Adelphi, Leeds

The Adelphi is a large Victorian pub that is split into a number of seating areas by ornate partitions and etched glass. To the left of the entrance is a seating area that is served by the bar which is also accessible from the foyer side where there is standing room only. To the right of the entrance is the old “smoking room’ that is now a seating area and to the right and left rear are another two seating areas. In the foyer stairs lead up to a function room that was closed during my recent Friday afternoon visit, but the barman informed us that it is used for overspill on busy Friday and Saturday evenings. Out the back is a small beer yard that has some covered seating for smokers. I didn’t spot any televisions and there was no background music playing. The bar is stocked with premium draught products and I counted seven hand pumps around the bar. I went for a stout that was on good form, but I remember thinking that it was a bit pricey at £4 for a pint. This was originally a hotel but apparently the floors above the function room are now derelict. I liked it in here and would recommend any who hasn’t been to pop in and have a look. QI: In 1908 the then governor was taken to court for allowing darts to be played in the pub. At the time darts was considered a game of chance and was banned from public houses. The governor requested that a dartboard be set up in the courtroom and he got his best player to throw at the board. It is reported that he hit three twenties, before the governor invited the court officials to have a go. None of them could hit the three twenties and the case was dismissed so darts was allowed to become a popular British sport, which it is still to this day.

Crossing Leeds Bridge from North to South of the River Aire, you can't help but spot this imposing granite and brick pub with its impressive curved frontage. The pub dates back to 1901 and was the de-facto brewery tap for Tetley's whose former brewing plant can still be seen a little further down Hunslet Road. You enter through a small porch with glazed tile walls and a mosaic floor, setting the tone for the rest of the pub which retains plenty of original features. The interior is laid out around a central lobby which provides access to the bar and has three rooms leading off it as well as a grand staircase to the rear which takes you up to the first floor function rooms. The lobby area has a terrazzo floor and a spectacular dark wood servery with plenty of intricate glasswork. The main bar can be found in the front left hand room which has a long curved banquette which follows the curved shape of the building under the front windows. A large chandelier hangs above the similarly curved bar counter and there is a lot of original etched glass in both the front window and the partitioning wall at the rear of the room. The other front room is a large lounge with banquette and low stool seating and more excellent etched windows bearing the pub's name. A smart tiled fireplace was lit when we arrived and an unlit one could be found in the rear smoke room which was carpeted and had plenty of comfortable bench and chair seating as well as an attractive decorative frieze running around the room. Four ales were available at the bar - Taylor Landlord, Leeds Pale and Gathering Storm and Ilkley Norseman. As others have mentioned, the drinks weren't exactly cheap, with the Leeds Pale setting me back £3.40, although I did feel I'd had a bit of a result when others reported the Norseman costing £4.00. It's a shame as it makes the pub feel more like an opportunistic tourist attraction than a proper boozer. If you are interested in pub history and architecture, this is an essential port of call when in Leeds as it is virtually unrivalled in terms of its grandeur. The high prices might curtail thoughts of a longer session but I'd happily pop back to soak up more of the atmosphere.

A fine example of a preserved Victorian interior and worth a visit for that alone. Fortunately as well there are usually some local ales on the available four pumps and TT Landlord, Ilkley brewery The Norseman and Pale and Storm from the Leeds brewery was the choice for our visit. The Leeds brewery beers were well kept and pleasantly supped in excellent surroundings. In fact the only thing not right about this place is the pricing policy, as mentioned by others, and £4.00 a pint was even eye watering for a cockney..

A Victorian classic with the small island bar serving three seperate rooms,the fourth is across the mosaic tiled corridor.A wealth of original features with etched glass and glazed tiling prominent,a shame the fire was only a coal affect gas job.The upstairs function room was closed but is available to hire and also provides overflow seating on Friday and Saturday nights.Owned by M&B,but not part of their Nicholsons chain,although it could easily be,there is a decent selection of real ale,my Leeds Gathering Storm was in fine nick.The friendly barman was a font of knowledge about Leeds pubs and told us about a secret tunnel at The Victoria leading the the law courts,blocked up these days. My only reservation was about pricing ,with pints at £4 which is steep even by London standards.No CAMRA discount and I got stiffed for a round !However the pub really does warrant a visit,whether you would base yourself here for a session may depend on how flush you feel.

This is a large interesting pub with lots of etched glass screens, ornate timberwork and Victorian glazed tiles. The history of the pub is displayed in the main lobby across from the bar and dates from 1837. There was 4 ales on handpump, we went for the Leeds Pale, prices were on the steep side here.

Interesting pub with beers served in the main bar area and also from a corridor. We chose 2 local beers, Leeds Gathering Storm and Ilkley Norseman and got a shock being asked for £4. I said they are London prices for a local brew and the barman just shrugged. The staff seemed friendly enough, and the beer quality couldn't be faulted. Forgot to explore the pub due to the price shock!

Official site of The Adelphi - www.theadelphileeds.co.uk