The Palace, Leeds

A fairly recent addition to the Nicholson's stable, this pub has improved from my last visit (which to be fair was a good 3 years ago). It has a good, rotating range of ales as you'd expect, and my pint of Otter Mild was in good nick. Has a pleasant outside space but it is a little out of the way for the city centre so realistically you'd only come here if you were looking for it. Decent, but there are better, more central options (Foleys, The Hop, Brewery Tap, Adelphi)

A relatively recent addition to the Nicholson's chain, the Palace is situated slightly off the main pub "circuit" and is virtually next door to St Peters Church. It's one of Nicholson's Classic Pubs. The interior consists of a number of adjoining drinking areas around a central bar. There's an outside courtyard and some seats outside at the front. Note the large clock by the side of the bar. Inside the pub, the normal Nicholson's information board tells us that the building dates back to 1741 and was first recorded as an inn in 1841. We also learn that originally the pub was outside the eastern boundary of Leeds. The boundary is shown by the East Bar Stone set into the churchyard wall of the Parish Church - look out for it as you walk past. Externally, painted brickwork tells us that The Palace Hotel was formerly a Melbourne's house and, inside the pub, we can see some frosted leaded windows with a bowing courtier motif, which was originally the brewery logo, so I gather. On the real ale side, there's 11 pumps, of which 1 was for cider. The normal Nicholson's "try before you buy" was on offer. Perhaps I should have taken them up on their offer as the Dark Star Hophead - £ 2.90p - was a bit disappointing. Interestingly, the Jaipur IPA - 5.9% - was also on offer at the same price. The Palace is only a shortish walk from the City Centre and is worthy of consideration for a visit. You might want to combine it with a visit to The Duck and Drake, which, I gather, has improved quite a lot over the last few months.

Although extensively altered over the years The Albion is very much a tradtional pub depending solely on 'wet sales'.Sport matches are shown on a large screen in the main bar area as well as tv screens in the seating areas.There is a large garden,childrens play area,covered smoking shelter and a large hall available.The pub is in need of a good makeover through out and can get a bit boistrous at times!

A large ale and food GBG2010 listed pub at the end of Kirkgate and next to the church the street takes its name from. A large open plan space with three main areas, a comfortable bar at the front, a flag floored more public bar like area at a lower level to the right and a panelled dining area to the rear. Lots of old pine tongue and grove on the bar counter and as wainscotting, the ceiling is coffered and the overall atmosphere is a mix of georgian and victorian, the place was built in 1741 and became a pub in 1841. A bit of modern stained glass and a large victorian clock on a cast iron pedestal along with a few of the usual pub type pictures completes the décor. There are 11 handpumps, one dispensing Old Rosie cider the rest with a mix of excellent micro and macro brewers ales. For completeness there was, Bass, Tetley Cask, Taylors Landlord, London Pride, Thwaites Nutty Black, Lancaster Amber, Roosters Yankee, Keltick Arthurs Ale and Thornbridge Kipling; so a good mix of types from Mild to “South Pacific Pale Ale” and strengths up to 5.2%. Four further handpumps grace the bar counter of the lower section but were not in use, this section also houses the games machines, the small TV is above the main door. A full range of kegs, mainly various brands of lager also available. The tables carry a drinks menu listing not only wine but beers with tasting notes and soft drinks, teas and coffees, very well done to the management for that rarely done nicety. The beers on sale are of course also listed on a blackboard along with the forthcoming ales. The menu also offers an interesting interpretation of the phrase “wet your whistle”, claiming ceramic drinking vessels with whistles in the handles were often used in the past and the whistle was used to attract a passing waiter, believe it if you like, I couldn't possibly comment.

This pub appears to be in the arse end of town and on a busy road island. However, it is very well presented inside, largish, nicely presented bar and comfortable seating. Even more however, the beer here is absolutely spot on. Very rare occasion when I have had the perfect pint. Well worth a visit if you're not posh enough to worry about the surroundungs outside.