Kirkstall Bridge Inn, Kirkstall, Leeds

Formerly the Old Bridge Inn, this pub, with its pleasant riverside location, has been taken over and revamped by the nearby Kirkstall Brewery. The refit has created a pub well worthy of showcasing any brewery and on first viewing it seems that this place has been well worth the wait. You enter into the main bar via a porch decorated with stained glass panes with a prominent rose motif. The room has light wood flooring contrasted by dark wood panels and fixtures. The servery is on the left hand side of the room and boasts an etched glass canopy and bar back in keeping with the traditional feel the pub is trying to capture. There are a few seats opposite, but the room opens out a lot more to the right where you can choose from comfortable benches, standard chairs and low stools around a variety of tables. An attractive stone fireplace dominates the side wall and has a collection of board games next to it, whilst the walls have been decorated with some excellent black and white photos of the pub and brewery as well as an old painting of the original brewery. Sitting under the front windows, I was able to admire the stained glass front pieces, whilst the side windows had etched glasswork attached to them. A massive Bass mirror hangs on the back wall, flanked by some other smaller mirrors and bits of brewerania. From back here, you can access a small snug with a few tables in a space behind the servery. A couple of beer engines have been mounted in the middle of the main room, next to a staircase which leads down to a slightly more modern feeling second bar. This room is decorated with a spectacular amount of brewerania and some comfortable seating options, although there was no ale on the bar on my visit, so punters were making the trip upstairs for their beer. Kirkstall beers dominated the hand pumps with Pale, Paper Tiger, Generous George and Dissolution IPA available alongside three guest ales – two from Magic Rock – Curious and another I forgot to note – plus Dark Star Hophead. I finally managed to get my hands on a pint of the Dissolution IPA and it was everything I’d hoped it would be. There was an interesting keg range and some unusual bottles as well, but again I forgot to note any specifics as I was too busy exploring the pub. I think this is a fantastic pub with something to appeal to just about everyone. It’s hit that sweet-spot between traditional and contemporary that so many pubs strive for and so few achieve and I would suggest this is a must visit for locals and well worth seeking out if visiting Leeds.

After much delay, the Old Bridge has finally re-opened, becoming the Kirkstall Brewery tap. Besides the Kirkstall range, there will be guest ales, plus some imported beers. Sounds very promising.

Reportedly, just acquired by the nearby Kirkstall Brewery, becoming their first outlet.