The Turks Head, Leeds

Official site of The Turks Head - whitelocksleeds.com

Official site of The Turks Head - whitelocksleeds.com

This craft neighbour of Whitelocks has one room with almost a cocktail bar sort of feel, plus the shared tables outside. Some interesting-sounding crafty stuff on tap for those who like that sort of thing (overpriced and probably overchilled and overgassy of course) but it does at least offer a couple on handpump - 5 Points Pale and Anthology Canopy on this visit - albeit still pricey. Not a patch on next door.

Next door to Whitelocks but more of a modern bar than a trad boozer. The inside is decorated in a blue/grey hue with sections tiled hinting at a pharmacy style which is taken further with various cabinets filled with old pharmaceutical and herb bottles. The staff are young, hip and fun and dispense the beer with good humour and a depth of knowledge. The two cask ales offered were Brew York X-Panda and Magic Rock High Wire. The High Wire was an eye-watering £5.50 a pint but went down very well despite not being entirely clear. Worth dropping in for a swift one if visiting next door.

Part of the same building as Whitelocks down the alley,and clearly there is a connection between the two as Whitelocks customers were directed to the Turks Head gents while their own was being refurbished.However it's a totally different vibe than it's esteemed neighbour ,quite hip with 12 wall mounted keg taps and two handpumps drawing Magic Rock High Wire (cloudy but drinkable) and Brew York X Panda session IPA.The interior is quite small with the bar on entering,turquoise tiling above blue velour seating booths and a few loose tables and chairs.The external seating benches were proving popular on a fine night,and the bar is fronted with a series of glass cabinets housing medicine bottles,quite a feature. Difficult to compete with next door ,but the young serving crew were good fun and it was worth a stop on a crawl.

Arrived around 2-30pm on a Wednesday and was slightly nonplussed to find it close, however that was my fault for not checking the hours of opening which are 4pm Mon to Fri and Sat and Sun 12 noon.