Review of five popular bars in Leeds city centre

Beers from around the world at the North Bar

As well as being renowned for its nightclubs and the more traditional style pubs, Leeds has long boasted a thriving bar scene that caters for a discerning, fun loving and diverse crowd. The rejuvenation of many parts of the city over the past few years has seen a number of new bars spring up alongside some old favourites that continue to go from strength to strength.

Here’s five popular bars in Leeds:

Norman Bar

One of the more established bars in Leeds, Norman is a fantastic haunt both day and night. By day, its comfy leather sofas are perfect for a chilled and relaxed afternoon watching the world go by. The superb pan-Asian influenced menu in particular attracts plenty of diners before the evening kicks in.

As night falls, Norman takes on a more stylish and sleek look, with its array of beers a perfect accompaniment for its cool and fashionable crowd. The queues outside Norman at weekends are testament to its continued popularity. Friday nights showcase its self proclaimed ‘danceable, soul-tinged sounds’ and the 70’s soul and disco from DJ Liam Frisco the undoubted highlight of the week.

Sandinista

The name was taken from a radical political movement and inspired the title of an album by the Clash, and lives on in spirit in this bar that has fast gained a reputation as one of the places to visit in Leeds. Sandinista has a 3am licence throughout the week and stages live music in addition to DJ sets at the weekend.

Situated on the edge of the city centre, it has a cool, laid back feel to it with a great atmosphere that is inviting to all. Sandinista also serves up Mexican and tapas food as well as offering plenty of post-work drinks specials.

North Bar

Proclaiming yourself to have the ‘finest selection of beers in the North of England’ may be a tough label to live up to but North bar can certainly back up this lofty claim. Awarded The Observers ‘Best Place to drink in England’, North is a gem of a bar, attracting a very cool, discerning crowd who most certainly know their beer. Sporting a small intimate atmosphere, in addition to a selective music policy North is also a keen supporter of the arts, displaying new exhibitions on a regular basis featuring promising local artists.

Oporto

Another long standing bar which continues to be packed week in week out. Oporto has a stylish look, with its leather sofas, brickwork walls and funky artwork adorning the walls it also offers plenty of different beers, cocktails and shots to fire up the weekend spirit.

A fantastic bar to hang out in and with a real vibe that sees people most definitely letting their hair down, it boasts an eclectic music policy spanning both the decades and musical spectrums.

Toast

Perhaps not the most well known bar in Leeds and slightly tucked away with its location in the ‘West End’ part of town, Toast, nonetheless is more than worth a visit. Its marble bar and tall, leather stools give it a slightly minimalist feel and it attracts a vibrant, unpretentious warm atmosphere with a very cosmopolitan and European feel. Serving excellent food and offering all the newspapers, Toast is an ideal place to wile away a couple of hours on a weekend afternoon.

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