The Old Red Lion, Leeds

The Old Red Lion is a Sam Smiths pub which was reasonably busy with a local crowd on the recent Friday afternoon that I visited. The saloon bar area is located to the left of the entrance where the actual bar faces some conventional seating that lines the exterior windowed wall. The usual SS draught is available at low prices and I counted four hand pumps. One of these was unused and the other three were badged with Old Brewery Bitter which was served way too cold. I suppose that you take what you get when you are paying 90p for half a pint. Beyond the bar to the left is a semi separate seating area and the toilets are located around the back of the bar. The corridor that runs past the toilets links the bar area to a couple of small rooms in the right hand side of the building. One of these rooms houses a pool table and the other a dartboard. This is the only entertainment as I didn’t spot any televisions and there was no background music playing. Being originally from London I am used to SS pubs being quite ornate as the brewery has restored them to their original splendour, but this pub feels like a basic local’s boozer (not that there is anything wrong with that). I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit here again, but I’m glad that I popped in when I had the chance.

There was a nice coal fire lit in the main lounge on our visit, which was good as the beer was served quite cold, but I suppose you can't complain as the prices are so cheap in here, even cheaper than Spoons. I tried the Sam Smith's Light Mild, which was just passable, but then am not a great fan of Sam Smith's beers anyway.