As soon as the days get balmy and blue skies appear, this city's bars and pubs come alive with sunseekers getting their fix of afternoon pints or alfresco meals. With that in mind, we're bringing you our top picks of outdoor drinking destinations. From impressive riverside terraces to sky-high rooftops and a cutesy courtyard or two, here are the best beer gardens in Leeds.
Last edited by Lauren Cole
Last updated on 6th June 2024
Beer gardens in Headingley don't get much better than Original Oak's outdoor plot on Otley Road. A truly sprawling space and a total sun-trap that can hold up to a whopping 1200 people, it's ideal for sinking crisp pints outdoors when you've found yourself in the area. Plus, it serves delish pub grub like BBQ pulled tacos and crispy king prawns to match, along with some stunning classic cocktails.
When the sun comes out to play, you'll want to head over to Old Ball in Horsforth to make the most of its lovely beer garden and chilled hospitality. While you're there? Get to know the lip-smacking menu of burgers, tapas and 100% fresh sourdough pies featuring goodies like spicy chicken quesadillas and Mac's Got Beef 'za, not to mention the delish cocktails and draught pints in a contemporary, foliage-filled setting.
Bringing art, live music, craft brews and street food all under one roof, Nation of Shopkeepers is a great pick of pubs in Leeds city centre with beer gardens. Nestled on Cookridge St, this multi-functioning venue features a fully contained outside courtyard decked out in fairy lights and vibrant murals by local artists. The spacious outdoor terrace is also furnished with tables, benches and booths to keep you cool as you relax with your mates.
For a beer garden fringed with lush foliage and cool decorations, Granvilles Beer & Gin House on Long Row is where to head. This rustic Horsforth haunt is decked out in traditional wood-heavy interiors offering over 90 gins to try, alongside championing local beers and ales as well as having a classic menu of bar snacks for munching.
Possibly the coolest bar in Leeds, The Dry Dock can be found inside a boat on Woodhouse Lane, complete with a dark wood bar and rustic interiors. This pub also features a sunny outdoor space, with plenty of tables to sit at while you admire the venue's nautical exterior and revel in some fresh air. You can find live sport, great drinks deals as well as an affordable menu at this destination with tasty tapas, stone-baked pizzas and sharers like Korean sweet sriracha wings on offer.
A city centre favourite nestled along Wellington Street, Editor's Draught is a stylish restaurant and bar serving up a wide selection of craft beers and ales as well as comfort food like hand-stretched pizzas and loaded sourdough subs. It also has a number of great deals available, multiple HD screens and outdoor tables for alfresco drinking across those summer months.
Looking for a happening place in Headingley? Hyde Park Hotel is the perfect student-friendly cosy boozer for when you fancy soaking up the sun outside. Settle into this watering hole's beer garden as you get stuck into the most scrumptious pub grub and a massive selection of freshly pulled craft and cask ales. They also have pool tables, large plasma screens and an in-house DJ to keep the fun flowing.
A must-visit spot in Leeds, Parkside Tavern has a grand total of three outdoor areas spread out over two floors for all your socialising needs. Grab yourself a pint from their stone-floored bar dishing out 18 draft lines, sip tasty concoctions from the cocktail menu and chow down on hand-stretched pizzas while playing a game of pool on one of their four full-size tables.
One of the best beer gardens in Leeds town centre, Slug and Lettuce is a modern neon light-fitted oasis bringing you a winning combo of tasty drinks, delicious food and stylish decor seven days a week. Located on Park Row, meet your mates here for an after-work cocktail or welcome in the weekend with a bottle of fizz.
New York-inspired bar Manahatta flaunts a pretty alfresco area for drinking and dining, complete with lush greenery and wooden seating. Sip on beer, prosecco or two for one cocktails like their signature Orchard Apple Spritz, alongside delicious dishes such as sweet chilli chicken pizzas, classic nachos and smoked pancetta beef burgers.
When it comes to pubs in Leeds with beer gardens, Beck & Call is up there with the finest. Hidden away in the suburbs of Meanwood in North Leeds, this warm and welcoming boozer boasts beaut outdoor seating. Offering an escape from city living with its colourful walls and spacious feel, it's the perfect spot for summertime drinking and dining on home-cooked grub.
Located in the grand old Post Office building on City Square, it's hard to miss the outside space at Banyan Leeds. The drinking area out front is perfect for sipping on some expertly made cocktails, or even tucking into a tasty menu of salads, sandwiches, burgers, steaks and more while the gorge interiors boast dim lighting, neon signs and floral tapestry. Head down to revel in the sunshine with a pint or two and nab one of their many offers.
If you're looking for a sky-high spot, let Headrow House (a former 1900's built textile mill) located in one of Leeds' historic yards be your first port of call. Spread across four floors with two spacious roof terraces, a menu from the acclaimed Ox Club, a massive beer hall and regular live music sessions, there are plenty of reasons to check them out for a little alfresco action.
With seating options out front or behind, The Adelphi on Hunslet Road is a great shout for those of you in search of beer gardens in Leeds. Flaunting stunning Victorian architecture and an airy outdoor area, this boozer is cosy, charming and welcoming. Settle down here and spend your afternoon tucking into comfort food classics, all washed down with craft brews.
From their four full-size American pool tables to a whopping 21 beer lines, shuffleboard, a pizza kitchen and a gorgeous garden, Hawkhill Tavern in Guiseley has all bases covered. Spread out across two floors and boasting a stunning outdoor space, this cosy boozer is perfect for a chilled day out with pals. For when you get peckish? There are pulled pork tacos, loaded nachos, Korean BBQ wings and pizzas to wolf down.
Nestled in the iconic Old Post Office building in the heart of City Square, Restaurant Bar & Grill have a lovely terrace to accompany their drinking and dining options, meaning you can get your fix of quality steaks, pan-Asian plates and British dishes while soaking up some rays. For dessert, we'd recommend the peanut butter cheesecake. Drool.
On the hunt for a top-notch beer garden? Then mosey on over to Headingley Taps on Bennett Road Car Park. Not only do they have a fantastic space to relax in the sun with friends, but also a mouthwatering menu, with tasty options from burgers to pizzas. If you're feeling thirsty, wash it all down with a cold pint.
Perched on the edge of Lock Number One at Canal Wharf, Water Lane Boathouse is a gorgeous waterfront bar and beer garden to soak up some rays, munch pizza and sip a refreshing pint. Housed in an early 19th-century shipment warehouse, this airy joint spans over two floors, but its massive, bright and sun-filled beer garden steals the show. Packed out in the summer months, this waterside gem is one of the best.
You'll know Cuckoo for its midnight antics and party vibes, but did you realise it also houses a roof terrace for alfresco drinking? This joint offers five unique spaces, including vibrant fairground rooms with a private bar and rooftop. Plus, they have fun extras like beer or prosecco pong, a photobooth, and giant Jenga. Open from midday until 4am on weekends, a trip to the Call Lane den features plenty of bottomless brunches, signature cocktails, free pizzas with a drink before 9pm, or five-litre tall towers of beer while revelling in the sunshine.
Housed in a beautiful 18th-century building formally owned by rope and canvas manufacturers with some gorgeous outdoor seating on offer, Shears Yard is a relaxed modern European bar and restaurant that comes up trumps for summertime drinking. Spend a leisurely afternoon at the industrial-style Wharf Street haunt, enjoying a knockout brunch filled with contemporary dishes made using locally sourced, fresh ingredients and free-flowing Aperol spritzes in toasty weather.
While it might not technically be a beer garden, Aire Bar's south-facing outdoor space is well worth a mention. Guaranteed to be filled with daytime drinkers at the first glimpse of sunshine, the riverside terrace flaunting views of River Aire is a real beauty, with wooden benches and industrial furnishings dotted all the way along for optimum vistas. Stop by for a spot of Yorkshire-themed grub and stunning sights of the Leeds skyline in this Grade II-listed bar.
Found in Holbeck's charming Urban Village, The Midnight Bell houses a beauty of a courtyard for all your summertime antics. The perfect blend of old and new, this boozer is fit with traditional oak beams, exposed brickwork, a concrete bar and high, wide windows that add a touch of contemporary cool. Ideal for those sunny afternoons and balmy evenings, the gastropub has a menu of comfort food classics matched with cask ales and craft beers brewed on-site.
This converted 19th-century pub is all about fresh sips and good times. Not only do The Lamb and Flag's outdoor areas feature cute benches, wooden beams and an upstairs terrace, but it's also dog-friendly, so you can bring your little woofer with you. Plus, they serve a huge variety of drinks like draught lagers, wines, spirits and more as well as tasty gastropub grub.
Our list wouldn't be complete without Green Room on Wellington Street, a multifunctional venue housing a vegan restaurant, cafe, bar and events space as well as one of the city's largest rooftop terraces. Decorated with beautiful, lush furnishings and twinkling fairy lights all over, this stunning spot hosts a ton of events to get you in the party mood. Expect brunch dishes and chill vibes by day, but craft beers, cocktails and live music once the sun goes down.
With three eclectic floors of food, drink and entertainment including two bars, two kitchens, a 200 capacity event space and a staging area, it's easy to see why people would flock to Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen in Leeds' vibrant Northern Quarter. If you haven't come for a live gig, art exhibition or film screening, then you must make your way down for the amazing roof terrace and revel in canteen-style nibbles, delish premium craft beers or frozen cocktails.
Situated in Holbeck Urban Village, The Cross Keys is a cosy boozer up there for places to drink outside in Leeds. Sitting pretty in exposed brickwork, contemporary furniture and plenty of picnic tables spread throughout, this gastropub has bags of history and a large courtyard perfect for a relaxing pint in the summer months. Pouring a selection of craft beer from its sister brewery, the watering hole also has a regularly changing roster of bottled beers, casks and kegs, making sure you won't go thirsty.
Searching for the best beer gardens in Leeds city centre? With over 300 years of experience under its belt, Whitelocks Ale House and The Turks Head takes the title of the oldest pub in town. Boasting gorgeous stained-glass and wooden interiors by famous designer Lord Whitney, the boozer serves a massive range of craft beers, spirits, wines and cocktails. Grab a table outside and enjoy local pints while getting some much-needed vitamin D.
Boasting some of the best views of the city, Angelica is a top choice - literally - for the best beer gardens in Leeds. Located on the sixth floor of the Trinity Leeds building, this stylish haunt offers internationally inspired British dishes, sophisticated cocktails and a heated wrap-around lush green rooftop terrace offering beautiful panoramic city views.
