The Leopard, Doncaster

Real Ale available

This decent sized corner pub near the station has a very dated but tradition style. Above the classic glazed tile exterior, the bold lettering depicts the former owners Warwick & Richardson Brewery and their Newark Ales & Stouts. The interior still retains the old fashioned Lounge / Public Bar set up. The carpeted lounge bar has a very tired and slightly tatty feel to it with a few bits of bric a brac spread around and those nicotine coloured walls that were popular to mask the residues of cigarette smoke. In fairness, any attempt to brighten it up or modernise it would probably spoil its dated and lived in character. The public bar is equally drab in an interesting kind of way with a stone tiled floor, heavy drape curtains, Pool area, juke box and a couple of TV's. Beyond is a small patio area. It was fairly quiet on my post match evening and the bar was mainly populated by Spurs fans having a quick celebratory pint after caning the locals 5-1. Upstairs is a 200 capacity music venue with live bands on Fridays and Saturdays. A few notable bands such as Travis and Kasabian have passed through on their way to stardom and the place seems to do an admiral job showcasing local acts as well as hosting a few regulars of the “toilet” circuit. The place does have a good reputation for ales on my visit the 3 consisted of RCH Steam Silver, Glentworth Summer Rain and the rather more mundane John Smiths. It's fair to say the Leopard won't be to everyone's taste and probably has more of a nostalgic appeal to people who drank in pubs in the 60's and 70's. That said the beers were good, it is handy for the station and you may just spot the next big thing on the music scene. If you just fancy brief stop, there are a selection of pubs nearby so it does make a decent stop as part of a pub crawl