New Masons Arms, Leeds

A long part brick, part stone building although only the right hand brick side appears to be used as the pub. A single room inside with banquettes or chairs / stools at square wooden tables, food definitely appears to be the majority of the business as the oders will testify, a good number of tables were reserved. The decor is a selection of old photos, walls not covered by banquettes are painted gold below the dado, there are a few fake beams about the place but it feels fairly cosy. There is constant music and a few screens. Two T-Bars of usual suspects, mainly Heineken products, plus a couple of solos with Latin lager and four pulls grace the wooden panelled counter. An uninspiring cask choice of a poor Landlord, Wainwright Gold and Black Sheep Bitter, the fourth was blank. In contrast to some pubs I’ve recently visited I was one of the younger customers this lunchtime, most appeared to be regulars. The toilets are cunningly hidden away each end of the counter, the ladies being upstairs on the left.

Official site of New Masons Arms - www.newmasonsarms.co.uk

Official site of New Masons Arms - www.newmasonsarms.co.uk

A little walk from the Old Masons Arms, and perhaps there is a story about how they came to share a name, but this is a much more appealing prospect overall. You enter via the compact patio beer garden at the front, and find a partially opened-out yet pleasingly traditional arrangement with a central bar opposite the door and smallish seating / dining areas on both sides. Reasonable 'pub grub' menu, with plenty of people eating. Four handpumps on the counter, dispensing Black Sheep, John Smith's Cask (£3.90), Doom Bar and Wainwright.

Real Ales and a good food offering at this popular pub. Car Parking at rear and some on the street at the front of pub, 2 outdoor drinking areas and a smoking area.