The Abbey Inn, Leeds

Still the same old traditional multi space pub, nothing much has changed following lock down, fewer pulls now but the quality is unchanged, there’s a couple of marquees in the front yard which might be a Covid hangover.

This is an isolated pub in a pleasant spot between the River Aire and the Leeds-Liverpool canal, taking its name from the picturesque Kirkstall Abbey, just a short distance away. The pub has three rooms, all opened out to form a continuous U shaped layout. To enter the pub, you first pass through a fairly decent, partly covered, outdoor seating area before making your way inside where you are faced with the servery directly opposite. The bar serves the front and right hand ‘rooms’, with handpulls located on both sides, although a handy board details the full range to save having to walk from one side to the other. The pub has been carpeted throughout with lots of comfortable banquette seating and low stools as well as a few less appealing backless benches. The right hand side of the pub is slightly smaller than the left and has something of a public bar feel to it. The narrow front section merges into the left hand side which has a nice tiled fireplace and extends to the rear where there is a raised seating area in what appears to have once been a separate room. A TV screen could be found in this area, but it was turned off with a fairly quiet soundtrack playing in the background instead. Live music seems to be a staple of the pub’s entertainment roster and this was hinted at by various musical instruments on display throughout the building. The helpful barmaid talked me through the ale range which consisted of Salamander Stroke of Luck, Leeds Midnight Bell, Ilkley Mary Jane, Collingham Journeyman and Revolutions Clash Porter – the latter costing £3.10 a pint, but sadly somewhat past its best, which was a bit disappointing for a Good Beer Guide regular. I quite liked the feel of this place and thought the barmaid was very friendly and helpful, but the beer was a bit of a letdown and put me off staying for another pint. I certainly enjoyed the walk along the canal to get to the pub and would give the place the benefit of the doubt if I found myself out this way again.

Official site of the Abbey Inn - www.theabbey-inn.co.uk

Official site of the Abbey Inn - www.theabbey-inn.co.uk