Leeds is inundated with bars, but there's few places that you can guarantee will have space for the whole team and serve a decent pint.
There's far more to consider when drinking with a large crowd too: will you all fit around a single table? Can your team travelling home by train still make their once-an-hour slot back in time? Perhaps most pressing, what will the drinking options be like?
We've rounded up our favourite watering holes that offer a combination of all the factors needed for the perfect post-work drink. Each bar has enough space for businesses big and small with vast drinking options, including non-alcoholic options for those tee-total or driving, and we've even considered places where you can forget about the working day and the proximity to the train station.
Keep reading to find out top picks for places to have a drink after work in and around Leeds city centre.
Salt Leeds City Centre
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Serving up cocktails on tap, there's no worry here about having to waste time waiting for a drink. Both of Salt's bars in the city centre, on East Parade and Granary Wharf, are equipped with the state-of-the-art draught cocktail machines and located within a half mile of the train station, so regardless of if you're a city centre commuter or live within close proximity of Leeds, you can make the most of a post-work tipple before heading off into the evening.
The cocktail trees will be a crowd-pleaser for the whole team too. You can mix and match with the likes of strawberry cosmos, espresso martinis and classic pornstar and passionfruit combos amongst other favourites too- an exciting alternative to buying in rounds that will suit all cocktail drinkers, regardless of their individual preferences.
Located right in the heart of the city centre, Revolución de Cuba is the post-work hotspot that serves up everything you need to forget about the day's activities and transition into that after hours euphoric state. Helping you to leave those anxieties behind is a vast range of cocktails and specialist rums.
Save the sharer teapots for a Friday early finish: they're refreshing but potent. Made up of Havana Club 3 Year Old rum and Koko Kanu coconut rum with raspberry, mango and fresh pineapple. Served in a giant teapot, it's the perfect way to start off your weekend as you mean to go on.
Pastel
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Pastel may have only opened just a few weeks ago, but it's quickly becoming our go-to for drinks after hours. Promising a unique menu of cocktails- bubble guns, pancetta and Haribo eggs are all featured- this laid-back boho bar will have you in holiday-mode upon entrance.
Plus, every Monday, Pastel offers one of their signature drinks at just a fiver. A new cocktail is chosen every week to keep their menu fresh, innovative and guarantee that your Monday blues will stop the moment the clock strikes 5pm.
Banyan has been serving the city worker crowd in their masses for quite some time and there's a good reason why people keep coming back- besides its convenient location adjacent to Leeds train station. There's plenty of outdoor and indoor seating, so regardless of the size of your workforce, you're likely to all sit around the same table.
Designed to serve larger groups, those feeling generous can treat the whole team with cocktail trees filled with the likes of Espresso and Pornstar Martinis or a perfect-serve gin with Fevertree tonic or keep the fizz a free-flowing affair with their vast range of wine options too.
Canary Bar
The Spiced Pear Fizz and a mocktail. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Swap the city's bright lights for a canalside view over at Leeds Docks and leave the day behind at Canary Bar. The shipping container bar is cosy and intimate, but provides plenty of space for large groups to gather, either round huge wooden benches, outdoor seating area or through private hire of their upstairs space and balcony.
Drinkswise, there's plenty to choose from too. Expect a considered list of classic cocktails and lagers from local breweries, amongst a huge range of non-alcoholic options. Plus, if you make it in before 4pm, there's 30% off food and the laid-back bar actively encourage remote workers to make the most of their work-friendly amenities, so there's always an option to work from here before (or whilst) grabbing a drink or two.
There's only one thing better than fries, and that's bottomless fries.
There's a new date spot in town, and it's called Jasper's.
Tucked away in the beautiful Grand Arcade, this new bistro and bar is focusing on one thing and doing it well...steak and chips.
We honestly can't think of a better combo, and the best part? The chips are bottomless.
You may have seen this sort of concept over in Paris, where guests are served two servings of steak and chips all for a very reasonable price.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Well this is basically the same, except you get one steak each and endless fries that are perfect for mopping up all the juices.
You can choose from a rump steak and chips for just £19.50 or you can pay a little bit extra for a 28 day aged ribeye, if you're feeling that little bit fancy.
Then once your food arrives, you'll have 90 minutes to get through as many fries as possible. Challenge accepted.
They've got loads of sauces for dipping and dunking as well, from your classic peppercorn to a zingy chimichurri.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
If steak isn't your thing then the menu also features plenty of other options like tiger prawns, fried oysters and grilled scallops.
The cocktail list is absolutely huge, with over 100 whiskeys on offer for you to make your way through.
The interior is moody, dark and ultra romantic - perfect for date night if you ask us.
Jasper's steak house and bar is open now in Leeds city centre and you can find more about it here.
The very best ice cream and gelato spots in and around Leeds
Clementine Hall
Whether you're a fan of a classic Mr. Whippy or after something a bit more artisanal, we've got you covered in this list of the best ice cream places in Leeds.
It's hot enough to warrant a treat, we'd say, and if you're going to do it you might as well go the whole hog and truly indulge in the best ice cream the city has to offer.
Keep reading to discover the very best ice cream spots in Leeds.
Melting Point
The Corn Exchange, Leeds
New to Leeds and new to the Corn Exchange is the fabulous Melting Point, an independent ice cream and gelato serving up weird and wonderful flavours.
It's like Willy Wonka if he made ice cream instead of chocolate, and we're absolutely obsessed. The list of flavours change daily, so not visit is the same but you can rest assured each one is delicious.
Tsujiri
17 Ludgate Hill, LS2 7HZ
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Serving up authentic flavours like matcha and hōjicha, Tsujiri is one of our new favourite dessert spots in Leeds.
This Japanese dessert house offers everything from classic soft serves to more adventurous sundaes, with an array of toppings to customise your treat. Options include boba pearls, cracker, genmai, kinako, kuromitsu, red bean, sesame, shiratama. Perfect for those seeking a unique and refreshing dessert experience.
Knoops
Trinity Centre, 26-28 Albion St, LS1 6HX
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you adore chocolate, you'll be thrilled to know that Knoops has ventured into ice cream. Their soft serve is a dreamy treat topped with your choice of chocolate flakes – whether you prefer milk, white, or dark chocolate, you get to pick the chocolate you love the most, all finished with a signature Knoops chocolate disc.
Their ice cream also stars in their thick, creamy milkshakes. Choose from six different chocolate percentages and add extra flavours for a personalised indulgence. Perfect for those who love to mix things up.
Mr Whippy Leeds
Around Leeds
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Mr Whippy Leeds has been around for over 50 years, operating the largest fleet of modern ice cream vans and trailers in Leeds.
Mr Whippy Leeds is, simply put, iconic. The fleet of vintage ice cream trucks, painted pink, white and blue, are gorgeous to look at and serve just as wonderfully pleasing ice creams. In recent years, they've noticed a shift from 99p cones to more extravagant options - now they are creating thee 'super Sundaes' which you can pick up from one of the trucks around the city.
Ice Scoop Gelato
From Ferrero Rocher to Kinder Bueno, if you fancy a naughty chocolate ice cream Ice Scoop Gelato has you covered. Honestly, there's a whole host of amazing flavours here. All are available to enjoy by the scoop or in a cone, or alternatively push the boat out and order yours with a crepe or waffles.
Amorino
Victoria Gate, George St, Leeds LS2 7HY
Image: Amorino
This authentic Italian gelato spot is famous in Leeds and for good reason. Scoops come served in a chocolate cone, with gelato presented in the shape of a flower and the option to add on macarons. Find flavours like Banana del Brasile and Dulce de Leche here alongside more traditional choices.
Sophie Smith -
19th April 2022 
