Summer is finally here, and now that the weather is getting hotter, the beer gardens are overflowing.
With temperatures hitting on the rise in Leeds, we're not complaining about the impulsive need to spend our evenings in the beer garden, rather we're ready to test out each and every spot to find the perfect pub in time for summer.
From new openings to firm favourites, here are ten of the best beer gardens for sunny days in Leeds...
Green Room
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Local breweries, delicious food and North Star coffee served on a huge rooftop bar- this rooftop that opened last year really has brought everything we love about our city and placed it on a giant rooftop terrace bar.
Serving up some of the biggest food and drink names in the city on a huge sun-trapped rooftop, Green Room is the beautiful city space with everything you need to celebrate the summer season.
Expect barbecues, live DJs and eclectic seating options where guests can unwind with a pint from a local independent brewery in one hand and a delectable choice of plant-based street food in the other, all whilst getting a tan in the summer heat.
Whitelock's Ale House
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Leeds' oldest pub, Whitelock's Ale House, is located in Turk's Head Yard and it is a great spot for a drink in the sunshine. With heaters and fairy lights to ease you into the night, you can stay here for hours and make your way through their impressive selection of local beers.
Or why not pop next door to sister bar The Turk's Head where you grab an Aperol Spritz, cold glass of wine or favourite cocktail.
Waterlane Boat House
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Waterlane Boat House is filling up by 4pm as city workers rush off to secure a seat for post-work tipple in the sunshine, so if you want to grab a table here, you'll need to leave work early.
Serving ice cold fruit ciders with a fresh view of the Leeds Liverpool canal, this old boathouse gleams in golden hour, bringing the sunlight to their indoor seats, ensuring that no matter where abouts on the premises you're sitting, you're guaranteed beautiful golden hour lighting.
A classic spot, but there's good reason for Belgrave's unparalleled popularity. The rooftop terrace offers plenty of spaces for large groups around painted picnic benches, parasols and pergolas cover the immediate sunlight so that basking in the heat is manageable without having to keep your sunnies on all afternoon.
Plus you can grab pizza by the slice from resident kitchen Dough Boys on evenings when it's too warm to cook and you fancy a taste of something homemade without the pricetag.
Located just outside the centre of the city in Sheepscar, North Brew's bar hosts a huge outdoor seating area with row-upon-row of seating in the sunlight. Little Bao Boy and Kerbside Kids are on hand in shipping container kitchens to quench your appetite whilst North Brew taps have endless draught selections.
Conveniently all the foodie options are located outside, whilst the indoor seats are hidden from the sunshine and keeping those draught pints at a cool temperature.
Nation of Shopkeepers
Image: Nation of Shopkeepers
Nation of Shopkeepers' beer garden is one of the worst kept secrets in Leeds, but given it's a full courtyard's worth of outdoor drinking space right in the heart of the city, it's not exactly a surprise that everyone loves drinking here.
Serving up food and drink into the early hours basking in the sun trap or sheltering from a midday shower under the umbrella and pergola, this is an ideal day drinking spot for all weather in Leeds.
Original Oak
Image: Original Oak
The Original Oak in Headingley is a favourite for all ages, but if you’re a student looking for some sports action, you’ll feel quite at home at this Otley Run stop.
You can catch the latest Leeds United games throughout the rest of the season in the sunlight as the pub shows all the sports on their huge outdoor TV screen and you can bet that there will be plenty of space for you to join the crowd.
Headrow House
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Just like Belgrave, Headrow House has a rooftop beer garden that offers panoramic city views. Picture the sky transitioning from a pastel blue to deep tones of amber and violet whilst you sip on cocktails.
The beer garden is decked out with greenery between the picnic benches and truly does offer an intimate hiding place from the city centre down below.
The Temple Arches venue is perfect for soaking up the summer sun, Chow Down's vast space makes it ‘the largest garden in the city centre’.
With a jam-packed events calendar lasting all summer long, you'll always have fun at Chow Down whether you're attending their iconic Drag Brunch or fancy a bite to eat from one of their street food vendors on a sunny Saturday.
Gusto Italian Outdoor Terrace
Image: Gusto Italian
Located in the heart of the city on Greek Street, Gusto Italian is a firm favourite for a night filled with delicious Italian food in a beautiful setting.
Their new summer terrace opened its doors in June and has been a smash hit ever since. The spacious patio is filled with comfortable blue and white furnishings, flourishing greenery and is the perfect sun trap to enjoy a drink or two.
With Gusto supplying crispy Italian sourdough pizzas, spring-fresh salads and silky smooth pasta; the food will transport you to the cobbled streets of Rome in a heartbeat. For drinks, Grey Goose are providing the best Summer spritzes to quench your thirst in the sunshine, making the already Insta-worthy Greek Street venue the hottest spot in Leeds this Summer.
Feature Image- The Hoot Leeds
Eats
Everything you need to know about the Leeds Christmas Markets 2026
Leeds Christmas Markets is returning to the city centre in just a weeks time, and we've got everything you need to know.
This year, the markets are looking a little bit different than before as outdoor events company Thor’s Tipi have stepped up as the all-new operators of this Christmastime spectacular.
They're organising a market where 'even if you’re not from Yorkshire, you’re going to leave being from Yorkshire'.
Although Leeds locals already know that Yorkshire is 'God's Own Country', the Leeds Christmas Markets team are making sure that the county is represented through its food, drinks and wider stalls.
So, let's get into it...
Opening dates and timings
The Leeds Christmas Markets will kick off from Thursday 19 November and run until Wednesday 23 December. So that's almost five weeks of festivities flooding the city, and plenty of time for you to make the most of it.
The markets will be open 7 days a week, the exact timings are:
The main stalls and street food will be located at City Square, here you will also find the main Christmas tree and two THOR's bars.
Ice Cube at Millennium Square will also be making a return, here you'll find rides, an ice rink and more food and drink. This is separate to what is being run by THOR's this year, though.
There will be plenty of other festive activities taking place throughout the city throughout November and December, you can find out more and view the Leeds Christmas map here.
Food
Okay, now we can get onto the good stuff.
We all know that the highlight of the markets is the food, and this year there's going to be more independent and local trader than ever before.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
From Leeds' very own Italian street food restaurant Stuzzi to homemade mini tiramisu drawers, you're going to want to arrive feeling very peckish at these markets that's for sure.
The current full list of street food vendors at City Square is as follows:
Cut & Craft (steak and chips)
Beth Bakes Cakes (hot chocolate fudge cake)
Misu Tiramisu (mini tiramisu drawers)
Crumble pots (crumble)
La Grassa (Italian-American sandwiches)
Chocolate Circus (stacked hot chocolates)
Stuzzi (Italian street food)
Street Kings Bratwurst (traditional bratwurst)
Johnsons' Toffee (homemade toffee and fudge)
The Savvy Baker (sweet treats and hot cookie dough)
Irish spice bags
Churros
Drink
Closely following behind food, a good old tipple is what many of us venture to the markets for.
This year, alongside a few mulled wine stalls in city square, THOR's will be doing what they do best and opening two brand-new outdoor bars to really get you in the spirit.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
You can pick from a Scottish Highland Lodge and a Folie Ski Bar, both designed to welcome large groups with their own themed drinks and cosy interiors. You can read more about these bars here.
Not only that, but they'll be a specialist coffee trader as well as a matcha trader if you don't fancy anything alcoholic.
Shopping
The Leeds Christmas Markets isn't just about eating and drinking, it's also about browsing and shopping for those last minute Christmas gifts or gorgeous knick-knacks to decorate your home with over the festive season.
Here's your list of traders to buy gifts from at City Square:
Stump Cross (natural crystal jewellery, fossils and more)
House of the Trembling Madness (festive craft beer cans)
Real Markets Yorkshire (lots of goodies made in Yorkshire)
Yorkshire Print Company (Yorkshire-inspired artwork)
Paper Starlights (handmade paper lanterns)
Scents of Christmas (handcrafted decorations)
Kakuwi (homemade crafts sourced across India and Nepal)
The charming French bistro that’s been a Leeds favourite for over 30 years
Clementine Hall
Tucked away from the bustling streets of the city centre you’ll find a Leeds institution that has been serving diners since 1991.Â
You've probably walked past Sous Le Nez hundreds of times and not popped in.
But if we can convince you to do anything, it's to head down those unassuming stairs on Quebec Street and ask for a table.
Set in a cavernous basement, the space is full of nooks and crannies, and in a flash, you’ll be whisked away to the South of France with stellar service and white tablecloths to match.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Their food is classic French cuisine done to an excellent standard.
We're talking indulgent French onion soup, rich pan-seared duck breast, juicy rump steak with silky peppercorn sauce and moule-frites served in a sauce good enough for drinking.
And if the food isn't enough to get you excited, then wait until you hear about the wine list.
Featuring over 300 wines, you'll find a tipple to suit every taste and every flavour on the menu.
As well as its a la carte menu, they offers it's menu du soir which is available until 6:45pm on weekdays and on a Saturday lunch time.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It includes three courses including half a bottle of excellent wine per person. I mean, you really can't get better value then that, can you?
More recently, renowned food critic Jay Rayner praised Sous Le Nez for its fabulous food and we couldn't agree more. And if it's good enough for Jay, then it's certainly good enough for us.
This is the sort of spot that is full of regulars no matter the time of day, whether they’re stopping by for a quick lunch or indulging in their evening menu - it’s no surprise they’ve been a firm Leeds favourite for over 30 years.Â
You can find out more about Sous Le Nez and book your table here.
The Hoot -
13th April 2023 
