Whitelock’s Ale House has been serving the people of Leeds for over 300 years - and we’ve got to say it’s one of our favourite spots in the city.
Leeds is jam packed with traditional pubs, down every street you'll find a charming inn which has kept it's original features and is drenched in history.
But there is one pub which is truly a Leeds landmark and holds the title of being the city's oldest pub. Tucked away down a narrow alleyway just off Briggate, you will find Whitelock's Ale House.
Whitelock’s first opened in 1715 as the Turk’s Head, a heritage reflected in the name of the yard in which Whitelock’s is located and to this day is still called Turk’s Head Yard.
Image: Whitelock's Ale House
During this time, the pub catered mostly for merchants and market traders and was especially busy on Tuesdays and Saturdays when Briggate market was swarming with people.
Fast forward to 1867 and the licence of the Turk’s Head was granted to John Lupton Whitelock.
In the 1880s the Whitelock family purchased the pub, and in 1886 refurbished the pub. Here is where the beautiful ornate decor that is still in place today was installed, including the long marble and copper topped bar, tiled front, etched brewery mirrors and cast iron fireplace.
From the mid-1890s the pub became known as Whitelock’s First City Luncheon Bar and in 1897 John Lupton Whitelock installed electricity, including a revolving searchlight at the entrance to the yard.
Apparently, Whitelock’s was the first building in Leeds to have electric lighting and an electric clock.
Whitelock’s was a favourite rendezvous with stage stars and it even received royal approval when Prince George entertained a party in a curtained-off section of the restaurant.
Image: Whitelocks
It was also a popular spot for Leeds literary greats such as Keith Waterhouse and John Betjeman, who he himself described it as “the Leeds equivalent of Fleet Street’s Old Cheshire Cheese and far less self-conscious, and does a roaring trade. It is the very heart of Leeds.”
In 2008, Whitelock’s was honoured by the Leeds Civic Trust with the 100th iconic “blue plaque” to be hung in the city. It was unveiled by Sarah Whitelock, granddaughter of Lupton Whitelock.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The current owners took over the pub in 2012 following a period of misfortune for the pub, they've worked hard to restore the pub to its rightful place as one of the best pubs in the city.
It is now a Leeds institution and a must visit for anyone visiting the city, or for anyone who fancies a proper pint in a beautiful setting.
A Leeds pizza takeaway has received a glowing review from popular review duo.
Edges Pizza opened up their first permanent spot in Leeds back in June this year, after making a name for themselves slinging out pizzas at multiple pop-ups across the city.
Owners Grace and Edge from Harrogate opened Edges Pizza two years ago, taking inspiration from trips to New York over the years.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Their pizzas are a love letter to the class New York slice, think thin and crispy rather than chewy and floppy. But above all else, think absolutely delicious.
And now, they've caught the attention of a major review page, with Bite Twice Food Reviews (a page with almost 300k followers) paying Edges a visit.
The food review duo of Gerry del Guercio and Paul Delany popped up in Holbeck beneath the arches to get their hands on a pizza, and the outcome is brilliant.
In the video, Bite Twice said that the pizza is 'f**cking exceptional' and up there with 'one of the best pizzas in the UK'.
Before even taking a bite, they said: "On aesthetic, I don't think anywhere in the UK is doing pizza like this".
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Then after the first bite, they go on to say: "There are very few pizzas in the UK that create this, I’m a little bit blown away".
As Londoners themselves, they go on to say that Edges is 'easily hitting with the best that we’ve got down south'.
And if that's not high praise enough, they sign off the video saying: "Leeds has got an absolute gem. I give this a stamp so hard my foot went through the pizza. Edges. Don Level."
The 42-year-old Kirkgate Market stall serving freshly shucked oysters for £1.90 a pop
Clementine Hall
Tucked away in Leeds Kirkgate Market you'll find a wonderful seafood stall selling freshly shucked oysters for £1.90 each.
It's places like these that remind us why we love Leeds so much.
Established in 1880, Hayes Seafood is widely regarded as the oldest trader within the historic Kirkgate Market.
For the past 42 years, it has been run by Cliff and Michelle, the loveliest couple who welcome every customer with open arms.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The menu here is small but perfectly formed, focusing on fresh, ready-to-eat seafood that you can enjoy with a squeeze of lemon and a dollop of mayonnaise at most.
Delivered fresh every morning, there's pre-cracked crab shells, brown and white crab meat, cockles, crawfish tails - all perfectly prepared for you to eat at their bar or high tables opposite.
But, it's the oysters that you'll see people queueing for. And rightly so.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Everything here is prepared to order right in front of you, and for no extra fee. You can choose from two types of oysters: super salty Lindisfarne oysters or the slightly sweeter English Loch Fyne.
We recommend having a couple of each, pulling up a stool right by the counter and getting stuck in. If you ask Cliff nicely, he might tell you a bit about the history of the place - but you may have to order a couple more oysters for that.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You're left to dress them yourself, whether you prefer dash of fiery tabasco or a few pickled shallots. But to be honest, they're delicious just as they come.
This spot is a real piece of Leeds history, and the queues at lunchtime as well as the repeat regular customers proves just how special it is.
All it's missing is a champagne stall next to it...now wouldn't that be perfect?
Clementine Hall -
7th April 2023 
