While it can first be traced back to the Middle Ages as a medicinal spirit made by monks and alchemists, the mighty glass of gin really came into prominence in Georgian times - first in London gin shops and traditional Georgian jellies. Nowadays, if you love G&Ts, juniper-based cocktails, speciality shots or all of the above, then we're here to tell you all about the best gin bars Leeds has to offer. Think botanical themed bars, hidden gems serving drinks under £10 and speakeasies hosting bottomless disco brunches featuring pancakes and non-stop throwback tunes.
Last edited by Lauren Cole
Last updated on 19th June 2024
@ Tailors Gin on Every Saturday
There's a bottomless G&T disco brunch taking place at Tailor's Gin in Leeds city centre every Saturday... need we say more? Sip endlessly on craft blends, with flavours including marmalade, berries and rhubarb, as you scoff a pancake platter while rocking out to disco anthems for just £35.
Ever wanted to spend the night inside a gin speakeasy at a Leeds barbers? The Domino Club are making it possible. Head through the back door of Lords Barbershop for live jazz music, exceptional cocktails and a world-class selection of spirits. Drinks include a gin-based white negroni with peach syrup and a refreshing boozy watermelon soda.
Hidden gem The Maven is transporting you to Prohibition times (and gin heaven) with its speakeasy-style look and boozy offerings. Escape to this brooding bar for crafted cocktails such as the Briar Patch containing blackberry gin and rhubarb liqueur and the floral-flavoured, Japanese-inspired Kanzan Sakura.
As many Leeds locals' go-to cocktail bar, Lost & Found is a treasure trove of pretty cocktails and sensational small plates to please any palate. The romantic interiors make it a great date night option, especially if you're both lovers of gin. Expect goblet-sized G&Ts, a lychee martini and a spritz combining rhubarb gin with prosecco and elderflower syrup. Be sure to check out their other city centre location for more serves.
Flaunting simple interiors in a tucked-away location, this stripped-back haunt is all about the drinks. The lengthy cocktail menu is split into themed sections, cleverly thought out to showcase four basic ingredients: sugar, salt, acid and fat. Crafted gin serves include the seaweed-infused Seafoam, The Duchess flavoured with raspberry and apricot, and the Salted Vine Wine containing eucalyptus.
As one of the city's prettiest cocktail bars and a top gin bar in Leeds, The Botanist is a hotspot for those looking for both a drink and a spot to secure that perfect Insta snap. The floral surroundings are the ideal setting to enjoy a sip from the gin-heavy botanical cocktail menu, featuring the cherry blossom martini, blackberry rosemary fizz and Thai Chilli Crush containing red chilli, coconut cream and apple liqueur. And the best part? They're all under £10.
The city's craft beer and gin hall, Pinnacle, has a winning menu featuring a whole section for gin-based serves. It pairs each spirit with the perfect mixer and garnish, and some start from just £8. The cocktail list also has some botanical additions like the violet collins topped with fresh berries – you can even get two for £12 all day, every day.
Granvilles Beer & Gin House is a rustic hangout home to an ever-growing collection of juniper-based spirits, from the classics to ones flavoured with spit roasted pineapple and saffron. Explore new blends or sink a few featuring your favourite brand – either among the wood-heavy interiors or out in the fairy-lit beer garden. You can also partake in their monthly 'gin bingo' event, with £18 tickets including a welcome drink, four games, a charcuterie board and the chance to win bottles of your favourite booze.
Prepare for a sophisticated sipping session featuring panoramic views from Angelica's stunning garden-style roof terrace. Grab a seat on the sofa with a signature gin cocktail in hand, like the cherry and rosemary syrup-infused Violette, or a perfect serve made from your favourite Fever-Tree tonic.
Green Room plays the role of vegan restaurant, cafe-cum-bar and roof terrace – hitting the mark in all departments. Their quiz events, DJ nights and sun-kissed seating area mean you can enjoy a G&T in your ideal setting, alongside any grub from street food-style dishes to brunch or a banging Sunday lunch.
Industrial hideaway Jake's Bar is winning over the crowds with its own unique spirits and liqueurs produced on-site using a 3,000 year old method. The menu ranges from old-school classics to experimental blends, with some costing as little as £7 – making it one of the best cheap gin bars in Leeds. It's also worth checking out their incredible burger menu.
