Just around the corner from Leeds train station, this new underground cocktail speakeasy is well worth checking out.
Called Underbelly, it’s tucked away underneath Friends of Ham – a little gem in its own right with a delicious menu of cheese toasties, delicious things on toast, charcuterie, and cheese boards.
Open on the weekends only, this gorgeous little drinking den is easy to miss but well worth seeking out.
Serving up some fabulous cocktails that you just can’t get your hands on in the restaurant upstairs, choices on the menu include classics such as espresso martinis, daiquiris, margaritas and negronis alongside some signature ‘Underbelly twists’.
The twists menu features a twist on the classic French martini, or as they’re calling it here a ‘Parisienne martini’, made with plantation pineapple rum as the base alongside raspberry liqueur and pineapple juice.
There’s also a divine sounding Pedro’s iced tea, perfect in a heatwave, made with Element 29 vodka, Portobello Road gin, curacao, lemon and smoked cola and Pedro Ximinez sherry.
Give it to me now. We also like the look of the afternoon tea, a sweet tea infused gin concoction made with added lemon, apple presse and soda. The perfect long and fruity drink on a hot day (and let’s be honest, we’ve been having a lot of those lately).
Not for you? How about the Herbie’s pub – another rum heavy cocktail made with Plantation Fiji, alongside watermelon, lime and pineapple juice, or the El Damasco, a tequila-based drink with apricots, lime and agave?
Last but not least, we have to talk about their Delirium old fashioned, which blends a red syrup made from the iconic Belgian beer with Wild Turkey’s rye to create a distinct finish.
Of course, if cocktails aren’t for you (or maybe they’re not for your friends), there is also a handful of beers on tap here including some bits from local brewery Kirkstall. Starting from £4.80 a pint, you should be pretty happy with the craft selection on offer.
Out favourite thing about Underbelly, though, has to be the fact that you can also order food from the restaurant upstairs – a charcuterie board and those bar snacks are the perfect set-up for a night of drinking if you ask us.
Find Underbelly underneath Friends of Ham at 4-8 New Station St, Leeds LS1 5DL.
Feature image – Friends of Ham.
