night and have enjoyed every last drop of liquid that I've consumed within. The music was fantastic as well, with a more electronica-infused soundtrack from the DJ on the Friday, and a lively 80s mix on the Saturday. (Think Chaka Khan, "Ain't Nobody".) Of course, mention must be made of the fantastic staff that serve their libations until 4am. (Not every night, I don't think, but that's their licence.) Every one of them has been fantastic; friendly, full of banter, expert at mixing up the drinks and each and every one of them looks ruddy dapper to boot. It's a class act. Essentially, don't just take my word for it. Check 'em out for yourselves. Most of the cocktails on the list will set you back about £7, which might be steep for some, but once you get a taste you'll know why you came.

I first heard about The Maven, which opened just a month ago, through a friend of mine who works at…read moreMilo bar over the road. In fact, apart from the lucky few people who got invited to the launch party, it seemed a pretty well kept secret. You could pass the stairway on the street and not notice the sign, and with the bar being off street level, it's not somewhere that would attract random passers by 'drawn in' by the atmosphere. Therefore, it needs to be good.... Well it's in a great location for a start. Bars seemed to have opened in every crack in the pavement on Call Lane, and just when you think there's no space left, The Maven start from the next level up. I went in on a Tuesday night with a couple of friends at about 9pm and we were the only ones in the bar at this point (although not for long). We weren't even sure it was open at first as the doors upstairs were closed but as we pushed our way in, the barman was welcoming and we grabbed a seat while he got us a menu. I'm a big fan of candlelight and table service in bars, and I wasn't disappointed here. We ordered a bottle of wine and our glasses were topped up for us without this being intrusive. I hope for his sake he wasn't listening to our conversation too closely anyway... There is an extensive cocktail list and I noticed some delicious sounding sharing platters on the menu (mmmm cheese). They even run a quiz night on the first Monday of the month. As the venue is brand new, everything is looking fresh and clean. I'd be interested to see what it's like when it's busier, and if it keeps the relaxed vibe as well as great drinks and great service. All in all, an impressive addition to Call Lane. I hope it does well!

Good experience Good service…read moreGood food I recommend for a unique experience that I think you'll enjoy

The idea of Smokestack is a Speakeasy design. Basically that means small, dimly lit with dark…read morefurniture. Extensive, averagely priced cocktail list. I tried a Caipirinha priced at £8. Unfortunately it was pretty awful. The worst Caipirinha I've ever tasted. And I've had a lot of them! Better sticking to wine/beer options, avoid the cocktails!

The Washhouse was truly one of the most memorable and enjoyable stops during my time in Manchester,…read moreand I will absolutely return if I am ever back! Everything about their experience is fun and inventive. Their menu is so unique, and their servers do an amazing job of walking you through it with showmanship and recommendations. The drinks themselves are both stunning and incredible, too! Each feels like a bartender's masterpiece, and I felt their prices were super reasonable considering the entire experience, too! You truly feel like you are in another world in this little speakeasy!!

As good as it gets. Fun speakeasy cocktail bar, must make a reservation. Hidden behind a laundromat…read morefacade. Very good service and the drinks are beyond inventive and perfect! They work on getting you the taste you're after and keep them coming. Loved how they made our afternoon super special.

I'm all about sauntering out into the sticks, making discoveries, and seeking out the secret…read moreoff-the-beaten-path havens. Of course, places like Musiquarium might take that little bit extra effort to unearth, but wayfaring across and along the canal in Kirkstall late at night, under moonlight and darkness, is a journey worth taking. Perhaps, bring a friend to keep you company on your quest. It's not too difficult to spot once you're on the right road, since they've a tree adorned with blue fairy lights, which flash out into the night as a beacon -a sign that you've found your way to some hidden spot, in the depths, where pints and playful music awaits. Upon arrival, my cohorts and I were greeted by a friendly bouncer, and an even friendlier chap who also works for the bar. It seems as though, if you're out for one of their gig nights, there will be an entrance donation - which we were informed goes toward the musicians and sound engineers. I've no issue with that, and in fact think that more gigs should have an entrance fee, really. (I'm not saying I enjoy spending money, as such, but musicians are an underpaid bunch.) Once the fees were sorted, we gained access to a large outdoor space, where glistening like the universe above us was a solar system of fairy lights, and then the iron door closed behind us. The main room with the bar is cosy, with rustic tables over which twee floral table cloths lay, and graffiti images across the brick walls. It was low lit, and had a seriously cool vibe. It's mid-way between a basement room with a bar, built in your house, and a rehearsal-space-turned-speakeasy. Not somewhere that you should expect a posh bottle of Champagne, but not somewhere that you couldn't make an effort for. It's unpretentious, it's down to earth, it's charming and has a distinct character similar to that of Rock And Roll Circus, only tidier and less cluttered. I was there for a friend's birthday do, and there was a programme of bands on for the evening. I managed to catch The Loups, and I sincerely recommend you check them out, if you have a chance. They're a two-piece electric guitar and drums duo, with haunting songs; songs that are atmospheric enough to melt into, but beat driven enough to force movement from head to toe. I said they were everything you want The XX to be, but I don't know if that's accurate, or insulting. In any case, I'm enamoured, and will be looking for their future gigs. The band space is fabulous, an intimate square of dance floor, a stage, a DJ/sound booth, and padded walls. Not because insanity might ensue, although depending on the future line ups who knows, but presumably to keep the sound from leaking out. You're in a private, secret, hidden, awesome gig in this place. When you're in Musiquarium, no one but Musiquarium can hear you shout encore. As for the bar, they sell a few different lagers on tap, including their own branded lager - Musiquarium. (Obv.) I didn't get to try it, since it was off, and opted for a different pint that happened to be a little flat. I'm guessing they don't get through many pints, so I'd advise going for the bottles at this stage. Drinks are within the £3-4 mark, but that's a standard I've come to expect in Leeds, and certainly I don't mind paying if I'm at a fantastic gig. They had a drink offer on for White Russians, but sadly no coffee liqueur, so that was out. My only slight nag about the venue was the confusion I experienced with a chap at the bar over cash back. I was told by the other guy, on arrival, we could get cash back at the bar, so asked for some when paying for a round. Initially, I thought there was a problem with the card I'd used, but was then told there was no chance of me getting cash back - I asked if it would work by simply adding on a tenner to the card bill, and then he could give me a tenner from the till, but he said he cashed the till up differently to normal bars, so I couldn't. What was even more confusing was that my friend, who bought a pint after me, was offered cash back with his purchase. Go figure. Perhaps he was having a bad night, or perhaps took a dislike to my face... In any case, here's hoping my next outing will be a little more hassle free. Or a better idea might be to save myself the trouble and make sure I've plenty of pounds in hand. Thankfully, it's not left a bitter taste in my mouth -everyone's human and has a bad day, and I'm a fan of the bar. The policy seems set for good folk, great music, and I can see it becoming a premier venue for some of Leeds' best live acts. Get involved, get down and check out the line-up. There are even some mystery stairs leading up, which I didn't check out, so who knows what lies above. Another cool room to sup in? A secondary gig space? Regardless, I'm keen to find out.

Small, intimate venue The Verve stands in one of Leeds most populated side streets. Directly…read moreopposite rock venue "Rio's", The Verve is a hangout for indie/rock and alternative music lovers and cocktail drinkers! The Verve hosts live music on both weeknights and weekend and supports local acts in particular! No big names will be seen here however if you want to listen to some fresh music while having a relaxing beverage this is your place. The average age of the customers in the Verve is a little older and a little more laid back than age of the customers in the nightclubs in the city center. The drinks menu is vast with a huge variety of shooters, cocktails and other yummy long drinks!! Cocktails range from 4.00-7.00 depending on how hard your days been and how much alcohol you require! The Verve is nothing flash and not particularly diverse, however makes a quirky change for the clubbing scene and works as a classy bar in a more laid-back scene with some excellent local live music acts.

Tiny little bar Verve belongs on this street full of quirky, individual watering holes that focus…read moreon beer and music and not much else. Rather like Mojo, with which it shares a street, Verve is frequented by those in the know about good bars - the sort of people who classify a good night as listening to an acoustic musician sing their heart out in a cosy little bar, rather than a sweaty rave in a club packed with thousands of students. Everything about Verve is intimate and perfectly sized - the few tables, the bar (where you can always get served a cocktail quickly), even the toilets - but it doesn't have quite as much character as some of the other bars in this area. The music acts on show can also be a bit hit and miss in my experience, but the atmosphere is always top drawer and it makes a good stop off-point on a weekend night if you're in the vicinity.

This is more of a brief update than anything else, but it's worth a mention since things have…read morechanged a little since my initial visit! Finally, it seems that Leeds has caught up with a hot trend in the U.S., wait for it... yes. We have our very own tiki bar awesomeness in the city. I was really excited to hear that this was the plan and couldn't resist checking it out some weeks ago. My first tiki bar visit was in New York last year and my grasp on this concept is that they are Hawaiian themed bars, complete with coconut shell cocktails, random skull objects, a bit of a 'cool dive' atmosphere and a large helping of straw to line the ceiling. That, minus the skulls, is what you'll find upstairs at the Call Lane Social. The décor was so fresh you could smell the straw as you entered, and as far as trending goes, this is it. It was packed - absolutely body-to-body, wall-to-wall. So it's certainly popular! This would usually mar my experience; I'm much more of a sit and natter over some decent drinks type-girl, but the atmosphere and life about the bar was very catching. Since there were no seats you either beat them, or join them, and so I duly danced away. Tons of fun! I didn't get a chance to sample the cocktails but next time, yes, next time I'll go all the way. From the downstairs speakeasy vibe, to the upstairs tiki mayhem, this bar is one to watch. Even the staff are seriously cool. Enjoy!

Tiki bar? No, more like dive bar wants to go tiki but don't let that put you off…read more After necking a few drinks elsewhere, I'm not actually sure how we got here but we did and it was a continuation of our good times. Upstairs is the music you never heard of (aka eclectic - this is not for the hipsters either) downstairs classic commercial tunes pumping up the vibe. The drinks were okay. The service was fine. The toilets were minging. Anyway, this place gets quite busy - as normal on a weekend night in the centre of town. It was all good while we were here because for the third time we observed that Milk does a body good but just how much are the men in Leeds drinking? Woo to the hoo!! This place is good fun in a line of bar crawls.

Totally lucked out on a Monday night and there was a New Orleans Jazz band playing. The food was…read moremeh bar food for the US but since we were in the middle of the U.K. It was glorious. Having to go up to the bar to place every single order was a bit cumbersome but they brought it to you when it was ready. If you are looking for a fun dive kinda spot in Manchester with live music it's a must go.

I was lucky enough to catch the Paul Farr band at Matt and Phred's last night. It's safe to say…read morethat I entered what Howard Moon and Vince Noir would refer to as a 'jazz trance'. My word, if you get the opportunity to catch these guys when they play again on the 17th August (they play here quite regularly and it's always free entry) or at the Cinnamon Club you really must - even non-jazz fans would thoroughly enjoy their awesome musical prowess, it's absolutely universal to appreciate the percussive banter between the awe-inspiringly superb drummer and the creative percussionist armed with an absolute arsenal of unusual instruments. The guitarist has worked with the likes of Tom Jones and Lily Allen and along with the fabulous bassist, they're all just mind-bendingly supreme. The pedant and I (have I introduced you to him before?) popped in for some cocktails while the Thursday salsa classes were still going on, and I tell you, if you're remotely nervous about salsa you must join this group. Beginners are from 7-8, improvers from 8-9 and everyone was having an awesome time. The teachers seemed very sweet. The pedant took on a Dave Walsh special pizza, a great combination of anchovies, chorizo and spring onions, and if you get the opportunity (and are comfortable in your masculinity) try out a Pixie's Potion cocktail. It might look girly, but it contains absinthe. Talk about a kick and a half. As well as this, I had no idea Matt and Phred's did fresh-baked cakes - they look amazing. And the bar staff, as always, were truly magical. There's a wonderful cosy atmosphere to Matt and Phred's, and had we not had any pressing errands the next day the pedant and I could have stayed there all night. It's one of those places where whoever you're with, you constantly find yourselves looking back and forth at one another and smiling in agreement at the joy of seeing incredible music in such a cool little place. I'm making a late New Year's resolution. Visit Matt and Phred's far more often. Like on a weekly or fortnightly basis perhaps? I'd best start saving up for all those caipirinhas...

I used to come here 6 years ago and it was AMAZING! Great doormen, no queues, fantastic DJ albeit…read morecrap sound system but nobody cared. Prohibition used to be THE city centre spot which kicked off a top Saturday night and it was an unspoken rule: Prohibition, Living Room, Sugar Lounge, Circle - no arrangements necessary. Oh how things have changed!- my Mum and Dad were always saying this phrase throughout my childhood- and "things aren't like they used to be". After visiting Prohibition recently I am starting to sound like my parents. It has changed and not for the better. Despite outliving many of its peers, maybe this long established venue should have retired long ago. Door staff are still friendly, queues are still small but here is where the similarity with its bygone self ends. The easy entry was the highlight of the evening; Prohibition is way too dark bordering on gloomy and the Victoriana decor just looks odd and far removed from the desired Gothic chic look I think the interior designer intended. Way too many people had been let in (and I arrived early) and this was compounded by a lack of bar staff for the thirsty throng. When I did eventually get served, the price of the drinks was over-inflated for this type of venue. Glasses were poured half full and the presentation of my G&T left a lot to be desired- call me crazy, but I like ice and a slice of lemon in mine, is this too much to ask for? It was a young crowd, VERY young. I mean, check the I.D sort of place where revellers were keeping their beedy eyes on the door in case Mummy or Daddy walked in. These children were far too young to appreciate any sophistication but maybe they were in the right place as there wasn't any elegance in sight. This is a small bar which moonlights as a club at the weekend. I will only be returning here on a quiet Sunday afternoon for a coffee. Now I sound EXACTLY like my parents!!!!!!

A few years ago, in Berlin, we stumbled across a bar whose concept is entirely based upon the…read moreProhibition era. Gawwwd, it was good. It was sleek but dirty. The drinks were strong and cheap, and the DJ played about the twiddliest techno I have ever danced to. Lord help me, I cannot remember the name, though I think it might have been somewhere around Kreuzberg... Anyway, when I heard that there was a bar in Manchester called Prohibition, I instantly thought "JOY! We can recreate the wonder of that night in Berlin!" Ohhh, how wrong I was. Prohibition ain't that good, to be honest. It's just another Deansgate bar. So, you've got your designer light fittings, your velvet couches, your smokey mirrors and sexy glossy surfaces. You've got allllll of that, but where's the soul? Where's the heart? Prohibition is just another sad example of Deansgate's style-over-substance ethos when it comes to bars. The drinks are alright, with an extensive selection of retro cocktails such as juleps and Tom Collinses, all for around £6. The wines are similarly reasonably priced, starting at £13 a bottle for a drinkable red. The thing is, and I know I'm being harsh, I feel like the drinks could be twice as good, and I still wouldn't fancy coming back here. It's just a bit...dead. What's the point in having a nice glass of Syrah, when you're bored and there's no ambience? When will the managers of these bars learn that they're stifling their bars' potential with overdesign of a simple concept? If they want to really channel the Prohibition era, they need to chuck out those tacky velvet couches and take a leaf out of Berlin's book.

Great pub, upstairs from bottle shop. Friendly staff, maybe best atmosphere in all of York! Don't…read moremiss this gem!

As of July 2025, at a different location than indicated in Yelp. Now near the Museum Gardens at 14…read moreLendal. Three level pub will great selection of beer. I found an 8% abv IPA from Deya that was the best beer I've had in the UK this visit. Funky decor: lots of antlers, crucifixes, cherubs, and paintings of nude women. I'd definitely go again for a pint. Didn't try the food.