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
Iconic Leeds United pub The Moot reopens after six-figure refurb
The Moot Hall Arms, Leeds' favourite football pub, has just reopened its doors after a six-figure refurb.
The iconic Leeds United pub is still covered in local sports memorabilia and merch, but there's even more of it now.
That's because The Moot has now expanded across two floors and three bars, including a brand-new bar and events space upstairs, The Changing Rooms, created to celebrate the rich history of Leeds United.
That extra space is ready for busy matchdays and the full seven-days-a-week programme of events and deals, which includes live music, karaoke, bingo, quiz nights, and more.
And operator Claire says she wants to the pub to be Leeds city centre's best-value sports and entertainment venues, with pints available from £3 in the week.
The popular Craft Union Pub Company venue has reopened its doors today to the bigger, brighter pub, ready to once again attract football fans from across the UK looking to experience its unique atmosphere.
The 'significant' refurbishment includes new decor, bars, furniture, lighting, toilets, and entertainment facilities, like nine TVs, two large projector screens, and three Sky boxes.
Over this weekend and the bank holiday weekend, there'll be DJs, live music, karaoke, themed events, and special guest appearances from former Leeds United favourites Stuart Dallas, Mel Sterland and Noel Whelan.
Inside The Moot in LeedsThe new 'Changing Rooms' bar at The Moot Hall ArmsThere's still plenty of Leeds United merch everywhere
Claire, Operator at The Moot Hall Arms, said: "We're absolutely delighted to be reopening and finally showing everyone what we've been working on.
"Over the last five years we've worked extremely hard to build The Moot into something special. We're proud of the community that's grown around the pub, the friendships that have been made here and the reputation we've built among Leeds United supporters.
"This investment is a huge vote of confidence in the pub and what it has become. We've managed to make The Moot bigger, better and more versatile, while keeping everything people love about it."
Sport remains central to the venue's identity, with the pub continuing to show Sky Sports, TNT Sports and Premier Sports coverage throughout the year.
When it's a Leeds United fixture, the full matchday experience will include pre- and post-match DJs, live entertainment, and full sound for games.
Claire said: "We want The Moot to be much more than somewhere people simply come for a drink. Our ambition is to be one of Leeds city centre's best-value sports and entertainment venues, with something happening every day of the week."
New artwork in the windowsLeeds Leeds Leeds
Alongside its sporting credentials, The Moot Hall Arms has also earned recognition for its commitment to charitable causes, raising more than £100,000 for charities and good causes, supporting organisations including St Gemma's Hospice, Leeds Women's Aid and NECS Uganda.
The Moot's team has also travelled to Uganda in recent years, sponsoring the education of four children, delivering aid and supporting community projects within local villages.
For Claire and her team, the most important thing is ensuring The Moot remains true to its roots.
She said: "We’re passionate about keeping the Moot accessible and affordable. At a time when customers are watching what they spend, we want people to know they can still come into the centre of Leeds, have a reasonably priced pint, watch live sport and enjoy entertainment without spending a fortune.
"Most importantly, we want The Moot to retain its personality. It’s still going to be loud on matchdays, full of Leeds United memorabilia, packed for big games, raising money for good causes and putting on entertainment throughout the week – there’s just a lot more of it now!"
Chapel Allerton’s new Indian restaurant inspired by founder’s childhood on the Indian railways
Daisy Jackson
A new Indian bistro has opened its doors in Chapel Allerton, promising authentic dishes that span the length and breadth of Indian cuisine.
The Crossing Indian Bistro has ventured to Leeds for its first-ever UK restaurant, having already established sites in Paris, Dubai and Nice.
It comes from chef-founder Ankur Chakraborty, who has drawn on his family history for inspiration - his dad used to work for the Indian Railways, and it introduced Ankur to the incredible variety in flavours, tastes, and dishes of different regions across India.
That’s the heart and soul of The Crossing, celebrating the ingredients and techniques that have shaped the country’s vibrant cuisine.
The modern take on regional Indian cuisine will include traditional recipes but contemporary techniques, for signature dishes like Railway Lamb Curry, Alleppey Prawn Curry (inspired by Kerala’s backwaters), and a Madras Mutton Pepper Fry.
You’ll also find delicious small plates like gunpowder prawns, Kerala fried chicken, dal moradabadi, and The Crossing chaat bowl.
And as for dessert, expect dishes like the Goan-Portuguese influenced Mango Serradura, and the Dubai date toffee pudding, served with homemade carrot halwa ice cream.
At lunchtimes diners can tuck into a £15 thali deal, served in traditional silverware, and including a main curry, Zeera Aloo, Saag Makai, dal of the day, raita, house pickles, steamed basmati rice, and a choice of freshly-baked tandoor bread.
Chapel Allerton’s new Indian restaurant inspired by railway journeys across the country. Credit: TheTravelBuds
The Crossing Indian Bistro chose to open its first UK site in Chapel Allerton after being inspired by the area’s independent spirit and strong neighbourhood identity.
Ankur Chakraborty, Chef-Founder of The Crossing Indian Bistro and co-founder of Lemon Butter, said: “The Crossing is built on the idea that India is not one cuisine, but thousands of local food cultures connected by movement, exchange and memory.
“The railways helped those cultures meet as people travelled, allowing recipes to cross regions and flavours to evolve. We’ve reflected this in the menu, which takes guests on a journey through India, where they can discover lesser-known dishes inspired by its different regions.
“Chapel Allerton feels like the right first home for us in the UK with its strong identity and an independent, community-minded spirit. We hope to add something distinctive to that neighbourhood, with an expression of modern India that is regionally rooted, generous and full of discovery.”
The Crossing Indian Bistro has already opened its doors in Chapel Allerton, and is offering 50% off all food until 31 August as it settles into the Leeds suburb.
The Hoot -
13th April 2023 
