Good Leeds pubs and bars for students

Written by Carol Ferndale

If you find yourself weary after a hard day’s lectures at one of the fine universities in Leeds, and you’d like to relax over a pint, then whichever university you’re studying at, you’ll find a number of pubs nearby. Close to Leeds Met Uni city site, and just down the road from Leeds General Infirmary, is a nice trio of pubs.

Pubs near to Leeds Met

Side by side on Great George Street you have the traditional Victoria Hotel with its fine interior and good selection of ales and lagers. O’Neill’s the Irish pub that does good Guinness as well as other draught beers and pub food. Nearby on the same street is Carpe Diem which offers free live music, an emo atmosphere, and an American-style menu. On the other side of the Leeds Met Uni city site is the much acclaimed Dry Dock, great for its alternative scene and music, and with drinks to suit a tight budget.

Pubs near to Leeds Uni

At the University of Leeds on site you’ve got The Old Bar which is one of those university bars that does a good impression of being a pub, but if you really feel the need to get off site then there are some decent pubs nearby.

Out on Woodhouse Lane you have The Fenton which is friendly and fairly quiet. It has a pool table, a juke box, cheapish food and there is a room upstairs for gigs.

With a bit of a scruffy, alternative feel, the Fenton does not get packed out with students, despite being right next to the uni, making it a good escape. Further up Woodhouse Lane and opposite the Engineering end of the uni is the Eldon, a real ale serving, traditional pub which tends to get a fair number of students and uni staff in, making the place busy in term time and quieter in the holidays.

Nearby too you have the Packhorse, but with a decidedly more local clientele, a tatty but charming atmosphere, and a pool table. There’s a good range of hand pulled beers which tends to bring in the serious drinkers who love a good pint. They do pub food, and there are often gigs on upstairs.

Headingley a favourite with students

Further up Woodhouse Lane still is The Library which is very much a student hangout with reasonably priced beer, food and gigs. Despite being a little out of town in Far Headingley there is no shortage of good pubs in the vicinity of Leeds Met Uni Beckett Park campus. One of the best has to be Woodies Ale House, which takes its beer seriously, and gets a good mix of students and locals.

Great choice of Student friendly pubs

Going back towards town you have The Three Horseshoes with real ales, good lagers, Sky TV, and space to drink al fresco if you want. Further on is The New Inn with darts, pool, budget food, and a small beer garden. So if you like to chill in a pub after a long day at the uni, there’s plenty of choice in Leeds.

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