There's few spots in Leeds where a post-work drink before the train is possible, but we've found a place where you can grab some of the fastest pours in the city.
Picture the scene.
It's a Wednesday afternoon and you've got post-work drinks on your mind. The only thought that's going to get you through the next few hours at the office. We know your type- you've got a train to catch at 6pm so you need to be in and out within the hour. No time for queuing up at the bar.
Why waste your precious hour between work and the train travelling across town, only to have to wait twenty minutes to be served. And if you want a cocktail, well forget it- there's no way you can get one in time.
Hangry and frustrated, you reluctantly head to the train station for a lukewarm pint in an old bar that has an ungodly smell about it and reside yourself to the fact that post-work drinks were only made for those that can afford to spend all night in the city, not commuters like you.
We've all been this person at one point or another. And well, it sucks.
Image: PGHL
Finally, a bar has spotted this gap in the market and is changing the post-work drinks scene for the better. SALT, with a newly opened site at Granary Wharf, is serving up the fastest cocktails in the city- and we're genuinely ecstatic about the concept.
Bringing draught cocktails to the masses, their canalside bar is the perfect spot to unwind after a long day of grafting in the city centre.
Grab a seat and lazily unwind in a cosy nook of the circular-shaped seating area or grab a sun-drenched spot next to the windows where light just floods in.
Image: SALT Craft + Falafel
Located in the former Craft Asylum bar, with the steady stream of water from the Leeds-Liverpool canal at eye-level , SALT Craft + Falafel is all about providing those post-work drink essentials: speedy drinks in a picturesque location.
The bar area itself is comfy enough you could stay all evening long, especially once the nights draw in later and the sun shines through the clouds without stormy skies superseding.
Grab a glass of Espresso Martini or Strawberry Cosmopolitans within seconds thanks to the selection of seven 'on tap' cocktails- which take the same amount of time as a pint to pull, mind-blowing.
If that's not enough, all cocktails are 2 for £12 all day, every day.
Image: The Hoot LEeds
It's not just cocktails that SALT Craft + Falafel is making a name with. Those that have carefully listened to the name will have noticed that this bar is all about craft beers, and SALT have them in abundance.
Living by the slogan 'the purpose of beer is to create pleasure', it's clear that these guys are passionate about their drinks. Expect award-winning hop forward beers alongside Ossett Brewery cask, YON Lager, local guest breweries and more- all poured before your next train is due.
Locally famous street vendors Falafel Guys have set up in the kitchen here, so you won't even have to duck out for food if you decide to let post-work drinks turn into an evening in town.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The Halal menu offers Middle Eastern cuisine at its finest. There's serving up chunky grilled halloumi, three types of hummus, as well as falafels, chicken wings, halloumi fries and chicken shawarma to choose from.
Even if you allow the evening to run away with you, the former Craft Asylum building is only a few short steps from the South Exit of Leeds Train Station.
We really can't recommend a better spot for long afternoons, cocktail or craft beer in hand- it's certainly the post-work treat that we look forward to, no matter where in Leeds (or further afield) we're heading home to.
You can find the newly-opened SALT Craft + Falafel at Granary Wharf and put their speedy drinks service and unbeatable location to the test for yourself.
It doesn’t take long to see why this place has become such a firm favourite with the Farsley crowd.
We finally took a trip to Grumpy's Bar and Wood Fired Pizza and safe to say, you were absolutely right about this one.
Tucked away inside Sunny Bank Mills, Grumpy’s has built a huge reputation for its incredible wood-fired pizzas, laid-back atmosphere, that more or less has a proper community feel at the forefront.
Created by sisters Alex and Cassie, the family-run restaurant was even named after their dad, 'Grumpy' himself, and that personal touch runs through everything they do.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
From supporting local community events to creating a genuinely welcoming space where you can rock up in trainers or stay for hours without realising, it feels like much more than just somewhere to grab food. It feels like part of the neighbourhood’s personality.
And then there’s the pizza.
Everything is made fresh in-house, and watching the team stretch out the dough before piling on all the toppings adds a bit of theatre to the whole experience.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The wood-fired pizzas are definitely the stars of the show, coming out with that perfect crispy base, soft airy crust, and smoky finish that makes you immediately think, “yeah, that’s the good stuff.”
They also offer a gluten-free base, so there’s something on the menu for everyone to dig into.
But the small plates deserve their flowers too. Dishes like their burrata are a proper crowd-pleaser, served with fresh seasonal tomatoes and bread perfect for scooping up every last bit of creamy goodness.
Add in dough balls and arancini, and suddenly the table starts looking less like a couple of starters and more like a full-on sharing feast.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
One thing we loved? The personality behind the menu. A lot of the pizzas are named after famously grumpy TV and film characters, which gives the whole place a bit of humour and fits the vibe perfectly.
And while we came for the pizza, one surprise standout was the banana split dessert. Fun, nostalgic, slightly over-the-top in the best way, and exactly the kind of thing you don’t think you’ll order… until it shows up and suddenly everyone’s fighting for the last spoonful.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
What makes Grumpy’s special, though, is that it never feels like it’s trying too hard - it’s casual, friendly, and welcoming.
Add in the sunny terrace, a few drinks, and a table full of pizzas shared between mates, and it’s easy to see why people end up staying way longer than planned.
There’s no rush here, just good food, good company, and a place that quietly gets everything right without making a fuss about it.
We finally get why Grumpy's Bar + Wood Fired Pizza is such a Farsley favourite… and trust us, we’ll definitely be back.
North Star Coffee announces opening date for new site – and they’re giving away 200 coffees to celebrate
Clementine Hall
One of Leeds' most iconic brands is expanding with two city centre openings.
Coffee lovers, you're going to love this one.
North Star Coffee Roasters are one of the early pioneers of specialty coffee in the North of England and among the UK’s first B Corp-certified coffee roasters.
They've been keeping the people of Leeds awake since 2013, and you'll find their coffee across the country as well as at their current city centre locations.
One of their brand-new locations inside the Victoria Quarter will be opening next Monday 1 June.
Their new kiosk will be located outside Jo Malone London and marks the brand’s third site in Leeds.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
To celebrate the launch, North Star will be giving away 50 free coffees a day from Tuesday 2 June until Friday 5 June - a total of 200 free drinks across the opening week. Customers will be able to claim any coffee from the menu, with one free drink per person available on a first come, first served basis, each day.
Their other new site is expected to be on Great George Street, and we'll keep you updated with any news on that one as and when we know more.
Speaking about the opening, Holly Kragiopoulos, Co-founder of North Star, said: “Opening a third site in the centre of Leeds feels incredibly special for us. Leeds has always been at the heart of North Star, so being able to bring our coffee into Victoria Quarter is a huge milestone.
"We wanted to celebrate by giving something back to the city and welcoming both loyal regulars and new customers with free coffee throughout our opening week.”
Sophie Smith -
3rd March 2022 
