With the weather forecast looking positive for this weekend coming, we’re full of renewed hope for a Bank Holiday spent sipping pints in sunny(ish) beer gardens.
There’s a mostly clear forecast ahead, with some good sunny spells predicted for Friday, Saturday day and Monday (not so much this Sunday).
With this in mind, we’ve put together an extensive list of all the pubs and bars taking walk-ins in Leeds this May Bank Holiday weekend to help you make the most of the good weather whilst it lasts.
If you’ve not planned ahead, there’s no need to worry – there are plenty of places in and around Leeds city centre catering to walk-ins so you’re sure to be accommodated somewhere.
Keep reading to discover more.
SALT Craft + Cocktails
27-26 E Parade, LS1 2AJ
Cocktails ‘on tap’ and 2-for-£12 all day long- really do you need more of an excuse to day drink this bank holiday? Find them in the heart of the city on East Parade with live DJs across Friday and Saturday night with plenty of space for walk-ins.
SALT will also be hosting their first bottomless brunch with unlimited cocktails and charcuterie over the weekend from The Cheesy Living Co.
Read More: The new Leeds bottomless brunch with charcuterie and unlimited cocktails
Fléur
Inside The Lights, LS1 8TL
Decorated from ceiling to floor in pink and purple flowers, the incredible restaurant and bar comes with neon lighting aplenty, this is the spot to grab a selfie whilst sipping cocktails this bank holiday weekend. Taking both bookings and walk-ins, Fléur has just launched an all day happy hour menu with 2-for-1 cocktail offerings if you need any more excuses.
Manahatta
Merrion Street, Greek Street, Headlingley
Manahatta is hosting a drag bottomless brunch experience this weekend to celebrate the Jubilee- this one is pre-booking only special, but if you want a spontaneous drink, there’s ample opportunity to grab a glass or two in any of the Leeds venues this weekend.
The Duck and Drake
43 Kirkgate, LS2 7DR
This beautiful Victorian pub has just been recognised as having one of the best beer gardens in Yorkshire. Between its excellent garden at the back and the tables out front, there’s ample seating for walk-ins. Find it behind towards the end of Kirkgate behind the Corn Exchange. Dogs welcome.
Sheaf Street
3 Sheaf St, LS10 1HD
This hidden city centre gem will be keeping things nice and relaxed this Bank Holiday weekend. There’ll be lots of covered seating out the front for walk-ups and DJ’s playing Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon into the evening. Open until 11pm.
The Midnight Bell
101 Water Ln, Holbeck, LS11 5QN
A sun trap in the heart of leeds, The Midnight Bell is the perfect spot for a few afternoon bevs this weekend. Country in style with a city centre location, if it’s wholesome pub grub and traditional cask ales you’re after you can’t go wrong here.
Water Lane Boathouse
Canal Wharf, Holbeck, LS11 5PS
Situated on the water, this split-level pub has got one of the best beer gardens in Leeds. Open daily from 11 am, head down this weekend for DJ’s on the terrace, margaritas at the outside bar and street food from taco traders Sabroso Street at their Taco and Tequila festival hosted across the three-day weekend.
Neon Cactus
35 Call Ln, LS1 7BT
This Mexican-style favourite, known for its tequila, delicious birria tacos and margaritas, will be taking walk-ins all weekend. Neon Cactus will be serving up their usual food menu – plus a few extra weekend food and drink specials. Table service, covered seating and heated lamps are all on site to ensure your comfort whatever the weather.
Power, Corruption and Lies
36 Call Ln, LS1 6DT
Neighbouring Neon Cactus is its sister cocktail bar PLC, which will be open for walk-ins all weekend. The Call Lane favourite is known for its gyozas and bao buns, as well as its eclectic drinks menu.
Archie’s Bar and Kitchen
Arches V & W Granary Wharf Dark, Neville St, LS1 4BR
Serving up stone-baked pizza, burgers, hot dogs and more with a great selection of drinks, this Granary Wharf bar also has some great seating overlooking the canal. Even better, you don’t need to book – just walk right in.
The Chemic Tavern, Woodhouse
9 Johnston St, Woodhouse, LS6 2NG
This historic real ale pub sits just a mile north of Leeds City Centre and boasts a great atmosphere and lovely beer garden. Established in the early 1840s, you’ll find a good selection of craft ales, lagers, spirits and ciders on the bar.
Headrow House
19a The Headrow, LS1 6PU
Headrow House has got one of the biggest outdoor terraces in Leeds, set over two floors with striking views across the city. With big umbrellas, plenty of heaters and six covered and heated booths, you don’t need to be put off by the clouds either. Tables are allocated on a strictly first come first served basis, so get down early to avoid a queue. Doors open at 12pm.
Distrikt Bar
7 Duncan St, LS1 6DQ
This stylish cocktail bar is known for its great selection of music, and their Bank Holiday line-up looks to be a cracker. With music on throughout the weekend, head down on Friday to catch DJs aplenty and great deals on late night drinks.
Kirkstall Brewery Taproom
100 Kirkstall Rd, LS3 1HJ
Opened at the start of 2020, thanks to lockdown Kirkstall Brewery’s Taproom still feels pretty new and exciting. Open to walk-ins all weekend, head down between 12 and 8.30 pm to enjoy some of Leeds’ freshest beers plus stone-baked pizzas. Wrap up, though, because there’s no heating outside.
Lamb and Flag
1 Church Row, LS2 7HD
Housed in a renovated 19th-century pub, the Lamb and Flag boasts a locally sourced menu and good range of ales. They’re taking bookings but have some space for walk-ins too. If you can make it into the city on Sunday, make sure to try out their roast dinner- they have bookings waiting for weeks to sample them.
North Bar
24 New Briggate, LS1 6NU
Winner of The Observer Food Monthly’s ‘Best Place to Drink in Britain’ award, find North Bar in the heart of Leeds City centre 5 minutes from the Victoria Quarter, Trinity and Leeds Arena. Open since 1997, it’s somewhat of a city centre institution. Head down this weekend to try their newest (and first-ever gluten-free) beer, a West Coast Pale Ale called Open Space.
Howl
112 Vicar Lane, LS2 7NL
This indie rock bar, known for its goth tunes, punk and alternative music selection, has quite the mid-afternoon sun trap for Bank Holiday drinkers. Head down to find a good range of lager, ales and spirits all at very reasonable prices.
The Alchemist
Trinity Leeds / Greek Street
Known for its wildly Instagrammable cocktails, The Alchemist is open for walk-ins all weekend at both of its sites in Trinity Leeds and Greek Street- and you can bet the drinks will be flying off the incredible spirits-meets-scientist menu.
Woodies Craft Ale House
104 Otley Rd, Headingley, LS16 5JG
Not only does this Headingley pub have plenty of outdoor space for walk-ins, but they’ve also just put their Yorkshire pudding gravy wraps back on the menu. With a big retractable cover and heaters, most tables are guaranteed to be warm and dry, They’ve also got a big screen tv showing the sports fixtures over the week.
Banyan Bar and Kitchen
Toronto Square, 2 City Square, LS1 2ES
Housed in City Square’s stately old post office building, Banyan Bar and Kitchen is taking bookings but has left some tables free for walk-ins too. With plenty of covered outdoor seats, head down to enjoy your brunch and cocktails in style.
The Pack Horse, Hyde Park
208 Woodhouse Ln., Woodhouse, LS2 9DX
Open from 2pm daily, this community pub is strictly walk-ins only for now. Complete with an outside bar and plenty of seating, it’s a great choice if you’re looking for somewhere to enjoy a few pints this Bank Holiday weekend.
Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen
Cross Belgrave St, LS2 8JP
Headrow House’s sister site has it all going on this weekend. With rooftop DJ’s from 5pm, plus Patty Smith’s burgers and Dough Boys pizza til late, just pull up for some drinks – no bookings needed here. Open for walk ins from 11am, both the roof and side street are open to drinkers.
Hyde Park Book Club
27-29 Headingley Ln., Headingley, LS6 1BL
Open every day from 10am until late, whether you fancy popping in for a beer, coffee or a full feed, the team at Hyde Park Book Club have got you covered. They’ve got their burger club happening all Saturday, offering a one-off, pop-up menu of vegan and veggie burgers and sides.
Oporto
33 Call Ln, LS1 7BT
With plenty of street seating, this Call Lane bar is open for walk ins all weekend so no need to book. Head down throughout the bank holiday weekend and take on shots here before moving onto sister bar Neon Cactus and neighbouring vegan junk food spot Knaves Kitchen.
The Fleece, Otley
Westgate, Otley LS21 3DT
This grade-II listed pub is a popular choice for drinkers, with a gorgeous terraced garden stretching all the way down to the River Wharfe. Open for walk-ins all weekend.
Roland’s
39 Call Ln, LS1 7BT
Another Call Lane favourite, walk-ins are welcome at Roland’s this weekend with plenty of space on both the rooftop and out the front. Grab a sarnie from Don’t Feed The Dog and unwind at one of the UK’s best cocktail bars (officially, they have the award to show for it too).
Parkside Tavern
St Johns House, Merrion St, LS2 8JE
Merrion Street’s Parkside Tavern has not one, not two but three beer gardens for you to choose from. Whilst they are taking bookings for the weekend, space is also being left to welcome walk-ins.
Feature Image- Roland’s
