Templar Hotel, Leeds

This large street corner pub has an impressive exterior which betrays previous allegiances to both Tetley's and the now defunct Melbourne Brewery. The pub has been under threat for some time due to the development of the nearby Eastgate complex and a vociferous campaign has been mounted to prevent the city losing one of its more characterful pubs. The interior is divided into two main sections either side of the servery which is located mid way along the right hand wall. The front area, which I believe has been opened out from its original layout, is carpeted and has banquette and low stool seating, some of which is partitioned by small stained glass screens. The servery also has some nice stained glass in its canopy, as do some of the attractive windows. A great many jugs, plates and other ceramics were displayed around the room which also had several screens showing sports, including horse racing, whilst music played in the background. The rear room has some wonderful original wood panelling, curved banquettes with their original bell pushes and a nice red tiled fireplace on the end wall, as well as another TV screen and a dartboard. Some customers here were playing traditional board games and others were good humoured when the full PuG party attempted a complex group photo routine. A board behind the bar listed the ale range, which on our visit comprised Tetley's Cask, Bradfield Farmer's Blonde, Ilkley Gold, Kirkstall Three Swords (£2.89), Copper Dragon Black Gold, Thwaites Wainwright and Bridestones Dark Mild. The Three Swords was a fantastic pint and good value as well and I also had time for a pint of the Dark Mild which was also on top form. The staff were all very friendly, as were the old boys propping up the bar who were good for a bit of banter. This is the sort of pub I love spending time in and if the PuG crawlers had decided to spend the rest of the evening in here, I wouldn't have complained. One of my favourites from a couple of long weekends in Leeds and near the top of the list for a revisit.

The Templar is a long thin pub that was pretty busy during my recent late Friday afternoon visit, but the long bar and pub size is well equipped to handle plenty of customers. The bar is located along the front right hand wall and it faces some booth seating that runs along the left. At the rear are a separate seating area and a dartboard. There was some low background music playing and plasma screens found throughout were showing muted horse racing. The bar is stocked with a standard draught range and I counted nine hand pumps I liked it in here and thought that the friendly locals added to the good atmosphere. I would gladly return.

A return visit to this fine pub and sometime during the intervening four years since I was in last has seen an improvement on the Ale range on offer. Double the amount of beers are now available and although still the place for a reliable pint of Tetleys Cask there is now much more regional choice and fine pints of Thwaits Wainwrights Gold and Copper Dragon Black Gold were enjoyed. Still has that old style boozer feel to it and was quite lively on this early Friday evening with an eclectic mix of friendly locals. The improved range of beer on offer allows me to bump the review level up one point from before.

Another good traditional pub and one I could quite happily stay in for a good few hours. There were eight ales to choose from, I went for the Kirkstall Three Swords which was superb. The Copper Dragon Black Gold was another good beer on our visit. Have to agree with BF, that the PG tour was definitely in full swing, by the time we arrived here. Would defo return here when back in Leeds.

A very traditional street corner city centre boozer,both the exterior and interior have features well worth observing.The open plan interior has a lot of rich wood panelling with three banquettes at the front of the pub,and a back section with a bench seat around the walls with a flatscreen above the fireplace featuring the racing .This rear area was taken over by the PuG tour save for one bemused local who waited patiently for the storm to pass. I counted eight handpumps with quite a bit of local produce and my Kirkstall Three Swords was in fine shape.Tetley ales still in evidence despite the change of provenance.Well worth including on any tour,the calm atmosphere would tempt me into a longer stay on my next visit.

This was a really friendly pub that had a mix of clientele giving a good atmosphere. Not a bad choice of ales on the bar and we had Thwaites Wainwright and Kirkstall Three Swords.

As usual JB is spot on with his description below. We visited on a Saturday lunchtime. It was packed with mainly male, middle aged drinkers. Apart from Tetleys Mild & Bitter there were also 4 changing guest ales all from local breweries. My pint was in good nick as was the other halfs sparkling water :-)) It's a bit loud and boisterous, but very good natured. A proper drinkers pub.