The UK's Top 50 gastropubs have just been revealed in a prestigious annual list published by Estrella Damn, and two of them are just a short drive away from Leeds.
West Yorkshire pubs The Moorcock in Sowerby Bridge, and 2 AA Rosette Restaurant The Shibden Mill Inn, ranked at 30 and 31 respectively - proving that we really do have some of the best pubs in the country just on our doorstep.
In fact, four out of five of the country’s very best foodie pubs are located up north, with number two – The Parkers Arms in Clitheroe – just an hour and a half from the city.
Time to start making some bookings.
The Shibden Mill Inn has previously been named as the best pub in West Yorkshire. The pub also scooped the 2022 Estrella Damn Foodie Favourite award at this year's ceremony, which took place in Manchester on Monday / Image: The Shibden Mill Inn
Further Yorkshire pubs to gain recognition in the Top 50 Gastropubs list include The Star Inn (Harome, North Yorkshire) coming in at number 3, The Angel (Hetton, Skipton) at number 4, The Pipe and Glass, (Barnsley) at number 23, and The Hovingham Inn (Yorkshire) at number 41.
It’s certainly been an eventful year for Yorkshire's Michelin-starred pub The Star Inn, which burnt down in a fire in 2020 – yet still managed to claim one of the top spots, despite only having been back open for a few months.
In total, fifteen northern pubs made it into the top 50 list including Freemasons (Wiswell, Clitheroe), The Rat Inn (Anick, Hexham) The Broad Chare (Newcastle Upon Tyne), The Higher Buck, Waddington (near Manchester), The White Swan at Fence (Fence, Burnley), Heft (High Newton, Lancashire) and The Higher Buck (Waddington, Lancashire).
Suffolk’s Unruly Pig, meanwhile, was been crowned the UK’s finest pub for foodies, moving up from last year’s Highest Climber category to become the very best in the Estrella Damn Top 50 Gastropubs 2022 list today. The Top 50 Gastropubs list, now in its 13th year, ranks the UK’s best gastropubs according to the votes from more than 400 gastropub owners, food critics and other industry experts.
Image: The Shibden Mill
The critically acclaimed Pack Horse at Hayfield, which sits at the foot of Kinder Scout and is an hour and a half's drive from Leeds city centre, was also featured - having also recently been added to the Michelin Guide, to the delight of chef-owner Luke Payne.
Chris Lowe,, Top 50 Gastropubs publisher, said: “After a tough two years for the hospitality industry, we are thrilled to see such a strong list of contenders this year, including a new number one and several new entrants!
“The Top 50 Gastropubs provides a platform for food-lovers to explore the very best offerings across the UK. We are delighted to host this year’s event in Manchester for the first time, highlighting the range of talent across the UK.
“I’m incredibly delighted for Brendan and everyone at The Unruly Pig to get the number 1 spot.”
Image: The Moorcock at Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire
James Healey, UK Country Manager for Estrella Damm, said: “As the authentic premium beer of Barcelona, Estrella Damm is proud to continue to support the UK’s gastropubs.
“This is the seventh year that we have sponsored the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropub Awards, an awards ceremony that celebrates high calibre ingredients, culinary excellence and innovation, qualities that are also shared by Estrella Damm.
“We want to extend our congratulations to all 50 gastropubs on the list and hope more pub-goers are lucky enough to experience their talent in 2022.”
The Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs 2022 list is as follows:
From nights out to trips to the beach, Rebel Roots Theatre Company's latest production explores how spiking can change lives and why young people need to hear its message.
Imagine heading out with your mates, having what should be a brilliant night, only for one decision to change everything.
It's an uncomfortable thought, but it's one that Leeds-based Rebel Roots Theatre Company is bringing to the forefront with Aftermath, a play written by Lottie Burns that explores the devastating impact of spiking on individuals and their families.
At the centre of the story is Layla, a young woman preparing to leave home for university, and her father, David, who must confront the realities of women's safety as his daughter prepares to start a new chapter.
But Layla isn't the only one affected. Her brother Ethan is also spiked by his own friends during a trip to the beach, opening up another side to a conversation that often focuses predominantly on women.
His experience challenges the assumption that spiking is exclusively a women's issue, highlighting how men can also become victims, sometimes at the hands of people they trust. It raises important questions about male friendships, peer pressure and the way harmful behaviour can be dismissed as a joke.
Written by Burns while studying at Leeds Conservatoire, the play was inspired by growing concerns about spiking in 2021 and the way these fears were changing women's experiences of nights out.
Through Layla, Ethan and their father, David, Aftermath looks beyond the incident itself to explore its wider consequences, from damaged relationships to the difficult conversations that follow.
And it's exactly why this production deserves to reach young people in colleges and universities.
For many, heading to university means newfound independence, making new friends and experiencing student nightlife for the first time. Taking Aftermath into educational settings could help open young people's eyes to the realities of spiking, encouraging conversations around consent, trust, peer pressure and supporting those affected.
Rather than simply telling students to watch their drinks, the production offers an opportunity to understand the human consequences through a story they can connect with. It could also challenge audiences to reconsider their own behaviour and recognise when something that seems like a joke can have serious consequences.
The project has also received support from anti-spiking organisation CounterSpike. Rebel Roots Theatre Company is passionate about taking theatre beyond traditional venues, bringing new writing and important stories into pubs, community spaces and other accessible settings.
Ultimately, Aftermath is about more than one night out. It's about trust, family and the lasting impact of experiences that can affect anyone.
And if bringing this story into a college or university helps even one young person rethink their actions or better understand what someone else might go through, it's a conversation worth having.
We’re sure this production will enjoy another run thanks to its important message and core values. But if you want to catch it for yourself, you can see it this Saturday, 24 October, at The Attic in Leeds. It’s a pay-what-you-can event, starting at 7:30 pm, so don’t miss out.
Featured image - Supplied
News
A new bar dedicated to Guinness and games is coming to Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
Expect live music, a load of craic and plenty of Guinness at Leeds' brand-new bar.
Opening on Leeds' bustling Merrion Street, 'Love, Jackie' is the latest concept from the team behind Roxy Ball Room and King Pins.
Love, Jackie will be taking over a 7,000 sq ft space,and will be promising proper prints, late nights and plenty of Irish charm.
Pouring will be the holy trinity of Irish stouts - Guinness, Beamish and Murphy's.
Image: Supplied
These will be served alongside Leeds' own Kirkstall Virtuous IPA and a vast whiskey selection that celebrates the best of Ireland.
Games wise, try your hand at crazy pool, interactive darts, shuffleboard and karaoke. There will also be live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The opening comes as Merrion Street enjoys a new wave of investment and hospitality openings, helping bring new life to one of Leeds' best known night life attractions.
Image: Supplied
Matt Jones, CEO of Professionals at Play, said: “Everyone knows a Jackie. She’s the one who gets everyone together, convinces you to stay for another and makes sure there’s never a dull moment.
“We wanted to create a pub with that same personality. Somewhere with brilliant drinks, live music, plenty of games and the kind of atmosphere that makes you forget you were only popping in for one.
“Merrion Street is coming back to life, and we’re excited to be part of its next chapter. We think Jackie will fit right in. And because Jackie’s never been one to turn up empty-handed, the first drink’s on her."
We'll keep you updated on opening times as and when we find out, but for now you can sign up here for a pint of free Guinness. Cheers to that!
Georgina Pellant -
25th January 2022 
