The Grove Inn, Leeds

A proper pub surrounded by a plethora of corporate tower blocks and trendy flats. A real survivor. The inside has been fully described previously, so I won't bother, except to say that we loved the stained glass canal scenes on the window and door on the right as you enter. An excellent selection of cask ales including the local Ridgeside brewery when we called in last week. Both the pints I had were in excellent condition and I can't imagine ever visiting Holbeck without calling in this pub. My Pub Of The Month for June 2011, despite some stiff competition.

West Yorkshire blogger ‘Olthwaite’ compares The Grove to The Crimson Permanent Assurance building in Monty Python’s ‘Meaning of Life’ and that’s a wonderful image, given that the pub is indeed surrounded by jutting, corporate architecture and modern office blocks. By the law of averages, it probably shouldn’t even be there. Found on the edge of the Holbeck redevelopment area and a few minutes walk from Leeds station, The Grove is a fantastic example of a West Riding corridor style pub. On entering, there’s a lovely terrazzo floor and some fabulous old wall tiles, before a choice of four rooms. The room on the left houses the main part of the bar, although a section may be accessed from the corridor. There are two small side rooms to the right and a larger concert room to the rear. Both the walls and the bar in the left hand room are wood panelled and above the counter there’s a large collection of pump clips from previously featured beers. The low ceiling and wood burning stove give the room a cosy feel, further character being added by the nicotine stain effect walls, etched windows and a collection of caricatures of regular drinkers down the years. Wall mounted wooden cogs hint at the area’s previous industrial heritage. Seating is mostly low circular tables and stools with a few high stools at the bar. The first right hand room is a plain white affair. There are wall benches, an old armchair and a disused fireplace, complete with mirror. One or two old prints break up the wall space. It feels light and airy, but the plasterwork does look a little battered in places, unfortunately. The second right hand room is darker, but cosier, with its red décor and a working fire. The wall next to the corridor features a stained glass panel of a canal scene and there are some unusual inlaid wooden benches. A cluster of industrial prints lines the walls. The back room regularly features live music and not surprisingly has a small stage, musical memorabilia and prints of various musicians. It’s bare floor boarded, with continuous wall benches and has a wood-burning stove. As it’s so geared towards concerts it does lack a little heart during the day. Eight beers were on offer during this visit: WharfeBank ‘Tether Blonde’ & ‘Cam Fell’, Moorhouse’s ‘Black Cat’ & ‘Pride Of Pendle’, Daleside ‘Blonde’, Ilkley ‘Black’, Leeds ‘Pale’ and Salamander ‘Twinkle Toes’. (Also a decent cider in ‘Old Rosie’.) I tried several of them and they were all in good condition and well poured, but did find the beer temperature a little variable, on this occasion. I do like the staff here: Friendly, helpful, passionate about beer and more than willing to chat, in between serving customers. The atmosphere tends to change, along with the custom base, during the day. Obviously, the business community tends to dominate at lunchtime and early evening, but gradually the regulars, beer lovers and music fans take over. The Grove is a wonderful place and is definitely one of my all time favourites. I always recommend it to fans of good beer and real pubs visiting the city. Currently celebrating its tenth consecutive year in The Good Beer Guide. A must visit when in Leeds.

fabulous rebuild of old pub,extended and modernised.4 hand pumps and now sells food.very freindly staff,vast improvement

Real Ales from Cains, Charles Wells, Adnams, Deuchars IPA. A Mild always available along with a Batemans offering. Plus changing guest beer. Food available at lunch times

Excellent, traditional back street boozer surrounded by modern office buildings. Multi-room layout with décor mellowed by age to gentle golden hues, an outstanding unfancy Victorian interior. Nine hand pumps spread between the corridor serving hatch and the front bar, serving a range of mainly UK microbrewery beers all in fine condition but a little cold. You can easily spend many happy hours here. Mixed group of punters ranging from suits at lunchtime to student types and regulars. Attentive and friendly Irish staff who make bar work look easy. Regular music of different sorts and just a short walk from the railway station.