Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
Whitelocks First City Luncheon Bar, Leeds
Leeds
LS1 6HB
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8½ of 10) see review guidelines
Moby Duck left this review about Whitelocks First City Luncheon Bar
It's not often I say there was unfortunately a beer festival was on but that fact meant the pub and entire alleyway outside were full to the brim, preventing a realtime impression of the pub. I managed to get a pint of Kirkstall Mitigating circumstances which was exactly the case here. I will revisit when next in Leeds.
On 23rd July 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2151 recommendations about 2118 pubs]
Blackthorn _ left this review about Whitelocks First City Luncheon Bar
Located down a narrow alleyway just off of the Briggate shopping area, this isn’t somewhere you’re likely to just stumble across by accident, but was nonetheless pretty much full to capacity on our recent Friday evening visit. There is an adjacent pub further on down the alleyway called the Turks Head, but I notice that some of the signage on this pub also references the Turks Head, so presumably they are, or were at one time, related in some way.
Internally it’s one single, fairly long room although there are some small pieces of glazed wood partitioning to break up the space slightly. Décor wise it’s quite traditional with old wooden boards on the floor at one end and red patterned carpet at the other. There are black beams on the ceiling along with embossed brown wallpaper, and the bar counter was elaborately clad with Victorian style tiling. Plenty of large brewery mirrors were around the walls, many of them fitted so as to cover the whole wall, and there was some attractive stained glass in the windows at the front.
Beers on tap were Ilkley Alpha Beta, Elusive Brewing Roots, Fell Tinderbox, Kirkstall Ruby 4X and Pale Ale, Sunbeam Black Forest Gateau Porter, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Old Peculiar and Five Points XPA and Railway Porter. After that lot, the only cider was a distinctly disappointing Aspall’s. Overall I thought this was a lovely pub with a great atmosphere, and despite the poor cider choice, I’d certainly make a point of returning next time I’m in the area.
On 8th July 2024
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2060 recommendations about 1962 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about Whitelocks First City Luncheon Bar
Not been here for some years and I can't say it's changed a great deal, although the yard outside is more regimented nowadays. The selection of beers is pretty good, with several specimens of different styles rather than a barful of hop-forward stuff. Perhaps avoid at the busiest times but otherwise a must-do.
On 28th April 2024
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3641 recommendations about 3576 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about Whitelocks First City Luncheon Bar
I lived in Leeds from 1985 to 1997; my daughters were both born in this city and we often used to come here after doing our shopping in Kirkgate Market. I always liked the fact that it was not only a unique and wonderful pub, with a yard in which it was possible for the kids to have their coke and a packet of crisps, but it also had a unique and wonderful name: Whitelocks First City Luncheon Bar. The interior was wonderful too, though of course if they were sitting outside then so was I. The yard is a bit more presentable these days - a benefit of the Covid restrictions - but I drank my beer inside as it was quite busy at around 7pm, but quieter indoors. A massive choice of 10 or so hand pumps, and it was good to see the bar staff dealing in a friendly and helpful way with enquiries from what were obviously first time customers. It's usually said that this pub is hard to find, though with a map on every phone that no longer applies, and this is now a bit of a tourist attraction. My half of Elland 1872 Porter was as good as I can remember - I had several bottles at home during the second lockdown, but this is my first from the cask in about three years. I'll have to come back soon, and if the 1872 is not a regular there's always Old Peculier.
On 10th June 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 4273 recommendations about 3935 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about Whitelocks First City Luncheon Bar
Covid Special
No entry without details here, booking is obviously desirable, conducted to table as it’s table service /card only, quiet on my visit but still slowish service.
On 1st September 2020
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3599 recommendations about 3279 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Brainy Pool left this review about Whitelocks First City Luncheon Bar
Lovely preserved interior that has been described a trillion times already, nice atmosphere and about seven or eight ales on with a variety of styles. abrupt service though - not my fault if you don’t know which pump is dispensing the beer i asked for. The £2.20 i shelled out for a half was just about worth it to drink in here.
On 21st September 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1174 recommendations about 1136 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about Whitelocks First City Luncheon Bar
Very hard to find, even when you know where it is! Who would have a thought an alley next to a Virgin Money shop could reveal such a gem.
1715 building and an interior from 1895. Narrow bar, rarely a chance to sit but I found myself ordering food in the dining area towards the end.
TT landlord in great condition. Pie, with a thick suet crust that would have defeated someone less hungry, was an experience.
A classic pub that must be found out if in Leeds.
Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2GIt0cz
On 13th February 2019
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1563 recommendations about 1543 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about Whitelocks First City Luncheon Bar
Just a quick update on the beers in this Leeds institution: two Theakstons on the 3 pull opposite the door, three Saltaires on the next 4 pull - a remnant of a tap takeover this week - and a selection on the last 2 pulls being a local from Ridgeside and a reasonably priced London import from Five Points - 5.4% brown for £4.20 in decent nick which isn't bad for here.
On 10th November 2018
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3599 recommendations about 3279 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Mark Davey left this review about Whitelocks First City Luncheon Bar
An 11:30am Saturday visit saw the pub with a few people in and the chance to have a good look round. Decent range of brews on the bar, which looked freshly polished and ready to go. I can't comment on the prices as I was part of a whip, but the beer was on top form. Nice staff, decent atmosphere, well worth a visit. I'm sure that Trainman will elaborate...
On 17th January 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 292 recommendations about 276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Al Bundy left this review about Whitelocks First City Luncheon Bar
A nice pub situated down a side alleyway and by God is it expensive. There are 8 handpumps dispensing some interesting beers and all jaw-droppingly expensive. There are several taps for crafty and generic beers. The pub is lovely and ornate but sadly my vision was blurred due to the prices bringing tears to my eyes. An 8 for the look of the pub but reduced down to a 4 for the rip off prices.
On 7th April 2017
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3487 recommendations about 3390 pubs]