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Chat about:
Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Blackthorn _ left this review about Wapentake
A pleasant pub located on the popular Kirkgate, this describes itself as a café/bar and presumably morphs from one to the other as the day progresses on account of the fact that they stop serving food at 6:00pm, which was a bit of a shame as we were looking for a bite to eat. Nonetheless, it looked sufficiently tempting that we stopped for a drink.
Internally it’s all one open plan room, with the rear section up a couple of steps, and some large windows looking out and to what appears to be a small courtyard, although we did not investigate this. Unlike many café/bars. It’s got a fairly traditional pub feel to it, with rough wooden boards on the floor, a dark wood-panelled bar counter and some areas of exposed brickwork with rough plasterwork elsewhere. An old piano was off to one side in an alcove under the stairs, and an enormous selection of beer mats suggested an ever-changing selection. One wall was pretty much covered with old pictures and mirrors, whilst some festoon style lighting provided a low level of light which made for a rather cosy atmosphere. A TV screen was showing the football was the volume was off so this was not too intrusive and we found it a peaceful respite away from many of the very noisy bars nearby.
Beers on tap were Abbeydale Moonshine and Kirkstall Pale Ale, whilst a further two pumps appeared unused so there may on occasions be others. The solitary cider meanwhile was Somersby. Overall, despite the disappointing cider choice, I quite liked it here and would certainly pop in again if in the area.
On 8th July 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2060 recommendations about 1962 pubs]
Will Larter left this review about Wapentake
This cafe bar was saved from imminent closure after the collapse of a nearby building led to a collapse in trade. See this: https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/business/wapentake-leeds-owners-of-well-loved-cafe-bar-in-kirkgate-thrilled-as-business-saved-from-closure-4677775
On 30th June 2024
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 4273 recommendations about 3935 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about Wapentake
Cafe bar situated close to a few other good Leeds pubs. With 12 of us descending on the place, I wasn't sure whether we would be able to get seats, especially with it being a matchday. However, as luck would have it, a slightly smaller group vacated the largest table in the ground floor room, just as we arrived.
We didn't venture upstairs, but did see food/snacks/drinks being delivered there. In addition, there was a small courtyard area at the rear.
Just the 2 real ales were on - Kirkstall Pale Ale & Ridgeside Io. It was only after ordering the Io that I spotted the Leeds Urban Harvest Leeds City Cider in a box in the fridge. I ordered that as well and it was a rather dry affair.
On 24th August 2021
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3040 recommendations about 3038 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about Wapentake
Agree with JAQPTIO, this is definitely a café bar. It was very busy on our Sunday afternoon visit with rugby being shown downstairs and football in the upstairs area. Due to the footy I couldn't really get a look at the upstairs. Friendly enough downstairs with 3 beers available. My pint was in good nick, but wasn't really to my taste. I wouldn't mind calling in again when it's not as busy.
On 1st April 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3286 recommendations about 3196 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Wapentake
Very much a café bar, with cakes on the counter as well as four handpumps. Eclectic mix of furniture and decor in the slightly split-level ground-floor bar and smaller upstairs seating area. Beer-wise, I found Acorn Barnsley Bitter, Sunbeam Break of Day (£3.40), Kirkstall Dissolution IPA and Roosters London Thunder. Quite good in its own way, but I did have a major problem with inconsiderate customers leaving the back door open with no thought for the rest of us on a windy winter day...
On 16th February 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8679 recommendations about 8678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about Wapentake
An interesting medium sized bar with a patio garden at the rear. The small and compact bar area was situated on the right of entrance, which was elaborately finished in a dark stained timber. Four handpumps with two in use and as luck would have it, Roosters Yankee and Kirkstall Three Swords, so I went for a pint of each and one was as good as the other.
On 20th July 2018
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3645 recommendations about 3645 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
david hammill left this review about Wapentake
Called in tonite place full to the brim Tuesday evening beer spot on friendly staff all real ales £ 2 a pint on Tuesday
On 14th March 2017
- rating: 10
[User has posted 96 recommendations about 86 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about Wapentake
A long single room shop conversion into a cafe bar, sells all things Yorkshire food and drinkwise, although I'm not sure how Sharps Atlantic fits with that. Three of the four pulls had decently kept Leeds brews from North and Northern Monk. 10 keg founts with a variety of national and local brands, there are also gins and bottles as well as coffee and cakes. Plain decor with many arty photos and pictures, a map of each Yorkshire Riding and a helpful inscription telling you what a Wapentake was. Furnishing is all tables and chairs in a variety of styles and some high stools opposite the counter, it is very much a cafe-bar not a pub or bar. There is some sort of garden at the back and another room upstairs.
On 26th June 2016
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3599 recommendations about 3279 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
aleand hearty left this review about Wapentake
Newly opened cafe / bar and deli, based on all things Yorkshire.
On 7th January 2016
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 644 recommendations about 624 pubs]